Duchess: I used hypnobirthing to cope with pregnancy
THE Duchess of Cambridge has told she learnt hypnobirthing to cope with the severe morning sickness of pregnancy, saying the techniques helped her “actually really quite like” labour.
The Duchess, a mother of three, said she found the meditation and breathing techniques “hugely helpful”, as she navigated pregnancy and birth.
In an unprecedented insight into the future Queen’s personal life, she also spoke of the “mum guilt” she has in common with women across Britain as she balances work and parenting, her morning sickness and the Duke of Cambridge’s practice runs strapping a doll into a car seat before he did it in front of the cameras with a baby Prince George.
It is the first time the Duchess has spoken so openly about her own life, and comes as part of a landmark project to boost children’s early years development. She was interviewed on the “Happy Mum Happy Baby” podcast, hosted by Giovanna Fletcher, and hopes to encourage others to share their struggles to spark a nationwide conversation about how to bring up a happy, healthy next generation.
Asked whether it was true she had used hypnobirthing, the Duchess said she had learnt the power of controlling her breathing to combat severe morning sickness, which led to her being admitted to hospital.
“It was through hyperemesis that I really realised the power of the mind over the body because I really had to try everything to try and help me through it,” she said.
Discussing whether it should be seen as “hippy dippy”, she said there are “levels of it”, adding: “I’m not going to say that William was standing there sort of chanting sweet nothings at me. He definitely wasn’t! I didn’t even ask him about it, but it was just something I wanted to do for myself.”
WHEN she stepped out of the Lindo Wing holding peaceful Prince George, admirers across the land wondered how she looked so calm, flawlessly made-up and fit to face the world.
The Duchess of Cambridge has now given an unprecedented insight into just what went on during her pregnancy, labour and first days as a mother in a candid interview which has seen her detail how she has made it work.
From hypnobirthing to practising with a doll, she has lifted the lid on the formative years of her firstborn’s life, in a podcast interview which sees her admit she struggles with elements of motherhood like women throughout the world.
The Duchess, who admitted she was just as nervous as her host, Giovanna Fletcher, said she decided to speak after years of learning about the importance of children’s early years. “It’s been quite a journey, and actually I’m excited now to be talking about this a bit more publicly,” she said, citing a five-question survey she has launched to ask British parents their opinions.
The survey, she said, was aimed at finding “what could be done to help prevent some of these really sad social challenges that I think all of us witness”, intervening to help children early before the cost of fixing problems later on becomes “crazy”.
Of her own parenting journey, she said: “There’s stuff I would have done differently, right at the beginning, considering what I’ve learnt now.”
Lindo Wing pictures
The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken for the first time of the “slightly terrifying” moment she left the Lindo Wing with a newborn Prince George, saying she was so grateful for the public’s support that she chose to “share the joy” with the watching world.
The Duchess, who made front pages around the world as she walked out of hospital with her husband and firstborn son in July 2013, said she and the Duke were “really conscious that everyone was excited” to see the baby future king.
“We’re hugely grateful for the support that the public had shown us, and actually for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public, I felt was really important,” she said. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis shortly after each of their births.
Their cousin Archie made his first appearance with his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a few days later, in a specially arranged photoshoot at Windsor Castle.
Asked what it had been like knowing people, both the excited public and the media, were waiting outside, she laughed: “Yeah, slightly terrifying, slightly terrifying, I’m not going to lie.”
Saying she liked to “compartmentalise” it, she said: “Everyone had been so supportive, and both William and I were really conscious that this was something that everyone was excited about.”
First pregnancy
“I got very bad morning sickness, so I’m not the happiest of pregnant people,” she said, laughing. “Lots of people have it far, far worse, but it was a challenge. Not just for me, but also for your loved ones around you. Being pregnant and having a newborn baby impacts everybody in the family. William didn’t feel he could do much to help, and it’s hard for everyone to see you suffering without actually being able to do anything about it.”
Admitting she felt “utterly rotten”, she added: “I wasn’t eating the things I should be eating – but yet, the body was still able to take all the goodness from my body, and to grow new life, which I think is fascinating.”
Prince George
Asked what it was like to hold her firstborn in her arms after a safe labour, she said: “Amazing. How can the human body do that? It’s utterly extraordinary. And he was very sweet. Also [I was] sort of relieved he was a happy, healthy boy.” Recalling the moment the Duke of Cambridge met their baby, she said: “Seeing the pure joy of his face was really special.
“I think, as parents, we have to try and remember through the