Hypnobirthing with The Wise Hippo
Your own private hypnobirthing course
A complete eight hour birth preparation course tailored to your needs - at your home or on Zoom
How to do Hypnobirthing - a free guide to download now
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How to do Hypnobirthing - a free guide to download now 〰️
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Sarah has been teaching The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme since it began. Whatever kind of birth outcome you are hoping for, it is a superb and solid preparation for a positive experience.
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I like to work with clients and their birth companions on a one to one basis instead of in groups. I find this enables us to be more relaxed and to focus more on the birthing person’s needs and concerns.
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Hypnobirthing is not just for people looking for a physiological birth but also for mums considering interventions such as caesarean, induction. See below for different options.
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First we book four sessions. I’m always keen to be flexible about switching days and dates, so you won’t miss a thing. (I have experimented with covering the course in three sessions and I’ve come to the conclusion that the sessions turn out too long for tired pregnant people.
Then I will send you your Wise Hippo work book and log you into the Wise Hippo website.
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Whether we are face to face or on Zoom, all you need for the sessions is comfortable seating and a bit of peace and quiet!
In this session I’ll take you through how birthing works and why learning deep relaxation and training yourself for a positive mindset are so important ; You’ll learn some neat skills for keeping positive, too.
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We delve deeper into the skills of hypnobirthing - breathing and relaxation techniques and we work on the all-important birth companion role. If your birth partner can only be present for one session, this is the one he or she must not miss!
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We delve into in-depth planning and look at your preferences for your birth, coping strategies and dealing with unexpected turns.
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Many clients like to have this as a face to face session (within M25 area only) rather than via Zoom. I’ll share with you physical skills, movement and positioning for labour and birth as well as lovely tips for aiding your comfort in labour and birthing. And we look at optimal practice for the hours after birth, too.
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When plans change! We can add a special session to prepare mum and partner for an induction of labour or a breech delivery. For a planned caesarean we recommend the Confident Caesarean Course
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A caesarean birth is more than an operation. It is the magical moment when your baby is supported in her or his journey from the womb to your loving arms.
This groundbreaking course will empower you in planning your perfect caesarean birth. The specially designed relaxation techniques will help prepare you and your partner for the experience and, importantly, have been shown to aid recovery afterwards.
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After your course don’t hesitate to come back to me with questions or concerns. I’m quite used to being called when a mum is in labour! I also really want to hear how your birth unfolded, and whether you need me to signpost you to further support e.g. with breastfeeding.
See my flexible and responsive range of course options below.
To see what my clients have said, scroll on down!
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The Wise Hippo online
Especially suitable if we are in different towns or countries! Like all my hypnobirthing courses, this is NOT a pre-recorded online course but is great value: exactly the same content, in at least 8 hours of personalised tuition with me at times that suit you, plus my ongoing support as you go through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
£305.00
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The Wise Hippo via Zoom and at home
Top-level hypnobirthing in the most popular format.
After three private hypnobirthing sessions via Zoom, at times that suit you, plus one in your own home, you will be beautifully prepared for a positive birth.
£330.00
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The Wise Hippo AT YOUR HOME
Top-level hypnobirthing. After four hypnobirthing sessions in your own home you will be beautifully prepared for a positive birth.
Four sessions at your own home, in your own time, 2 hours per session.
I’m one of the first hypnobirthing teachers to embrace the amazing Wise Hippo course, and for 15 years I’ve been working with couples in their own homes - and now via Zoom as well.
This is not a pre-recorded online course but at least 8 hours of personalised tuition with me and my ongoing support as you go through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
£395.00
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The Confident Caesarean
A breakthrough for mums to be who know already that they will be having a caesarean birth: a hypnobirthing course that is specially devised for you! See also our “Your Caesarean” download guide.
£220.00
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How to do Hypnobirthing - free download
A no-nonsense explanation of hypnobirthing and how to get the best out of it, by Sarah Johnson.
Sarah has been teaching hypnobirthing alongside her doula role since 2005 and has a wealth of experience in the field. She trained in hypnotherapy with the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy as well as with the Hypnobirthing Institute, Katharine Graves and The Wise Hippo.
£0.00
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Your Caesarean Birth - download
An essential 20-page guide to what happens before, during and after a Caesarean birth. Once you have purchased the download you have 24 hours to download it. If you choose to print it, we suggest setting your printer to Booklet if possible.
£1.00
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Special Circumstances session
The Wise Hippo is a hypnobirthing course for ALL parents-to-be and when plans change, we change with them!
This add-on session will prepare the hypnobirthing mum or couple for any of a range of special circumstances.
POA
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Refresher session
For those who have previously birthed after taking a Wise Hippo course (not necessarily with me). 2 x 90 minutes via Zoom to refresh your knowledge and confidence!
£145
If additional parent handbook is required: £170
“Cannot recommend too strongly the programme and Sarah's all-around support!”
Sarah's help was indispensable throughout the duration of the course and final stages of the pregnancy. What my partner and I were positively surprised about was the flexibility of the approach; we were planning for home birth and going all the way as natural as possible. But in the late stages of pregnancy we learnt we'd have to induce labour to secure the healthy growth of our baby. I though the hypnobirthing training would go into waste; I couldn't be more mistaken! Sarah swiftly altered the programme for us (another benefit if you're one to one or two to one for that respect) and said that plenty can be done. She advised us not only on different approaches to induction, incl. all alternative methods, but also how to handle hospital staff and letting them know what we really want. She was also present (virtually) from the day one we were admitted to hospital and guided us on the steps we wanted to take to meet Adrian, our baby boy. She also instructed my partner how to position myself best for the epidural knowing how I felt about movements restrictions. Thanks to her support, and am sure, to the breathing techniques we rehearsed so religiously, we did not use epidural after all as our baby was quicker to meet his parents than an anaesthesiologist to see us :-)
Cannot recommend too strongly the programme and Sarah's all-around support!
-Xenia Chudy
“We’d highly recommend Sarah for anyone looking for hypnobirthing or doula support”
My fiance, Duncan, and I worked with Sarah ahead of the birth of our first child Isabel in May 2020. We experienced several complications during pregnancy, in addition to Isabel being born during the peak of the Covid pandemic. Having Sarah by our side provided amazing support which had a very positive impact on our pregnancy and birth experience.
We’d highly recommend Sarah for anyone looking for hypnobirthing or doula support.
I had heard of hypnobirthing from many friends and was keen to learn more in an effort to overcome fears and have the most empowering birthing experience possible. The Wise Hippo was recommended and Sarah’s bio immediately caught my attention - in no time we’d signed up for a series of interactive zoom tutorials. Sarah was an incredibly confident and effective teacher, delivering hypnobirthing content in a digestible and relatable way. In addition to the programme, she was very committed to our cause and went above and beyond to support us on our journey.
Approximately 7 weeks before my due date the doctor strongly advised I have an elective caesarean due to my baby being ‘frank breech’, with her feet in front of her face. This was very disappointing as I was determined to face my fears and deliver Isabel naturally. Fortunately, thanks to hypnobirthing, and Sarah’s guidance, I was able to draft a detailed ‘natural caesarean’ birth plan, which the doctors and anaesthetists very kindly adhered to. As a result my birthing experience emulated a natural birth and provided an incredibly calming and empowering experience, one which I’ll never forget.
Thank you to Sarah for all her guidance throughout such a pivotal time in our lives!
-Kat H
“Thank you for all your help and guidance. It worked so well!”
“Hi Sarah, I have been meaning to write and tell you that little O was born at 2am on Sunday at home! Woohoo!
Thank you for all your help and guidance. It worked so well, and even though my body took over for most of it and I just rode the wave, all the positive affirmations and confidence, and trusting my body to know what to do that you helped so much to give, made all the difference I’m sure. It was more intense than I ever imagined it would be. And just such a miracle how well the body knows what to do. I felt everything and while obviously painful it was sooo wonderful to be so “in it” with him. I am overwhelmed by it all. Xxx.”
— Ms J.
“A huge thank you Sarah, W and I are both so pleased that we completed the course with you.”
I felt very calm leading up to the birth, despite being 10 days overdue, and it was useful to have the exercises to focus on both before and during the birth.
It ended up being quite an epic 16 hour labour, all on gas and air until the last 30 minutes when I needed to have an epidural and forceps as this big baby just didn’t want to come out!
The hypnobirthing definitely helped though and I don’t think I would have made it nearly that long without it..”
— Ms W.
“I would gladly do it all again… thank you for my sessions. I’m glad I had hypnotherapy to help me through my labour”
“Little L. came exactly one week early! He weighed a healthy 8Ib 4oz and had a full head of hair!
He is gorgeous. My back waters broke at 03:30 and my contractions started around 14:30. The midwife arrived at 19:30. I was 4cm dilated. I started pushing around 2am the next day and baby was born at 6:46 am. The labour went extremely well in my opinion and all thanks to hypnobirthing…I managed to stay calm through it all and had no drugs. More importantly, the baby was calm throughout the whole labour.
I would gladly do it all again… thank you for my sessions. I’m glad I had hypnotherapy to help me through my labour”
— Sarah & “Little L”
“I can’t recommend hypnobirthing and Sarah’s guidance any more highly!”
“The hypnobirthing course that my husband and I did with Sarah prepared us so well for a calm and peaceful birth, no matter what course the birth took. The birth affirmations and relaxation recordings were incredibly soothing and I used one of them as soon as I went into labour. My labour was extremely fast and despite finding myself alone for the first 90 minutes and slightly anxious that I might be delivering my baby on my own, I was still completely calm and relaxed – the paramedics that arrived to assist commented how very relaxed I was for a first time mum at home on my own! The breathing techniques really helped the final stages of labour and I didn’t feel the need for any pain relief. And my husband was able to provide me with so much support after all our practice.
I can’t recommend hypnobirthing and Sarah’s guidance any more highly – despite the fast start, our birth experience was incredible and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world!.”
— Emma & Darcy
“I had an amazing experience!”
Hi Sarah, I’ve been meaning to email for nearly a month now….as that is how old our baby ER is. Born at 23.52 on Wednesday.
I thought I would write and let you know that I had AN AMAZING experience. Insanely powerful and surprisingly quick….!!
I was overdue…41 weeks and 5 days. On the 21st, I went in for a second sweep,..nothing.
On the 22nd, I went in for a pessary induction, as an outpatient. However on inspection the midwives said I was too far along to for it to be worth while. They suggested they pop my waters… Thankfully, due to my time with you and NCT and reading a lot, I realised this meant they would have to keep me in for observation, and I actually had 2 days to go before a 42 week drip induction. So I refused politely and to their surprise went home.
The walk from the hospital to my flat is about 25 minutes, and it was in the final stretch home that I noticed a few tightenings and it was hard to walk during them….fingers crossed….
At home, I was still unsure whether the sensations were anything to do with labour so my partner and I had a beer and some charcuterie…it was 6pm.
Things got a little more intense very quickly and we begin to start timing the….tightenings…just intense period pain…
Ian turned the flat into birth mode…lights low, yoga mat out, bottles of water and Ribena both with straws in…all ready.
I move from all fours, to the bath, to lying down on the sofa over four hours….On moving back to all fours from the sofa the surges are rapidly every four minutes…. but not three…and then suddenly I am powerless and my body begins to push and my mouth begins to swear….
Ian called the birth centre, we got the green light…. and packs up a cool box with half bottles of sparkling wine, blueberries, raspberries….heaps of things preparing for the long night ahead.
It’s thunderstorms outside, I leave the flat without shoes on, clutching a pillow, in the zone…into the cab, on all fours….
We arrive at the hospital in a record 8 minutes….I have a surge in the cab on arrival – it’s 23.48pm and the place is deserted.
I managed, in a trance, to get through the foyer of the hospital, into the lift, up to the third floor…..I walk through the double doors of the birth centre, and with the totally overwhelming sense of relief to be in safety…..with Ian under one arm and a midwife under the other, and two others running towards my trousers!
I have a final contraction and give birth standing there and then in the corridor at the entrance of the birth centre…she slipped out into my knickers, one more quick push and out she came…onto my tummy….and I get shuffled into a nearby consultancy room for the rest.
WOW! And THANK YOU! The breathing, my partner calling the time as each surge happened - your suggestion, and watching the film of one lady breathing through a surge lying on the sofa…these three things were in my mind throughout.
All the best, and many thanks – I’ll email again once more awake!
— Zoe Ian & baby ER xx