Planning for a pregnancy, and giving birth to your child are amongst the most magical of life’s events. There is northing else that stirs the same sense of wonder and joy. And yet for some would be parents, the pathway to pregnancy and birth can be clouded with worries and difficulties.

Many couples find that they are unable to begin their journey to parenthood as easily as they would wish. It can be both frustrating and stressful if you are unable to conceive when you so want a baby. Hypnotherapy is a great way to increase the likelihood of getting pregnant – and as it is totally natural there are no worrying side effects to consider.

Hypnotherapy uses the power of your own mind to help you and taps into the power of your subconscious – the powerful part that works “behind the scenes.” Hypnotherapy directs this strength in the most beneficial way focusing on both relaxation and fertility to help you conceive. It is especially useful if you are undergoing fertility treatment like IVF, as some studies have shown it can double the success rate of such treatment.

Once you are pregnant hypnotherapy can help with issues like high blood pressure, and even morning sickness. Of course the most exciting part of any pregnancy is the birth, and here hypnotherapy is invaluable. With some practise in the weeks beforehand you can learn to mentally step back from the birthing process and let your mind and body do what they know how to do best – deliver a beautiful baby, without drama, and without pain. Your birthing experience can be calm, serene and a wonderful start for the new baby’s life. Hypno-babies are often more alert at birth than those where medical pain relief has been used, and yet more chilled out and relaxed too (which means they are often better sleepers – a miracle itself). And because hypnotherapy taps into your own mind power it is with you all of the time, so you can practise and use it anywhere, at any time and as often as you please.

Julie Hurst is a qualified hypnotherapist and CBT therapist, who has spent many years helping people to live healthier and happier lives. Her work has featured in many magazines and on both radio and television.