Just the thought of tasting a lemon was enough to make Veronica Stokes’ mouth water.

But that seemingly small exercise in the power of suggestion was to have a much bigger benefit than the first time mum-to-be could possibly have imagined.

Veronica was so scared of the prospect of giving birth that the 29-year-old from Wolverhampton enrolled in an innovative hypnobirthing course at the city’s New Cross Hospital.

And, after learning vital relaxation and deep breathing techniques, she was able to enjoy a pain-free delivery – to 6lbs 14oz daughter Zofia – on February 2, 2011.

Mum-to-be put off giving birth by TV programmes and friends

Veronica said: "Before I heard about hypnobirthing I was really scared about giving birth.

"I had seen programmes on the telly like One Born Every Minute, and also friends I had spoken to, about how traumatic childbirth was and how painful it was.

"It was coming from everywhere – 90% of people who had heard information about it were negative, so I was really scared, especially as I had never had much in the way of operations before."

Veronica had found out about hypnobirthing from the internet, but said she was put off by the cost of using private companies.

But, by chance, she met New Cross midwife Angela Lycett, who was running a hypnobirthing programme at the hospital, during aquanatal classes at a neighbouring leisure centre.

"Angie said she was running this course and was something I could do, although my partner, Arthur, was skeptical at the time."

Hypnobirthing sessions made Veronica deeply relaxed

Veronica recalled: "It was weird to begin with.

"I have never been hypnotised before but, for me, it was more like being in a very relaxed state than under a spell.

"You are aware of what’s going on but you are so deeply relaxed.

"And so, when she did this exercise about tasting a lemon in my mouth I could actually feel my mouth watering."

The relaxation sessions continued over a four week period, leading up to the women – most of whom were first time mothers - going into labour.

"Whatever she said, I was experiencing, so when she wanted me to make my hand numb, it actually did go numb."

And that technique proved invaluable when Veronica was in the delivery room.

"I enjoyed the course but I still wasn’t sure that I would have a positive experience. But I did the relaxation and I just had such a wonderful birth - a water birth - which was just fabulous.

"I didn’t have any gas and air, I stayed calm and controlled and hardly felt anything. I didn’t realise it could be that positive."

No painkillers during hypnobirth as baby arrives in just over an hour

In fact, from entering the birthing pool at 2pm, baby Zofia was born just 75 minutes later at 3.15pm.

"I am just so glad that I did it and would definitely have needed painkillers if I hadn’t done the course.

"When I was giving birth I tried to put my mind somewhere else and not fix on the part of the body where the baby was coming from. And it definitely worked.

"You can feel something is happening but, because of the breathing techniques I had learnt, you go with the body. As long as you can breathe your way through it and be relaxed, it was more like cramp.

"I would certainly recommend it to other mums."

Due for review October 2013