Reviews

Hypnobirthing review
Louise Bartles

My husband and I recently took part in a hypnobirthing course with Danielle. She was my midwife with our first so it was nice to see a familiar face. I feel far more knowledgeable about birth in general now, even though I’ve done it all before I really feel I have a better grasp of the ins and outs of labour and that makes me feel very confident. I was a bit sceptical at first but learning about all the science, the hormones, the physiology etc has really worked for us and we feel well informed and (nearly) ready! Thanks Danielle!

Hypnobirthing review
Alice Hulley

Me & my husband recently completed the Hypnobirthing Course with Danielle and it was fantastic. We felt engaged the entire time and Danielle created a relaxed environment (even over Zoom) that allowed us both to have the confidence to ask questions and get the most out of the course. We found it really informative and now have lots of techniques to practice as we head towards the birth of our baby. We’d highly recommend this course to anyone thinking about it, especially if you’re feeling anxious or have lots of questions. Danielle is fantastic – thank you so much.

UPDATE: Further to my review about the hypnobirthing course, we did with Danielle – I just wanted to share how much of a difference the course actually made to my labour/birth. I went into early labour at 9 pm on Saturday 29th August (due date was the 6th September) and our beautiful baby boy was born at 21:54 on Sunday 30th August Firstly, the breathing techniques taught on the course were invaluable to me throughout labour and having done the course with my husband, he knew exactly how to coach me through them when I was struggling. The birthing playlists we had created also allowed me to relax or turn my mind to other happy occasions such as our wedding – I switched between the different playlists throughout and had them on constantly. This also included the positive affirmations that I had listened to since doing the course. These really worked to remind me that my body was doing exactly what it is designed to do and that each surge was bringing my baby closer to me, there were times when I really needed to hear that!! I also used the visualisation techniques taught in the course to visualise having our baby in my arms – this really helped when my body was tired and things weren’t going according to “plan” which was probably one of the biggest things the hypnobirthing course provided me – the confidence that there is no “plan”. Yes I’d written a plan with some key points about skin to skin contact and using the birthing pool if I could but ultimately my baby was deciding how and when he was being born so when I couldn’t use the birthing pool and had to go onto the delivery suite rather than the maternity unit, I didn’t panic or feel disheartened, I felt confident and trusted the process. It also helped my husband to feel confident as he asked the questions we needed to ask and at each stage, we felt informed and happy with the decisions being made which included using gas & air and remifentanil as pain relief. My baby had to be monitored throughout labour so I couldn’t move around as I’d hoped but I can honestly say, that at moments where I could’ve freaked out, instead I felt empowered to be stronger than anything else that was thrown at me. Danielle has been a huge support to both me and my husband throughout this entire process and even after birth she’s been there to answer questions and offer reassurance. If you’re thinking about doing the course, I cannot recommend Danielle enough, going into labour with everything we learnt made all the difference xxx

3 Step Rewind review
Laura Jones

I had three sessions with Danielle to help me deal with thoughts and memories of a difficult first birth in order to prepare for my impending one. Danielle was extremely professional but also personable, likeable and very easy to talk to. She really helped me change my mindset and I feel so much ‘lighter’ and excited for giving birth again. Thanks Danielle x

3 Step Rewind review
Anna Withington

Danielle seemed like the perfect person to talk to when I started to think about how difficult the birth of our son and first few months of motherhood had been, given that she was the midwife who helped deliver him! I used hypnobirthing techniques during the labour and so felt like the 3 Step Rewind course would be the right way to help me change the way I perceived what happened at the birth. The sessions were great and Danielle really understood what I was feeling and what I had been through. The relaxation scripts helped me to process my thoughts in a less frantic way and I use them each week to help bring a sense of calm to those difficult days of being a mother! Thank you once again Danielle xxx

3 Step Rewind review
Simon Withington

My wife and I recently separately completed Danielle’s Three-Step Rewind course. Our son was born at home but was undiagnosed breach and the birth was difficult. The experience was the opposite of everything we’d planned and hoped for, though thankfully both he and my wife made it through just fine – thanks to our incredible midwife, Danielle! Prior to the course, remembering that day was really unpleasant, bringing back an array of negative emotions. Danielle helped me work through these to view the day in a different light and reassure me that should we have another child, we wouldn’t be going through the same! To be honest, I was keen for my wife to go on the course to help her deal with what we went through but I wasn’t sure I would benefit as much. I’m really glad I decided to accept the help though, it’s really changed my outlook for the future. I’m so thankful for both what Danielle did for my family that day, and also for how she’s helped us since – I can’t recommend her enough.

Hypnobirthing review
Rachel Clark

Danielle is brilliant! My husband and I were unsure about hypnobirthing before doing the course but are now complete converts! Danielle is so knowledgeable and friendly but also non-judgemental and has given us so much confidence to make sure our experience and the decisions we make will be right for us.

For me, labour is now a part of the journey I can look forward to rather than dread – something I honestly never thought I would say! Thank you, Danielle!

Hypnobirthing review
Catherine Peake

Danielle is fantastic – that’s all you need to know! Seriously, whatever type of birth you’re planning or have had, Danielle is so knowledgable, respectful and warm. She wholeheartedly believes in your having all the info at your disposal to make the right decision for you, and never makes you feel silly for asking questions.

I had two straightforward, uncomplicated hospital births, then considered a home birth for my 3rd. Being “geriatric” by this time, some of the official info surrounding home birth can be scary and off-putting. Danielle talked us (including hubby) through everything, putting risk factors into perspective and never leading us, but simply providing info and reassurance where necessary.

We had the loveliest home birth and are so grateful. I can wholeheartedly recommend hypnobirthing, as can hubby, who slept blissfully through several hours of my labour, due to my being so calm! Danielle is utterly professional but feels like a friend, and we can’t thank her enough.

Hypnobirthing review
Ed Locke

I can’t recommend Danielle and her hypnobirthing course highly enough. I had no idea what to expect before starting the course but I am so glad we did it.

Danielle ran the course from her house and there were three couples in the group. The environment was very cosy and relaxed. I picked up a lot of information and feel much more prepared. From not knowing what to expect or, more importantly, what to do when my wife goes into labour, I now feel confident I will be useful when the time comes and will be able to be a calming influence on my wife.

Hypnobirthing review
Jennifer Locke

My husband and I took the hypnobirthing course lead by Danielle in January and we are so pleased we did. As someone who was absolutely terrified about the prospect of giving birth, I can now say I am much more prepared and confident.

Hypnobirthing is a great way of teaching you how to stay calm and relaxed.

Danielle is extremely knowledgeable and great at explaining everything. She also makes you feel really relaxed and that no question is stupid and you should always ask. We did the course in a group session with 2 other couples and exchanged numbers at the end and I cannot wait to hear their birth stories.

I would definitely recommend Danielle to any expecting parents

Hypnobirthing review
Bryony-anne Hamdy

Firstly I just want to say thank you to you Danielle for everything you did in the run up to the arrival of my daughter. From the very first meeting you put my mind at ease, and as a new mum I was worried about everything. Everything!!

You were always willing to take a call and always answered my calls. You never once made me feel like I was asking a stupid question and your approach was so reassuring that I never felt shy to ask.

The meetings we had to discuss my birth plan, you explained everything in detail and helped me understand what choices were available to me, you didn’t sway my decision at all to one direction or another about each step of my plan.

Once I had decided I wanted a home water birth you discussed everything involving it and introduced me to Hypnobirthing. This was completely new concept to both me and my partner, and I’ll be honest, in the beginning I was very suspicious that childbirth could be done and controlled by nothing but my own mind!!

You advised me to research and provided details about classes being held, which my husband and I both took… and I’m so so grateful for the Information because there was so much I didn’t know still about the in-depth process, even after asking a billion questions and witnessing my nieces birth!

After our hypnobirthing class I felt completely convinced and decide this was my plan. Hypnobirthing water birth at home became my dream goal for the calm serene birth.

You helped me make it possible. To follow my plan to the letter. You gave me the confidence to know I was in control of this process. My decision, my body, my birth plan. I never once during my pregnancy and birth felt out of control or violated in any way. You let me be the guide for what I wanted and when.

I still remember clearly when you walked into my bathroom and I was in the middle of a contraction, using the counting method, counting down from 60 to 0 which you taught me and the controlled breathing helped me so much. I remember the feeling of panic and telling you “I can’t do this, I need drugs!” You were calm and told me “remember your breathing” and like a superhero I took back control of the pain. The breathing methods only, I would never have believed it possible!

The phrase “your body is built for this, it won’t give you a baby you cant handle” still sits with me.

During the labor period, you gave me confidence in myself. I was not touched to check my centimetre dilation, you listened to me and my body. The trust you had in my body gave me trust in myself. I was calm, and controlled. My breathing, the counting, understanding the feelings and what was happening to my baby and body. I remember the rocking feeling of her coming down and stretching me. I felt her turn after her head was out and I knew exactly in my mind what was happening. The knowledge of each step took away my fear and gave me control over the birth of my child.

I remember the instructions you gave about pushing when I felt the urge and not just pushing would help prevent tearing, and again remain in control of my birth. So when i did this and listened to my body, pausing and letting my body stretch (the knowledge of knowing what was happening at each stage again) I welcomed my baby into this world with nothing more than a graze. How I did this with nothing but a little gas and air and mind control, and breathing techniques was down to your guidance and confidence in my own abilities because without you I would not have done it this way at all, and I’m beyond grateful that this method was introduced to me. I have my birth on a video and I honestly cannot believe how quiet and calm the whole thing is!

I plan to do the exact same way with any other children I have, because I know I can do it, because you taught me how.

Hypnobirthing is a fantastic method and reading about it sounds amazing, but to have someone who also believes in this method and teaches you “knowledge is power” is an amazing gift that all pregnant women should be introduced to.

Thank you, Danielle for all of it x

Hypnobirthing review
Sarah Howley

I am now 31 weeks pregnant and I took part in Danielle’s hypnobirthing course in January. It was on in the evening, one day a week (which worked brilliantly around my hectic work schedule) and was also at Danielle’s house, which made me feel more comfortable and at ease.

I was unsure what to expect from the classes with it being my first pregnancy but I am so pleased I went! There were only 3 couples in the group so it was intimate and relaxed from the get-go. I also ended up swapping contact details with the others at the end of the course (but there was no pressure too!) so it’s nice to be able to share stories and experiences with people due around the same time.

Danielle balanced the sessions perfectly. We went through bits of hypnobirthing in every session, but it wasn’t at all what I expected. I had the idea that it would be all deep breathing, serious and a bit hippy! But that wasn’t the case at all. Danielle did some scripts with us to help focus the mind and empower the body. The breathing techniques were extremely helpful and Danielle clearly explained the physiology of how breathing works in labour. This gave me great knowledge and preparation for what to expect and what to do when the time comes.

Lots of information and facts followed over the next sessions. Basic things were covered, such as what is/isn’t normal, what to do to get more comfy, who to contact if any questions or issues (I was pleased about this as I hadn’t really received any information from my midwife) and any queries we had were answered too. Then we went into more detail about the stages of labour, pain relief, intervention, and what to expect in hospital (take notes down – there is a lot to remember and I’ve reread my notes a few times already for clarity!) We went through birth plans and what to take with you to hospital when the time comes (and again, there were things I wouldn’t have thought of!) The things I learnt here were invaluable and I’m pleased to say I’m now feeling calm and excited to bring our baby into the world.

We finally briefly covered what happens after your baby is born. This was great too, as no one really mentions this! So we learnt about vitamin K, skin to skin, cutting the cord, and the Golden Hour. And also the normal things to expect from a newborn, such as the mucus they can excrete.

All in all, the knowledge and understanding I have gained from pregnancy and labour is indispensable. Even if you have completely different ideas/wishes to others on the course, it is irrelevant. There was no right or wrong. Danielle made us feel as parents should – that you know from instinct what is important for you and your baby. She involved partners, gave them encouragement and confidence, and made them so much a vital part of it all which is so important.

I would highly recommend this course with Danielle and hope that all parents get the same feeling of contentment and confidence that we have gotten from it. My partner enjoyed it just as equally as me, he knows what to do and how to be there to help and support me which also fills me with confidence. Thanks, Danielle, we look forward to sharing our birth story with you.

3 Step Rewind review
Rebecca Skelly

I suffered a traumatic birth and found it very difficult to talk about my experience and look back on the early days with my baby.

Danielle is an excellent midwife and I found her so knowledgeable, kind, reassuring and caring. She took me through the birth rewind process and helped me to change my perspective on my birth and decide how I want to feel about the experience.

I would definitely recommend this service for anyone who feels they have been through a traumatic birth and would like to take the time to make sense of it and be able to move on. Danielle provides a safe space and helps you resolve your feelings in confidence.