Just as I would telling them to speak to my other half and not talk to me, who would surely just pass on what they're asking or saying anyway? The author is the founder of The Positive Birth Company and in her book she first of all debunks common myths about hypnobirthing and the birth experience. We use Google Analytics to see what pages are most visited, and where in the world visitors are visiting from.

In fact, when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting, a good rule of thumb is: never miss an opportunity to sleep.

And like I said- even if you are planning an epidural or ceasarian or ANY type of birth, this book is just amazing and reminds us the power of our thoughts and that it should be YOUR decision. This book is for EVERY type of person and for EVERY type of birth -- from a home water birth through to an unplanned caesarean. Siobhan’s advice and guidance will change your mindset and enable you to navigate your birth with practical tools that ensure you feel calm and in control throughout. Breaking down in tears over a book because it made me feel like I was going to have the worst labour possible when it is meant to make your "birth better", shows a real lack of consideration for all types of labour and mothers-to-be.

Leaning more into the Hypno part of Hypnobirthing where a lot of the other resources I've read or classes have tried to distance themselves from things like scripts for relaxation; the general parts, talking about using your BRAIN as an acronym for Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Instinct rather than just taking the first option that comes to you is one of many structures that the author has formalised in her own way and is generally good advice. Setting the environment is more important than you think, and the nurses/doctors kept saying how my room was full of good vibes and the one to be in. Yes, it's our body/our labour etc, and the healthcare system has a duty to give you informed consent, but at the same time we have to put trust in the professionals who've spent years and years training for their job, and have years and years of experience. A positive birth, which is something we all strive for, is a birth experience that leaves a woman feeling empowered rather than traumatised, where the mother's wishes are respected, she is listened to and feels calm, confident, and informed.

When I was in labor, I thought upon SO MUCH that I learned from this book, the main take away being that I have one job, no matter what kind of birth I ended up having: to remain calm.

Miller describes active labour as "a spa experience to be soaked up" and pushing as "an amazing sensation you'll want to experience again and again". Despite a 15 hour labour, I would describe my experience as positive thanks to my mindset throughout, which I definitely wouldn't have had without this book. After reading this book I was actually really looking forward to giving birth and felt almost excited and not nervous at all at the prospect.And no amount of elitist birth talk justifies feeling superior for refusing the privilege to give birth in a hospital when millions of women in developing countries would give anything for that level of care. This book has completely changed my view on labour and how I would like it to pan out and I now feel happy and confident moving forward. Second, to practise breathing exercises and oxytocin-releasing behaviours (such as light-touch massage) that promote relaxation and help contractions.