A mum-of-two, who trained as a hypnobirthing practitioner to assist expectant parents in Biggleswade and the surrounding area, is celebrating helping 500 couples have positive and calm birth experiences during her five years in the role.

The Comet: 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 Comet: “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 Horganrecommended doing a hypnobirthing course to help them feel more confident and prepare for a positive birth – even for a caesarean.

The Comet: Rosie and Richard Locke with their daughter Dorothy.Rosie and Richard Locke with their daughter Dorothy. (Image: Archant)

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 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 a Rounders Club in her native Royston, 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 in Steveange, 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, 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!”

Rosie and Richard Locke from Stanford benefitted from Jane’s Breeze Birthing course.

Rosie said: “A friend told me that if you want to come through the birth calmly and confidently, hypnobirthing is the way to go. A little bit of research led me to Breeze Birthing and Jane. Our sessions at the Courtyard Centre in Biggleswade were bliss, We came away from the course feeling calm, relaxed and excited about the birth. We were planning to have a home birth and had a birthing pool set up at home. J

“Jane came and joined us in the evening. We ended up transferring to Lister Hospital not long before midnight, but we had all the tools to stay calm and focused. I gave birth to our beautiful, calm and relaxed daughter not long after we arrived. If I am lucky enough to have any more children I wouldn’t dream of doing it without hypnobirthing”.

And Helen and Chris Wheeler from Biggleswade said: “The preparation from the course and invaluable advice enabled us to remain calm and maintain control to make informed choices and have our own positive birth experience. We welcomed our son Thomas to the world on 17/01/17 and feel we definitely had the right birth on the day.”

Jane teaches monthly Breeze Birthing classes at The Courtyard Centre in Biggleswade’s High Street and further afield in Royston and Baldock.

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.