HypnoBirthing is a method of preparing for your labor that leads to a gentler, calmer, more comfortable birth. The two-fold approach combines birth education with visualizations, affirmations, and relaxation techniques for a truly informed and empowering birth experience.

That’s right! But it’s not as weird as it may sound… :) This won't be the type of hypnosis you see in movies or with stage performances. Don't worry—you won't be quacking like a duck! The level of hypnosis we achieve in class is really more of an ultra tuned-in state, where you are focused inward and surrendering to the sensations of birth rather than tensing up against them. You will learn to achieve a state of deep relaxation by practicing a variety of visualization techniques in class and at home. A key component is listening to a relaxation track before bed each night and listening to/reciting recorded affirmations each day. The recordings are included in the cost of the class.

No. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. By which we mean—you always have the choice whether or not to accept the suggestions provided by the instructor during visualization exercises. We will watch several birth videos in class to give you a sense of the many different ways HypnoBirthing can look and sound, as well as the many different ways birthing families utilize the techniques. One thing that will be clear throughout all the videos, though, is that the birthing person is NEVER out of control or "out of it." It is truly just a deep relaxation and turning inward.

HypnoBirthing is for anyone seeking a calmer, gentler birthing experience. While the methods you’ll learn can certainly assist in having a medication-free birth, it is meant for everyone—regardless of the type of birth you desire. The goal is to help you have your ideal birth, whatever that means to you. You do not have to be a first-time birther to attend.

The ideal time to attend is between 16-35 weeks pregnant.

• Five, 2.5 hour classes

• The HypnoBirthing Book by Marie Mongan

• Rainbow Relaxation and Affirmations MP3

• Binder of class handouts including relaxation scripts and birth preferences template

The class provides a nice mix of birthing education and relaxation techniques. Here is a brief description of what will be covered in each class:

• Class 1 sets the stage and provides context and background for the subsequent four weeks.

• Class 2 is all about preparing the mind and body for birthing.

• Class 3 assists you in identifying your birth preferences. We will also dig into self-hypnosis a bit more.

• Class 4 provides more information about how birth works.

• Class 5 wraps things up with discussion about moving into birthing, breathing your baby down, and what happens after baby is here.

For more details about what to expect from the course, visit the official HypnoBirthing® website.

Absolutely! We encourage birthing people to bring a support person with them, and their attendance is included in the class fee. You could bring your spouse, partner, doula, mom, sister… Whoever will be by your side on your birthing day. We ask that whoever you choose to accompany you is able to attend all five classes, if possible.

Your class fee includes the attendance of one support person.

Yes, we allow one support person to attend class with you. If you don’t have a partner or if they are not able to attend, a doula is a great substitute. We recommend having the same support person come with you to all five classes if possible. Please let Katrina know if you’ll be bringing a doula.

Yes! While it can be helpful to bring someone with, you are more than welcome to come solo. Your body and your baby know how to birth, with or without a sidekick.

We love doulas! We do not, however, offer birth worker audits at this time. Birthing people may choose to have their doula accompany them in place of a partner.

Doulas should know that, while taking the class can definitely support their practice, completion of the course does not qualify them as a HypnoBirthing® Educator and you are not authorized to teach the techniques or market yourself as HypnoBirthing certified.

Yes. In addition to attending the five, 2.5 hour classes, you will be asked to read (or listen to) a 300-page book, listen to a relaxation recording before bed, and listen to/recite recorded affirmations each day. There will be additional exercises you are strongly encouraged to practice between classes, too. There is a lot to cover in class, so we don’t have much time to practice the methods in class. It is up to you to practice between classes. While you of course won’t be graded, we firmly believe that you get out of this class what you put into it. The more you practice the methods, the more naturally they will come to you during your birthing time.

HypnoBirthing has a good reputation in the birthworker world, especially among more naturally-minded providers like midwives and stand-alone birth centers. We encourage you to mention it at your next prenatal appointment! Most providers will know what you're talking about and be in support of you taking the class. One of the benefits to taking the class is that it will help you learn about and decide upon your birth preferences, which facilitates a good conversation with your providers and helps better equip them to honor your birth wishes to the best of their ability.

While you will receive some birthing education from your medical team (and likely your doula, too), it will not be as in-depth as what you learn in the class. We will spend much more time talking about what your body is doing during labor and how your baby and your body work together for a smooth descent. This class provides the opportunity to learn and practice specific visualizations and relaxation techniques that your medical team / support person / doula can then help support you in utilizing.

Consider this "piano recital" analogy: If birth is the recital, you can think of this class (and the time spent practicing the methods at home) as being the process of learning how to play the piano, practicing, and the "dress rehearsal." By the time your birthing day / "recital" comes, it will be second nature for you to tune into your body and ease into a state of rapid relaxation, so you won't even have to think about it. The music will be in you!

While many HypnoBirthing attendees do describe their births as pain-free, a pain-free birth is by no means guaranteed. Every birth is different and every birthing person is different—including the sensations they experience! As you’ll learn in class, we know that words are powerful. The thoughts we hold and the language we use becomes our reality. So we choose to focus on comfort levels rather than pain scales, and we characterize sensations as “intense” or “powerful” rather than “painful.”

One of the benefits of a gentler birth tends to be a gentler, quicker postpartum recovery. My students often report a smoother, easier postpartum healing experience compared to previous births.

While the class primarily focuses on pregnancy, labor and delivery, we do talk about planning for the postpartum time in Class 5.

Because each session builds upon the last and we also include new content in each and every class, it is very important to attend all five classes. Should you need to reschedule, please provide Katrina with as much notice as possible. The first reschedule is free. Each additional reschedule is $50 per session. Rescheduled classes are conducted virtually, via Zoom.

Yes, a limited number of private classes are available on a case-by-case basis. Private classes are conducted virtually, via Zoom. Reach out if you are interested in learning more! katrina@wisewomxnwellness.com

While I hope to eventually return to teaching in-person/group classes, I do not currently have plans for doing so anytime in the near future.

At this time, payment options for the class include Venmo or check. You are welcome to tie an HSA/FSA card to your Venmo account. Alternatively, Katrina will work with you to provide an invoice/receipt you can use to submit for reimbursement from your HSA/FSA provider.