Emily, Rob, and their daughter, Petra
 HypnoBirthing Baby Petra |
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Why I chose Kathryn's Classes....
I found Kat's name through the Marie Mongan HypnoBirthing site so I knew she was certified and associated with the founder and properly trained. Plus, she was very flexible with her time slots and start dates.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
I was not too anxious about the birth because my cousin had used HypnoBirthing for both of her deliveries and swore by it. In her words, "The first baby came out like butter, the second baby fluttered out." I now call her kids butter and flutter. I was expecting that if I followed the class, the birth would be a breeze.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
The classes definitely helped to learn how to relax and use self-hypnosis. I continue to use the techniques to this day--outside of the birthing situation. When I get stressed at work I often employ some of the techniques to slow down my breathing and calm down,etc. Also, I think the perineal massage really helped prepare my body for birth. The baby came out with very little pushing (10 minutes maybe) and just a tiny tear that only required a few stitches. My recovery was really easy too, two days after the baby was born I felt better than I had in months!
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
The thing that made the biggest difference was learning to relax my whole body and realizing how tensing up parts of my body (like my jaw) can have an effect on my whole system. Likewise, relaxing those parts can make the rest of my body relax. I frequently think about relaxing my jaw now to keep myself in a more relaxed state. It was also nice to have a weekly "date" with my husband to prepare for the birth and talk about what to expect. We'd follow class with a little dinner at a nearby restaurant every week--same table. It was cute.
~Emily Viola, New York
I found Kat's name through the Marie Mongan HypnoBirthing site so I knew she was certified and associated with the founder and properly trained. Plus, she was very flexible with her time slots and start dates.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
I was not too anxious about the birth because my cousin had used HypnoBirthing for both of her deliveries and swore by it. In her words, "The first baby came out like butter, the second baby fluttered out." I now call her kids butter and flutter. I was expecting that if I followed the class, the birth would be a breeze.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
The classes definitely helped to learn how to relax and use self-hypnosis. I continue to use the techniques to this day--outside of the birthing situation. When I get stressed at work I often employ some of the techniques to slow down my breathing and calm down,etc. Also, I think the perineal massage really helped prepare my body for birth. The baby came out with very little pushing (10 minutes maybe) and just a tiny tear that only required a few stitches. My recovery was really easy too, two days after the baby was born I felt better than I had in months!
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
The thing that made the biggest difference was learning to relax my whole body and realizing how tensing up parts of my body (like my jaw) can have an effect on my whole system. Likewise, relaxing those parts can make the rest of my body relax. I frequently think about relaxing my jaw now to keep myself in a more relaxed state. It was also nice to have a weekly "date" with my husband to prepare for the birth and talk about what to expect. We'd follow class with a little dinner at a nearby restaurant every week--same table. It was cute.
~Emily Viola, New York
Angie, Deryck, and son, Deryck Isaiah born May 10, 2007
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 HypnoBirthing Baby Deryck |
Why I chose Kathryn's Classes....
Kathryn was professional from the beginning. Of all the HypnoBirthing instructors I contacted from the web site, Kathryn was the first to respond and provide references. Her clients were enthusiastic about working with her.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
I felt anxious about giving birth and was definitely negatively influenced by other people's stories about their own birth experience. After taking the HypnoBirthing classes, my outlook became and remained positive. I wanted to enjoy my birthing experience and HypnoBirthing gave me the confidence to do that.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
Kathryn is knowledgeable way beyond her years of experience. She always knows exactly what to say to help her clients feel better about their situation. She remained positive and kept me well informed by doing additional research on a particular concern I was facing during the pregnancy. Her access to resources seems endless.
The course gave me all the support I needed to counter the negative thoughts associated with childbirth. I felt thoroughly prepared for that exciting day.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
Kathryn was also my doula. She brought the topics of HypnoBirthing to life by putting them in motion on my baby's birthday. Kathryn was an excellent addition to our birthing experience. She complemented my husband's presence and they worked well together to make me feel as comfortable as possible. I truly enjoyed my experience because of them.
~Angie Toney, New York
Kathryn was professional from the beginning. Of all the HypnoBirthing instructors I contacted from the web site, Kathryn was the first to respond and provide references. Her clients were enthusiastic about working with her.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
I felt anxious about giving birth and was definitely negatively influenced by other people's stories about their own birth experience. After taking the HypnoBirthing classes, my outlook became and remained positive. I wanted to enjoy my birthing experience and HypnoBirthing gave me the confidence to do that.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
Kathryn is knowledgeable way beyond her years of experience. She always knows exactly what to say to help her clients feel better about their situation. She remained positive and kept me well informed by doing additional research on a particular concern I was facing during the pregnancy. Her access to resources seems endless.
The course gave me all the support I needed to counter the negative thoughts associated with childbirth. I felt thoroughly prepared for that exciting day.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
Kathryn was also my doula. She brought the topics of HypnoBirthing to life by putting them in motion on my baby's birthday. Kathryn was an excellent addition to our birthing experience. She complemented my husband's presence and they worked well together to make me feel as comfortable as possible. I truly enjoyed my experience because of them.
~Angie Toney, New York
Isolde, Carlos, and daughter, Luna
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 HypnoBirthing Baby Luna |
Why I chose Kathryn's Classes....
Kathryn's classes were recommended to me by my midwife. I went to her website and what I read about HypnoBirthing sounded really good.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
Before I took the class, I was afraid of what to expect when I gave birth. I associated birth with 'pain' since every birth story I've heard had a lot to do with pain. I felt nervous and scared. After taking the classes, my whole outlook on giving birth changed. I learned that one's birth experience can be about calmness and relaxation--which was a totally new concept to me. Suddenly, I wasn't so afraid anymore. I learned to trust my body.
How the classes and Kathryn helped me...
I learned that the body will follow the mind. What I felt about childbirth had a lot to do with what my birthing experience would be. I had to know how my labor was going to turn out before it even happened. I had to trust that my body would be in a relaxed state and would give birth naturally.
Kathryn helped by teaching us several relaxation techniques and by reminding us that childbirth is part of nature and that our bodies are designed to go through labor.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
Was watching birthing videos of several women giving birth in such a calm and relaxed manner. This was a new concept to me, but became a reality when I saw it with my own eyes. After watching the first video, I knew that that was exactly the birthing experience that I wanted.
~Isolde Grande, New York
Kathryn's classes were recommended to me by my midwife. I went to her website and what I read about HypnoBirthing sounded really good.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
Before I took the class, I was afraid of what to expect when I gave birth. I associated birth with 'pain' since every birth story I've heard had a lot to do with pain. I felt nervous and scared. After taking the classes, my whole outlook on giving birth changed. I learned that one's birth experience can be about calmness and relaxation--which was a totally new concept to me. Suddenly, I wasn't so afraid anymore. I learned to trust my body.
How the classes and Kathryn helped me...
I learned that the body will follow the mind. What I felt about childbirth had a lot to do with what my birthing experience would be. I had to know how my labor was going to turn out before it even happened. I had to trust that my body would be in a relaxed state and would give birth naturally.
Kathryn helped by teaching us several relaxation techniques and by reminding us that childbirth is part of nature and that our bodies are designed to go through labor.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
Was watching birthing videos of several women giving birth in such a calm and relaxed manner. This was a new concept to me, but became a reality when I saw it with my own eyes. After watching the first video, I knew that that was exactly the birthing experience that I wanted.
~Isolde Grande, New York
Lara, Adesh, and son, Aalto
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 HypnoBirthing Baby Aalto |
The most important tools I gained from HypnoBirthing were the breathing exercises. I was full of energy through my entire pregnancy. As a mother of two, sleep opportunities are precious. I can calm my mind and sleep within moments with these exercises.
~Lara Wiesenthal, New York
Shawn, Chris, and daughter, Leighton
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 HypnoBirthing Baby Leighton |
Why I chose Kathryn's Classes....
I initially took the class because I was interested in having a natural, un-medicated birthing experience for my first pregnancy and had heard about the wonders of hypnobirthing. I had received several pregnancy books in the mail from my sister-in-law and one of them was the book, "Hypnobirthing - The Mognan Method". She had told me that I may think it's weird but that she found it helpful with having her first child and that I'm free to read it if I choose or I can just send it back. One night I opened it up and started reading. I was immediately drawn to the author, Marie Mognan and how she described birthing as a natural process and of pain-free labor that all women are capable of having. She told stories of natural births that intrigued me. I was enjoying the book but craved more information so when I was browsing the Bloomington Area Birth Services (BABS) website one day and noticed a hypnobirthing class, I was anxious about attending. I checked out Kathryn’s website and watched the video she had from Parents TV. I contacted Kathryn about the class and was happy to hear she did in-home sessions. My husband and I looked forward to each and every class with Kathryn.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
When we got pregnant, I knew I wanted to do everything in my power to give my baby the best care and nurturing possible throughout pregnancy to allow for a safe and gentle welcome into this world. We were so thrilled about being pregnant, yet it seemed that every time I spoke about having a baby, I’d hear a horror story or something negative. I, like many women, feared childbirth and the “pain and discomfort” associated with it. I was discouraged but this encouraged me to do my research and plan for the natural birth experience I desired. The classes gave me all of the confidence and BELIEF that we could have the birthing experience I desired and I chose to surround myself with the positive experiences and stories that Kathryn shared throughout class. I truly believe that without these classes, I wouldn’t have had such a positive, amazing birth experience.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
Kathryn is simply amazing. She and the hypnobirthing techniques are what gave me the confidence and belief in myself to have the birthing experience I desired. My husband and I looked forward to class, especially because they were held in the comfort of our own home. The classes were unlike our other birthing classes, which were usually rushed, spoke of pain and negative experiences and were more of an overview rather than in-depth knowledge and conversation of our options that the hypnobirthing classes taught. I was pleased to learn that the hypnobirthing classes included pre-birth parenting and pregnancy, as well as preparation for natural childbirth. These classes, through education and learning the techniques of self-hypnosis, allowed me to dismiss my fears of birthing, realizing birthing is normal and trusting my body and my baby to guide me through the amazing experience of birthing.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
It’s hard to say one thing made the biggest difference for me, as I believe that the process of education and knowledge is what overall made the biggest difference for me. I would say that taking the hypnobirthing classes was a must, as I do not believe that reading the hypnobirthing book would have given me the most optimal natural childbirth experience I desired. Coupled with that, I’d say finding a good hypnobirthing teacher is a must. Kathryn is a wonderful listener, very knowledgeable and she has an amazing voice for guiding you into a relaxed state!
As far as what made the biggest difference for me the day I welcomed my little girl into the world, I would say it was believing, truly believing in my abilities and trusting my body to know what to do. I recited the hypnobirthing affirmation “I trust my body and my baby to know what to do and I release all fears”. I listened to the affirmations daily on my way to and from work and this helped me to really “own” my experience. My husband and I practiced sleep breathing and the Rainbow Relaxation throughout the months leading up to the birth of our baby. Lastly, I’d say that allowing your baby and your body to guide you through the experience, while practicing relaxation techniques, is so important.
~Shawn Armbruster, Indiana
I initially took the class because I was interested in having a natural, un-medicated birthing experience for my first pregnancy and had heard about the wonders of hypnobirthing. I had received several pregnancy books in the mail from my sister-in-law and one of them was the book, "Hypnobirthing - The Mognan Method". She had told me that I may think it's weird but that she found it helpful with having her first child and that I'm free to read it if I choose or I can just send it back. One night I opened it up and started reading. I was immediately drawn to the author, Marie Mognan and how she described birthing as a natural process and of pain-free labor that all women are capable of having. She told stories of natural births that intrigued me. I was enjoying the book but craved more information so when I was browsing the Bloomington Area Birth Services (BABS) website one day and noticed a hypnobirthing class, I was anxious about attending. I checked out Kathryn’s website and watched the video she had from Parents TV. I contacted Kathryn about the class and was happy to hear she did in-home sessions. My husband and I looked forward to each and every class with Kathryn.
How I felt before birth, before taking the classes, and how the classes changed me...
When we got pregnant, I knew I wanted to do everything in my power to give my baby the best care and nurturing possible throughout pregnancy to allow for a safe and gentle welcome into this world. We were so thrilled about being pregnant, yet it seemed that every time I spoke about having a baby, I’d hear a horror story or something negative. I, like many women, feared childbirth and the “pain and discomfort” associated with it. I was discouraged but this encouraged me to do my research and plan for the natural birth experience I desired. The classes gave me all of the confidence and BELIEF that we could have the birthing experience I desired and I chose to surround myself with the positive experiences and stories that Kathryn shared throughout class. I truly believe that without these classes, I wouldn’t have had such a positive, amazing birth experience.
How the classes & Kathryn helped me...
Kathryn is simply amazing. She and the hypnobirthing techniques are what gave me the confidence and belief in myself to have the birthing experience I desired. My husband and I looked forward to class, especially because they were held in the comfort of our own home. The classes were unlike our other birthing classes, which were usually rushed, spoke of pain and negative experiences and were more of an overview rather than in-depth knowledge and conversation of our options that the hypnobirthing classes taught. I was pleased to learn that the hypnobirthing classes included pre-birth parenting and pregnancy, as well as preparation for natural childbirth. These classes, through education and learning the techniques of self-hypnosis, allowed me to dismiss my fears of birthing, realizing birthing is normal and trusting my body and my baby to guide me through the amazing experience of birthing.
The one thing that made the biggest difference for me...
It’s hard to say one thing made the biggest difference for me, as I believe that the process of education and knowledge is what overall made the biggest difference for me. I would say that taking the hypnobirthing classes was a must, as I do not believe that reading the hypnobirthing book would have given me the most optimal natural childbirth experience I desired. Coupled with that, I’d say finding a good hypnobirthing teacher is a must. Kathryn is a wonderful listener, very knowledgeable and she has an amazing voice for guiding you into a relaxed state!
As far as what made the biggest difference for me the day I welcomed my little girl into the world, I would say it was believing, truly believing in my abilities and trusting my body to know what to do. I recited the hypnobirthing affirmation “I trust my body and my baby to know what to do and I release all fears”. I listened to the affirmations daily on my way to and from work and this helped me to really “own” my experience. My husband and I practiced sleep breathing and the Rainbow Relaxation throughout the months leading up to the birth of our baby. Lastly, I’d say that allowing your baby and your body to guide you through the experience, while practicing relaxation techniques, is so important.
~Shawn Armbruster, Indiana
