Northern Ireland’s only natal hypnotherapist in Hillsborough

Natal Hypnotherapy, is an approach which helps women to prepare mentally, emotionally and physically for giving birth, resulting in less medical intervention, lower levels of pain and an increased satisfaction with the birth experience.

Mary McCallan, a practising midwife at Altnagelvin Hospital, saw the calming effect of this approach in action in her labour ward, and decided to try it for herself with the delivery of her first child, Minnie (now aged four).

Having had a very positive experience she not only used it for the arrival of two sons (Arthur, three and Mattie, eight months), she also became Ireland’s first fully qualified practitioner in the technique.

“Through this approach, women learn a range of tools and techniques including visualisation, deep breathing exercises and hypnotherapy to help them prepare for giving birth,” she explained.

“These tools help them overcome fears of giving birth. It has been proven that fear can significantly increase the amount of pain people feel, so feeling relaxed and calm in the delivery room reduces the need for interventions and drugs, helping with the delivery of a calm baby and even decreasing the risk of post natal depression.”

Mary is bringing her popular one-hour relaxation class for mums to be to Azora Health & Wholefoods in Hillsborough on Saturday May 10, running each Saturday until May 31 from 3pm until 4pm.

Classes cost £8 each or all four can be block-booked for £30. Classes can be booked in Azora, or through www.marymccallanbirthingmatters.com, or simply show up at the time.

Mary also runs two day workshops covering natural pain relief and positive birth preparation.

Mums to be and their partners can arrange a private consultation with Mary via www.marymccallanbirthingmatters.com.