Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire. – Details, episodes & analysis
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Hypno-WHAT?! Modern Hypnobirthing with Claire.
Claire Smith - Doula & Hypnobirthing Teacher
Frequency: 1 episode/42d. Total Eps: 34

Welcome to the Hypno-WHAT podcast! I'm Claire, a doula & hypnobirthing teacher from Edinburgh. I'm here to debunk a lot of the nonsense that surrounds Hypnobirthing for you because, let's be honest, it sounds like crap.
But what if I told you it was actually like Sports Psychology for birth... would you think it was a bit less weird? Hypnobirthing simply acknowledges the impact that your brain has on the unfolding of birth.
It's less vagina-whispering and more learning how your body works; helping you to really believe in yourself and the amazing capabilities of your pregnant body.
The aim of my work is to help you to feel informed & in control; prepared for whatever route your birth may take; confident in your decision-making; setting you up for a really positive post-natal period with your new plus-one.
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30. How to have a Hypnobirth
Season 1 · Episode 30
vendredi 29 septembre 2023 • Duration 19:37
Today we're exploring the idea of 'having a hypnobirth'; what the stereotypical idea of a hypnobirth is and how useful I think that is! Spoiler - I don't think a hypnobirth is a thing.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
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29. Three Distractions for Labour
Season 1 · Episode 29
lundi 14 août 2023 • Duration 11:01
Welcome to Summer School! Summer holidays can be hectic; kids off school and generally life is just busier with holidays, weddings etc. But you still want to try and squeeze in some birth prep?! I hear you! My summer school episodes will be a maximum of 15 minutes long, hopefully meaning you can cram them at some point.
Episode 6 in the series explores three different distractions for labour: TENS machines, cold flannels & physical touch.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
20. Unpicking preconceptions about hypnobirthing with Jade & Alix from The Birth Uprising
Season 1 · Episode 20
vendredi 20 janvier 2023 • Duration 41:44
Warning - this episode contains a bit of swearing, so if that's not your vibe maybe give this episode a miss.
The very first guests on The Hypno-WHAT Podcast are my brilliant pals Jade & Alix who run The Birth Uprising, who I trained with back in 2021. The TBU approach is 'no fluff, no bull'; Jade & Alix tell it like it is, there's no pretension with this pair at all, and they are fiercely passionate about making hypnobirthing accessible to all. TBU content is always inclusive, striving to include support for everyone and every kind of birth - which is exactly why I wanted to train with these wonderful women!
In this episode we each discuss a myth about hypnobirthing and why it drives us up the wall, and then we'll completely dispel it for you. We touch on:
- Why Hypnobirthing is soooo much more than just breathing
- Hypnobirthing is NOT just for natural births, nor can it guarantee one
- How Hypnobirthing can help you navigate an elective or unplanned caesarean.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
18. Guided Relaxation - Pregnancy Body Scan
Season 1 · Episode 16
vendredi 13 janvier 2023 • Duration 11:09
This 10 minute body scan is designed to help you find softness and stillness whenever you need to.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
19. Estimated Due Dates
Season 1 · Episode 19
vendredi 13 janvier 2023 • Duration 18:52
The Estimated Due Date... that magical day your hit 40 weeks and fully expect your baby to arrive then or shortly after. As does everyone you shared the date with. The texts flood in - Have you had the baby yet? How long are they going to let you go? Get a sweep. Eat 14 pineapples.
None of it is ill intended but it can sow the seeds of doubt and have you questioning your body - why hasn't it gone in to labour by now?
Well today I'm going to talk you through the due date and why you should pay it as little attention as possible. We're going to talk about focussing on The Due Period rather than a single day, on which less than 5% of babies are born.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
References:
Bull, J.R., Rowland, S.P., Scherwitzl, E.B. et al. Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles. npj Digit. Med. 2, 83 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7
A.M. Jukic, D.D. Baird, C.R. Weinberg, D.R. McConnaughey, A.J. Wilcox, Length of human pregnancy and contributors to its natural variation, Human Reproduction, Volume 28, Issue 10, October 2013, Pages 2848–2855, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det297
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17. Water Birth - what does the evidence say?
Season 1 · Episode 17
mardi 6 décembre 2022 • Duration 21:43
In this episode I’ll be discussing using water during your labour - and that doesn’t necessarily mean you plan to birth your baby in the pool. Birth pools & showers can be brilliant tools for relief during labour, even if you want to birth your baby out of the water.
There are lots of big claims about birth pools - they make labour less painful and can reduce your risk of intervention... but what does the evidence actually say? Let me break it down for you in today's episode.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
References
Burns E, Feeley C, Hall PJ, et al Systematic review and meta-analysis to examine intrapartum interventions, and maternal and neonatal outcomes following immersion in water during labour and waterbirth
Ali Akhlaghi, MD et al, Comparison of waterbirth with conventional vaginal delivery: A non-randomized controlled trial from Iran
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16. Guided Relaxation - Connecting with your pregnant body
Season 1 · Episode 16
mardi 6 décembre 2022 • Duration 07:00
Never tried a guided relaxation before? The short tracks on this podcast are a great place to start. This track is just over 6 minutes long and designed to be used wherever & whenever you need a quick reset and to check in with yourself & baby.
The intention of this practice is for you to connect with your body & baby, recognising where you are at the present moment, acknowledging that & accepting it. I encourage you to notice not only the negatives, as our brains are so inclined to do, but also the positives.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
*Do Not Listen To Guided Relaxations While Driving or Operating Machinery*
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
15. Your Amazing Uterus & It's Powerful Contractions
Season 1 · Episode 15
jeudi 3 novembre 2022 • Duration 17:56
Today's episode is going to be focusing on contractions - what are they? And how does our uterus actually work?
Most people in the beginning know very little about what contractions are. They just think 'Right I’m going to have contractions, whatever they are, and they will get bigger and harder until my baby is born' ...and that’s just not true for everyone. Not all contractions are made equal; we have different kinds of contractions which do completely different jobs, at different stages in our labour.
I really hope this episode helps to breakdown a little of the physiology of birth for you, and goes a little way to building your confidence in your amazing body and it's incredible capabilities.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
14. First Steps to Feeling Better About Birth
Season 1 · Episode 14
jeudi 20 octobre 2022 • Duration 27:23
It’s all very well to be told about the importance of building a positive mindset for birth, but how do you actually get to a place where that feels realistic?
For some people, they hit pregnancy feeling pretty neutral about birth, others even feel good and excited about the experience of giving birth, however, there are a great many people who don’t fall in to either of those camps. If that is you, you are not alone. In fact, I’d say you’re maybe in the majority group!
If you are currently in a place where the idea of birth being a positive experience feels pretty far fetched and your wracked with fear & anxiety then this episode is for you. I’m not here to tell you not to be scared, I think it’s really important to recognise our feelings, not just try to cover them up.
Let me take you through some of the first steps I use with my clients to try and help them to dial down a bit of that belief that birth is an inherently negative experience.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
References
Birth Trauma Association Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheBTA/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
13. Tailoring Your Birth Environment
Season 1 · Episode 13
jeudi 29 septembre 2022 • Duration 26:18
Today we are talking all about how to tailor your environment for birth. In the previous episode of the show we looked at choosing where to give birth, now we’re thinking about the considerations for how to make that environment supportive of birth.
We talk about the importance of remembering that the majority of birth begins at home - unless you are having a caesarean or induction then you will be labouring at home, so what can you do to support yourself there?
I also talk a little about how all of this still applies and is just as important if you are having an induction of labour.
Keep up to date with all the goings on by following me on instagram.
If instagrams not your thing you can also get in touch via email, my address is claire@birthingparentsclub.com. I really do love hearing from you, so whether it’s podcast feedback, episode ideas or your birth story please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
I hope you are enjoying the soothing sound of Scotland in your ears as your relax during pregnancy; you can now buy more of my hypnobirthing mp3s on my online shop. They are a bargain £4 each and cover topics such as anxiety, confidence building, fear release & preparing to breastfeed. Check it out here! Or to get yourself booked in for private birth prep with me - available online or face to face in Edinburgh & the surrounding.
Your feedback is super important to me - it not only tells the podcast gods & goddesses that you are enjoying the show but it helps me to reach more people, spreading the good word of birth far & wide! If you have a couple minutes to drop me a rating & a few words for a review, I would be so grateful - thank you!
References:
The aesthetic nature of the birthing room environment may alter the need for obstetrical interventions; 2019
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-36416-x
Space, place and the midwife: exploring the relationship between the birth environment, neurobiology and midwifery practice; 2013
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24139678/
Birth, Bath, and Beyond: The Science and Safety of Water Immersion During Labor and Birth; 2014
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4210671/
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