A mum-of-two from Royston, who trained as a hypnobirthing practitioner after the method helped her when she gave birth to her second daughter, is celebrating helping 500 expectant couples have positive, calm birth experiences during her five years in the role.

Royston Crow: Jane Wallington has helped 500 families in five years with her hypnotherapy programme, Breeze Birthing.Jane Wallington has helped 500 families in five years with her hypnotherapy programme, Breeze Birthing. (Image: Archant)

It was the differences in Jane Wallington’s own birthing experiences that spurred the former sales manager on to pursuing her passion and helping other parents.

Jane told the Crow: “I experienced a lot of pain during the birth of our first child, Ruby, now 8.

“I lost control during established labour and spent a long time pushing her out. Consequently, I needed a lot of attention afterwards.”

Jane said she hadn’t been to any antenatal classes, except a one day parentcraft class at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

When Jane fell pregnant again, 10 months later, she and husband Andy were planning on having a caesarean birth.

Midwife Veronica Horgan recommended doing a hypnobirthing course to help them feel more confident and prepare for a positive birth – even for a caesarean.

The couple began a course when Jane was 36 weeks pregnant and the results meant they decided to try for a natural birth again.

“I was in Asda in Stevenage doing a food shop, three days past my due date with a one-year-old Ruby with me, when my surges started,” she said.

“I carried on as normal as much as I could, then drove home and unpacked the shopping. I was in early labour when I cooked our roast dinner and told Andy he could go to work for his night shift – I felt great and in control”.

“I had a bath while listening to my MP3s feeling very calm and serene. At midnight, when my surges were five minutes apart, I called Andy to come home and my mother arrived to look after Ruby while we left for Addenbrooke’s.”

“When we arrived at the hospital, the midwives prepared a perfect room for us with a pool.

“Twenty minutes later and with no pain relief, I felt Jessica coming down and two birth breaths later she was born in the water, fast asleep.

“Jessica hadn’t realised she been born – it had been a very gentle birth for her. She opened her eyes to stare straight up at me, as if to say ‘oh there you are!’.”

Jane said that afternoon she did the hoovering at home – and her ‘incredible’ energy levels saw her become founder of Royston Rounders Club, when baby Jessica was just 6 weeks old.

In September 2012 Jane trained as a hypnobirthing teacher of the The Mongan Method and it was then that Breeze Birthing was born.

And two years later, she became an instructor of The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme – a course accredited by the Royal College of Midwives and recognised by midwives at the Lister Hospital, some of whom have also trained in the programme.

Jane has now taught 500 couples her birthing method including those who work as paediatricians and other doctors, nurses, health visitors, midwives and paramedics.

Five of her clients have also gone on to train as instructors – including her business partner, Sammy Lewis, and Emma Hogg – who all work together under the Breeze Birthing umbrella.

As well as also finding the time to work as an account manager at C4B Media in Royston, Jane also attends births to gives support, help, and advice at the parents’ request.

“I feel very privileged whenever someone asks to book my services and I really enjoy being part of a family’s important life event. And to reach a 500 milestone, is just wonderful!”

Leigh and Rob Harper from Bassingbourn are one of the couples who have benefitted from Jane’s programme.

Leigh said: “The course gave us the confidence to plan for the much wanted home pool birth, with the midwife team at the Rosie being really supportive of our decision we had everything in place and were looking forward to meeting our baby. Being at home was instantly relaxing and while my partner went about setting up the pool I listened to my hypnobirthing MP3s and used the breathing techniques.

“Less than five hours later our gorgeous girl Evelyn was born, she arrived without crying and continues to have such a calm aura about her. I had managed the birth without pain relief and had the positive experience I wanted, my partner and I were chatting and laughing in between surges and we even enjoyed macaroni cheese and tea after the birth. We are now enjoying life as a family of four.”

Jane teaches monthly Breeze Birthing classes at Royston Complimentary Health Centre in Market Hill and further afield in Baldock and Biggleswade. As well as private tuition around these areas, Jane also has national and international clients via Skype.

For more details and reviews, visit the Breeze Birthing Facebook page, or call Jane on 07772 102792.