Shows
Birthworker Podcast — The Business Podcast for Doula Entrepreneurs115. Will "Hypnobirth" Really Help Your Doula Clients Have Better Births? A Conversation with Claire SmithHave you ever wondered if embracing Hypnobirth techniques could transform your role as a Birth Doula and the experiences of your clients?If you're ready to discover how the principles of Hypnobirth could redefine the success of your Birth Doula services, then get out a pen and paper; this episode is for you!Today, I'm joined by Claire Smith from Birthing Parents Club, who is sharing her insight and experience from being a Doula, hypnobirthing teacher, and all-round cheerleader of birth!In this episode, we dive into the following:The surprising truth...2024-01-3145 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.30. How to have a HypnobirthToday we're exploring the idea of 'having a hypnobirth'; what the stereotypical idea of a hypnobirth is and how useful I think that is! Spoiler - I don't think a hypnobirth is a thing.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a...2023-09-2919 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.29. Three Distractions for LabourWelcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 6 in the series explores three different distractions for labour: TENS machines, cold flannels & physical touch.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.I...2023-08-1411 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.28. How Does Labour Start?Welcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 5 in the series looks at the different ways your labour might begin.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not y...2023-08-1115 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.27. Why Calm MattersWelcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 4 in the series explores why being calm matters for birth - one of the fundamental theories of hypnobirthing.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on i...2023-08-1011 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.26. The Importance of EnvironmentWelcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 3 in the series explores the importance of the birth environment, creating familiarity in a maternity unit & why you should to prepare to labour at home.Keep up to date with all t...2023-08-0515 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.25. How Birth Works!Welcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 1 in the series explores a very brief outline of how birth works, looking first at what contractions are and then finishing by looking at birth hormones.Keep up to date with a...2023-07-3110 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.24. Why Prepare for Birth?Welcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.Episode 1 in the series discusses why you should bother preparing for birth in the first place.Some of my favourite birthworkers mentioned in the episode:Anna | Hackney Hypnobirthing | @hackneyhypnobirthing2023-07-2616 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.23. Guided Breathwork Practice.This bonus episode is a guided breathwork practice and accompanies episode 4 of The Hypno-WHAT Podcast, where I teach you about the ways in which your breathing affects the functioning of your body.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line...2023-05-2315 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.22. Breathwork for labour & birthThis week we are talking about breathing and why it’s one of the most well-known hypnobirthing tools. Our breathing can help us to take control of how our body is reacting to a situation and how you breathe really does impact on the chemistry of your body.We briefly look at different techniques to use in labour & birth and alongside this episode there is a bonus episode with a guided breathwork to help you practice.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on in...2023-03-2420 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.21. Preparing for Chest & BreastfeedingThis episode will be discussing how to prepare for chest or breastfeeding your baby and we are going to be mostly discussing what normal newborn behaviour looks like for babies who are not bottle fed. This is something I think is super important to understand before baby arrives, because with the UK’s breastfeeding rates being amongst the lowest in the world, very few of us actually know what that looks like or what to expect - and that also goes for our support network.Human milk is designed to be very easily digested - this makes it...2023-02-0235 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.20. Unpicking preconceptions about hypnobirthing with Jade & Alix from The Birth UprisingWarning - this episode contains a bit of swearing, so if that's not your vibe maybe give this episode a miss.The very first guests on The Hypno-WHAT Podcast are my brilliant pals Jade & Alix who run The Birth Uprising, who I trained with back in 2021. The TBU approach is 'no fluff, no bull'; Jade & Alix tell it like it is, there's no pretension with this pair at all, and they are fiercely passionate about making hypnobirthing accessible to all. TBU content is always inclusive, striving to include support for everyone and every kind of birth...2023-01-2041 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.19. Estimated Due DatesThe Estimated Due Date... that magical day your hit 40 weeks and fully expect your baby to arrive then or shortly after. As does everyone you shared the date with. The texts flood in - Have you had the baby yet? How long are they going to let you go? Get a sweep. Eat 14 pineapples.None of it is ill intended but it can sow the seeds of doubt and have you questioning your body - why hasn't it gone in to labour by now?Well today I'm going to talk you through the due date...2023-01-1318 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.18. Guided Relaxation - Pregnancy Body ScanThis 10 minute body scan is designed to help you find softness and stillness whenever you need to.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears...2023-01-1311 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.17. Water Birth - what does the evidence say?In this episode I’ll be discussing using water during your labour - and that doesn’t necessarily mean you plan to birth your baby in the pool. Birth pools & showers can be brilliant tools for relief during labour, even if you want to birth your baby out of the water.There are lots of big claims about birth pools - they make labour less painful and can reduce your risk of intervention... but what does the evidence actually say? Let me break it down for you in today's episode.Ke...2022-12-0621 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.16. Guided Relaxation - Connecting with your pregnant bodyNever tried a guided relaxation before? The short tracks on this podcast are a great place to start. This track is just over 6 minutes long and designed to be used wherever & whenever you need a quick reset and to check in with yourself & baby.The intention of this practice is for you to connect with your body & baby, recognising where you are at the present moment, acknowledging that & accepting it. I encourage you to notice not only the negatives, as our brains are so inclined to do, but also the positives.2022-12-0607 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.15. Your Amazing Uterus & It's Powerful ContractionsToday's episode is going to be focusing on contractions - what are they? And how does our uterus actually work?Most people in the beginning know very little about what contractions are. They just think 'Right I’m going to have contractions, whatever they are, and they will get bigger and harder until my baby is born' ...and that’s just not true for everyone. Not all contractions are made equal; we have different kinds of contractions which do completely different jobs, at different stages in our labour.I really hope this episode helps to brea...2022-11-0317 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.14. First Steps to Feeling Better About BirthIt’s all very well to be told about the importance of building a positive mindset for birth, but how do you actually get to a place where that feels realistic?For some people, they hit pregnancy feeling pretty neutral about birth, others even feel good and excited about the experience of giving birth, however, there are a great many people who don’t fall in to either of those camps. If that is you, you are not alone. In fact, I’d say you’re maybe in the majority group!If you are currently in a pla...2022-10-2027 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.13. Tailoring Your Birth EnvironmentToday we are talking all about how to tailor your environment for birth. In the previous episode of the show we looked at choosing where to give birth, now we’re thinking about the considerations for how to make that environment supportive of birth.We talk about the importance of remembering that the majority of birth begins at home - unless you are having a caesarean or induction then you will be labouring at home, so what can you do to support yourself there?I also talk a little about how all of this still ap...2022-09-3026 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.12. Why Should You Write A Birth Plan & Where To Start!Today’s episode I’m introducing you to one of my favourite aspects of birth preparation - and what I also think is the most important thing to make sure you do - and that’s get yourself some birth plans sorted out! Yes plural!!!There is definitely an element of being able to ‘go with the flow’ when it comes to your experience of birth, but the process of writing and researching your birth plans is not something you want to overlook. It’s a really powerful way to become familiar with birth, how it works and what you...2022-09-2338 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.11. Choosing Where To Birth Your BabyIn today’s episode I take you through a bit of the process of choosing where to birth your baby and explore your options for midwife led units, labour ward, theatre & home birth. There's quite a bit to get through, and it's a bit juicy! Hence why I'm chatting for a bit longer than usual this week.We also touch on your right to choose where you give birth, and this right is protected by law. The organisations mentioned are AIMS UK and Birth Rights who provide an incredible free resource to families who nee...2022-09-1637 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.10. Listener Q&AThis episode I’m answering some questions from the listeners. The topics we cover today are:My experience of hypnobirthingWhat to do with your placentaWhen to book your birth prep coursesHow to know when to go to hospitalIs it really bad to birth on your backI’ll be doing regular Q&As so if you want to make sure your question makes it on to the next one then please fire me an email at claire@birthingparentsclub.com or drop me a line on instagram.Keep up to date...2022-09-0825 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.9. Getting Your Birth Partner Involved & The Role of a DoulaNo one wants to be a crap birth partner do they? Today I discuss with you why your birth partner is important, as well as how to get them on board. I also introduce the idea of doulas and what they can bring to the party.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, ep...2022-09-0230 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.8. Creating a Hypnobirthing Practice with Anchoring (& no pressure!)Creating the perfect practice and fitting it in to already busy lives is something that can put a lot of people off exploring hypnobirthing. Today I want to give you a few tips on how to go about getting your Hypnobirthing practice in without having to carve out hours every night creating the perfect place for it.We also explore the idea of anchoring - tools that you can use to help your brain & body relax with more ease. These will form the basis for creating your birth environment when the time comes for...2022-08-2622 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.7. Guided Relaxation - Affirmations to Build Self TrustNever tried a guided relaxation before? The short tracks on this podcast are a great place to start. This affirmation track is designed to be used in the evenings as you're getting yourself settled down, ready for bed. Don't worry if you fall asleep. Your brain is still listening and relaxation is what we're after, and asleep usually means relaxed, so the track is doing it's job!The intention of this practice is for you to connect with your body & baby, recognising any worries that may be cropping up for you and to begin...2022-08-2513 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.6. Self Hypnosis, Visualisation & AffirmationsWhen we believe that we are safe, we are far more likely to enter birth feeling calm & in control as well as being far more likely to feel positively about the experience afterwards.Hypnobirthing tools, such as the 3 we will go through in this episode, can be an incredibly powerful way of reframing birth for your brain, creating a positive belief system and kicking out bad vibes.The birth photography accounts I mentioned you can find on instagram at:@leepettigrewphotography@amandasmithbirth@evarosebirthKeep up to date with...2022-08-1922 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.5. The Science Behind Hypnobirthing: How Your Nervous System Impacts BirthIn this episode I take you through the science behind hypnobirthing, exploring how our nervous system works to try and keep us safe and the impact that can have on birth.I also share my favourite every-day breathing technique to help with regulating the nervous system.This episode is relevant for everyone, pregnant or not. We all have an autonomic nervous system and I really believe that appreciating why it gets triggered, as well as the signs that it has been, is important for everyone.Keep up to date with all the goings...2022-08-1224 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.4. How Your Hormones Make Birth Happen!Hormones are your body's toolkit for birth - interacting with one another to prepare your body for labour; coordinate effective contractions; and ensure the sensations of labour are manageable for your body.In this episode we'll be going through 5 of the main hormones involved in birth: oxytocin, endorphins, adrenaline, melatonin & prostaglandins. There are many more but I had to draw the line somewhere... definitely something we'll be revisiting in another episode!Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also...2022-08-0530 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.2. Guided Relaxation - Worry StonesNever tried a guided relaxation before? This short track is a great place to start. It's designed to be used in the evenings as you're getting yourself settled down, ready for bed. Don't worry if you fall asleep. Your brain is still listening and relaxation is what we're after, and asleep usually means relaxed, so the track is doing it's job!The intention of this practice is for you to connect with your body & baby, recognising any worries that may be cropping up for you and to begin to work on letting them go.2022-07-2916 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.3. The Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle & Building a Positive MindsetIn this episode we'll be looking at the concept of the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle and exploring the impact being afraid can have on birth. I'll also be talking you through my thoughts on the language we use to describe the sensations of labour.To accompany this episode I have released a wee bonus for you: a guided relaxation focussing on releasing fear & anxiety. It's nice & short; a perfect listen for winding down before bed. We round off this episode by going through 5 different tools you can use to start working on building a positive mindset...2022-07-2920 min
Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.1. What is Hypnobirthing?! Debunking some myths!Welcome to the very first episode of Hypno-WHAT!Hypnobirthing is hippy-dippy nonsense; it's JUST breathing; it's only for homebirth/water birth/natural birth - we've all heard them before. People have a lot of preconceptions about hypnobirthing.Let me tell you what hypnobirthing is with Claire and The Calm! I'll be debunking these myths along with giving you a bit of an introduction in to what hypnobirthing actually is.Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.If instagrams not your thing you can also...2022-07-2222 min