It’s one of the most common questions I get as a hypnobirthing teacher:
“Is there any point doing hypnobirthing if I might have to be induced… or need a c-section?”
And my answer is always the same:
Yes hypnobirthing is so beneficial during induction and c-section
Because hypnobirthing isn’t about having a “perfect” birth.
It’s about preparing your nervous system, your mind, and your body so you can experience your baby’s birth feeling steady, informed and calm — whatever unfolds.
And I’ve seen it work beautifully.
What Hypnobirthing Actually Does (Backed by Research)
Hypnobirthing combines breathwork, deep relaxation, guided hypnosis, affirmations and evidence-based birth education to:
- Reduce fear and anxiety in pregnancy
- Lower perceived pain during labour
- Improve sense of control and confidence
- Increase satisfaction with the birth experience
This image shows the benefits of hypnobirthing:
What’s not to love about this? One of my faves is the fact that hypnobirthing is associated with better, higher Apgar scores.
What is an APGAR score?
APGAR is a quick assessment done at 1 and 5 minutes after birth to check how well your baby is adapting to life outside the womb.
It measures:
- Appearance (skin colour)
- Pulse (heart rate)
- Grimace (reflex response)
- Activity (muscle tone)
- Respiration (breathing effort)
Each category is scored 0–2. A higher total score suggests baby is transitioning well — breathing effectively, moving, and responding.
When the birthing environment is calm, oxygen levels are well supported, and stress hormones are lower, babies often adapt more smoothly. That’s where managing stress during labour and knowing how to deeply relax your body step in.
“But What If I’m Being Induced?”
Kate knew she would need to be induced at 38 weeks due to gestational diabetes. She had done an NCT course so knew about the “process” and importance of oxytocin and relaxation, but had no idea about how to achieve this relaxation. She was feeling a bit apprehensive about the pain, and rather terrified that something would go horribly wrong.
After taking the Embrace Bump to Baby hypnobirthing course Kate felt like she could take control of herself during labour. She was more confident that there was no reason why anything should go wrong, that it was more likely to go right. This helped quell a lot of her anxiety.
She used the following techniques during her induction and subsequent C-section:
- The Embracing Birth Hypnosis MP3 to visualise her labour and birth going well and to relax during the early stages of induction
- Breathing techniques during cervical checks and cannula insertion
- Positive self talk during the two long days on the induction ward
- The Embrace Affirmations MP3 when the contractions intensified
- EFT tapping when things felt unpredictable
Afterwards she told me:
“My epidural was inserted and I had a blissful few minutes of relief before it dislodged and the pain returned! The anaesthetists were busy with c sections so I couldn’t get it reinserted, so I had to work hard to cope with gas and air.
At this point I asked my partner to “Bring me Naomi, I need Naomi!” and he gave me my ipod with headphones and I started listening to your affirmations – I could hear you saying that my body was able to do this, that I could cope and I managed to get myself into a deep relaxation – almost an out of body experience.
The doctors kept trying to interrupt me and I was so zoned out I didn’t notice, I was purely focussed on my birth and connected with my baby, whilst having the most intense contractions ever!”
That’s the power of nervous system preparation.
Induction doesn’t cancel out hypnobirthing. In many ways, it makes it even more valuable.
“What If I’m Having a Planned C-Section?”
Tilly came to me knowing she’d be having a planned caesarean for medical reasons.
She didn’t want to feel like birth was “happening to her.”
We worked on:
- Releasing her fears around theatre
- Visualising a gentle, connected surgical birth
- Breathing techniques for spinal anaesthetic placement
- Anchoring calm during surgery
- Creating a beautiful first meeting moment
She told me afterwards that meeting her baby for the first time felt exactly like the birth she had visualised.
Connected. Calm. Powerful.
A caesarean birth can still be intentional, empowered and beautiful.
Hypnobirthing isn’t just about reducing the chances of intervention, it’s about transforming your experience of them if that’s how your baby needs to be born.
Why Hypnobirthing Matters — Even When Plans Change
Whether you are preparing for an induction, a planned c-section, a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC) or hoping for spontaneous labour hypnobirthing tools work because they regulate your nervous system.
When fear decreases:
- Adrenaline reduces
- Oxytocin flows more freely
- Muscles soften
- Pain perception shifts
- Decision-making becomes clearer
And that impacts both your birth experience and early bonding with your baby.
Try the First Week of Embrace Bump to Baby — Free
If you’re unsure whether hypnobirthing is for you — especially if you’re facing induction or a caesarean — I’ve made it easy to explore.
You can access Week One of my Embrace Bump to Baby course completely free.
Inside the first week, you’ll receive:
- The benefits and evidence of hypnobirthing in reducing labour time, pain and medical intervention
- The 5:1 positive to negative Ratio
- Relax and release breathing exercise
- Your goals and intentions for the course
- Begin work to clear any concerns or previous negative birth experiences
- Hypnosis MP3: Daily chill out for mums and dads-to-be
- BONUS VIDEO: Active birth positions.
The course is all online and pre-recorded so you can take it from the comfort of your own home at a pace that suits you. The Embrace Bump to Baby course includes modules that are not part of your average hypnobirth course:
- Hypnosis for pain management
- How to transform your partner into a superhero birth partner
- EFT Tapping for overcoming fears and calming the mind and body
- Hypnosis for natural induction
- Hypnosis for gentle c-section.
But start with Week One. Let your body feel the difference. Sign up for the first week at https://www.embracefertility.co.uk/bumptobaby
You Don’t Need a “Perfect” Birth Plan
You need the education and tools to know that you can do this.
You need to feel like birth is something you are moving through — not something happening to you.
Whether your baby arrives through induction, spontaneous labour, or a planned caesarean…Hypnobirthing still works.
And you deserve to feel steady, informed and empowered every step of the way.
Naomi Woofson is a Fertility, Pregnancy & Birth Hypnotherapist located in Henley-On-Thames, working both in-person and also online.
For more info visit www.seedwellness.co.uk/naomiwoolfson
