Looking for the lowdown on all things hypnobirthing in Singapore? Searching for the best classes to get clued up? We've got all the intel from a mum who's a hypnobirthing sceptic turned convert... A Mumsnet favourite, the book Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better by Siobhan Miller is the best hypnobirthing book to buy right now. It explores hypnobirthing, common myths and provides useful information to help women prepare for all kinds of childbirth. I then did the The Nurture Nest Essentials course later in the pregnancy which I found really practical for actually planning my birth and I liked some of the MP3s. She also has a podcast called 'The Hypnobirthing Podcast' which has so much info you might not feel like you need to pay for a course in the end! I bought her course purely because I wanted to support her as the podcast is so good!” (Recommended by Mumsnet user Justdeciding) Our verdict Where: 1 Thomson Road, Balestier Hill Shopping Centre, #01-346, Thomson Rd, Singapore 300001 3. Beloved Bumps Photography: Beloved Bumps

Giving birth—however you choose to do it—is truly the most amazing thing you will experience in your life, and meeting your precious baby for the first time is one of life's most unforgettable moments." I must say, however, that I found some parts obnoxious and I would find myself incredibly self conscious telling medical professionals I want them to use the word 'surges' instead of contractions. Just as I would telling them to speak to my other half and not talk to me, who would surely just pass on what they're asking or saying anyway? I would therefore take some parts of this book with a pinch of salt! Owner of The Nurture Nest, the episodes include useful information about preparing for birth, as well as interviews with authors and mums with their own positive birth stories. She also covers a range of different experiences, such as giving birth to a larger baby as well as provided some guided meditation to listen to.

Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better

Feeling more relaxed during labour and being more likely to enjoy the experience (apparently Kate Middleton, who’s a fan, said she “really quite enjoyed it!”)

My wife is having our baby in a few months, and having read this book, it's clear that I knew almost nothing about what to expect and how to help her when she gives birth. Nothing, of course, except what I've seen on TV: lots of screaming, shouting of "push!" and a sense of danger and urgency. As a man, I recognise the TV father helplessly spectating, comically fainting, or sitting outside an operating theatre chewing his nails. This class will enable you to navigate your birth experience with confidence, equipping you with practical tools that will help you to feel calm and in control throughout. It doesn’t matter how your baby appears, or when, or with what help; what matters is that you are fully informed of the choices available, and that you feel calm, respected and supported each step of the way. After this class, you will feel more confident and empowered to make the right decisions for you and your baby, allowing you to have the best birth possible. Course content Some people struggle to learn the relaxation techniques so allowing yourself plenty of time to practise is better, but if you decide later in the pregnancy that you would like to learn about hypnobirthing you can still practise some of the exercises in time for your birth. Can you teach yourself hypnobirthing? In fact, when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenting, a good rule of thumb is: never miss an opportunity to sleep. Once your baby is here you will come to appreciate every moment of sleep. Sleep is so important for your well-being."

The verdict: Pregnancy books

A positive birth, which is something we all strive for, is a birth experience that leaves a woman feeling empowered rather than traumatised, where the mother's wishes are respected, she is listened to and feels calm, confident, and informed. Water birth, caesarean birth, whatever—it's not a particular type of birth." Finally, to help us work out which products to recommend, we make a special note of any products that have received industry awards and recognition from trusted sources. Why you should trust us Being pregnant for the first time, I was absolutely terrified about birth (aren’t we all?!). I usually (and still do) faint during a routine blood test. So the thought of bringing another human being into the world was beyond scary. For a while, I just avoided thinking about it; denial seemed to be a good default. That changed when a friend mentioned hypnobirthing. She was very much into yoga pre-pregnancy (I wasn’t), so I was a little sceptical that it would be for me. I thought it was really reserved for the wellbeing and mindfulness crew (not the chocolate and Netflix gang). Another hugely popular choice for mums-to-be is Beloved Bumps. From expert advice to classes, as well as social catch-ups, they cover everything. They also know a thing or two when it comes to hypnobirthing in Singapore, offering classes based on the KGHypnobirthing programme (the only hypnobirthing course in the UK that is accredited by The Royal College of Midwives). Over four weeks, you’ll learn all the tools you need for a calmer and more confident birth.

In this book, The Positive Birth Company’s founder Siobhan debunks common myths about hypnobirthing and explains why she believes it can make every type of birth a better experience - from a water birth at home to an unplanned caesarean in theatre. So that we can make sure we find products that meet a family’s needs, we always start by looking for recommendations from our trusted Mumsnet users. There’s over 7 million users each month, so we know that we’re getting products that have been thoroughly put to the test in everyday situations and also cater for a large range of needs and budgets. Expert guidanceMumsnet users appreciate the course’s balanced approach to all kinds of births and found it useful for learning the techniques, although some did find that the course pushes the idea of home births which is not going to be suitable for everyone. Baby with Bee offers hypnobirthing classes catering for Eastsiders with classes in Katong; there’s also the option of Thomson Medical Center too. All classes are on the weekend for these courses, and there’s group and private options too. Don’t fancy leaving home? There are also online-only classes! The course comes with a copy of the ‘ HypnoBirthing– The Mongan-Method‘ book, two CDs to practice your relaxation at home, plus pre- and post-birth support options!