Manchester
Dot Parry's profile
I first heard about using hypnosis for childbirth when pregnant with my second baby. My first birth had been very medicalised and although I thought I was well prepared, I found I lacked the skills and the belief that it was all going to work.
I was worried about doing it all again but after two hypnotherapy sessions, my second birth was a calm, wonderful, healing experience. I can remember holding my new baby and feeling on top of the world, amazed by the power of my body and my mind.
When my children were little I trained to be an NCT antenatal teacher and later became a midwife. I still teach for NCT and now train and assess NCT teachers. As a midwife I work mostly in the community and in our lovely birth centre.
Over the last two years I’ve cared for several women who have used Natal Hypnotherapy during their births, and have had Natal Hypnotherapy mums in my NCT classes. These mums were so calm, so powerful during their labours –I had to find out more!
Now I’m a Natal Hypnotherapy practitioner, and it’s great to be able to share these fantastic skills with parents to be.
I’ve seen how Natal Hypnotherapy helps parents to get beyond the fear of birth so many of them feel. They learn to relax, to visualise their goals, let go of their fears and to work towards the best birth experience, safe in the knowledge that they have all the skills they need to get their baby born.
Even labours that need help can be positive and empowering if a labouring woman knows how to relax, to be calm, to get oxygen to her baby.
Women’s bodies work best when they are relaxed and they feel safe and supported. Birth supporters who attend the course can find out more about the birth process and about the unique contribution they can bring to the birth. Natal Hypnotherapy enables both the woman and her supporter to approach the birth with confidence.
My three main philosophies about pregnancy and birth
1. It’s supposed to work. Pregnancy, labour, birth and breastfeeding are normal. We are a very successful species so it’s all supposed to work.
2. Women need peace to be able to labour effectively and normally, to allow their hormones to do their job, and to enable them to tune in to what their bodies need to do. Many of the problems women encounter in labour are iatrogenic.
3. Women need to be well in order to grow a healthy baby –well physically, psychologically, emotionally.
Other Skills
I’ve been an NCT antenatal teacher for 16 years.
I’m also an NHS midwife, working in the community and in a birth centre.
I’m a registered midwife and member of the RCM
I’m an active member of the association of radical midwives.
I am an advanced NCT antenatal teacher and assessor.
Tel: 0161 795 2425 or 07595 356 523