Hypnobirthing Classes in Cork & Kerry

Hypnobirthing is a practical approach to preparing for labour and birth. It combines childbirth education with breathing, relaxation, visualisation and mindset techniques to help you feel calmer, more confident and better prepared.

It is not about achieving one particular type of birth. The tools can support you as part of your preparation, however your birth unfolds.

Absolutely. Birth partners are very much part of the course, rather than simply coming along with you.

They will learn how labour works, how to support your breathing and relaxation, practical comfort measures and ways to help create a calm environment around you. We also look at how they can support your birth preferences and conversations with your maternity team.

Many partners arrive unsure of what they will actually be able to do during labour and leave feeling much more confident about their role.

Yes. You do not need to have any particular beliefs about birth or hypnobirthing to benefit from the course.

My approach is practical, realistic and grounded in birth preparation. There is plenty of information about how labour works, alongside techniques that you can actually practise and use together.

I often find that the partners who arrive most unsure about hypnobirthing are pleasantly surprised by how practical the day is.

Not in the stage-show sense. There is no clucking like a chicken required!

Hypnobirthing uses techniques such as breathing, relaxation, visualisation and focused attention. You remain completely aware of what is happening and in control of yourself throughout.

Yes. There is no ‘right’ type of birth you need to be aiming for to use hypnobirthing.

The breathing, relaxation, communication and birth-partner skills you learn can still form part of your preparation if your circumstances or preferences change.

After the course, you will also receive dedicated educational resources covering induction of labour, pharmacological pain relief including epidural, monitoring, assisted birth and caesarean birth. If any of these become relevant to you, you can contact me for personal course-related support as you work through the resources and prepare questions for your maternity team.

Whether you are having your baby in UHK, CUMH or any of the other maternity hospitals in Ireland or at home, I am here to support you in your birth choices. My support is educational, practical and emotional and does not replace individual medical advice from your maternity team. 

I also have a special course just for planned c-sections. 

Feeling nervous about birth is one of the most common reasons people come to my courses.

We look at where fear around birth can come from, how fear and tension can affect the way you experience labour, and practical ways to help you feel calmer and more prepared.

My aim is not to promise that you will never feel nervous or that birth will be easy. It is to help make birth feel less unknown and give you and your partner practical tools to come back to when you need them.

Most couples attend between around 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, which gives you time to practise the techniques and use your resources before your baby arrives.

If you are earlier than this, you can still book your place at one of my Cork or Kerry courses in advance. Once booked, I send you initial hypnobirthing tracks so you can begin your practice before the course.

If you are further along in pregnancy, please do get in touch. It may still be a great time to attend if I have availability.

Some regular practice really helps, but it does not need to take over your life.

I will show you how to use the techniques and give you a simple approach to practising at home. You will also have your hypnobirthing audio tracks and course resources to return to throughout pregnancy.

The aim is for the tools to become familiar enough that you and your partner can draw on them more naturally when you need them.

Yes. You do not need to be a first-time parent or to have used hypnobirthing previously.

Many women come to the course because they would like to approach a second or subsequent birth feeling more prepared. You may want to build on a positive previous experience, or you may be hoping to feel differently this time after a birth that was more difficult than you expected.

You and your partner can use the course to prepare for this birth and what matters to you now.

Come in comfortable clothing and bring:

• Your birth ball
• A scarf or long piece of material that can comfortably fit around your bump
• Water bottles
• A cushion if you would like some extra comfort during the day

Most importantly, just come with an open mind and your questions.

There is no need to spend the day taking detailed notes. You will receive comprehensive digital resources after the course to continue your preparation at home.

Lunch is not included.

We take regular breaks during the day, including a one-hour lunch break. There are cafés and shops within a short drive of the Cork and Kerry venues, or you are very welcome to bring your own lunch.

I provide tea, coffee and light refreshments throughout the day, and you are welcome to bring any additional snacks you enjoy.