Testimonials

Our Birth Story mamas share their stories and experiences of hypnobirthing with Birth Story Hypnobirthing…

Amy Hart & Sam Rason
One-to-One Course
Our hypnobirthing course with Nicola was absolutely amazing. She covered everything in such detail and answered all of our questions. I think the birth partners can often get left out but Nicola really included Sam in everything and he feels really confident to support me on the big day! Thanks to the course I’m not scared of birth at all and am actually quite intrigued as to what it will be like! I will definitely be doing a refresher hypnobirthing course for my second child when the time comes!

Daisy Lowe & Jordan Saul
One-to-One Course
Our hypnobirthing course with Nicola has been the most valuable education we could have ever wished for while waiting for our first baby’s arrival… I cannot recommend this more highly – 100 stars  out of 5!

Charlotte & Sam 
One-to-One Course
After a few weeks of on & off contractions and journeying to 41+6 in my pregnancy, the hospital had booked me in for an induction. Then on the evening of 14th August I started having contractions which just felt different. Bouncing on my ball and I looked out the window and there was the most incredible sunset. I said to my partner, the baby is going to come tonight – I’m sure of it

After heading to bed around 9pm for some sleep, things ramped up so I asked my husband to read me my hypnobirthing birth partner script and I fell asleep. With some strong contractions waking me up around 11.30, I got up, moved around and listened to my birth affirmations. As the intensity of the surges built I got into the shower to calm myself down. My partner started timing contractions. My hypnobirthing breathwork was super important at this stage of the labour and it really got me through the contractions

After labouring for another hour at home, I then popped on the TENS machine to ease my nausea. With my eye mask on, hypnobirthing tracks playing in my headphones Sam drove to hospital. Arriving at the birth centre, we had the most incredible midwife who led me into my room – candles on, the lights off, I just got undressed and immediately into the birth pool. I felt calm an relaxed in my environment. My contractions really really ramped up and felt a little out of control, so with a combination of gas and air and my hypnobirth breathwork I could keep my mind and body calm.

The next part happened pretty fast, I went from 8cm to 10cm in 5 contractions.
I looked down and realised that my baby was en caul, which was quite a surprise but my waters had never broken! One more big push and his shoulders wriggled out – I picked him up, his sac popped and I pulled him straight onto my chest. My little lucky Felix born sac in tact and into the water at 5:56am on 15th August. A fast 2hrs in the pool and a fully out of body experience for me, fully supported by my hypnobirthing and my midwife.

Thank you Nicola & Birth Story Hypnobirthing – I couldn’t have birthed my son without you!

Emmerdale’s Danny Miller & Online Midwife’s Steph Jones
One-to-One Course
Myself and Danny have recently finished a hypnobirthing course with Nicola from Birth Story. 
A hypnobirthing course wasn’t something I had considered until I was approached about it and I’m now so glad that I did it. The word hypnobirthing automatically makes people think about hypnosis, like a stage act hypnotist who gives instructions. It can be thought by some of being a ‘hippie’ approach to birth with chanting, mind control and special music. However this is definitely a misconception.

Even as a midwife I have to admit my eyes have been opened to the true benefits of hypnobirthing and it’s something I will take forward in my practice. I had never completed a course before.

Hypnobirthing is a form of evidence based antenatal preparation which provides an approach to mind management during birth. The courses provided us with breathing techniques, relaxation, visualisations, touch such as massage to help us both prepare for labour, feel calmer and in control to allow a positive birth experience.

I especially enjoyed the breathing techniques. They can reduce your stress hormone so it can’t effect your flow of oxytocin.

Not only did we find the skills learnt on the course useful for labour, they can be applied to ANY form of birth to help you feel calm and in control, but we have also found that you can apply a lot of the techniques to everyday life, should you just need to take a breath sometimes in your hectic schedule.

The course covered the role of the birth partner and how they can provide support. Danny found this useful. It was nice during pregnancy to switch off from the world for 2 hours a week with Danny and just focus on our pregnancy and future.

I feel the techniques have the ability to transform what could be a traumatic and scary ordeal into a situation you can look back on and feel positive about.

Nicola Hughes & Charlie Tupper
One-to-One Course
I would highly recommend Birth Story Hypnobirthing classes. Before doing Nicola’s classes I was set on having a c-section but since taking her classes with my husband, my eyes were really opened to all of the others options to give birth. Nicola made myself and my husband feel so much more relaxed about my pregnancy, labour & birth and we found ourselves feeling so much more excited for what’s to come after each session. We’ve both learnt so much and would highly recommend Birth Story Hypnobirthing for any parents-to-be

Laura & Kyle
One-to-One Course
As someone who was very anxious about labour and birth, working with Nicola has been a Godsend! She is so encouraging, warm and uplifting. She has given myself and my husband all of the tools we will need to feel confident going into the birth of our baby. I feel so much more relaxed and at ease at the thought of labour and birth now than I could have ever imagined. I would recommend her to anyone who is like me, feeling anxious or even to anyone that isn’t and just wants a little bit of extra knowledge around labour and birth.

Hannah & Tyler
One-to-One Course
I can honestly say that Nicola has completely changed the way me and my partner viewed the entire birthing experience. It is truly life changing if you are more of an anxious person or hoping to have a more natural birth. Nicola went above and beyond to make us both feel comfortable and make sure we understood everything. She’s also so available over the phone at all times which is amazing! Thank you so much Nicola, we cannot wait for the birth of our baby now!

Mary-Anne
Confident C-Section Refresher Course
I was booked in for a planned caesarean for my second baby for a number of reasons. My first baby was born vaginally so this would be my first c section. I was a bit disappointed to not be able to try for that magical water birth everyone wants but I was happy and confident that the c section was safest for me and my baby. I had used hypnobirthing with my first baby, and loved it, and so was very keen to use it again for number two, especially since this would be a more medicalised birth. 

I found Nicola on instagram and was thrilled that she offered hypnobirthing specifically for caesareans. I contacted her to ask if we could arrange a session to refresh my hypnobirthing skills and learn some techniques that would help me for the section. She was so kind and said she could tailor a session specially for me.  

My husband joined me for the session and we covered some breathing and relaxation exercises and discussed birth preferences. There was just the right of information and we left it feeling excited and confident. 

On the day, we went into hospital and sat in the waiting room listening to our playlists and the relaxation tracks Nicola had sent me, we practised our breathing and so on. I felt calm and confident. At some point in the afternoon we met the anaesthetist, then the doctor and signed the consent forms, and then a midwife came and gave me the gown and compression socks and my husband his scrubs. We also discussed my birth preferences. We got all dressed up and took some “last bump” pictures. But then after a whole day of waiting and being told “you’re the next one in” we were sent home at 6:30pm. There had just been so many emergency sections that day and they’d run out of time to get to me! 

At that point I did have a wobble as I was super hungry (having not eaten since dinner the night before) and felt quite low. The consultant who sent us home didn’t say that we’d even be seen the next day but that I should fast all over again, so I was left feeling quite confused as to what the plan was. She said we should phone in the next day to see if I could be fitted in. We left to go get dinner feeling quite deflated and on the way I realised I hadn’t been given the tablets you’re meant to take the night before. I called the hospital and they said we’d have to come back to get them. So we went back after getting food and, now I’d had some time to process, I asked to speak to someone to find out what would be happening the next day. 

A lovely midwife came to chat to us and I explained that while I was grateful to not be an emergency, I’d like to know some sort of plan so I could get in the right mindset again. She was so kind and said she completely understood that it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. She said that instead of calling in, we should actually come in again the next morning so we were there ready to go. We left feeling much more confident about everything and knew we could just reset and be positive about what was happening. 

The next morning we were there bright and early, feeling happy and calm again, doing our breathing and relaxation exercises. We expected to wait most of the day again and so just settled in for it. And then suddenly at 8:30am the receptionist said we could go through! 

A senior midwife met us and said she’d heard what had happened the day before but she had good news – we were going to meet our baby today and it was going to be soon! She again took us through all the information, gave us the gown and scrubs and she went through my birth preferences with me. I explained that in an ideal world, I’d like to be the first person to hold my baby, but that I understood they might need to be taken to the resuscitaire unit first (the little station they have about a metre away from you.) I’d been told earlier at various appointments that this is normal practice as they need to make sure baby is ok etc, so they usually show the baby to the mother after delivery, then take them to check them over and weigh them and then bring them back to the mother. The hospital practises delayed cord clamping as standard if mother and baby are well, and they’re also very good on skin to skin, as they have a strong focus on helping establish breastfeeding. The midwife said she’d be back in about an hour and a half after the first section to take us through! We couldn’t quite believe it was actually happening so fast and we were so excited. Cue another “last bump” photo! 

We spent the time listening to the relaxation tracks from Nicola and it passed so quickly. Then the midwife came for us and we went over the corridor just a few steps away into the operating theatre, where the whole team cheered as we walked in! They must’ve known what had happened as they were shouting “you’re having your baby today! Hurray!” 

Everyone introduced themselves to us and I had the various bits and needles attached and inserted. I used my breathing and nothing hurt more than a normal injection would and I was just super happy and excited. Lying down I could see that butterflies and trees were painted on the ceiling which was a sweet touch. Once the anaesthetic had got to work they raised my shoulders slightly so it wouldn’t continue up and so I could still feel from my chest upwards. My husband put on our playlist, and asked the anaesthetist’s assistant if they’d be able to take photos and videos for us as we’re not squeamish and would love to see our baby being born. 

The midwife had been through my birth preferences sheet so thoroughly, she came and said to me that she’d asked the consultant and they’d agreed to deliver the baby and pass it straight up to me over the drapes provided we were both well. I was so grateful for this and teared up a bit and she stroked my hair! She was such a motherly comforting figure. They also dimmed the lights other than the ones directly where they were working and the atmosphere was really lovely – more like a spa than an operating theatre. We didn’t know the sex of the baby and said we didn’t mind whether they announced it or we saw for ourselves, we’d see how things went. 

The numbness below the waist is a strange feeling but not unpleasant, I asked my husband if someone was eg touching my leg as I could feel something, but also not! He said they were and I asked him to tell me when they started the section. I’d been told you might feel some tugging or as if someone is rummaging in a handbag looking for keys but I actually didn’t really notice anything and was just smiling from ear to ear the whole time!

Seven minutes in and the doctor said ok it’s time, the drapes were dropped and a sterile sheet pulled up over them and then suddenly I watched them lift my baby up and towards me. He came legs open so I could see he was a boy and I got to announce the sex myself. He was placed straight onto my chest and he immediately grabbed my nose and face! I had tears of joy streaming down my face. It was absolutely magical. 

A towel was put over the top of him to keep him warm and at some point my husband cut the cord. I didn’t really notice anything though as I was just cuddling my baby! Eventually the midwife came and asked if she could take him to the resuscitaire to check him over and I was happy for that. My husband went too and changed his first nappy and he was announced as weighing 4040g, which is 8lb 14.5oz. 

Baby was tucked back into me and I was positioned on my side curled round him and we were wheeled off to recovery. I do get travel sick though and the doctor had said because the baby had quite a bit of fluid around him they’d needed to use more of a certain medication that can make you feel sick. En route I suddenly said to my husband “take the baby!” and someone popped a kidney bowl under my chin and I was a little sick. In the recovery room, a midwife helped me latch baby on and he fed straightaway. For the next few hours I drifted in and out, just cuddling him. There was another mum and baby on the other side of the curtain who was much more alert and happily chatting and snacking and she was taken off to a postnatal room before long. I think I was more groggy because of the extra medication they needed to use for me. I was a little sick twice more but each time the feeling passed very quickly and I was quite happy and comfortable lying there tucked round my baby! 

After a few hours when I’d woken up a bit we were moved to a post natal room. Both baby and I had regular obs taken but otherwise were largely left alone as he was feeding well. We went home after two nights and introducing my toddler to the baby was one of the most precious moments of my life. 

As for recovery, it’s been so much easier than I expected. My dressing was removed on day 5 and the wound had already pretty much closed up. Two months on and it’s a neat, straight line with no pain. I was driving at 4 and a bit weeks and I’ve been able to pick up my toddler if she’s needed a cuddle or to get in and out of the bath etc with no problems. Breastfeeding is going well and my baby is tracking the 91st centile and is happy and healthy! 

I cannot thank Nicola enough for giving me the tools to approach my son’s birth calmly and confidently. I felt like I knew what was happening throughout, I was able to make choices that were right for me and my baby, and honestly, it was one of the most special and positive moments of my life. 

Hypnobirthing is absolutely not just for the unmedicated births and can help make any birth experience beautiful!

Athina & Nick
One-to-One Course
Nicola is an amazing hypnobirthing instructor. She’s extremely knowledgable and, rather fittingly, has a very calming presence. We learnt so much from our sessions and thoroughly enjoyed them. She’s equipped us with the knowledge to feel confident going into birth and we’re even quite excited now. Thank you so much Nicola!

Catherine 
One-to-One Course
The most incredible and rewarding experience completing a 1-2-1 course with Nicola of Birth Story Hypnobirthing. It was so valuable, Nicola is a fabulous teacher and her knowledge and support was excellent. I loved her teaching style and the resources were fantastic. My husband and I learnt so much and I really do feel empowered and confident in giving birth. I would absolutely recommend booking your hypnobirthing course with Birth Story. The best! Thank you so much for everything.

Rosa Hoskins
Confident C-Section Course
Nicola’s course is supportive, gentle and effective. I’m pregnant with my second child and the birth of my son was traumatic so I had a lot of trepidation this time. After working with Nicola I feel calm and safe; she has empowered me with the tools to approach my elective C-section with confidence. I had previously assumed that hypno birthing was about at having a drug free, intervention free birth. I thought it would not be relevant for an elective c-section; I was completely wrong. Nicola is a natural teacher, her soothing voice helped me slip into a hypnotic trance, clearly visualising the birth I want. I know that when I go into the operating theatre I’ll be well equipped to welcome my daughter into the world, having let go of past anxiety. I can’t recommend Nicola enough.

Victoria
Refresher Course
After having done a hypnobirthing course prior to the birth of my first son, I came to Nicola for a refresher course, to regain some confidence in time for the birth of my second son.

Nicola has such a calm and caring approach and I felt so relaxed throughout our sessions together. Nicola is super knowledgeable and both the sessions and additional materials provided an important insight into how we can approach birth with a sense of curisosity and love, as opposed to from a place of fear.

During the labour I was able to use the power of my breath and affirmations to remain calm and relaxed. When things felt intense, I used the affirmations and visualised the moment I would hold by baby in my arms – I truly believe that these tools made my labour so much more manageable. Working with Nicola helped me feel prepared and empowered towards the my birth of my baby and I can’t thank her enough for all of her love and support. I am a true believer that birth gets to be a magical experience and Nicola is a true testament to this

Amy & Graham
One-to-One Course
Nicola was super personable and a wonderful, calming presence when preparing the the uncertainties of birth from first time expectant parents! We were so comfortable to ask questions and felt calm after each session. I particularly liked the ability to practice the breathing techniques and the little bits of ‘homework’ each week meant I had something positive and practical to focus on between sessions. I would highly recommend Nicola’s sessions!

Julie & Rony
One-to-One Course
What a wonderful experience this is! Nicola is just great, very flexible and very warm. She’s also really open and can listen what you have to say without judging. I feel so much more prepared at the end of our sessions than I did at the beginning. And my mindset has also shifted a lot, all thanks to Nicola and the Wise Hippo programme. Highly recommend Birth Story Hypnobirthing and Nicola!

Gina
Refresher Course
Don’t hesitate to book with Nicola at Birth Story Hypnobirthing – just do it! I had a complicated pregnancy and birth with my first child so really wanted to feel supported and receive guidance based on my previous experience for my second. I didn’t want to be told ‘don’t do this/ do that’ I wanted to be given the tools to feel confident going into childbirth again in ways which I felt comfortable with: and after this course I really do. I did a 1-2-1 course with Nicola and each session was just the right amount of information for us to work on that week ready for the next session. Her support, guidance and gentle nature made me feel 100% confident in asking ANY question and expressing ANY concerns. Thank you Nicola and Birth Story Hypnobirthing!

Nermina & Erik Pieters
One-to-One Course
Even though we both are not new to mindfulness and meditation – hypnobirthing has been such an eye opener and we’ve learned so much! Very quickly the sessions with the lovely Nicola became part of our weekly routine. It made us realise that we are in this together – not only the pregnancy in general but also going into labour. Erik has his part to focus on and I have mine for the big day. It can all be very overwhelming but we feel so prepared now that we’ve finished our hypnobirth course and we’re actually looking forward it. We would recommend it to all the first time parents – not only because it will give you some structure but more then anything it will give you that peace of mind which is very much needed when you go into labour! Thank you Nicola for everything. We couldn’t have done this without all your help

Irem & Ricky
One-to-One Course
Hypnobirthing sessions with Nicola were absolutely mind opening and gave us the confidence boost we need for delivering our baby boy. From the very beginning up until now she has supported us in every possible way. My partner and I found the breathing techniques and hypnosis sessions very useful. Also having access to the great amount of resources was helpful. I would highly recommend Nicola to everyone who is expecting to be a parent. Nicola created such a unique and calm atmosphere which allowed me to manage stress and I will miss our sessions. Thank you once again for a wonderful experience and your ongoing support.

Miranda & Trustan
One-to-One Course – IVF Parents
Birth was the MOST MAGICAL EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE and I felt like a superwoman!…Hypnobirthing was honestly the BEST decision I could have made. My birth went a different way from how I’d imagined it but it didn’t matter because Nicola had taught me the most incredible skills which kept me excited, positive and calm throughout. It was the most magical experience of my life and I felt like a superwoman! Hypnobirthing was honestly the best decision I could have made and the whole birth environment that we created was just perfect. Any decision I made during labour was a considered one, meaning I have no regrets about my birth and feel so lucky to have positive memories

Kathryn
One-to-One Course
Our birth story could not have been more perfect and as close to what we wished for! I started to feel what I can only describe as cramps at around 3/4pm and by 7pm I was certain that ‘things were happening’. My husband had been at work and then the gym and I didn’t inform him of this until he got home at around 7pm as I was unsure of what, if anything was happening and how long it would take. When he got home (slightly mad I hadn’t told him) we began to time my surges. We actually had our online refresher class booked with Nicola that evening. We logged on at 7:30pm and seeing and speaking to her was really reassuring. She reminded us of breathing techniques, answered any queries we had and assured us that she was there anytime we needed her. Through the breathing techniques that Nicola had taught us, we stayed at home until 10pm before driving to the hospital which is luckily only a mile away. 

Upon arriving at the hospital I was examined and I was 10cm dilated. I could honestly not believe it and was so excited that we would soon be meeting our little girl. I was offered pain relief but declined and we made our way to the labour ward. Here we handed over our birth plan and the midwife was great and followed all of our wishes. I found the most comfortable position for me was on my side. The doctor came to examine me and asked me to move onto my back. I knew I would find this uncomfortable but before I could say this, my husband was already asking the doctor why. Why did I need to be on my back? Why could he no examine me on my side? The doctor could not answer this and examined me on my side. The baby was facing sideways so I was asked to not push for an hour to allow her time to move into the correct position. 

Throughout all of my surges I was able to breath through them and use the techniques and counting that Nicola had taught us which resulted in me being able to birth our baby girl with no pain relief, as I had hoped for. She arrived at 4:38am on her due date and made us a family. Following delivery the midwives requested our wishes of minimal checks so we could embrace golden hour as a three, which was wonderful. Although I could not have been happier with my birth and would do it again in an instant, I did suffer a haematoma which resulted in me having to go to theatre to have it drained. Obviously, this requires pain relief but I felt totally calm and relaxed during the process and able to breath through any discomfort whilst waiting for pain relief. Even with a trip to theatre post delivery, It was the most empowering experience and really felt that me and my husband got through it together and enjoyed the experience which I was unsure if this was possible. 

I have raved about Hypnobirthing to my friends and cannot recommend Nicola and her classes enough!! I fully believe that how you deliver your baby is a very personal thing and there is no crown awarded for no pain relief and it definitely does not make you a better mother. However, the techniques we learned and the advice given by Nicola allowed us to be in charge of our birth and remain calm and in control even during the slight curve ball of the trip to theatre. I never would have dreamed of questioning a doctor but it turned out we were totally right too as I was able to remain in a position that was comfortable and right for me. We will forever be grateful to Nicola for the experience that changed our lives in the best way possible.

Sonia
Refresher Course
Having already become a mum of two and having used hypnobirthing previously (using audio methods), my partner and I booked a refresher course with Nicola. The aim was to be more in control and at ease than ever and I can say that this was certainly achieved as my story will unveil!

A natural birth was a first for my new partner but a third for me. I had applied breathing techniques when I delivered my daughters. The first birth (2015) was extremely long and my daughter wasn’t fully aligned. Unfortunately the MLU was under construction, at the time I was in labour, meaning I was able to benefit from a birthing pool; which I had so desperately hoped for. However, I applied the little skills I’d picked up and luckily delivered without intervention a gorgeous 8lb baby girl. My second daughter was born 18 months later in a MLU where I got to benefit from a birthing pool and further applied breathing techniques. This assisted with a positive birth of my 9lb bundle of joy in 2016.

5 years later I was a little more apprehensive and fearful of how I would deal with pushing as this is what I felt least in control of. There had been an element of “I can’t do this” and the fear of pain worried me. I was also concerned about my new partner seeing me this way as I’ve always been strong and fearless. This is when we booked in with Nicola having read amazing reviews. She gave us the confidence and tools we needed to head in to a positive delivery. We became confident enough with our decision to have a home birth and we worked together during labour. It felt like we both completely understood one another’s vital roles and I felt my partner gave me the best support I could ever dream of having. So much so, that we managed to naturally deliver a incredible 11lb 5oz baby without any pain relief.

I don’t think such a positive approach could have been possible had we not had our sessions Nicola. And it’s not just the sessions which help, it’s the fabulous aftercare like the check ins from Nicola which make you feel in touch and at ease.

Thank you Nicola for the fantastic work you do. Your sessions helped me so much more than I could ever have imagined and I can’t rate you highly enough. I feel like I’ve known you always.

Arianna & Stacy
One-to-One Course
I absolutely loved my 4 week hypnobirthing course with Nicola. The course was set at a good pace, with a lot of knowledge delivered in a way that was easy to understand and digest. Nicola’s own calming qualities made for a really enjoyable experience and I’m so glad I now have the tools to keep calm during labour, birth and also beyond!

Lauren 
Confident C-Section Course
Our hypnobirthing birthing classes with Nicola gave us such confidence and a positive approach. Our course covered so much and every evening we left feeling excited, positive & relaxed about everything from breast feeding to birthing our baby. Nicola tailored our classes to fit with our c-section birth so we felt fully prepared. Plus, the hypnosis sessions and the relaxation tracks were INCREDIBLE!

A1’s Ben Adams & Sara Skjoldnes
One-to-One Course

Just finished our 4 classes with Birth Story Hypnobirthing, and loved it! My parter and I learned so much, and was introduced to a whole new way of thinking about birthing. Nicola is the perfect teacher – so inspiring and supportive. Can highly recommend this course.

Leah & Tomo Weller-Kurata
One-to-One Course
I ended up having an emergency c-section as my son came a week early & everything was so different to my birth plan. I really did have to focus on my breathing, ease myself off to my relaxing place and what we learnt from you really did help me to stay as calm as possible when things kept escalating and changing. I was very nervous, scared and in discomfort but because of the course and everything you taught us, it helped me to feel more in control and able to deal with it in a more present and positive way. I would really recommend this course to anyone expecting as the information we learnt about birth & labour and how it all works was amazing too! And the breathing techniques are ones you can use in everyday life too – I find myself still using them to deal with my recovery post c-section and my breast feeding too. Thank you so much to Nicola.

Birth Story Mama
1st Trimester Positivity Power Hour
I booked in Nicola’s first trimester power hour because I really wanted some tips and tricks to calm my nerves and thoughts in these early days where the pregnancy seemed scary and a little unreal. The session really delivered! I loved the combination of information, small exercises, and the longer relaxation track I came away with. I now listen to the track on days where I need to cultivate deeper relaxation. Learning to relax in this way has helped me create space between my pregnancy fears and myself. I would thoroughly recommend this session and Nicola!

Sophie
One-to-One Course
Giving birth to Eden was the best gift and feeling in the whole world! I can’t even put into words the magical feeling I felt the moment the midwife put her on my chest. Eden laid on me for an hour and I couldn’t stop crying and smiling. I was in awe of her. Looking back now on my whole experience, I would say it was an extremely positive one. I wouldn’t of got through it the way I did without hypnobirthing or my husband Carl by my side. 

Hypnobirthing helped me in so many ways. In moments where things did get a bit nerve-wracking with the induction, I used the breathing techniques and played the hypnobirthing instrumental track which really seemed to calm me. Without doing the course with Nicola, I know I would have been extremely anxious and full of adrenaline the entire time. Thank you so much to Nicola for giving me the tools I needed!

Sian & Paul
One-to-One Course
My birth was REALLY GOOD. Due to reduced movements I was booked in to be induced, despite feeling a little uneasy about this, I trusted my midwife and headed home to pick up my hospital bag and kiss my daughter before going back to hospital for my waters to be broken. Low and behold, as I was explaining to my daughter where Mummy was going, my waters broke whilst in the kitchen! 

As I’d been booked in to the midwife led unit, I checked in at 2.30pm and after observations I was measuring 2cm. Around 3.15pm by surges stepped up a gear and I felt the natural urge to bear down. After calling for the midwife, they ran me onto the labour ward with haste as I was bearing down. Mid-journey bumping into my community midwife who arrived just in time! I got to the delivery room at 3.55pm and my gorgeous daughter was born at 4.04pm. I confidently hummed her out with no pain relief. Although I wasn’t in water as I had initially planned, I couldn’t have asked for a better birth, especially compared to my first birth experience which was full of stress and discomfort. Recovery has been easier, my milk has come in quickly and my baby is perfect!  I honestly couldn’t have done it without Nicola – even early on in labour, my husband kept saying to me ‘Relax and imagine Nicola’s soothing voice!’.

Nicola and her passion and approach to hypnobirthing left me feeling calm, confident, empowered, supported and prepared. Mine and my husbands mindset on how labour can be has totally shifted. Through out my pregnancy Nicola and her knowledge, advise and support has been invaluable, I wish I’d done this course with my first baby. Thank you, Nicola

Dee
Confident C-Section Refresher
Thank you so much for my hypnobirthing refresher session – you were amazing and I’m feeling a MILLION times better about birth. Nicola’s class was beautiful…she was relaxing and very positive and she’s very passionate about hypnobirthing. I found the hypnosis very calming. Nicola is very approachable and I felt that I could ask her anything, I felt very supported by her.

Talia
One-to-One Course
I HAD A FANTASTIC BIRTH… I was feeling extremely nervous and anxious about my second birth after knowing what I was about to encounter and fearing the known. Thanks to Nicola she put my mind at ease and taught me some fantastic tools, techniques and ways of thinking in order to overcome my fears. She was amazing to talk to so knowledgeable and supportive. I could ask her absolutely anything and there was never a silly question. Her calming voice sent me into a safe place where I could only envision positive and relaxing thoughts.

Going on the previous birth of my first daughter, before starting my Hypnobirthing course I felt I could only get through birth by having an epidural and could not conquer birth without. Second time round it was a completely different story as through all the preparation I’d done, I knew I could get through any birth experience, no matter what was coming my way. Throughout my birth I felt EMPOWERED, in control, calm and relaxed. I had a fantastic birth. My surges started mid morning, I breathed through them at home for as long as possible. I checked into the hospital at 4:30pm at 7cm dilated and we met our beautiful baby girl at 6:30pm without any pain relief.

Thank you to Nicola. I couldn’t have done it without you…I will remember your calming voice forever!

Marisia
One-to-One Course
I wasn’t sure about hypnobirthing when I signed up and wanted to do anything to try and make birth easier. Despite being terrified of it all, Nicola kept me positive and genuinely changed my mindset. When curveballs we’re thrown at me Nicola was always on hand and the support hasn’t ended now that Joshua is here. 

She helped me do something I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to do and although it wasn’t a water birth, and I was on my own for a lot of it, I feel like I had such a positive experience. Never in a million years did I think I’d be 7cm before having any pain relief or be able to do the whole thing on gas and air – especially with a 10lb baby!

Hypnobirthing techniques were invaluable throughout my pregnancy, helping block negativity and preparing me for labour. The techniques have continued to keep me calm and relaxed and I know they’ll stay with me…I cannot recommend Nicola enough!

Jess Salter
Refresher Course
I had an excellent 1:1 with Nicola shortly before the birth of my second baby. I had done hypnobirthing for my first pregnancy, but left it quite late to start again for my second pregnancy. Nicola was so reassuring about what practical steps I could do (taking the time to go through specific breathing techniques with me), and what I could learn in a short amount of time. I would have got even more from her if I’d been more organised! She is calm, empathetic and also realistic – a very helpful combination! Would strongly recommend.

Nicola
One-to-One Course
I had a very traumatic first birth and whilst I was so excited about being pregnant again, the thought of giving birth terrified me. I decided to do hypnobirthing with Birth Story Hypnobirthing and it was amazing. The breathing and hypnosis exercises were really relaxing and helped keep me calm during my surges. The techniques Nicola taught me helped me deal with my birth anxieties and as a result I had a completely different birth second time round! 

Nicola also supported me through my first few weeks of pregnancy, giving me some great tips, morning sickness hypnosis and listening to me when my hormones got the better of me! Thank you for all your support – I couldn’t have got through it without you!

Robin & Alec
One-to-One Course
Nicola is a wonderful hypnobirthing teacher! She guided my husband and me through everyting we needed to know to establish some really good practices to prepare for and use when I am in labour. I now no longer say I am afraid of birth, and I’m forever grateful for that! I’d highly recommend Birth Story Hypnobirthing!

Becky & Jamie
One-to-One Course
We have recently finished our hypnobirthing course with Nicola and honestly cannot recommend her enough! After a birth that didn’t go how I’d hoped there was aspects I still, 2 years on, hadn’t realise I hadn’t dealt with. Both on and off the course Nicola has been able to help me through that, and my partner and myself feel a lot more confident in our decisions going forward for our 2nd birth. All of the techniques we’ve learnt have been so helpful even in the remaining months of my pregnancy, and I am really looking forward to putting them in to practice when the real thing happens. Thanks so much Nicola, you’ve been invaluable.

Kate
Refresher Course
Hypnobirthing was a lifeline for my first two births – the practice left me positive and my births were comfortable and quick in water. However, unlike my previous pregnancies, third time round I just couldn’t shake my anxious feelings. Be it the impact of others negative birth stories or the pressures of being in lockdown, I knew I needed to take charge of my thoughts as I had done with my two girls. Birth Story’s refresher course allowed me to dig deep, reset and refresh all my skills I’d thrived on using previously to regain my confidence ahead of birth. Nicola is so motivating and supportive and with just a couple of hours refreshing my skills I was able to have the calm and relaxed water birth that I dreamed of having.

Vasiliki
One-to-One Course
Hypnobirthing classes with Nicola were the greatest experience! She made me feel that  whatever happens in birth she has my back. Nicola is very supportive, kind and her positivity can only make you feel good about yourself and what it to come. You will be amazed at her energy! I would recommend this hypnobirthing course to ALL pregnant women – it’s a tool for a great birthing experience. 

Annabel & Craig
One-to-One Course
I couldn’t recommend Nicola more – she is so wonderful and loves what she does which in turn makes you want to stay calm and breathe. I couldn’t wait to use everything that I had learnt. Whilst going through the induction phase, Nicola’s technique of going to my relaxing place worked WONDERS! This arduous stage of labour would have felt so much longer should I have not been able to rest in my relaxing place and picture my family playing around the pool in our favourite country and favourite hotel!

Birth Story Mama
1st Trimester Positivity Power Hour
What a brilliant way to support and empower expectant mums struggling in their firts trimester – I firmly believe every mum-to-be should sign up for this course. Thank you so much Nicola 

Emily
One-to-One Course
With so much information about giving birth out there and the temptation to fall down a Google rabbit hole of worry, I was keen to try hypnobirthing to ensure I had a calm and informed approach to giving birth. Nicola’s classes were just what I wanted and needed. Information about best birthing positions, relaxation and breath work were invaluable on the day, and I loved listening to the relaxation tracks in my final few weeks of pregnancy.

On the day things happened rather quickly, starting with my waters breaking at my parents in Kent at 6.30pm so we had a quick drive up to London to ensure we were at the right hospital. With a visit to hospital at 11pm and being sent home, my husband kept me calm with breathing techniques while my contractions increased. We returned to hospital at 3am and by 4 my little boy had arrived! There was no time to make the room a relaxing space, or even to run the water as I’d hoped for a water birth, but I focussed on relaxation techniques that Nicola had taught me, closed my eyes to go to my relaxing place and coped with just gas and air (and a paracetamol thank you NHS!) It was the perfect birth for me on the day which is what Nicola trained me for! Thank you!

PREPARE FOR A POSITIVE BIRTH WITH BIRTH STORY HYPNOBIRTHING

One-to-one, group or refresher – Birth Story hypnobirthing classes are delivered via Zoom in the comfort of your home.

Our hypnobirth courses will not only prepare you for a positive birth experience but equip you with all the mind, body and baby knowledge and techniques to ensure your birth is calm, controlled and both you and your birth partner are brimming with confidence – whatever shape your birth takes.