Birth isn't what you see on tv: why hypnobirthing is the GAme-changer you didn't know you needed

If you close your eyes and picture someone giving birth, what do you see?

For most people, it’s a dramatic scene: screaming, panic, shouting, and someone yelling “push!” in a brightly lit hospital room. It’s loud, urgent, and usually terrifying. And if this is the version of birth you’ve grown up seeing on screen—it’s no wonder so many people approach pregnancy filled with fear.

But here’s the truth: birth doesn’t have to be like that. And more often than not, it isn’t.

How the Media Shapes Our Fears About Birth

We’ve been conditioned by decades of film and television to believe that birth is an emergency from the start. From sitcom punchlines to gritty dramas, birth is often portrayed as a crisis: the waters gush dramatically, someone’s rushed into hospital, chaos ensues, and it all happens in ten minutes or less.

The problem with these portrayals is that they leave no room for reality—or for nuance. They ignore the calm, quiet, powerful births that happen every day. They erase choice, informed decision-making, and the deeply intuitive nature of birth.

And for those who are pregnant or planning a family, this representation matters. Fear impacts how we experience labour. It affects our physiology, our mindset, and even the choices we feel we’re allowed to make.

Why Hypnobirthing Changes Everything

This is where Hypnobirthing comes in—not as a trend, but as a mindset shift.

Hypnobirthing teaches you how birth actually works. It gives you tools to calm your nervous system, manage fear, and work with your body—not against it. It helps you understand your rights and options, and approach birth feeling empowered, rather than powerless.

Whether your birth unfolds exactly how you hope or takes unexpected turns, Hypnobirthing gives you the inner resources and confidence to stay grounded and involved in the process.

Gillian’s Story: From Fear to Advocacy

In the first episode of Series Three of This Is Birth podcast, I spoke to Gillian—a mum who went from being completely petrified of giving birth to becoming an advocate for better media representation and maternity care.

Her turning point came when she realised just how much the media had shaped her fear. Through Hypnobirthing, she was able to release that fear, tune into her body, and go on to have a positive induction birth—a story we don’t hear often enough.

Now, she’s on a mission to change the narrative. Gillian has spoken to television writing students about how birth is portrayed on screen, taken part in national conversations about maternity care, and is now Chair of her local Maternity Voices Partnership.

Her story is powerful, personal, and so needed—and it’s the perfect way to kick off this new series.

Listen Now: Series 3, Episode 1 of This Is Birth

If you’ve ever felt anxious about birth, frustrated by what you’ve seen on screen, or just curious to hear a different kind of story, this episode is for you.

Tune in now and hear Gillian’s story in her own words—and discover how Hypnobirthing can change the way you approach birth, too.