Why Midwives Add Hypnobirthing to Their Skills
Pregnancy can be a time of anxiety as well as joy and midwives often see firsthand how preparation shapes the birth experience.
More and more midwives are choosing to train as Hypnobirthing teachers so they can give parents skills that transform labour from something to endure into something to embrace. Not only does this enhance their skills as a midwife but it can also provide as fantastic extra income from something that they already have so much understanding of.
Here, three of our incredible graduates share their journey of midwife to Hypnobirthing instructor and why it’s made such a difference.
Meet Bronwen Kenward:
Can you share a little about your background as a midwife?
I've been a midwife for 13 years now, and during that time l've worked across all areas of maternity care. For the past 11 years I've been a community midwife, which I absolutely love. It's such a privilege to support families throughout their pregnancy, to be part of such a significant chapter of their lives, and then to continue that journey with them once their baby has arrived. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is caring for families as they welcome their second, third, or even more babies - it's incredibly special to build that long-term connection and trust.
I've always been drawn to a holistic approach in my midwifery practice. I believe strongly in supporting informed choice, helping families understand their options, and encouraging them to tune into their intuition rather than being feeling overwhelmed by fear or being led into decisions about their care that don't feel right for them. That ethos is at the heart of the way I work, and it ties in beautifully with hypnobirthing.
What first sparked your interest in hypnobirthing?
My first encounter with hypnobirthing was as a student midwife, about 15 years ago.I remember being in awe of the women I saw using it during labour - the calmness, the focus, the power of a woman being guided by their body in the beautiful dance of labour because they have learned how to not let their mind get in the way!
At the same time, I also remember feeling frustrated when other midwives would roll their eyes or dismiss it if they saw Hypnobirthing on someone's birth plan. To me, it was so clear that something special was happening, even if it wasn't fully understood.
When I came to use hypnobirthing for my own births, that's when I truly realised the depth of its benefits, and felt passionate that all women would benefit from learning about and practicing hypnobirthing It made such a difference, and I honestly believe my births would have looked very different without hypnobirthing by my side.
What made you choose the Love Your Birth hypnobirthing teacher training?
I had previously trained with another well-known hypnobirthing provider, and although the training was good and comprehensive, I never felt fully aligned with their approach. It felt too formal, prescriptive, and restrictive - almost as though there wasn't room to bring my own personality and authenticity into my teaching.
When I discovered Love Your Birth, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The core of hypnobirthing was still there - the incredible knowledge, tools, and science - but with the freedom to make the course my own. The teaching resources were beautifully engaging, and the ethos recognised that every hypnobirthing teacher brings their own uniqueness, which only adds value for clients. It just resonated with me on every level.
What surprised you most about the training?
I was really surprised by how fun and accessible the training was. Everything was delivered in bite-sized chunks, which made it so easy to fit around family life and my work as a midwife. It wasn't overwhelming or heavy-going, but instead engaging and practical, which meant I could really absorb the information and put it into practice straight away.
How did the training complement or enhance your existing midwifery skills?
The training deepened and broadened my skill set in such a useful and aligned way. As midwives, we're always encouraging calm, reassurance, and informed decision-making, and hypnobirthing fit so well with that. The knowledge and techniques l've learned give me more practical tools to offer families, whether I'm supporting them in clinic, at home, or in labour.
Even if I don't have the time to go into detail, I can still share simple breathing techniques, encourage mind-body connection, or point families towards the benefits of taking a hypnobirthing course. It's added another layer to my role as a midwife and given me more confidence in supporting both those who've practiced hypnobirthing and those who haven't.
Has becoming a Hypnobirthing teacher changed the way you support families in your midwifery role?
Absolutely. Having a deep understanding of how hypnobirthing works means I can support couples who are using it much more effectively. I know what they're trying to achieve, and I can help hold that calm, positive space for them.
But even for families who haven't done a hypnobirthing course, I can weave elements of it into their care - whether that's encouraging calm breathing, reframing language, or helping them focus on what they can control. Even small touches make a big difference, and I love that hypnobirthing has given me more ways to bring calm and empowerment into the birth space.
What do you love most about teaching Hypnobirthing?
What I love most is its simplicity and power. At first glance, people often assume hypnobirthing is "hippy" or a bit "woo," but in reality, it's very scientific. It's all about tapping into the incredible power the mind has to influence the body, and with the right guidance, and practice, that can transform someone's whole birth experience.
It almost feels like magic at times - but it's just science. And seeing families experience that shift, to feel more confident, calm, and empowered about their birth, is what makes teaching it so rewarding.
What would you say to a midwife who's curious about hypnobirthing teacher training but isn't sure it's for them?
I would say: go for it. Whether you use it primarily in your midwifery role or decide to teach private courses, it will enrich your practice in countless ways. You'll gain tools to support families in labour, strategies to bring calm to birth spaces, as well as opening up opportunities to work privately if you want to.
Even if you don't end up teaching full courses, the knowledge you gain will influence the way you support families every single day. And if you train with Love Your Birth, you'll also have the flexibility and freedom to teach in a way that feels authentic to you. It's a great investment not just in your career, but in the women and families you care for.
To find out more about Bronwen and her hypnobirthing business, you can follow her on her Instagram page here or head over to her website here.
Meet Laura Leeson
Can you share a little about your background as a midwife?
For over 20 years I worked in Women’s Health, in both nursing, midwifery and teaching. In my decade as a midwife I touched the lives of many, supporting them through their pregnancy, birthing and postnatal period.
We would rotate every 6-12 months between Antenatal/Postnatal, Delivery Suite and the Assessment unit; building experience and new skills in each department.
I always enjoyed my time supporting and educating women and their families… however, the enjoyment was jaded by not having enough time to support them to the extent that I wanted to.
What first sparked your interest in Hypnobirthing?
I had seen Hypnobirthers on the delivery suite, disheartened by the eye rolls and barriers placed in their way. I always accommodated women’s wishes as much as I could but found that I too was often met with guideline barriers or stern words from higher up.
I felt the women’s frustrations, because I was annoyed with the system too. Giving birth should be a calm and positive experience where the woman and her family feel in control.
This was very rarely the case with hospital births. I wanted all women to have a calm and in control birthing experience.
I also used Hypnobirthing myself with my 2 births.
What made you choose the Love Your Birth hypnobirthing teacher training?
I chose ‘Love Your Birth’ Hypnobirthing because I kept seeing Abby’s smiling face on adverts and warmed to her after watching her videos. A bonus was that Abby offers business support after qualification and CPD.
What surprised you most about the training?
I didn’t realise that there was so much antenatal content and that it wasn’t just Hypnobirthing we were learning but antenatal teacher training, empowerment and decision making skills.
How did the training complement or enhance your existing midwifery skills?
The training has complimented my midwifery skills as it is another way that I can support women in my care.
Has becoming a hypnobirthing teacher changed the way you support families in your midwifery role?
I ensure that I am non biassed with the information I share. Previously I would refer to guidelines and recommend certain actions. Since Hypnobirthing it is all about, information providing, pros and cons and the families making decisions without bias. I also don’t talk about my own birth choices in case it sways their decisions.
What do you love most about teaching hypnobirthing?
I love the way the women feel when they have their sessions. How relaxed and appreciative they are. It’s always such a lovely part of the session to just stop and relax. I also love how they use their calming skills and are in control of their pregnancy and birth.
What would you say to a midwife who's curious about hypnobirthing teacher training but isn't sure it's for them?
Although I was already aware of the antenatal teaching elements it was interesting to hear them from an untrained and trained instructor.
The Hypnobirthing techniques are beneficial for the women, their families and for future use to find their inner calm.
It does provide a new perspective to midwifery care.
To find out more about Laura and her hypnobirthing business, you can follow her on her Instagram page here or head over to her website here.
Meet Jennie Birtwistle:
Can you share a little about your background as a midwife?
I have been a midwife for just over 10 years now. I have worked across all areas of maternity but my current role lies within the infant feeding world as the Baby Friendly Lead for the Trust. I love my job, every day is different and I work with the best team.
What first sparked your interest in hypnobirthing?
I was working on the Postnatal Ward at the time and I was coming across lots of couples describing their births as ‘traumatic’, ‘horrendous’ and vowing that they would ‘never do that again’. This made me really saddened and I wanted to do something to help alongside my role as a Midwife. Along came hypnobirthing!
What made you choose the Love Your Birth hypnobirthing teacher training?
I’ve been with Abby from the start of LYB. I completed my training previously with a different provider and I just felt it didn’t sit right with the way I wanted to teach hypnobirthing. I remember attending one of Abby’s first teacher training courses at her house, I knew straight away that I had found my tribe.
What surprised you most about the training?
How open and willing Abby was with sharing ideas, resources, teaching plans… it was so inspiring. Upon receiving these, I was so excited to get stuck in and deliver my newly revived course to my clients
How did the training complement or enhance your existing midwifery skills?
I feel it has enhanced my role as a midwife in so many ways. I already viewed things quite holistically anyway, but LYB gave me so much more knowledge and insight, which in turn meant I could provide better care to couples in the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period.
Has becoming a hypnobirthing teacher changed the way you support families in your midwifery role?
I wouldn’t say it has changed the way I support families as as I said above, I already worked in quite a holistic way anyway. I would say however, it has reconnected me to see the power, beauty and normalcy of birth, particularly in high risk/intervention settings.
What do you love most about teaching hypnobirthing?
To be honest, EVERYTHING!
Particularly the genuine friendships I have made along the way with couples I have taught. Going for coffees with them, months even years after their babies are born, it is just so special.
What would you say to a midwife who's curious about hypnobirthing teacher training but isn't sure it's for them?
Go into it with an open mind, it isn’t what you think and you’ll be glad you did it, take it from someone who was that Midwife who thought it was too ‘out there’ for her.
To find out more about Jennie and her hypnobirthing business, you can follow her on her Instagram page here or head over to her website here.
If, like Laura, Bronwen and Jennie, you’ve ever wondered whether you’d make a great Hypnobirthing teacher, why not start with our quick quiz here:
www.loveyourbirthtraining.com/quiz
At Love Your Birth, we don’t just train you to deliver powerful, life-changing Hypnobirthing sessions. We also give you the resources, community and ongoing support you need to thrive as a teacher.
Discover more about our complete Hypnobirthing Teacher Training here: www.loveyourbirthtraining.com
