What is Hypnobirthing?

If you’re pregnant you’re probably thinking about what your labour and delivery will be like – from easing any pain with drugs like epidurals or more natural methods such as a birthing pool. Or maybe this all sounds like a foreign language to you!

There is one birthing technique that has nothing to do with drugs, and enthusiasts even say that labour doesn’t have to be painful at all. This is called Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing techniques using breathing and relaxation methods to help your mind and body. You can help your body relax and go through the natural process of giving birth without tensing up and feeling scared.

Hypnobirthing antenatal courses enable you to learn to rebuild trust and confidence in your own body’s ability to birth, by understanding that ‘birth’ is not a medical emergency, but a very natural process. A woman who is free from fear and feels safe and unobserved will produce oxytocin and endorphins freely, paving the way for a gentle, calm and empowering birth.

Central to hypnobirthing is the use of positive language and keeping calm. You’re encouraged to say you’re having ‘waves’ instead of ‘contractions’, and you’re ‘breathing out’ your baby rather than ‘pushing’ to help you feel more in control.

Many misconceptions surround hypnobirthing, it doesn’t mean you will be hypnotised nor is it just for ‘hippies wanting a homebirth’. Hypnobirthing is becoming more mainstream as midwives and health care professionals see the benefits. Even if your birth does not go according to plan, the techniques learnt in hypnobirthing can help you to stay calm and have the best possible experience for your given situation.

The demonstrated benefits of hypnobirthing are;

a shorter first stage labour.
less intense pain.
a shorter stay in hospital after birth.
less fear and anxiety after the birth of your baby.

At the Maris Practice we run 3 week hypnobirthing antenatal courses which will enable you to learn that you can release your fear, through breathing techniques, deep relaxation, visualisations as well as the power of the mind and positive affirmations.

Find out more here.

2020-09-15T15:45:18+01:00

The Maris Practice

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Cate Lynch

16:17 07 Nov 24

Mr O'Sullivan

11:25 16 Oct 24

Excellent as always at Maris. Highly recommended.

Delwen Samuel

19:06 09 Sep 24

I have been seeing Angelina for several months. She listens carefully to my needs and her treatment has made a huge difference to my health and wellbeing. I’m really grateful for her expertise and excellent care.

Niral Patel

15:24 12 Aug 24

Having spent over a year getting nowhere with a chiropractor I was delighted to get immediate pain relief and start a sustained road to recovery from the team at Maris.

jules pointon

06:26 12 Apr 24

Andrew diagnosed my issue professionally and sorted my backHe was also most helpful and frriendlyExcellent service

Hedy Wimble

13:50 11 Apr 24

Samantha Minnaar

16:59 25 Mar 24

Sylvia Leiserach

12:31 10 Mar 24

I have been seeing Hannah McCrudden for cranial osteopathy for some years now but I recently experienced her osteopathic facial massage treatment which was completely new and wonderful. It is a real workout for the face which it normally never receives as we mostly focus on work outs for our bodies. Hannah's knowledge and expertise manipulated my face from the inside out which left me feeling as if I literally had more space behind my face. At the end of the session I felt a bit spaced out but the habitual tension behind my nose was lifted and I looked more relaxed and smoothed out. Three days later I still felt and looked ' smoothed out ' This treatment is very different to a usual beauty massage and feels much more profound. Another magical treatment from Hannah at the continually brilliant Maris Practice.

Wes Shaw

15:50 04 Mar 24

Utterly brilliant!

Nomtai Mabo

11:46 26 Nov 22

I had acupuncture with Angelina. The session was very relaxing and helpful for my shoulder pain. Angelina explained to me the techniques she was using and spent time getting to know how she could help me. I felt very comfortable and will be returning for some more session as I feel very good after my session.

Jeremy Henderson

08:36 15 May 22

Excellent treatment from Andrew who is very considered and professional. Really happy with the outcome and he has definitely improved my back pain issue, hopefully permanently

Adventure TubeⓋ

12:48 31 Aug 21

The best customer service - Best osteopath on the Planet Andrew Oliver - thank you for alll your support - he is Magic

Cat Lamin

08:19 24 Aug 21

Having visited the Maris Practice for their breast-feeding drop in sessions, we decided to take our son to see Gus to help solve sleeping issues relating to silent reflux when he was an infant - she was so kind and lovely with him and we would recommend her to anyone looking for a cranial osteopath.Since then, both myself and my partner have seen Andrew for our own osteopathy needs and have recommended him to a number of friends - he is a wonderful osteopath and is really good at explaining what he's doing and why.I wouldn't go anywhere else because I feel completely comfortable and safe seeing Andrew or Gus

Russ Edwards

11:24 26 Jul 21

Highly recommend Andrew for any back, neck (or other body issues). Ran without pain for the first time in 4 years, which speaks for itself

Samantha Laycock

09:01 27 Mar 21

I’ve been having Yoga Therapy sessions with Sammie and cannot recommend highly enough. She made a difference after just one session and gave me tailored practice for home which also help (without being difficult to fit into a busy week!). All that and the space itself is lovely, Covid safe, and a pleasure to be in.

Ella S

17:40 23 Dec 20

Absolute magic goes on in this place! Take away the name employees and replace with 'Miracle Workers'. Andrew is fantastic! Cannot fault one thing.

Laura Tetzner

12:39 11 Dec 20

Took my baby here as we had issues breastfeeding and Claire worked her magic on him.After one session we already had a huge improvement and the issues were solved after three sessions. Would not hesitate to come back. Thank you Claire!!

Carol Glover-Faure

19:40 18 Aug 20

Over the past 6 months, I have visited the clinic 3 times (pre and post Covid) due to my back problem. Every time, I walked in with mega pain and walk out feeling like l a new person. I have seen Andrew, Gus & Claire all 3 simply amazing & gifted. Carol

Kim Johnson

09:24 30 Jun 20

I have been seeing Jessica Busen-smith for some years at the Maris practice. I cannot speak highly enough of her. She is amazing and I have nick named her magic hands!Since the pandemic I feel very safe going back for treatment as they have implemented all of the safety procedures that the government have put in place. I thought it might be odd but I've got used to wearing a mask. On a final plus they have had a refurb so the rooms are newly painted, new flooring etc and it looks great.

Samantha Drew

21:29 02 Jun 20

I attended the practice for a tapping group session for food cravings. I was quite skeptical when I went as I couldn’t understand how tapping on your face and head could help with a craving... but it did. Louise also emailed us some guides so we could have all the information from the session.Staff at the practice were very professional and the practice itself was easy to find and only a short walk from Twickenham station.

Erin baker

15:14 31 May 20

I had a run of physio sessions at The Maris Practice for my shoulder and neck and it was fab: friendly, on time and genuinely helpful treatment

Lex Pedersen

11:07 31 May 20

Thank you so much to the Maris Practice for all your help. I was so worried about my daughters back after a bad fall. Claire treated her and was amazing. So tentative, very professional and clearly gifted in her ability to heal people. I can thoroughly recommend Claire and the practice.

Gabriella Wass

10:05 08 Jan 20

Can't reccomend highly enough. I have been seeing Hannah McCrudden throughout my pregnancy and it has been a godsend. She is knowledgeable, soothing, and (most importantly) extremely good at her job. I always come out feeling better and she's helped with issues from joint and back pain to difficulties breathing. Not only in terms of the work that she has done with my body (which is SO relaxing and always a highlight of my fortnight!) but also the advice she's given on really simple exercises to pick up. The latter is particularly welcome as often it can be overwhelming to take home exercises to do in between, but this is the first time I've seen someone who's successfully encouraged me to do things that slot almost effortlessly into everyday life. The practice is so well run and seems to hire the best people. There are loads of other interesting initiaitves and talks there and all well worth checking out.

Penelope Sapiro

09:16 22 Oct 19

Great Practice! I have been going to the Maris Practice for many years and I have always found them to be fantastic. They choose great people to work there.