Visualise, breathe and relax...

HYPNOBIRTHING uses visualisation, relaxation and deep breathing to help women manage pain during labour and birth.

Proponents claim the practice – which has been used as far back as the mid-1800s – helps women control stress and pain in delivery.

Its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years as the number of women who want a more natural birth rises.

The technique has recently made headlines due to celebrity fans, including US actress Jessica Alba and model Gisele Bundchen.

However, even though some NHS trusts now offer the technique there is limited scientific proof of its effectiveness.

An Nhs-funded study of 680 women in 2013 showed women trained in hypnobirthing were no less likely to receive epidural pain relief.

The results did reveal that the therapy reduced postnatal anxiety and fear of childbirth for some women.