AN INVERKEITHING woman has begun delivering hypnobirthing sessions to help expectant mum after experiencing her own difficult birth.

Claire Johnston, 31, was so traumatised after a 36-hour labour with the birth of her first child, Georgia, in 2015 that she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

After falling pregnant with her second child, Ryan, last year, Claire's midwife suggested hypnobirthing and she hasn't looked back since.

This time, labour only took two hours, helped along with a tiny bit of gas and air – a stark contrast to what Claire experienced before!

The mum-of-two said: "I had quite a lot of intervention with Georgia and I was diagnosed with PTSD.

"After my midwife suggested hypnobirthing, I read one chapter of a book and everything just made sense.

"I was put off at first, thinking it would be a bit hippy, but it was actually nothing like that.

"You understand the science behind it all and realise your body was designed to give birth.

"It's empowering."

Claire, along with husband Graham and her mum, who was her second birthing partner, took part in a hypnobirthing course before the arrival of Ryan and implemented the practices she had learned.

She explained: "With my son, I gave birth in two hours and had a tiny bit of gas and air – it was just amazing.

"In my first birth, I was induced late and it began what midwives call 'The Cascade of Intervention'.

"I did not feel anything was in my control.

"It was not my fault or the caregivers but I was going into labour completely blind, not knowing what to expect.

"It felt like the situation was just happening to me rather than being part of the whole process."

Claire went on to qualify to teach the KG Hypnobirthing course, which is accredited by the Royal College of Midwives, and is now a member of The Hypnobirthing Association.

She launched her business, Simply Beautiful Birthing, last month and is already booked up until November teaching group classes and one-to-one sessions in client's homes.

"After my passion for hypnobirthing just didn't really go away so I decided to train and start my own business to help others," she added.

"There are four different sessions; you find out the science of labour, how to get yourself into a relaxed state and we work a lot with the birthing partner.

"They often feel a bit out of place and helpless but they're really quite involved in this process and are a valuable asset.

"We also teach about inductions and things they might come up against so it's not just about having a natural birth, but whatever they feel is best for them.

"During my labour with Ryan, I was doing breathing techniques to relax me and listening to positive words of affirmation and my husband did massage.

"I was incredibly calm, there was no drama.

"As soon as Ryan was born I thought I could do it all again!

"I did not feel tired, I was raring to go.

"The complete opposite to the first time where I did not leave the house for at least a week.

"I just bounced back."

For more information, visit www.simplybeautifulbirthing.co.uk/