AN ANTENATAL teacher who has taught birthing techniques to 330 couples in the Lincoln area is now focusing on helping the ones often most fearful of the process.

After moving to the area and having her second baby, Jules King decided to get involved with the Lincoln branch of the National Childbirth Trust and trained to be an antenatal teacher.

Mrs King then developed an interest in how hypnotherapy could aid a natural birth experience and attended a workshop.

"It really struck a chord with me," she said.

"Birth has become very medicalised and this was a good way of balancing it out."

Mrs King went on to study hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and stress management, which she uses in the classes she gives to couples at her Dunholme home when teaching them self-hypnosis techniques.

Mrs King said: "There are those who do need more help with their confidence and the support and reassurance that it's a normal process.

"And many ladies who have had medical intervention with a previous baby want to do things differently the next time round.

"They could feel negative about what they tried before and want a positive birthing experience this time round.

"If you are not relaxed it can affect the production of hormones like oxytocin, the main labour hormone, and endomorphins.

"And the more relaxed you are, the more the hormones will flow and act as natural painkillers."

Mrs King helped Michelle Webb, 27, prepare for the birth of her youngest daughter, Hannah, in October.

Mrs Webb had to stay in hospital with her second daughter, Emily, now 21 months, for five days after her birth as it was discovered she should be on intravenous antibiotics to prevent the Group B Strep infection.

And the mum-of-three was fearful of medical intervention when going into hospital to have Hannah and turned to Mrs King to learn some self-hypnosis techniques.

But much to her delight, a private test taken at 37 weeks into the pregnancy showed she was at minimal risk from Group B Strep and she decided to have the baby at home in Nettleham.

She said: "I knew if I was in hospital a while I would need something to stay really calm and focused if things got taken out of my hands."

But Mrs Webb ended up being so relaxed that, helped by husband Stephen, she gave birth before the community midwife – who visited earlier in the day – had time to return to the house.

She said: "I was snuggled under the duvet and did my visualisations and everything was natural and completely normal."

Jules King can be contacted on 01673 863357 or visit www.julesking.com