Hypnobirthing

Many people approach birth with fear, shaped by modern attitudes and a long history of anxiety about labour. Hypnobirthing offers a different starting point, and the author argues it suits every expectant mother, whatever her circumstances. At its heart is the idea of choice: understanding what options you have and being able to rethink the stories you already carry about birth, whether you have given birth before or are preparing for your first.

The book makes clear that hypnobirthing is more than hypnosis. Building confidence in how birth works in the body comes first, since that understanding supports everything else. The author explains the role of different parts of the body in labour, which can help readers whatever kind of birth they plan. Full colour illustrations guide the reader through each stage of the process, covering both the physiology of birth and the hypnobirthing techniques themselves. The aim is to help readers make the decisions that feel right for them and their baby, and to enjoy the experience of bringing a new life into the world.

Dani Diosi is a childbirth educator, hypnotherapist and doula. She runs hypnobirthing courses for parents and professionals and co-founded the ALLABOUTANTENTAL programme for expectant parents. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, three daughters and two dogs.