Bright Birth

My husband and I took Kelly’s Hypnobirthing class and we are so glad we did! This was our first pregnancy and Kelly gave us so much helpful information and tips (she’s a registered nurse!). She taught us amazing birthing techniques that gave us the confidence and knowledge we needed to have an incredible natural birth. Kelly was patient and answered everyone’s questions thoroughly. She even answered all of my questions via email and phone that I had after our classes were over. I believe 100% that if I hadn’t taken Kelly’s class that I would not have the amazing birth experience that I had. I will forever be grateful to Kelly and to her extensive knowledge and vast experience and I will recommend her services time and time again. I cannot sing her praises loud enough! Kelly is the best!!!

Upon the recommendation of a friend, my husband and I started Kelly’s class when I was 24 weeks pregnant. Kelly was warm, welcoming and radiates calm. I especially appreciated her knowledge and willingness to talk about other topics we asked about-​cloth diapers, what to pack for the hospital, baby book recommendations.
Though I practiced my affirmations and relaxation techniques daily, I did have a hard time connecting to them during labor, but I did make it through. The methods were helpful and the knowledge Kelly gave me helped me to see the process as natural and life-​affirming. Hypnobirthing game me confidence in myself and allowed me to bring my baby into the world without medication or fear.

I took Kelly’s class with my wife and she did an excellent job of helping us think through, and really feel prepared for the experience of our first child’s birth. Things didn’t go exactly according to plan for my wife, but she still came out of the experience very happy & satisfied with how everything went. I give Kelly’s class a lot of credit for creating an overall positive experience for our birth.

Disclaimer: I know people dread childbirth advice… it feels like judgment. It’s so personal and private, so consider this an enthusiastic endorsement and nothing more. I’m a huge advocate of the hypnobirthing method, and Kelly helped us have such a positive birth experience that I want everyone else to as well!!! (YAY!)
Background: This was my first birth. And my second (twins). I changed practices mid-​pregnancy because I wanted to stack the odds in favor of a natural birth. When I first heard of hypnobirthing, it sounded too good to be true. Calm, pain-​free birth? Yes please, I’ll take two!
The Class: My husband and I took the hypnobirthing classes (series of 6 with 4 other couples) with Birth Bright (aka Kelly Hightower). I firmly believe that the techniques helped me stay calm and relaxed not only during my labor and the birth of my babies, but through the final stages of my pregnancy. The slow breathing and visualization techniques helped me survive a one-​hour commute to work up until week 38! It also helped me on those rough nights where sleep seems impossible. At my 40-​week appointment, my nurses were amazed at my healthy, normal blood pressure.
About Kelly: She’s had three kids with three different births + she’s a nurse + she’s a doula. Needless to say, she knows birth. All kinds. And she knows how to navigate a hospital (and how to endear yourself to the hospital staff — supremely helpful!)
Birth 1: I had a wonderful birth experience. No crying, no drugs, no drama. I napped periodically through my labor, arrived at the hospital 8 cm dilated and pushed for 45 minutes before my son was born. I felt everything. I experienced his birth with a crystal clarity and presence that I will never forget. Afterward, I looked at my husband and said, «I could do that again.»
Birth 2: When twin2 refused to descend, I ended up having an emergency c-​section — the awful, scary thing that I had dreaded my entire pregnancy! Despite my fears, I remained totally zen. Hypnobirthing helped me prepare for and accept any turn of events.
Does it work? Hell yeah it does. It works if you believe it will. I had minimal pain delivering my son. My contractions were bearable and I napped in between them. Best of all, I was 100% present and conscious for the birth.
Does it reeeeally work? Hypnobirthing is not magic. It is a method of training your brain to let your body do its thing (my definition). Have anxiety? This method will train you to relax. Control freak (like me)? This method will teach you to go with the flow and release your fears.
Is it magic? No. You need a unicorn for that.