Hypnobirthing? What’s that? Basically, it is a natural birthing technique without any medication, that uses self-hypnosis techniques to combat fear and pain during labor. The result: you’re not screaming in agony (like the typical birthing scene in films!), you’re not linked up to all those bleeping machines in a brightly lit room with doctors and nurses running around you, and you’re not pumped full of painkiller meds. Instead, birthing becomes a connective, intensely powerful female experience.   That’s why more and more women are opting out of the traditional hospital birth, and going for natural hypnobirthing instead. Like today’s co-host Laura Petersen (which you know from some of our previous episodes). Laura is a best-selling author and self-publishing coach, and she’s expecting her first child. She’s opted for a natural hospital birth using the Mongan Method.   Melissa Tucker, podcast host and marketing expert, has one of the most intriguing birth stories we’ve ever heard. After having two children the traditional, hospitalized, way, she was inspired to go natural. For her third child, she chose home hypnobirthing. Without epidurals, without drugs, and without doctors, she used self-hypnosis to keep herself calm, focused and centered. The experience was so magical, she wanted to do it all over again.   Katherine Maslen is a clinical naturopath, nutritionist, author, and host of the Shift podcast. And she too has an amazing natural birth story. But you’ll have to listen to the episode for the details!   Here are the best resources if you want to research alternatives to hospital childbirth:   Watch the Business of Being Born documentary The Birth Education Centre in San Diego Hypnobabies The Mongan Method www.evidencebasedbirth.com Research your doctor and your hospital (some have higher rates of c-sections than others) Listen to Katherine’s podcast The Shift.   You can connect with Melissa via her website www.MelissaSueTucker.com. You can connect with Laura via Instagram @LaptopLaura or her website www.copythatpops.com. And you can connect with Katherine via her website https://www.theshiftclinic.com/ or https://katherinemaslen.com/   Being hailed as “Sex and the City for Food,” The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU!   The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy – two self-proclaimed natural chicks who will rock your world and change your beliefs about health! This sexy, savvy duo provides eco-friendly advice on a variety of issues including the healing power of nutrition, living authentically, turning your passion into your career, choosing the best natural health and beauty products, the benefits of a plant-based diet and so much more!