A growing number of couples are discovering the wonders of HypnoBirthing®, a complete birth education programme which teaches them how to achieve easy, comfortable and natural childbirth, with many mothers experiencing little or even no pain. London-based practitioner Sophie Burch explains.

Studies have found self-hypnosis, which started in the United States, allows many women to give birth without pain, and without gas and air, it said. Women are not distracted from the pain but learn how to stay calm so their muscles relax.

Madina, of Edgemoor Drive, came across the technique, which teaches self-hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques, after deciding to look into ways other women were countering the stress traditionally associated with childbirth. The brainchild of American hypnotherapist Marie Mongan, hypnobirthing has been taken up by several celebrity mums, including actress Jessica Alba.

As viewers of One Born Every Minute will testify, one thing is certain: natural childbirth is excruciating. The Channel 4 hit series, set in a Southampton hospital maternity unit, ended its current run on Monday night. It will doubtless be re-commissioned as we can’t seem to get enough of women screaming in pain and men acting like hapless spare parts in the labour room.