frequently asked questions

Hypnosis is simply the natural learning state of the mind, accessed when you are deeply relaxed or in a daydreaming state. In fact, you’re passing through hypnotic states every time you drift off to sleep, when you are driving on the highway, or watching tv. This is simply a slower brain wave state that is responsible for absorbing/processing lessons from the environment. The repeated messages that go in from the environment eventually become the programming for life. While adults typically only reach hypnotic states in rest, children until age 7 or 8 spend most of their waking time in hypnosis. Which is why we call them little sponges. If we had to rely only on the conscious (or higher) brain wave state, we simply wouldn’t survive. This is where the subconscious mind comes in.

The subconscious is like the software on the computer running in the background and governs 95% of our experience. Hypnosis allows us to access our subconscious programming - the memories, beliefs, fears, patterns of movements, etc. - and throw out the negative in favour of new positive messages. Everything comes first from the mind, so we can use the mind to have very real impacts on our experience.

It’s not mind over matter, nor blind positivity, nor is it simply knowing more information. It’s not enough to just will something into existence, we have to work with the body through our physiology. We do that using our biggest tool, a relaxed state of mind, to retrain the nervous system out of a chronic fight, flight, freeze cycle so that natural functions, like birthing, aren’t impeded by stress and tension. Read more on hypnosis here.

During hypnosis, people generally feel relaxed, more easily able to access a place of quietude and inner knowing. They feel more at peace and connected to what is going on on in their bodies, better able to sink into the process of birth and adapt to any changes. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis; that means you remain in full control.

HypnoBirthing is a practical approach for all types of births. It is a powerful way to induce relaxation but also to produce physiological changes, like turning a breech baby or moving a low lying placenta. It’s particularly useful as a way of dealing with the impacts of fear on the body.

We all have fear. Understanding how fear is held in the body and how the nervous system responds to perceived threats in the environment is a crucial part of this program.

Maybe you have fears about your ability to tolerate labour, or worries about the extra load of parenting a second child; maybe there has been a lot of talk of induction, baby being ‘too big’, or being in an unfavourable position, and what the obstetrical implications of that are. Having more knowledge about the body and birthing context, a set of techniques you can fall back on to keep you grounded and the advocacy skills for making informed decisions is an invaluable part of this program.

Created by an award-winning hypnotherapist, HypnoBirthing® was designed not just for more empowered birthing — but for personal discovery and growth.

As a certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, I use a range of powerful techniques and guided hypnosis scripts to support the key areas that influence how birth unfolds. My role is to facilitate the deeper work that helps you stay attuned to your body, your baby, and the process itself.

While there are many books and online courses out there (I’ve tried plenty myself!), this program offers something more — a complete, hands-on approach that brings together the knowledge, tools, and guidance you need for a confident, healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience.

It’s not enough to simply want a better birth. Our beliefs and fears are often shaped by stories, culture, and old conditioning — and these subconscious patterns can influence how we experience birth. Through HypnoBirthing, we work gently but powerfully with the subconscious to release fear and create new, positive associations that support calm and confidence.

I’ve been continually amazed by the outcomes families experience through this program. It’s a meaningful investment in yourself and your family — one that keeps giving long after birth.

At the end of the day, any learning journey is what you make of it. I’m here to support your ability to make the choices that feel right for you and your family. If you’d like to chat more, I’d love to hear about your birth vision and answer any questions — no pressure at all. I genuinely love connecting with expecting parents.

You can take this program anytime within the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, but optimally you would begin before reaching 32 weeks. Ideal time to start is around 20 weeks. This would give you enough time to practice the techniques and prime the system before reaching term.

Yes, in fact it is highly encouraged that you take this program together. Your partner will learn ways to support you in preparation for and during labour.

If you don’t have a partner, no problem - bring any birth companion who is able to support you in the birthing room. This could be your doula, grandmother, mother, or friend.

The program is for everyone, no matter how many times you have given birth before. Folks having given birth before may especially find it useful for working through a prior difficult birthing experience. Every labour and birth is unique and preparing fully for each time can help one to tune in and connect with themselves and their babies.

Your birth, your choice. My job is to support your autonomy and help you clarify your preferences. While the program focuses on educating about the body’s natural physiology and ways to support it during labour and birth, I believe that this forms a crucial baseline for being able to navigate decisions about any type of intervention. Knowledge is power and I support you to be in the drivers seat.

Absolutely! HypnoBirthing is for all types of births. All techniques are fully adaptable. If a cesarean section is elected or required, the relaxation and self-hypnosis practice can be highly beneficial for coping with and recovering from potentially stressful situations.

When there are multiple couples looking for similar dates, I can offer a group rate at a discounted price. Groups are kept small (max of 4 couples) to allow for the right balance of supportive learning. The minimum enrolment for the group rate is 2 couples.

Please inquire if you are interested!

I am not attending births at the moment but as part of the program course fee, I do provide a 30-minute private call for you and your birth companion to ask any last minute questions or get further support at term.

I also offer additional 1-hour, 1-to-1 HypnoBirthing sessions close to birthing time, if booked in advance. Get in contact if you are interested.

Booking a full 1-hour, 1-to-1 session is often helpful if there are specific issues you feel are blocking you from your goals. For example, you feel you need an additional fear release session or you want to customize the scripts for a planned cesarean or baby in breech position. Please note however, I am not a therapist or a medical professional, so can only work within my scope.

Your course booklet also contains multiple self-guided hypnosis scripts that you and your partner can use whenever you need it leading up and even during birth.

Typically, all my programs are run virtually, live on zoom. I find this is most flexible for folks and allows people to just show up and really relax into the process. **Think, at home in your jammies, creating your preferred relaxation atmosphere for labour.

If you are a local Whitehorse resident and are interested in an in-person series, please get in touch at molly@embodiedbirth.ca. This might be able to be arranged.

I am not a hypnotherapist, counsellor or medical professional and do not deliver medical advice, diagnosis or prescription, nor do I interfere with the care provided by healthcare professionals. I do not offer mental health therapy, counselling or hypnosis scripts beyond those provided to me within the HypnoBirthing® program curriculum. All hypnosis scripts I use and provide to clients were written by hypnotherapists, specializing in birth hypnosis.

Please read over my Terms of Service for more about my scope and role in supporting you.

I offer 1-to-1 HypnoBirthing support sessions to folks currently or previously enrolled in a HypnoBirthing Mongan Method program. These are useful for folks looking for extra support working through fears, achieving deep relaxation, dealing with specific circumstances like breech, placenta previa or preparing for c-section, and more.

I also am a certified energy worker and I offer 1-to-1 energy healing sessions outside of the HypnoBirthing curriculum for anyone, whether or not they are on the birthing journey. These are safe, complimentary sessions that promote relaxation and healing for your system.

Energy healing is a holistic modality aimed at promoting better integration between all aspects of health, including the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. If interested, please read more here.