(page numbers in italic represent diagrams; those in bold represent tables and lists)
A
active birthing positions see birthing positions
active labour 94, 108, 110, 176
active management 121–6, 190–1
how to manage body’s production of 18
advocate 198
affirmation xvi, 5, 24, 28–9, 33, 34–7, 47, 51, 53, 56, 57, 66, 74–5, 101–3, 148
examples of 34–5
affirmation cards 34, 37, 51, 213, 216
alternatives, explained 86–7, 92, 136, 137
amber state 100
anchor setting 39–40
‘anxiety to excitement’ spectrum xxi, 215
arm drops 41–2, 45, 46, 101, 103, 181, 183, 186, 224, 225–7
arm elevation 13
arm stroking 40, 41, 46, 101, 103, 111, 149, 166, 170, 177, 180, 183, 186, 222–4
assisted delivery 9, 62, 132, 133, 136–7, 146, 202, 206
association:
building positively 35
B
baby, benefits of hypnobirthing to xvii–xviii, xix–xx
baby-led weaning 85
‘baby moving down the birth canal’ visualisation 32
baby’s skull 139–40
bean bags 60
benefits, explained 84–5, 136–7
birth bag 53, 55, 56, 99, 148–9, 181, 197, 210–12, 212, 213
birth ball 6, 67, 105, 149, 174, 177, 200, 213
birth canal, during down stage of labour xxi, 8, 25, 26, 32, 112, 113, 160
birth centres 59–60, 61, 66–8, 71
birth experience i, xii–xiv, xvi–xviii, xxi, 20, 78, 79, 90–1, 102, 104, 132, 136, 138, 145–6, 147, 151, 165, 201, 203, 210, 214, 217, 224
birth partner (see also doula) 38–9, 56, 70, 84, 90, 111–12, 149–50, 157, 166, 171–2
and arm stroking 40, 170, 222–5
and the B.R.A.I.N. framework 94–5, 181–2
and counting 177–8
discussing birth preferences with 196–9
as ‘gatekeeper/keeper of the cave’ 103
and guided relaxation 177, 219–27
importance of 102
and light-touch massage 43, 45, 170
looking after 54
and skin-to-skin time 117, 161, 191
at third stage 192
at up stage 183–4
birth photography 34, 36, 102, 154, 198, 216, 230
birth pools 10, 45, 46, 54, 57, 65–70 passim, 105, 142–3, 153, 161, 170, 182, 189, 192, 200, 201, 205
birth preferences 99, 116–18, 126, 141, 145, 159, 164–5, 181, 184, 188, 191, 195–9, 196–9, 213, 230
templates 200–7
birth stories xiv, 19, 34, 102, 185, 198, 203, 216, 217, 228, 230, 238
Antonia 46–8
Elinor 144–5
Eshere 65–6
Hayley 95–6
Holly 73–5
Kate 162–4
Katie 104–6
Natalie 167–9
Paige 152–5
Sarah 126–9
Verity 208–9
birthing 168
birthing positions xx–xxi, 6–11, 7, 20–2
birthing space (see also environment) 50, 97, 170
birthing stools 60
birthing videos xiv, 31, 34, 230
birthplace choice 109, 127, 232
blood flow 189
after birth 124–5
blood loss see postpartum haemorrhage
body-mass index (BMI) 137
bonding 49, 118–19, 148, 161, 166, 168, 187, 190, 201
bottle-feeding 85
B.R.A.I.N. 83–96, 115, 132, 133, 136, 137–8, 140, 152, 191, 192, 194
defined 84
breastfeeding 49, 85, 117, 119–20, 148, 161, 166, 169, 187
breathing 170–1
importance of 24–6
in-for-four/out-for-eight breathing technique 26, 27, 32, 110, 149, 163–4, 177
bubble baths 16
bum-down baby (breech) 11, 89, 208
C
caesareans xxi, 21, 62, 63, 67, 89, 91, 117, 144, 145, 195
different types explained 156–60
unplanned xii, xvi, xvii, 60, 167–9, 202, 206, 208–9
candlelight (see also scented candles; tea lights) 16, 29, 38, 42, 47, 51, 55–6, 66, 73–4, 179, 180
cascade of intervention 77
cave 97–106
birth partner as ‘gatekeeper/keeper of’ 97, 103, 104, 184, 188
safety of 97
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) 33
changes to, during pregnancy 4–5
described 4–5
effacing 5
at established labour stage 108–9
and larger babies 140
softening of 26
cholestasis see obstetric cholestasis
Christmas babies 138–9
clickbait 35
clinical justification 133, 134, 136–8, 140, 143
coconut oil 55
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) 33
consent 77, 78, 83, 89, 93, 94, 124
contractions (see also surges) 3, 19, 28, 115
frequency, duration and intensity of 109
control, benefits of retaining 78–9
‘conveyor belt of care’ described 77
cord clamping xix, 117, 120–2, 124, 161, 189, 191, 202, 209
counting techniques 25, 27, 29–30, 31–3, 46, 101, 145, 149, 183, 229
cuddling 15, 122, 168, 177, 191, 192
D
dads-to-be, birth-partner role of 98, 102
decision-making see B.R.A.I.N.
depression see postnatal depression
diabetes see gestational diabetes
Dick-Read, Dr Grantly 20
Digital Pack, launch of xiv
dilation 4, 5, 8, 19, 20, 107, 115, 174, 176
and transition 111
to-do list xvii, 103, 171, 198
doula (see also birth partner) 98, 171, 231
Doula UK 171
practising while on the loo 30–1, 116
down stage 107
of labour 4, 26, 30, 32, 110, 111, 112–16, 187–8, 201
‘duration’ element 175
dystocia see shoulder dystocia
E
early labour 108–9, 120, 172–7
effacing, of cervix 5
empowerment i, xii, xiv, xvii, xxi, 34, 72, 76, 78, 81–3, 89–91, 95, 102–3, 107, 124, 131, 151, 156, 159, 161, 167, 182, 194–5, 196, 203, 215, 217, 221, 224, 227
environment (see also birthing space):
and the five senses checklist 212
importance of xviii, 47, 56, 59, 66, 72–3, 97, 99, 103, 111, 119, 146, 148, 150, 158, 165, 180–1, 200, 201, 217
maintaining 184, 187, 188, 191, 192
and safety 16
epidural (see also pain relief) xii, 63, 66–7, 72, 111, 115, 132, 133, 136–7, 146, 151–2, 201, 211
essential oils 52, 53, 55, 56, 73, 148, 166, 176, 180, 181, 200, 201, 212, 213
established labour 94, 108, 110, 176, 177–84
euphoria xiii, 17, 94, 119, 128–9, 150–1, 192, 217
‘every surge brings me closer to my baby’ affirmation 28–9
evidence-based guidelines see NICE
exhaling/inhaling see breathing
fabrics, choosing 54
fairy lights xiii, 51, 148, 179, 212, 213
family members 32, 98, 171, 183
favourable cervix 5
‘fear, tension and pain’ cycle 20–1, 22–3, 49–50, 82, 98, 146
feel-good factors (see also oxytocin) 15, 17, 37, 43, 119, 147, 212
fetal fibronectin 5
fibronectin 5
fight-or-flight response 18
final stretch 184–8
five senses checklist 50–6, 99, 148, 150, 179, 183, 187, 188, 191, 212
foreplay 15
fragrance, use of 52
‘frequency’ element 175
Friends 168
fundus 4
G
game-changers 16, 65, 93, 96, 114
gatekeeper/keeper, birth partner as 97, 103, 104, 184, 188
gestational age 139
gestational diabetes 131, 134, 139, 144, 163, 194
‘giving consent’ see informed consent
Golden Hour 116–21, 188, 191, 202
‘golden thread’ visualisation 32
green state 100, 101, 103, 180, 185, 186, 187, 216, 219
green zone 154
guided relaxation xvi, 24, 38–9, 40, 46, 53, 103, 148, 174, 176, 177, 179, 181, 183, 216, 219–27, 228, 229 (see also relaxation techniques)
H
haemorrhage, postpartum 119, 124–5, 191, 202
hand clenching 13
headphones 38, 53, 141, 212, 213
‘Hello, Baby!’ 188–93
Hill, Milli 28
hobbies 37
hormonal rollercoaster 15
hospital, preparation before admission to 9–10
hospital bag see birth bag
hospital births, case for 68–73
hot-air balloon visualisation 32
how to say ‘No’ 82
hypnobirthing:
described xv–xvi
science behind 1
hypnobirthing practice schedule 228
illness, pregnancy-related 70
imagery, positive affirmation of (see also birth photography) 102
in-for-four/out-for-eight breathing technique 26, 27, 32, 110, 149, 163–4, 177
induction xi, xvii, 16, 86–7, 89, 130–55, 162
described 140–4
and NICE guidelines 131–40
when to opt for 121–40
infection, reducing risk of 134
informed consent 77, 78, 83, 89, 93, 94, 124
‘inhale peace and exhale tension’ affirmation 29
inhaling/exhaling see breathing
insomnia (see also sleep deprivation) 27
instinct, explained 87–8
internal examinations 81, 92–3, 108, 109, 115, 128
‘Is this it?’ question (see also questions) 174
K
keeper/gatekeeper, birth partner as 97, 103, 104, 184, 188
L
labour:
baby delivered 188–93
established 177–84
final stretch 184–8
first stage of (up stage) 3, 4, 26, 107, 108, 110–11, 183–4
induction of see main entry
mind-blowing fact about 16
physiological third stage 116–23, 190, 191, 202
second stage of (down stage) 4, 26, 30, 32, 107, 110, 111, 112–16
stop–start nature of 174–5
third stage of (Golden Hour) 116–21, 122–3, 190, 191, 202
‘wobble’ 22, 74, 94, 111–12, 154, 195, 201
labour wards 51, 55, 61, 67, 68–72, 88, 118, 127–8, 141, 143, 146, 158–9, 168, 201, 202, 205
latent phase, of labour 108
life skills 84
light-dimming 60
light-touch massage xvi, 24, 43–6, 44, 101, 103, 105, 111, 149, 170, 173, 177, 183, 186, 201, 216, 219, 228
love bubble 192
love hormone see oxytocin
‘low risk’, assessment of 60–2, 65, 66–71, 135, 137, 158, 208
M
massage (see also light-touch massage) xvi, 24, 43–6, 44, 212
maternity notes 107, 112, 197, 213
maternity pads 148–9, 212, 213
media conditioning xi–xii, xx, 4, 9, 34–6, 72, 102, 104, 113, 184, 217
mental health (see also post-traumatic stress disorder; postnatal depression) 90, 219
midwives 4, 11, 19, 33, 45, 47–8, 57–8, 61, 64, 66–9, 71, 74, 81, 87, 92, 95–6, 99, 105, 107–9, 115–16, 122–5, 125, 127–9, 133, 140–3, 145, 152–4, 158–9, 168, 176–7, 181–3, 189, 197–8
forty-week appointment 130–1
mantra 77–8
mind-blowing facts 16, 65, 93, 114
mobility, importance of 148
monitoring, continuous v. intermittent 141–2
MP3s use of (see also music) 20, 34, 38, 46, 56, 174, 176, 213, 216, 220, 228, 229
muscles, what they need to function effectively 12
for birth partner 213
pan-pipe music 53
for relaxation 16, 31, 46, 47, 53, 56, 95, 104, 111, 128, 144, 148, 154, 176, 181, 200, 202, 212, 213, 216
to sleep to 216
when in theatre 166, 176, 200, 202
N
National Health Service (NHS) see NHS
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) see NICE
natural caesareans 160–7
nausea 151
Netflix 153
NHS xix, 70, 80, 86, 118, 121, 136, 171, 212
NICE xx, 70–1, 86, 117, 119, 121, 132–3, 136, 139, 145–6, 213, 231
nothing, doing, explained 88–91, 93
O
obstetric cholestasis 131, 134, 194
‘one size fits all’ approach 77
oxygen 12
oxytocin 140
oxytocin (‘love hormone’) 15–17, 18–20, 23, 49, 123, 124, 125, 147–8, 150
synthetic version of see syntocinon
as an indicator 13–14
pain relief (see also epidural) xi, xvi, 20–1, 43, 44, 60, 63, 65, 72, 74, 91, 95, 106, 146, 151–2, 173, 201, 205, 211
pan-pipe music 53
panic attacks 22
perineum 9
pessaries 140–1, 143, 152, 153
photographs see birth photography
physiological third stage 116–23, 190, 191, 202
placenta 2, 119, 120–3, 189–92, 202–3
delivery of 116–17, 123–4, 125
Plan B 194–9
pooing, and birthing techniques 30–1
position, of baby during pregnancy 10
positioning scans 11
positive affirmation xvi, 5, 24, 28–9, 33, 34–7, 47, 51, 53, 56, 57, 66, 74–5, 101–3, 148, 197–8
examples of 34–5
positive reinforcement 33–7, 51, 213, 216
positive reprogramming 33
post-term (overdue), defined 135, 136
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (see also mental health) xvii, 91
postnatal depression (PND) (see also mental health) xvii, 49, 79, 91, 119, 148, 161, 166, 187, 190, 201
postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) 119, 124–5, 191, 202
postpartum visits 61
practice schedule 228
pre-eclampsia 126, 127, 131, 134, 194
pre-term 140
pregnancy-related illness 70
preparation, for hospital births 9–10
prolonged pregnancy 134–5, 137
prostaglandin 140
purees 85
pushing, facts relating to 114, 115
Q
questions, benefits of asking (see also ‘What if?’ questions) 83–96
R
reading, for relaxation 101
red state 100
reinforcement 33–7, 51, 213, 216
relaxation readings 31
relaxation techniques (see also guided relaxation) 1, 16–17, 38–42, 45–7, 50–3, 55–6, 92, 93, 98–101, 103, 119, 141, 219–27, 228, 229
shortcuts to 24
relaxin 8–9
reprogramming 33
ripening 5
risks, explained 85–6
S
safety 50–1
scented candles (see also candlelight) 42, 52
shoulder dystocia 139
sight 51–2
skin-to-skin time xix, xxi, 117–20, 122, 129, 161, 164, 169, 188–9, 191–2, 201, 202, 209
sleep 173
relaxation and visualisation techniques to help with 33
sleep deprivation (see also insomnia) xviii
slow birth xxi
smell 52
social conditioning xviii
sound 53
spa music 53, 111, 128, 148, 154
subconscious (see also CBT) 33, 36, 174, 187
power of 55
‘sun position in sky’ visualisation 27
surges (contractions) 16, 19, 115
defined 3
frequency, duration and intensity of 109
thinking about 28
switching off 37–8
syntocinon (synthetic oxytocin) 16, 124, 125, 141–4, 145, 146–9, 202
T
taste 54
tea lights (see also candlelight) 51, 56, 148, 166, 179, 200, 212, 213
teamwork, importance of 171–2
TENS 44–5, 153, 173, 177, 200, 213
theatre music 166, 176, 200, 202
third stage, of labour 192
‘timed, elevated-arm, hand-clenching demo’ 13
top tips 54
touch 54–6
‘traffic light’ system 100–1
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) see TENS
transition 111–12
TV conditioning xi–xii, xx, 4, 9, 34–6, 72, 102, 104, 113, 184
U
U.F.O. positions 6–11, 7, 103, 123, 146, 150, 151, 174, 183–9 passim
unplanned caesarean xii, xvi, xvii, 60, 167–9, 202, 206, 208–9
up-breathing 26–9, 108, 110, 111
up stage, of labour 3, 4, 26, 107, 108, 110–11, 183–4
uterus muscles 150
and down breathing 29
drawing up of see up stage
V
vaginal birth xxi, 161, 166, 168
unplanned 165
vaginal fluid 5
vaginal tears 62
vaginal walls, stretching of 140
videos, birthing xiv, 31, 34, 230
virtual tours 59–60
during down stage of labour 32
W
breaking of 73, 89, 127, 131, 134, 141–3, 144, 146, 148, 153–5, 162, 168
well-being, sleep important to 173
‘What if?’ questions (see also questions) 61–2, 63, 79, 89, 139, 197–8
WHO 134
‘wobble’ 22, 74, 94, 111–12, 154, 195, 201
womb, taking control of 76–82
World Health Organisation (WHO) 134
‘would be nice to have’ items 16
Y
yoga 32
YouTube 31
author’s early videos on xiv
Z