Expert Lynsey on the job she was born to do

One of the course’s sessions is devoted to the role of the birthing partner.

She runs taster sessions for couples who want to find out more – and to provide answers to cynical partners who may question any nonconformist ways of bringing new life into the world. “I assure them that I’m not going to do a Derren Brown or Paul McKenna on them, and pull out a pocket watch and take over minds,” promised Lynsey, 38, who says hypnobirthing puts the expectant mum in a deeply relaxed state while remaining aware throughout.

“If you were out doing a run and getting chased by someone, fight or flight kicks in. The blood goes to your arms and legs and heart and lungs to help you get out of that dangerous situation.

“The exact same thing happens in labour. If you are scared or frightened, the blood moves away from the uterus.

“The uterus is not getting oxygen or blood supply, and that makes labour painful, uncomfortable and long. It’s therapeutic hypnosis – not mind control.”

As she had done with Jonah, Lynsey, of

East Kilbride, used hypnobirthing in the run-up to and during the birth of baby daughter, Sofia, now aged four.

The births of both her children were very different. Because Jonah was predicted to be a big baby and was positioned awkwardly, he was delivered by Caesarean section, weighing in at 9lbs. His little sister was delivered naturally in a birthing pool with no pain relief, weighing 8lbs 13oz.

In January 2018, she added another dimension to her business, after she was asked to support one of her clients as an additional birthing partner in their home birth.