1 Day Birth Prep Intensive in Malaga - HypnoBirthing®

Yes. HypnoBirthing is a very complete prenatal course that benefits all parents. It doesn't matter whether you're planning a hospital birth, a home birth, a water birth, a land birth, a birth with or without medical intervention, or even a caesarean. HypnoBirthing will benefit you. The course gives you evidence-based birth information so you can make healthy, informed decisions that feel right for your family, while helping you understand how birth and maternity care work here in Spain.

No, doulas don’t normally attend the 1-day birth prep intensive course. The course is designed for expectant mothers and their birth partner. So unless your doula is your birth partner, she cannot join. I am intentionally keeping the group small this helps create a comfortable, focused experience where every couple has space to fully participate.

That said, your doula is very welcome to get in touch with me if she’d like to understand how HypnoBirthing works and how she can support you alongside what you’re learning.

Yes. HypnoBirthing is a very complete prenatal course that benefits all parents. It doesn't matter whether you're planning a hospital birth, a home birth, a water birth, a land birth, a birth with or without medical intervention, or even a caesarean. HypnoBirthing will benefit you. The course gives you evidence-based birth information so you can make healthy, informed decisions that feel right for your family, while helping you understand how birth and maternity care work here in Spain.

Absolutely. While HypnoBirthing classes are primarily focused on natural childbirth techniques and pain management without medication, there are still many reasons to take the course even if you're planning to use medication during labour.

The classes help reduce anxiety and give you valuable information and techniques that are beneficial regardless of your birth plan. Even though the course emphasises coping with pain without medication, you'll still gain real insight into relaxation, breathing techniques, and how to create a positive birthing environment , and staying calm and informed matters just as much when you're navigating a hospital birth in Spain. Ultimately, the decision depends on your own preferences and goals for childbirth, and the tools you learn here will serve you whichever path you take.

Please do go along to the hospital course too. It's a great way to see the ward and meet the staff. But an independent course like this one does a very different job. Here's why parents choose to do both:

• You'll learn a range of tools and options for natural pain relief that (in most cases) aren't offered or taught in the healthcare provider's or hospital's course.
• Independent childbirth education isn't based on the policies of the hospital or healthcare provider, so nothing is left out because it doesn't suit their routine.
• You'll know all your options for childbirth, not just what your particular hospital offers.
• You'll watch birthing videos that inspire, rather than frighten.
• Birth partners are far more involved, they leave feeling genuinely prepared to support you.
• You'll be fully informed to create your birth preferences  and, because this course is built for expats, you'll get those preferences numbered in Spanish and English, ready to hand to your Spanish care team.
• It's in English, in a small group, so you understand everything fully and there's real time for your questions.

When doing the full course I recommend starting between 18 and 30 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you time to practice and get into the positive and trusting mindset you will have so much benefit from during birthing. 

The intensive is especially helpful if you are already further along since its just 1 day. 

However, it is never too early nor too late to get starting and prepare yourself for an awesome birth. 

It can be, although HypnoBirthing doesn't promise a painless birth. You'll still feel your body working for you. You'll be given techniques to facilitate your body's natural process, which can result in a painless birth. Some women (like me!) experience a partial or even painless birth; others experience some sensations that are generally tolerable.

There's no guarantee you'll have a painless birth. It takes your commitment to practising the exercises taught in class and getting comfortable with the hypnosis techniques, which is achievable for everyone with a little practice.

And bear in mind that how you look back on your birth depends on many things, not just the feeling of pain. A birth can be deeply positive and empowering even with some amount of pain, especially when you feel calm, informed and in control of what's happening around you.

Typically, HypnoBirthing families approach their births fully prepared and feel satisfied with their birth experience. Although not every mother has a pain-free birth or the exact birth she planned. Even so, the birth-satisfaction rate among HypnoBirthing mothers is higher than among those who don't use it.

Mums tell me the course brought them:

• Far less anxiety and fear around pregnancy and birth
• The confidence to make their own informed choices, even when things didn't go to plan
• A feeling of being strong and in control, so they look back on their birth positively
• Shorter, more comfortable, easier labours, with less need for intervention or pain relief
• A deep sense of empowerment and pride in their own strength and capability

And for expat parents, that calm sense of control is worth even more, it's exactly what carries you through an appointment or a decision in an unfamiliar system, in a language that isn't your first.

HypnoBirthing is a philosophy of natural childbirth education enhanced by hypnosis techniques. Though the name might suggest so, this well-thought-out program of childbirth education is not limited to a hypnosis technique, but consists of six components; deep relaxation, self-hypnosis, breathing techniques, visualisations, affirmations and physiological knowledge and natural childbirth education.

It is about training your mind and body to relax and work together in harmony facilitating natural birth process. This will contribute to a healthier, drug-free and stress-free birth experience for the mother, baby and father.

The hypnosis used in HypnoBirthing is a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, similar to the relaxed state you may experience when you are absorbed in a book or daydreaming. You remain conscious and in control throughout the process. You are not made to do anything against your wishes or values. The techniques are taught so that you can use relaxation and self-hypnosis yourself during pregnancy and birth.

The 1-Day Birth Prep Intensive will be held in Malaga city.

The exact location depends on the availability of the venue I rent. Upon confirming your registration for the course, I will provide you with the exact address of the location.

Yes, if the full course isn’t realistic for you, the 1-Day Intensive is a much better option than going into birth without preparation. But it isn’t the same as the full 5-week course.

The full course gives you more time to absorb the information, practise the techniques, ask questions and gradually build confidence between sessions. That slow process is an important part of HypnoBirthing, and you simply don’t get the same time for it in one day.

The intensive is designed for when time is limited, whether you’re further along in pregnancy, have a busy schedule, or simply prefer one focused day. You’ll learn the essential knowledge and techniques and have the chance to practise them together.

If you have the time, I recommend the full course. If you don’t, the intensive gives you a solid foundation and practical tools to go into birth feeling informed, prepared and confident.