What couples have said about the workshop and the impact on their birth

Kate and Ollie Room

At home

"At last I have 5 minutes to indulge myself by regaling the story of Henry's birth to you. At about 5pm on sunday evening I was having a very long and lazy siesta listening to my cd. The sun was coming through the window making me really warm and snuggly. I felt a very mild contraction but knew straight away that the labour was starting.

I had the most amazing feeling of strength and power as I lay there , knowing what was going to happen, I felt so ready and so happy that I smiled to myself.

Ollie came home a little later and I told him that the baby was coming. We went for a walk to a friends house, had a glass of wine and two paracetamol
(!) and arranged childcare for the night. The lovely midwife that I had arranged to have was free and so phoned the unit on my behalf and managed to get the very overstretched co-ordinator to agree to let me have a homebirth even though it was officially 'too early'.
The midwife was sent to check up on where we lived and meet us, we had not met her before but she was seemed really lovely and was thrilled to see my cd 's by my bed as she knew you, her name's jen and she attended Toby and Jakey's births as a student. we couldn't believe it, how fab!

Jen went away again as I decided it was time to take myself off to bed. I spent time listening to the birth prep cd in the dark, under my duvet where I had done all the practising. It felt so amazing, I was so happy with every contraction I was allowing my body to do it's thing and it was working! It felt like the most natural thing in the world and I was enjoying it.

Ollie came to join me after a while and was able to support me in different positions, occasionally prompting me to relax my jaw or shaking my apples !

He felt so relaxed and confident, he did not worry for a single minute and he felt that he knew what his role was and things just came naturally to him too.

Anna was also prompting me, she reminded me to use my 'pain dial'. I didn't think that I had given the pain dial much practice but it was something that really helped me. I used it to get me to the end of really intense contractions.

During the early stages with each contraction I had the words 'pressure warmth and power' just arrive in my head when I needed it. -incredible stuff.

Later on I focused heavily on my body and what was happening but I didn't try to focus, it just happened. it was after he was born that I looked back and realised that it just happened like that. Ollie said that I 'just got on with it' that is how it felt, it felt like I was able to accept what was happening to my body and go with it.

The midwife came back at about 2. 30 and at this point I decided that I needed some gas and air. I had used gas and air before with Joseph but really didn't like the feeling it gave me but this time felt very different as was able to be in control of it (rather than the other way round as it had felt before) My midwife arrived at about 3 am and it was about then that I had a bit of 'self doubt' and asked for pethadin, I was basically told 'nope' and asked once more (just to be sure) and was actually managed to get through it with Anna and ollie's help.

I felt my breath change and knew that the baby was making his way down and this felt really incredible. I was so happy and I knew he would be here soon. I heard the music change to the bit where the baby comes and told Ollie and Anna (up until now I hadn't really done much talking) my waters broke at the last minute and little henry was born very easily and quickly at 4 20 am. I didn't feel any pain at all pushing him out, all I felt was pure joy!

I then had a natural third stage where the placenta came away in 6 minutes, apparently that is quick?

It couldn't have been a more perfect experience. I'm over the moon.

9 days later and I have a very happy baby, very chilled, is great at feeding, really happy to receive big sloppy snotty kisses from his big brothers and who entertains us all. I am managing the sleep thing so far and am about to get started on the post-natal cd to get some super sleep!

There is no doubt in my mind that this fabulous pregnancy and birth experience I had was because of the natal hypnotherapy. so thank you."

Nicky and David Walker  

"Just wanted to mail you to let you know that we had a little girl last week! Her name is Katja and she was born safely at home.

I wanted you to know that the birth was amazing....gritty....but amazing! after doing your course in March I dedicated the start of my maternity leave to practising all that we'd learnt from you and I believe her gentle safe arrival was mainly down to the hypnotherapy techniques that you taught me.  At the start I wasn't even sure if I was in labour and we spent the morning pottering around the house, then decided to go into town for some lunch! I was having contractions whilst eating my tuna feta wrap!! I didn't even say much to David. I just closed my eyes each time and breathed through gently, thinking about the 'relax' technique. When we got home in the afternoon I thought I'd better rest as much as possible and listened to the birth prep cd again. During this, they began to become more intense and so  I transferred to all fours, supported by lots of cushions and a bean bag on the bed. I called my midwife.  She arrived at 8:30 and checked me - hoorah! i was already 6cms dilated!she told me to get into the pool and then whoosh!! i was off!!

I was really conscious of keeping my whole body as relaxed as possible and let the sensations just take over as they needed to. David put the birth music on and I was able to focus well each time a wave came over. I progressed well and my primal side came out of me - I started to make these involuntary low deep noises which really helped at the peak of each contraction. There were self-doubt stages when I felt like I couldn't take it anymore but David was there to gently remind me to 'stick with it' and relax. Words like 'power' and 'strength' came into my head - echos from the birth prep cd that helped me to go on. I did have to push for 2 hours and needed to get out of the pool to 'wiggle' her down a bit but it actually worked out for the best as David held me in a supported squat and it felt like we did the last 'heave ho' together!

Brian and Anna Morgan 

I wanted you to know what an impact you had on me and the huge amount we both learnt from you. I am so proud that I managed to do it without any intervention and the fact that I was so focused I didn't even want gas and air. I had always hoped and visualised it like this but to actually experience it was magical. Hard work but worth it! Because the experience was so intense and powerful I've found it so comforting to listen to your post-natal cd too as this had helped me to sleep a bit in between all the feeding!  Anyway, I've been recommending the course and cds to everyone i know who's pregnant as I desperately want them to learn from you and understand that their experience can be as amazing as mine. As long as you're prepared to put the effort in, of course! Thank you thank you a million times thank you!"

"The techniques we learnt from your course/cd were invaluable not only during the actual birth (I managed to avoid the gas and air until the last 8 hours of the 24hr labour - and felt I only used it when really necessary) but helping me to relax during the pregnancy - particularly in the last two tense weeks when Grace was overdue I felt extremely empowered (and confident) to make the decision not to be induced. Also Brian was confident that he was doing the right things during the whole process to support me - 'shaking the apples' was great!.

I definitely feel that Brian and myself managed and ran my labour (The Birth Centre midwives were of course great supporters and were very low key just checking every 15 mins until the end of course). It was a wonderful experience!".

Cathy and Steve Smith  

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your fantastic course. I finally gave birth 10 days late and have just had the most amazing experience of my life!

My midwife kept commenting that she'd never seen anyone so relaxed! I felt so in control, totally able to breathe through the contractions,.The most amazing part was the birth itself, it went exactly as I had dreamed and hoped it would, just breathing the baby through the birth canal, then 1 push for the head, 1 for the body.

I really appreciate everything you taught us, to experience such a wonderful birth after such a terrible one last time, was just fantastic. I've found it so easy to adjust and recover. hank you so much for teaching me your amazing skills, I'd recommend the course to anyone!"

Kevin and Estelle 

"Even though we had a few challenges during the birth, we were both really happy with the whole experience under the circumstances and thanks to you felt informed and able to ask for things to be done the way we wanted. I am convinced that the techniques I learnt with you enabled me to cope in an environment that felt very alien and not at all relaxing. I religiously listened to your cd every day since the course and I really did feel in control which is amazing under the circumstances. "

Jennifer, Top Sante Magazine

"So a massive THANK YOU for making it such an amazing and enjoyable experience"I learnt how to relax and how unproductive worry and adrenaline are and that it is a normal process and that giving birth can be enjoyable and not agony. I liked learning the intellectual as well as emotional aspects.I liked how everything was explained with good reason. The course was very enjoyable, the time passed so quickly - I  almost wish it were longer. Maggie was very receptive and open, a good manner - not at all patronising or judgemental, very encouraging and supportive"

Fantastic course, so pleased we came, I would recommend it to everyone, it should be compulsory for all pregnant women, their partners and midwives. There was a wealth of information that was really useful especially the tools for birth. Thank you" - Mollie Warwick

"Great course which found my excitement for this baby at long last - I am confident this birth will be different and a positive experience. I realise now that I have options for how and where I labour & give birth. Also that I can question and challenge advice from doctors/midwives if it doesn't feel right to me. I loved all the practical exercises and examples which really boosted my confidence" - Amy Delicate

"The best part for me was understanding the emotional aspects of birth (not covered by other courses)m the importance of preparation , really grasping how natural childbirth is and that I got the confidence and trust in my body. I’m very excited about this course. It has really helped me! Thank you" - Kate Room

"The Key issues for me that came out of the course were all the ways to provide effective support for my partner, increasing my confidence to deal with the hospital environment and the relaxation techniques. The course was extremely useful. Men need to know this stuff". Chris Hart

"It was very well structured and very informative to someone who was very sceptical at the beginning. The key parts for me were the breathing control and giving me the confidence to support my partner. The trainer was very good, very clear, was not judgemental and encouraged questions - the delivery of course was excellent." Will Ingles

"Thanks for a great 2 days. It was really useful for me to understand about the phases of birth and how to deal with the medical team and being given an important role in the whole process. I particularly enjoyed the hypnosis sessions and felt very comfortable asking any questions and talking about my fears" Michael, London

"The birth of my son, Angus has been an amazing journey.  The first steps in my journey involved me making a big shift in my thinking about birth.  This was helped by my sister and friend’s positive experiences of birth and then by a course my husband and I undertook with Maggie Howell in natal hypnotherapy.  This course helped us learn how a woman’s body is made to give birth; the emotional phases a woman goes through when giving birth; techniques for working with my body while it gives birth and above all, the importance of mentally getting out the way and allowing my body to do its job.

On the 24th of April, I woke at 3am to the dawn chorus and feeling a bit peculiar.  I soon realized Angus was on his way.  I lay in the quiet stillness of my room, feeling the gentle tightenings of my uterus.   After an hour or so I woke Michael, and together we lay chatting, listening to the day awake…full of excitement and anticipation.

We called my doula, Maggie and awaited her arrival.  I rested in bed, listening to music.  By the time Maggie arrived I’d got a little caught up with timings!  Maggie took away my watch and suggested I come downstairs – allow my son to join in, move around.  This was a great move – I think primarily because I disengaged my mind and just got on with being excited about the day ahead and enjoying everyone’s company.

Gradually though I had to concentrate more deeply on my breathing and started to try out different positions.  I remember the birth had reached a more serious point when I got off my gym ball and lent over it rocking gently.  Understanding that this was the next natural phase of the birth helped me to focus on ways I could help my body – for me, this involved deep breathing and changing positions frequently.  I constantly kept telling myself too, “Allow your body to do its job”

I had decided to give myself plenty of time to get to the hospital.  On the journey my husband recounted a special day we’d spent together which I visualised.  We also said, ‘321, Relax, Emma’, a trigger for my brain to let go and relax.  I felt myself breathe deeply as I uttered these words.

On reaching the hospital, we realized we’d forgotten our hospital notes.  Michael had to go back to get them.  At this point I either lost my focus or reached the self doubt phase I’d learnt about.  To my relief, Maggie allowed me to hang on to her and took me through a visualisation which helped calm me.  As soon as Michael returned I felt I could get down to business.  As a complete surprise to me, I stood up and began to stamp my feet and say very loudly, “Come, Angus, come”, “Come, baby, come”, “Come beautiful boy”.  It felt so empowering.

When I reached the delivery room I lent on the window sill and continued with the stamping and was soon shouting.  I think the whole hospital knew his name by the time I’d finished!  The next hour I experienced more as 10 minutes and remember it as moments in time: staring at Michael’s face; Maggie and Michael encouraging me to breathe down; Maggie’s relaxation music.  It felt quite supernatural and above all, my body felt in control.  The midwife said that when I felt to push to start panting.  I found this a bit confusing as I started asking myself questions: How hard should I push? When?   In retrospect I never felt a desire to push, just an amazing bearing down that my body was in charge of, not me…To my delight, when Angus’s head and arms had emerged, the midwife asked if I wanted to deliver him.  Instinctively I reached down and pulled him up to me.  I was lying on a beanbag and it felt safe to be close to the ground with this little life.  Angus breathed his first breath and took his first cry.  What an amazing and perfect sound.

The time after this was one of immense peace, calm and joy.  Michael and I just sat in complete amazement, cradling our son, examining every part of him.  We didn’t feel rushed but relaxed in an atmosphere of joy and peace.

I was particularly amazed how great I felt so soon after giving birth.  I was up and about chatting, eating toast, marvelling at my son.  I felt ready to get on with looking after him and felt well and elated.  The last hour or so my body worked hard, but it wasn’t unlike running up a steep, steep hill at the end of a long run.  But unlike a run,  my body was in charge of making my uterus work hard, not me, in a similar way to my heart beating with or without my help.  I wasn’t exhausted at this last stage either, having spent the day managing the contractions peacefully and in a relaxed atmosphere at home.

Angus’s birth has taught me a great deal: the importance of giving my body and mind good, positive images and thoughts, nutritious food, adequate sleep and ways to relax.  In doing so, I feel more able (most of the time at least!) to manage more challenging situations in life…Above all, I am just so happy that the first hours of Angus’ life were so beautiful and that I was happy, well and overjoyed to see him" Emma and Michael Trim

"Maggie was brilliant, a joy and extremely self empowering. This course should be on the NHS. All expectant parents can benefit." Tim, Brighton


"The course was fabulous. It was wonderful being there with Tim and sharing the amazing possibilities of an exquisite birth together. Maggie is fabulous. keep doing what you are doing - you are truly inspiring, clear and passionate. Thank you, it has been a sweet joy and pleasure" Kate, Brighton


"The course was excellent. I loved the Hypnosis sessions and the breathing as a couple. The theory was very interesting and it felt very open - we could ask and say what we wanted. Maggie was very encouraging, supportive and made everyone feel equally important and worthwhile. I loved the whole course. It has really helped me to look forward to my birth. I will recommend it to everyone i Know!" Hannah, Luxembourg


"The best part was learning about the fear - tension  - pain cycle. Once I understood that, I was not nearly so worried as I realise that I am in control and can use the relaxation and Hypnosis techniques to manage the sensations" Jane, Surrey


"The best part of the course was seeing the confidence it has given my wife and I - I know that giving birth is completely natural and everything will be OK" John, Guildford


"The course was excellent. The whole thing could easily have been presented in a "crystal waving", "dolphin diving" way that would have been off putting, but Maggie was refreshingly down to earth and professional" Mark, London


"Maggie is a very professional coach, is enthusiastic, accommodating and has great individual style  - very different from most books, courses, literature. etc." Andy, Sussex


"I really enjoyed the 2 days. I enjoyed the relaxation sessions and thought Maggie was extremely knowledgable, was good at keeping the course interesting and was able to respond personally to everyone. - I can't wait now!" Amrusta, London


"Maggie's enthusiasm and obvious belief that everyone is capable of having a smooth birth was reflected through out the course. She is a very good teacher, very good listener, very encouraging and positive. Thanks for an extremely useful and thoroughly enjoyable weekend" Louise, London


"Maggie is very knowledgable. It is great that she has had 2 first hand experiences of giving birth using Hypnosis.  It was also great that Phil (Maggie's Husband) was involved so the course truly covered both parents aspects" Laura, Guildford


"Very pleased we came on the course, I feel a lot more prepared for what is to come and am not as anxious about how my wife will cope." Adam, Yorkshire


"Maggie, the trainer was very nice indeed, well informed about the subject and good to have her personal experience to relate to" James, London


"Excellent 2 days - very positive but realistic.  The birth may not be "pain free" but it will be so much better now I know so much more" Alison, Hampshire


"Maggie instills such confidence - I feel I can take on the world again!" Julie, Surrey


"Understanding the physiology in plain English was great - it made me realize how natural it is and that relaxing is going to be far more beneficial than panicking" Paul, Surrey


"Maggie was very personable, relaxed and tailored the course to individuals.  Very open, great having partners so involved too - perfect really" Gaby, Berkshire


"As a worried expectant father, I learned so many ways to help my wife - as well as building my confidence to deal effectively with the medical team at the hospital" John, Surrey


"It was great to have such an open forum to discuss my fears. I feel so much more confident now and can't waitfor the birth" Helen, Surrey


"Maggie gave us a great balance of the background and practice exercises and I was gripped throughout the entire course. I feel inspire and empowered to go away and work further for our preparation for birth" Paula, Sussex


"Maggie was very sensitive, thoughtful and reassuring. The best part was sharing our fears and being reassured in an informal and comfortable atmosphere" Jane, Surrey


"Maggies personal stories gave me reassurance and confidence that her suggestions will work" John, Surrey

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