Welcome to the Birth Prep In A Box Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Course
A calm, creative, and evidence-based antenatal course for you and your birth partner. Learn how birth works — and how to work with it — using tools designed to support your mind, body, and decision-making.
This course combines practical birth preparation with a full hypnobirthing toolkit, so you don’t have to choose between them. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for something more flexible and inclusive than a traditional antenatal class, you’re in the right place.
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This course offers a complete, down-to-earth guide to birth and the early postnatal period — with a strong focus on how to support your hormones, mindset, and environment for a positive experience.
You’ll learn about:
The hormones of labour — what they do, and how to work with them
The full stages of labour — what they look and feel like
Your birth environment — and how to protect your Oxytocin bubble
Biomechanics and baby positioning — and how to support both
Birth planning and decision-making — including your rights and options
Early postnatal recovery — including the fourth trimester and infant feeding
The full hypnobirthing toolkit — with MP3s, mindset support, and practice techniques
Each topic is visual, digestible, and full of real-world insight — backed by signposts to evidence-based resources.
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This course is for:
Pregnant people preparing for any kind of birth
Birth partners who want to feel informed and involved
First-time parents, or anyone seeking a more confident experience this time
People looking for an inclusive, rights-aware, and flexible antenatal course
You can work through it solo or together — but if you have a birth partner, we strongly recommend doing it as a team. The course is designed to get you on the same page and help you feel prepared as a unit.
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Each topic in the course links to one of the Birth Prep In A Box cards. You’ll see:
A clear image of the card
A short video with Sarah talking you through the topic
An expanded written version of the card’s content
A link to explore trusted, evidence-based resources
You’ll also get access to:
A full hypnobirthing section, including MP3s to download
Optional recap calls with Sarah or one of the trained facilitators
The opportunity to purchase a physical set of the cards for offline use, birth plan writing, and reflection
The course is self-paced — you can take your time, revisit topics, and use the content in whatever way suits you best.
Birth Prep & Hypnobirthing Online Course
This self-paced course combines practical birth preparation with hypnobirthing techniques to help you feel calm, confident, and well-informed. With 75+ visual, bite-sized steps, it covers everything from hormones and labour stages to partner support, birth planning, and your legal rights — all backed by evidence and delivered in a flexible, accessible format.
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Introduction
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Hormones
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Hormones
Discover how your body’s natural hormones drive labour, birth, and bonding — and how to protect the delicate chain that helps it all unfold smoothly.
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Oxytocin
The love hormone that fuels labour, bonding, and beyond. Discover how to protect your Oxytocin bubble and work with your body’s natural rhythm.
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Adrenaline
Adrenaline can slow labour down — but it also helps bring babies into the world. Learn when it helps, when it hinders, and how to work with it.
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Other Hormones
Endorphins, prolactin, and relaxin each play a powerful part in pregnancy and birth. Learn how they work — and how to work with them.
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Stages of Labour
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Stages of Labour
Labour doesn’t follow a script. Learn about the six stages of birth — from early labour to postnatal recovery — and how to support your body through each one.
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Latent Phase
Early labour can be quiet and sometimes long and unpredictable — and still be doing important work. Learn how to recognise it, trust it, and support yourself through it.
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First Phase
This is when labour really gets going. Learn what active labour looks and feels like — and how birth partners can support the space where hormones flow best.
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The Cervix
Your cervix is part of your uterus — not just a measuring tool. Learn what really happens as it shifts, softens, and opens during labour.
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Second Phase
This is the stage where your baby is born. Learn what transition, rest, and bearing down really feel like — and how to support your body through it.
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Third Phase
After your baby is born, your placenta still has a job to do. Learn about your options for this often-overlooked stage — and why it matters.
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Active Management
Active management uses an injection to speed up placental delivery and reduce bleeding. Learn how it works — and when it’s recommended.
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Physiological Management
Physiological third stage means letting the body birth the placenta in its own time. Learn what supports it — and what to expect.
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Golden Hours
The first hours after birth are golden. Learn how skin-to-skin, oxytocin, and calm support bonding, breastfeeding, and recovery.
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Fourth Trimester
The fourth trimester is real. Learn what your baby (and you) might need in the first 12 weeks and beyond — and how to prepare for life after birth.
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Fourth Trimester Planning
It’s not just about nappies and cots — it’s about planning for you. Create a fourth trimester plan that supports your recovery, wellbeing, and early days with your baby.
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** Physiological Birth
What does birth look like when it's uninterrupted? Learn what physiological birth really means — and how safety, privacy, and love help it unfold.
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Practical Preparation
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Where
Where you give birth matters — because feeling safe helps your body do its best work. Learn how to explore your options and choose a place that supports your birth.
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Where continued...
Birth can happen in many places — but where feels right for you? Compare birth settings, explore safety data, and make an informed choice.
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Environment
Your birth environment can support — or interrupt — your hormones. Learn how to create a space that helps labour flow naturally.
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Induction of Labour
Induction can be offered in many forms. Learn what it really involves — and how to explore your options before making any decisions.
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Caesarean Birth
Learn what to expect with Caesarean birth — and how to make the experience feel informed, supported, and personal to you.
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Pain Relief
Explore how pain relief options work — and why understanding them in advance helps you stay in control, whatever your preferences.
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** Monitoring During Labour
Understand your options for monitoring baby’s wellbeing during labour and how to stay informed, involved, and instinct-led in decision making.
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Baby Positions
Learn how your baby’s position before labour can influence birth, and discover small ways you can help support them into an optimal position.
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Biomechanics
Your birth environment can support — or interrupt — your hormones. Learn how to create a space that helps labour flow naturally.
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Due Dates & Lithotomy
This bonus topic explores how outdated ideas like Naegele’s Rule and the lithotomy position still shape modern birth — and how you can make more informed choices.
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Microbiome
Your baby’s microbiome is seeded during birth and the early days of life — these microbes are essential for long-term health and immunity. Learn how your birth choices can help give them the best start.
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Microbiome Continued
Even with birth interventions, there are powerful ways to support your baby's developing microbiome — discover what matters and how to make informed, nurturing choices.
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Optimal Cord Clamping
Optimal cord clamping gives your baby the full benefit of their own blood — rich in iron and stem cells — by simply waiting a little longer before cutting the cord.
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Vitamin K
Vitamin K supplements are offered to help prevent rare but serious newborn bleeding. It’s usually given by injection, but oral alternatives are available — and, as always, you have options.
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Doula
Doulas offer continuity, emotional support and advocacy outside the medical system. They can be affordable, flexible, and game-changing for your birth experience.
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Knowing Your Rights
Your rights don’t disappear when you’re pregnant or in labour. This lesson is all about informed consent, declining procedures, and knowing where to look for trustworthy, rights-based information as you prepare for birth.
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Birth Plan Writing
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Birth Plan Writing
This lesson explores how birth planning can support your confidence, even when the journey takes an unexpected turn.
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Sample Birth Plan
Download our birth plan template & get a good start on preparing for your birth.
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Decision Making
There’s always time for informed decision making. This lesson introduces the B.R.A.I.N acronym — a simple tool to help you and your birth partner ask the right questions and feel confident in your choices.
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** Do I need a Birth Plan?
BONUS Topic, not included in the printer cards.
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Introduction to Hypnobirthing
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Hypnosis
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Hypnosis
You already enter hypnotic states every day. Hypnosis for birth is simply learning to do this on purpose — and knowing that you’re always in control.
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The Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle
Fear creates tension, and tension increases pain — but you can break the cycle with safety, love, and oxytocin.
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The Brain & Birth
Understanding how the brain works in labour helps explain why logic and fear don’t mix. This short lesson introduces the conscious and subconscious mind — and how to work with, not against, them.
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The Mind
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The Conscious Mind
The conscious mind is logical, rational, and full of chatter — great for making lists, not so great for giving birth. Learn how to quiet it and make space for instinct to lead.
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The Subconscious Mind
The subconscious mind is where instinct and emotion live — it's your true birthing brain. Feed it wisely and it will support you through every wave.
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Autonomic Nervous System
When you feel safe, your nervous system supports Oxytocin. When you feel afraid, Adrenaline takes over — and slows things down. Knowing the difference is powerful.
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The Body
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Mind–Body Connection
Your body mirrors your mind. Feeling safe, calm and supported isn’t a luxury in birth — it’s a biological need.
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Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve physically links your brain to your birthing body - and plays a key role in whether you’re in a state of tension or calm.
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Use Your Tongue
Relaxing your tongue is a simple daily practice that supports the vagus nerve — and helps your pelvic floor relax during birth.
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Brain Training
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Affirmations
Explore the topics on the Subconscious Mind, The Critical Factor, and Hypnosis & Mindfulness to understand how affirmations influence your birth experience on a deeper level.
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'Pain' Relief
Why do we call it “pain”? How reframing your mindset could change the way you experience birth.
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Language
Words matter, especially in birth. This topic explores how reframing language can reduce fear and shift your experience, and how to shape your birth preferences using empowering, supportive terms.
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Brain Training
Train your brain for birth. Learn how hypnosis can help you rewire unhelpful thought patterns and override your subconscious fear response — one powerful thought at a time.
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Mammals & Birth
Learn how turning off your ‘thinking brain’ during labour can support your body’s natural birthing instincts - just like every other mammal.
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Mammals & Birth continued...
Like any other mammal, your body works best when it feels safe. So where would you feel unobserved, relaxed, and undisturbed enough to let go and give birth?
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Mindfulness
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What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness helps you stay present and grounded during labour. It’s about tuning in, not changing — being with your breath, your body, and your baby.
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Breathing
Breathing with intention is one of your simplest and most powerful tools in labour. It helps calm your body, steady your mind, and wrap your baby in oxytocin.
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Anchors
Anchors are sensory tools that help you reconnect to calm in labour. Whether it’s a smell, a sound, or a gentle touch — they work best when practised during pregnancy.
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Sounds of Labour
Hypnobirthing doesn’t have to be quiet. Birth sounds are primal, instinctive, and powerful — and low, open noises can help keep your jaw, pelvis, and body relaxed.
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Where’s the Evidence?
There’s solid science behind Hypnosis, mindfulness, and affirmations. These aren’t just nice ideas — they’re evidence-based tools for birth and beyond.
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So what next?
Practice makes powerful. Hypnobirthing tools get stronger with daily use — listen to your MP3s, breathe with intention, and reinforce those anchors. You’re training your brain for birth.
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Why practice?
Hypnobirthing isn’t a technique you perform on the day — it’s a response you’ve trained your body and mind to use instinctively. Practice is the key to unlocking it when it matters most.
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The MP3's
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Intro to the MP3's
These MP3s are your brain-training toolkit. The more you listen, the more instinctive your calm responses become — so when birth begins, your body already knows what to do.
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Walk The Labyrinth - 35 mins (Copy)
Take a powerful journey through labour, birth and beyond — this visualisation helps you rehearse birth calmly and confidently, one step at a time.
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The Crystal on the Shore - Fear Release - 35 mins
Release fear, doubt and tension with this peaceful riverside visualisation. A deeply calming practice to let go and move forward with confidence.
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Feeling Assertive - 18 mins
An empowering visualisation to help you connect with your inner child and grow your sense of calm, grounded assertiveness.
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Birth Partner Script - 32 mins
A dedicated track to help birth partners feel grounded, confident and ready to step fully into their role.
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Get to Know Your Birthing Cave - 20 mins
A dedicated track to help birth partners feel grounded, confident and ready to step fully into their role.
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Short Body Scan - 10 Mins
A convenient, full-body relaxation to calm your nervous system and help you reconnect with your body — in just 10 minutes.
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Meet your facilitator
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Meet your facilitator ✳
Sarah
I’m Sarah — a doula, hypnobirthing teacher, and creator of Birth Prep In A Box. I’ve spent years supporting families through pregnancy and birth, and this course brings together the tools, knowledge, and insights I’ve gathered along the way.
It’s visual, flexible, and rooted in evidence — but also shaped by real-world experience from being in the birth room. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when parents feel informed, confident, and truly supported.
I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope this course helps you feel ready to meet your baby — in whatever way is right for you.
Course FAQ
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It includes both. The full hypnobirthing section (with MP3s and mindset tools) is built into this course — there’s nothing extra to buy or add on.
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Not at all — each card is shown clearly on-screen. But many people find the physical set helpful for birth planning, partner discussions, and hands-on learning.
You may also already have a copy of the cards provided by your facilitator.
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Yes — and we encourage it! The course is designed for you to work through together, so you both feel calm, informed, and ready.
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No — this course covers everything in the free Birth Prep Essentials course and much more. If you’ve already taken the free version, you can skip ahead to the Environment section to avoid repetition.
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Absolutely. The tools here are about understanding how birth works, how to support your body and mind, and how to make informed decisions — whatever path your birth takes.
You will also find the Hypnobirthing tools extremely useful no-matter how you choose to give birth.