A Poyntzpass woman who found that hypnobirthing eradicated her fears during pregnancy is now helping other expectant mothers to find their own autonomy in birth.
Noleen Hawkins is a now a proud mother-of-three but during her first pregnancy admits – like many first time mums – she was delighted to be pregnant… but terrified of giving birth.
The “horror stories” and “dramatised” TV shows that pregnant women often see and hear were her only reality at that time. She knew birth was going to be painful, she knew it may come with complications and all she could think about were the “what ifs?”
So – taking ownership of that fear – Noleen enrolled herself in a hypnobirthing course and admits that going in blind she thought it all sounded a little bit “hippy”.
Speaking to Armagh I, Noleen explained: “I was talking to my sister-in-law and I knew that she had done hypnobirthing with her second birth. Her first birth was not straight forward, it was really bad and she was just in a whirlwind but with her second baby she said it was just the best thing.
“I thought it sounded like a load of hippy stuff but I would try anything. I booked me and my husband in and did the first course over three weeks on a Saturday morning. After the first session we both came out and our minds were blown a wee bit. It was only common sense but it was like the fog was lifted.”
The techniques she learned during the course shaped her birth. While it was of course still an incredibly challenging and painful experience, she said she felt “in control”, her mindset was positive rather than negative or fearful.
She made choices for herself saying that hypnobirthing allowed her to “own” her birth rather than it just “happening to me”.
Noleen describes hypnobirthing as the “science” of birth. She believes that it teaches women to feel more in control of their emotions, thoughts and decisions in what is the most important and life-changing time of their lives.
She added: “It talks you through letting go of fear and using positive affirmations. When you’re scared you are really tense and that is no good for you in birth.
“It’s never going to be easy, I would never tell anyone birth would be easy but if you’re tense you’re working against your body rather than working with it.
“It also takes you through the physiology of birth so you understand exactly what you’re body is doing.”
As her birth partner, her husband attended the courses at her side and as a result was also better equipped to support her and play an active role on that special day.
“I always say bring your partner. They don’t have to be a spare part. There is loads of stuff they can do,” said Noleen.
“My husband would even speak to people for me, if they had any questions I had it in my birth plan to speak to him and he knew what I would want.
“Any of the men I have had in my courses they feel great when they know there are all these things they can do to help.”
Even for single women who are preparing for birth alone, Noleen believes the techniques can be so empowering.
After having her third child two years ago – once again with a hypnobirthing assisted delivery – Noleen was so invested in the practice that she decided to upskill and become a hypnobirthing coach herself.
Once fully trained, she launched Little Waves Hypnobirthing and today offers individual and groups courses and workshops all tailored to suit the needs of each expectant mother.
For her, it’s all about letting women take charge of the experience and be prepared with a whole host of techniques for whatever may come.
While she does believe there is merit in attending NHS run antenatal classes, she explains that hypnobirthing does differ in its provision of education of the various birthing cycles – of which she says could be up to six rather than the three typically discussed – and various breathing techniques for each cycle.
She also explains that hypnobirthing puts emphasis on the choices and options available to women and taking charge of your own mindset.
Women can begin hypnobirthing courses at any stage of their pregnancy and the course length will be tailored to suit individual needs; typically ranging from a four hour short course to a ten hour long course.
On June 6, she will be also holding a Little Waves Hypnobirthing workshop out of The Seasons Coffee and Studio in Newry from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
You can contact Noleen for more information via her Little Waves Hypnobirthing Facebook page here or Instagram here.
