Hypnobirthing is a complete in-depth antenatal and relaxation course, it’s simple, logical & it works It is logical, simple, practical....and very effective!
It is so important to prepare well for the birth of your baby to enable you to take control and make the choices that are right for you and your baby whichever path your birth takes to give your baby (and you) the best possible start! Hypnobirthing is more than just positive thinking and breathing exercises ~ it is a complete in-depth antenatal course. It enables a woman to work with her body, which is designed to give birth. It releases the fear and negativity that she has been programmed with from an early age (from dramatized T.V births for example or stories from family/friends or possibly even from a personal previous negative experience) and replaces it with calm confidence for the birth of her baby. The full course covers labour and birth preparation and provides women with the knowledge to enable them to be confident in their choices rather than making decisions based on fear. It teaches relaxation techniques to help achieve a calm, comfortable and often drug free birth if that is what you desire (It is not about having to have a drug free birth - we also discuss all pain relief options). Hypnobirthing is a wonderful asset to facilitate a natural birth however, it is also extremely beneficial to any kind of birth, wherever and however that birth happens. It is also beneficial to baby as the hormones the mother produces are passed on to the baby. If mother is relaxed, baby is relaxed which is especially important in labour. Fathers quite often come to the class unwillingly and a little bit sceptical, though once they have started, they see it is logical, that it is based on science, anatomy, psychology and common sense and they go away having really enjoyed the course and being the best advocates for the method. I also offer short antenatal sessions if that is something that is more suited to you and your needs.
18/02/2026
Side lying position
Such a useful position as it means you can stay lying down whilst you breastfeed!
But it can be a bit tricky to get a deep and comfortable latch.
Here are my top tips:
Baby tucked in very close
Head tilted back
Baby looking up at ths breast
Sometimes it helps to lift yourself up on your elbow when you first latch, then you can lower yourself back down again.
Thank you to my client who allowed me to share this photo as we nailed a fabulous deep latch. Baby was drinking beautifully with deep sucks and swallows. Baby 3 weeks old.
18/02/2026
We talk a lot about induction on my full KG Hypnobirthing course and I always signpost to Sara Wickhams website and books for further information x
We see more comments, queries and concerns about induction of labour than about any other single pregnancy and birth-related topic.
It's too hard to put everything that women and their families need to know in one post (which is why I have written two books about this!)
But here are some of the key facts.
Induction of labour is absolutely the right decision for some women, and absolutely not the right decision for others.
Some women are delighted that they had their labour induced, and some women regret this decision for decades.
Induction is often suggested for a risk factor rather than for any medical reason. This risk may not be greater than the risks of induction itself for you - only you can decide that.
It is for those reasons that we encourage anybody who might be affected by this to get lots of information about induction of labour or any other birth intervention before making a decision.
The mass media is not a good source of information about birth. Newspapers spin stories to make headlines and often fail to discuss the nuances and complexities of the issues.
Like many of my colleagues, my primary concern is that people who need to make such decisions can get good information from a credible source and make the decision that is right for them.
That’s why I’ve written two books about this. They have both helped tens of thousands of women and families make the decisions that are right for them.
I also have more than twenty articles and blog posts to help you understand the issues.
Loads more info at https;//www.sarawickham.com/iol
10/02/2026
This is so important…… the solution isn’t removing services….. it’s about making them as safe as they can possibly be 🤍
All women and birthing people should be safely supported, wherever they want to give birth. And deciding to give birth at home is a right that must be supported.
Birthrights , The Association of Radical Midwives (ARM) and AIMS are calling for action to make homebirths even safer, and we stand alongside them.
What is needed to ensure safe, supported, and respected home births:
💚 A properly resourced homebirth service with trained, experienced midwives
💚 Continuity of care and personalised care plans for everyone planning a homebirth
💚 Evidence-based info about risks in each person’s circumstances for all birth types
💚 Adequate ambulance cover so help is available immediately if needed
Want to learn more about birth choices and support? Explore our birth information pages on our website.
10/02/2026
Hello!
My name is Emily Sheppard, I am a KGHypnobirthing accredited teacher who has been teaching hypnobirthing for nearly 10 years. A mentored birth and postnatal Doula trained with Developing Doulas and a breastfeeding peer supporter with NCT.
I am the mother of three wonderful sons. My two oldest, were born quickly and calmly at home using a birth pool and hypnobirthing as pain relief (I honestly didn't feel I needed anything further. I did ask for gas & air both times during transition (more about that on the course) though it was forgotten about 5 mins later and I knew I could do it) and I was looking forward to our third being born in the same way. Unfortunately, he had other plans, I went in with reduced movements at 36weeks in Sept 2021 and he was here less than 2 hours later after an emergency C-section under general anaesthetic. Needless to say it took me a while to come to terms with it though hypnobirthing helped me to stay calm throughout the whole process and made such a difference to the experience and recovery.
I came to hypnobirthing on a parents course while pregnant with my first. I always knew I wanted a home birth and I was fairly confident about giving birth, but I had heard a few “horror” stories and so I wanted to ensure I fully prepared myself so I knew what to expect.
Everything in the course made perfect sense and I loved taking the time out each day to relax knowing that it was going to help me achieve the calm, comfortable birth I wished for. And it worked!!!
The course also opened my eyes as to how society in general perceived birth and to how the ‘system’ worked in the maternity care services and I was saddened by the facts that women often feel nervous or even scared about labour/birth when it should be one of the most exciting times of a womans life and that some women/birthing people do have a very negative experience of childbirth and this just didn’t sit well with me.
We all know that birth can deviate from our “ideal” but whichever path a birth takes, whether it be completely natural, an induced labour, instrumental birth or a C-section, it can be and should be a very positive experience, where the birthing person feels in control, is given all of the information and options and is supported in all her/their decisions.
These thoughts and feelings are what gave me the incentive to want to do more. To be able to inform and educate women and birthing families so they can empower themselves to achieve a birth experience that they will treasure for the rest of their lives is the reason why I love doing what I do and I am so privileged to be a part of their journey!
I qualified as a KGH teacher and began teaching Hypnobirthing in 2017 and I qualified as a mentored birth and post natal doula with Developing Doulas in 2021. I also qualified as a breastfeeding peer supporter in July 2022.
I offer KG Hypnobirthing and doula support services in North Lancashire, South Cumbria and North Yorkshire as well as further afield online via Zoom. I also volunteer for NCT as a breastfeeding peer supporter, running my local group as well as voluntarily running a local parent and toddler playgroup.
Pictured is myself as a very proud doula with this incredible new mother and her freshly newborn baby (thank you for letting me share your photo).
10/02/2026
Up to a third of your babies blood is still in the placenta at birth…. Why cut off the supply before full transference has occurred…. Wait for white ❤️
✨ Delayed Cord Clamping: What It Is + Why It Matters ✨
That umbilical cord isn’t “done” the moment your baby is born. For the first minute or two, it’s still pulsing—delivering iron-rich blood, immune cells, and stem cells from the placenta to your newborn.
Delayed cord clamping simply means waiting until the cord stops pulsing before clamping and cutting.
🌱 Benefits for baby:
• Higher iron stores → lower risk of anemia
• Increased blood volume & smoother transition to life outside the womb
• For preterm babies: fewer transfusions and lower risk of serious complications
• Possible benefits for long-term motor & social development
⚖️ Things to know:
• Slightly higher chance of newborn jaundice (usually easy to monitor and treat)
• Immediate clamping may be needed if baby requires urgent support
• Not linked to increased bleeding for mom
💛 Bottom line:
Delayed cord clamping is gentle, evidence-supported care that lets the placenta finish its work—supporting your baby’s first moments of life without disrupting the birth flow.
Ask your care provider what this looks like in your birth space 🤍
09/02/2026
09/02/2026
“All interventions have pros and cons, and it's a question of being able to weigh them up within your individual context.
It's also the case that you might want an intervention, drug or product in one situation but not another.”
That’s a quote from my book, Anti-D Explained.
Anti-D is the name of a medicine offered to rhesus negative pregnant women and new mums who may have been exposed to rhesus positive blood. It's known as RhoGAM® in the USA.
Anti-D is given in the hope of preventing them from making antibodies which may cause problems for future babies.
But like every drug, treatment or intervention, it has pros and cons.
Which means you need to weigh up the evidence, consider the issues and decide whether or not it’s right for you.
With Anti-D, you might consider that it’s right for you in some circumstances but not in others.
I have written a popular book on this topic, called Anti-D Explained.
If you want to be led gently by the hand on a journey through the information, then my book is the answer.
I also offer links to a few supplementary Anti-D resources on my website.
These include documents and resources that offer a variety of perspectives and levels of information.
Group Course availability March 2026!
Contact me for more information and to book.
Don't just wish for a great birth..... Prepare for one!
With nearly 10years experience of teaching Hypnobirthing and having given birth to my 3 children using Hypnobirthing techniques (2 home births and an emergency C-section) it never gets old.
I still love meeting and teaching expectant parents and sharing my knowledge so they can empower themselves to have the best possible birth experience however and wherever they birth their baby. 👶
I also currently have some availability for private courses for you and a birth partner in the comfort of your own home!
03/02/2026
All of Sara Wickhams books are worth a read 🩵
16/10/2025
Welcoming a new life into the world is a profound journey. Discover the benefits of having birth support and how it can empower you during this exciting time. Learn more about this invaluable resource for parents-to-be and new parents! 🌟 https://wix.to/mIj4XHZ
Welcoming a new life into the world is one of the most profound experiences you’ll ever have. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes a little scary. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go through it alone. Having the right support during birth can make a world of difference. Let....
03/10/2025
🌼 Expecting a little one? Our Tailored Birth Preparation Packages at Hypnobirthing Haven are here for you! I blend evidence-based KG HypnoBirthing techniques with caring support to craft a unique experience just for you and your partner. Why settle for ordinary when you can prepare in a way that feels right for you? Join me in Carnforth or Lancaster and embrace this incredible journey together! 💖
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Hypnobirthing is a complete in-depth antenatal and relaxation course, providing you with the tools and knowledge for a relaxed and empowering birth to give your baby the best possible start in life.
It is logical, simple, practical....and very effective!
Hello, My name is Emily Sheppard, I am passionate about supporting women to have the birth that they want, no matter how or where they are planning to have their baby.
I want women to know and to understand that they have options and it is them who are in control of any decisions that need to be made. When decisions are made out of information with risks and benefits from both sides then it is much more likely for it to be a positive experience. If decisions are based on fear with a lack of information then it is quite likely to become a traumatic experience which unfortunately happens all to often.
I want more women to be able to believe and have confidence in themselves and to trust that their body knows exactly what to do to birth their baby - just as it has grown their baby as birth is a physiological event and not a medical one in the majority of women. “Birth is an Emergence, not an Emergency”
I offer group courses and 1:1 sessions (including via Skype) there’s no drum banging or dancing round incense - just logical information, relaxation techniques and common sense!
