Is This a Hypnobirthing Course? Why My Antenatal Classes in Milton Keynes Are a Bit Different
If you’ve found your way here by searching for hypnobirthing classes in Milton Keynes or just trying to figure out which kind of antenatal class is right for you, you’re not alone. It can feel like a maze.
One of the most common questions I get is: “Is this a hypnobirthing course?”
And the honest answer is… yes and no.
I’m a trained hypnobirthing practitioner, so yes, you’ll find some familiar elements in my antenatal classes:
Breathing techniques
Mind-body awareness
Understanding how fear and safety affect birth physiology
But I’ve also seen, personally and professionally, where traditional hypnobirthing falls short, especially for neurodivergent folks. Being encouraged to listen to daily relaxation tracks or practise light-touch massage wasn’t calming for me. It was overwhelming. It triggered sensory overload, not relaxation.
So I started teaching differently.
I use sound, movement, and tactile tools like birth combs and acupressure. I help people build flexible, responsive toolkits shaped by their own instincts and needs, not a one size fits all script. My antenatal classes are inclusive, neurodivergent aware, and grounded in evidence and real life.
Where Hypnobirthing Came From (And Why It Matters)
Many people don’t realise that both hypnobirthing and the NCT were heavily influenced by Grantley Dick Read, a man whose work was steeped in racism, classism, and misogyny. His belief? That birth should be pain free, and that any pain was simply the result of fear.
This idea became the foundation for a model that sometimes fails to acknowledge real trauma, complex needs, or the very real impact of how the maternity system treats people.
That’s not the foundation I want my teaching to rest on.
While many brilliant hypnobirthing teachers have moved beyond those roots, I’ve added so much to my approach that the label just doesn’t quite fit anymore.
What You Will Find in My Antenatal Classes in Milton Keynes
My antenatal classes are:
Inclusive of all family structures
Designed with neurodivergent needs in mind
Rooted in birth physiology and in an honest look at how the system works
We explore breathing, movement, acupressure, birth rights, and navigating the maternity system. We talk about feeding, recovery, identity, body image, and the fourth trimester. We make space for feelings, questions, and the kind of honest preparation that honours who you are.
If you're searching for antenatal classes in Milton Keynes that are thoughtful, flexible, and quietly rebellious in all the right ways, you’re warmly welcome to join a future course.
🌿 In-person 5-week courses at Bow Brickhill Community Hall
🌈 LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and single-parent friendly
💛 Learn more and book: birthwithapril.com/antenatal-courses