We're kicking off a new series of articles to help prospective students get to know our local Hypnobabies Twin Cities Instructors. Enjoy!

Hi- I'm Anne Ferguson. I'm a certified Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor, a certified birth doula through DONA International, a La Leche League Leader (breastfeeding support) and a placenta arts specialist (soon to be certified through APPA.)
I decided to become a Hypnobabies instructor in the fall of 2011. I knew I want to be a childbirth educator when I became a birth doula in the spring of 2011, but I didn't know which method I wanted to teach. I had audited a Bradley class and wanted to check out some other options. A colleague told me how wonderful Hypnobabies was and I decided to check it out. That night, I went home and they had just announced their next instructor training that day, which was to take place the following spring. I took that has a sign from the universe that this was meant to be!
I decided to become a Hypnobabies instructor in the fall of 2011. I knew I want to be a childbirth educator when I became a birth doula in the spring of 2011, but I didn't know which method I wanted to teach. I had audited a Bradley class and wanted to check out some other options. A colleague told me how wonderful Hypnobabies was and I decided to check it out. That night, I went home and they had just announced their next instructor training that day, which was to take place the following spring. I took that has a sign from the universe that this was meant to be!
As far as my birth philosophy, I believe the most important thing is for couples to be educated, empowered, and in control of their choices during pregnancy, birth, and after the baby arrives. Natural birth is wonderful and avoiding interventions has many benefits, but sometimes interventions are needed, and those births can be really great too. At the end of the day, no matter what path the birth took, I want families to feel like they called the shots, and to feel good about everything that happened, as much as that is possible. Too many people go in to birth uneducated and put all the power and control in the hands of their provider, and many of those people can feel very traumatized by their birth experience. My goal as a doula and educator is to create positive birth experiences, whatever that may mean for any given family. I also feel very strongly that the #1 thing a couple can do to have the birth they desire is to carefully choose their care provider, and find someone who specializes in the type of birth they are planning. We are very lucky in the Twin Cities to have every type of option available!
I was raised in Bloomington, MN and left the state for four years to attend college at Notre Dame before returning to Minnesota. My degree is in sociology and anthropology. Before birth work I was an HR trainer, an event planner and I ran the Dairy Queen my family owns! I was then privileged to stay home with my boys for the first years of their lives. I live in Eden Prairie with my husband and our two sons.
My first son was born in a hospital with the support of my husband, my doula (who was a friend), my midwife, the nurses, my mom, and my sister-in-law who took videos and pictures. Yes, it was a party! We had "Friends" DVDs playing in the background to distract me and add some humor and laughter (i.e oxytocin!) I lucked out and had a very straightforward birth and was able to avoid pain medications. A resident actually came in towards the end of the birth as well and told me later that mine was the first natural birth she had witnessed so far in her two weeks at that hospital. Wow!
My second son was a planned home birth and it was an amazing experience. I was again surrounded by my family and three fabulous midwives. I didn't know about Hypnobabies for either of my births and although our family is complete, I do wish I could give birth again to experience Hypnobabies because I've witnessed how amazing birth can be when using these tools.
In my four years of doula work so far, I've seen lots of wonderful births, and some very challenging ones as well. I love working with all types of families and all types of birth settings: hospital, birth center and home. As priorities have shifted I have cut back on doula work to about one birth per month but it is still a big part of my passion for birth. I strongly encourage you to hire a doula for your birth. It is so worth it, in ways you can't even imagine!
My first son was born in a hospital with the support of my husband, my doula (who was a friend), my midwife, the nurses, my mom, and my sister-in-law who took videos and pictures. Yes, it was a party! We had "Friends" DVDs playing in the background to distract me and add some humor and laughter (i.e oxytocin!) I lucked out and had a very straightforward birth and was able to avoid pain medications. A resident actually came in towards the end of the birth as well and told me later that mine was the first natural birth she had witnessed so far in her two weeks at that hospital. Wow!
My second son was a planned home birth and it was an amazing experience. I was again surrounded by my family and three fabulous midwives. I didn't know about Hypnobabies for either of my births and although our family is complete, I do wish I could give birth again to experience Hypnobabies because I've witnessed how amazing birth can be when using these tools.
In my four years of doula work so far, I've seen lots of wonderful births, and some very challenging ones as well. I love working with all types of families and all types of birth settings: hospital, birth center and home. As priorities have shifted I have cut back on doula work to about one birth per month but it is still a big part of my passion for birth. I strongly encourage you to hire a doula for your birth. It is so worth it, in ways you can't even imagine!
I'd love to have you join one of my upcoming Hypnobabies classes! You can find my current class schedule and how many spaces are left in the "About" section of my Facebook page. My classes take place on Sundays in Minnetonka near Ridgedale Mall.
I also teach Home Study Advantage (HSA) classes for individuals using the Hypnobabies home study. You can choose a private HSA in your home, or a Group class. More information about HSAs can be found here.
If you are looking for breastfeeding classes, I highly recommend checking out MamaWise Lactation, which is owned by my friend and colleague Vickie Albright. We both teach breastfeeding classes and she is an IBCLC (board-certified lactation consultant) who comes to your home to support you with breastfeeding if needed.
My business is called Bywater Birth and I have some wonderful partners who offer placenta encapsulation with me. You can find us at www.bywaterbirth.com to learn more. I also manage the website www.minnesotaplacenta.com. Is your placenta in your postpartum plan? :)
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little bit more. I look forward to meeting you!
I also teach Home Study Advantage (HSA) classes for individuals using the Hypnobabies home study. You can choose a private HSA in your home, or a Group class. More information about HSAs can be found here.
If you are looking for breastfeeding classes, I highly recommend checking out MamaWise Lactation, which is owned by my friend and colleague Vickie Albright. We both teach breastfeeding classes and she is an IBCLC (board-certified lactation consultant) who comes to your home to support you with breastfeeding if needed.
My business is called Bywater Birth and I have some wonderful partners who offer placenta encapsulation with me. You can find us at www.bywaterbirth.com to learn more. I also manage the website www.minnesotaplacenta.com. Is your placenta in your postpartum plan? :)
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me a little bit more. I look forward to meeting you!