jill buchanan, certified hypnobirhting educator

I began my nursing career in a community hospital in central PA beginning in the late 1970's. Over the next decade I saw the penthrane gas mask and leather wrist restraints disappear and fetal monitors, ultrasound and birthing rooms enter the scene.  Similar to now, this was a time when women were realizing that birth was a normal process that could unfold without medical intervention the majority of the time. At the same time medical technologies were being developed and their role in obstetrics explored and tested.

My own children were born in 1980, 1982 and 1985 at home with my husband Scot, chosen family and midwife Mary in attendance,(except the third who came too quickly and was "caught" by her dad). My experience as a childbirth educator began during this time, offering Informed Homebirth classes. In 1986 I was accepted into the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program affiliated with Planned Parenthood and the University of Pennsylvania. We moved the family to Philadelphia for the training and on our return to Central PA my career took a turn in the direction of pregnancy prevention rather than pregnancy support. Now after several decades of working in the College of Health at Pennsylvania State University in State College, I am returning to this original calling, supporting women and their loved one's in the journey of pregnancy,birth and beyond! I re-enter this arena realizing that the current culture has not been kind to the image of women and their ability to birth.  Cultural beliefs that undermine a womans' confidence in the bodies innate capabilities abound. And childbearing women are understandably rattled.

HypnoBirthing helps guide families to the intrinsic means by which they are capable of all that their biology requires on this journey. By examining birth aspirations and fears, responsibilities and choices, parents and others supporting them during this amazing time of transformation can enter into the dance of birth with confidence, calm and joy. Wouldn't you want this kind of welcome for your baby?

Through connection to breath, facilitating deep relaxation and utilizing the power of intention and imagery to create a sense of capability and positive expectancy, women and their partners can prepare in order to let go and trust the body's inner wisdom.

As a TriYoga instructor of 8 years (to see when I'm teaching my next yoga class in State College, Bellefonte, or Spring Mills, click here) and student for 14, these are concepts and approaches common to both practices: the connection of body, mind and spirit.

Join me for the HypnoBirthing class series and prepare through it's time-tested techniques and affirming experiences.

For more information on all of my services contact me via the website.