Hi I’m Leonie Darch….
Antenatal Teacher, Hypnotherapist, Birth Doula, and Hypnobirthing geek. I'm a mum to two (not so small) babies and the founder of Birthology.
I have been teaching Hypnobirthing since 2011 after gaining my Professional Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Counselling and going on to study Hypnobirthing, Antenatal Education and Reproductive Health. My teaching approach breaks away from the old stigma of hippy and alternative practices and embraces evidence based techniques and education that will give you control over whatever happens during your labour and birth, leaving you feeling positive and proud of your experience. In 2016 I completed my Doula training with Liliana Lammers and Michel Odent and more recently I have trained with Kicki Hansard at the Birth Bliss Doula Academy.
Why do I teach Hypnobirthing?
Because I did it! I felt it and when I had the opportunity to re-train after the birth of my son in 2010 it didn't take long to choose this new path. Birth is unpredictable and there is often a misconception that birth must be textbook and perfect to be positive. I am here to show you how you can control every turn of your labour and birth and experience the right birth for you on the day.
Since 2011 I have made birth my business, working alongside other practitioners and NHS maternity services to represent the pregnant family and campaigning to make birth rights a priority. In the UK we have incredible choice about our births, where we can birth and who supports us, but with choice comes anxiety and I will help you make sense of these decisions.
I am Chair Person of the Warwickshire Pregnancy and Birth Network and I am a User Representative on the South Warwickshire Foundation Trust NHS Maternity Voice Partnership. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role of these two organisations in Warwickshire.
Experience and skills are important when choosing the right Hypnobirthing Teacher or Doula but equally so is rapport and connection. My (virtual) door is always open so please give me a call on 07930 830130 to chat or ask any questions that you may have.
Leonie Darch - My Backstory
When I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter something about birth just didn't quite add up for me....
How can it be that my body knows how to grow a tiny human being, yet everything that I was reading about birth was filling me with anxiety and worry. Birth seemed to be this medical experience with pain and drugs and interventions.
When I spoke to friends about their own births they seem to reinforce this message.
So my birth journey began. I discovered the work of Marie Mongan, the founder of the term ‘Hypnobirthing’ and everything changed. Yes, biology is important but what is equally, if not more important is your mind.
When my second baby was born in 2010 I embarked on a new career as a Hypnobirthing Teacher and Hypnotherapist. This was closely followed by training as a Birth Doula, in Mindfulness for Birth and Aromatherapy for Birth. Over the years I have supported hundreds of couples prepare for birth, and with every baby born I learnt a little more. I have learnt how to protect the birth experience, how to help mothers reduce stress and anxiety, to gain control and feel positive, confident and empowered.
During the pandemic I realised that hypnobirthing was only part of what was now needed. The birthing world was changing and the transition into motherhood was bringing with it new emotions and challenges. It is in this postnatal period that mums really need understanding and peer support.
My services in Birthology are designed to be with you from the early stages of pregnancy right through to motherhood, helping you make sense of each stage, feel in control and emotionally well as you travel on your parenting journey.
Ready to find out more?
Training and Accreditations - Leonie Darch Dip Hyp CS, GHR, GQHP, HBCE
Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills (Dip Hyp CS) - The Hypnotherapy Society (2011)
General Qualification Hypnotherapy Practice GQHP (2011)
Hypnobirthing Childbirth Education Practitioner HBCE - The Hypnobirthing Institute (Morgan Method) (2011) / The Wise Hippo (2013)
Mindfulness for Pregnancy and Childbirth - The University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre (2014)
Birth Doula - The Birthbliss Academy (2020) / Paramonda Doula (2016)
BA Hons Counselling and the Psychotherapeutic Relationship - the University of Warwick (Ongoing)