10/11/2025
Happy 29th birthday to our original Hypno-babe. Born 10th1996.
Hypnotherapist Sandie Ashing and stage hypnotist Stuart Ashing welcomed baby Simon into the world on 10th October 1996.
Simon was the first baby in the UK born using "self hypnosis" methods, and the first of many to follow the guidelines mapped out by the Ashings for more comfortable delivery.
Simon's story caught the attention of the local media in the Ashings then home town of Whitley Bay, who wrote a catchy article entitled ' Hypno Babe has us entranced"
Other newspapers picked up on the story and finally Women's Own magazine were granted the full exclusive story in 1997.
"The word 'Hypno-Bitthing did not exist back then, " Sandie says. "We were simply a hypnotic couple who had put our knowledge together, using a combination of deep breathing, visualization, and relaxation to help release fears and allow my body to birth as mother nature intended, creating a calm state of mind that led to a gentler and more comfortable birthing experience.
8lb 10oz Simon was delivered in only 4 minutes, pain free in one of the most calmest births midwives at the hospital had witnessed.
Fascinated by what had happened, watching Sandie put herself into an altered state of trance they wanted to know more, and quizzed the couple for more details over the following weeks.
They explained and taught their ideas to local midwives at the North Tyneside Hospital, their techniques and guidance initially, spread through word-of-mouth, grew in popularity as more and more women who had used the techniques shared them with their friends.
A beautiful extension of this story happened 2006, when Sandie held her own daughters hand, whispering calming hypnotic words in her ear as she gave birth to Sandie's first granddaughter Charlie.
But our story is far from over as 19 years later to that very day, the next generation made his appearance in August 2025,.baby Theodore was welcomed into the world.
Charlie did a few Hypnosis sessions over zoom with grandma Sandie, now living in Southern Spain, on the run up to delivery day to help her be more relaxed and calm during labor.
"I created an audio for Charlie to use during the birth to help induce and anchor that calm trance state, as fear causes tension, which can lead to pain during labor, so by releasing fear, a woman's body can naturally birth with less discomfort" explained Sandie.
And as the circle of life continues, it just so happens that baby Theodore was born on his mum's birthday, 19 years to the day, also listening to the calming voice of his great grandma. ( via the audio)
The Ashings moved to Spain in 2005 and established Lux Therapy clinic where they not only work with patients, they also train clinical Hypnotherapists, as you can imagine one of Sandies favourite modules to teach is Hypno-birthing the Ashing way.
