WHEN people think of hypnotism, pocket watches and chants of "look into my eyes" come to mind - not to mention the cheeky Little Britain character who entrances people so he can cheat in games of Scrabble.

A great party trick, maybe, but to use it to give birth to your child? Now that is a different matter.

One St Albans mother who used the technique to give birth to her first child swears by it.

Claire Thrift, 30, from Inkerman Road, decided to have a 'hypnobirth' after she went to a baby show in Birmingham and saw a video of a mother giving birth in complete silence - without a single scream.

Hypnotic techniques have offered us everything in recent years, with people like Paul McKenna making a fortune through books like I Can Make You Rich, I Can Make You Thin, Instant Confidence, Quit Smoking Today Without Gaining Weight and Get the Life You Want.

It seems symptomatic of the modern age that for every complex problem or formidable challenge there are at least ten have your cake and eat it solutions on topics ranging from poverty to obesity to drug and alcohol addiction.

But aren't these alleged "hypnosis" schemes not just another way for cunning entrepreneurs to fill their pockets?

Claire told me: "I was sceptical too, because I'm not much of a spiritual person. It all seemed a bit weird and a bit hippy.

"I assumed I would have a hospital birth, as it’s just the done thing.

"But when I was in labour with my son Evan, it was almost enjoyable."

HypnoBirthing, established as a technique in 1990, teaches mothers how to reach a "deep state of relaxation," without using any drugs, to give birth naturally and, allegedly, painlessly.

"It is a way of telling your body you do not have to be affected by pain," Claire said.

"It's the build-up that makes it hurt, and they teach you to get away from all that."

She attended four classes at Welwyn Garden City-based practice BirthEasy, which uses the technique, and in the last week of her pregnancy, bought a pregnancy pool and decided to give birth in her own home in water.

She said: "I thought it would be more comfortable, and the birth would be more relaxing - and less painful."

BirthEasy, a partnership of three practitoners who operate from the Backhouse Room in Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, say: "We all go in and out of hypnotic states naturally on a regular basis. Hypnosis is simply a feeling of relaxed concentration, just like when you are absorbed in a good film."

They teach mothers relaxation and breathing techniques, the best positions to give birth in, and teach husbands, boyfriends and partners how to give soothing massages.

Contractions are referred to as "surges" by practitioners and the term "special circumstances"

replaces "complications" to remove the traditional mental associations of pain with childbirth.

Practitioner Fiona McCulloch, who, like her two partners is certified by the Hypnobirthing Institute, said: "We try to use softer, more positive language in our birthing techniques, so it is less medicalised.

"For instance, we say we are 'birthing' rather than 'delivering' the child, because the baby is not like a pizza."

But the lengthy list of approved euphemisms lacks any alternative for "labour" – doubtless it sounds a bit too much like hard work.

Claire, who gave birth to a perfectly healthy Evan (seven pounds, 11 and a half ounces) six months ago, said: "I can honestly say I felt no pain during child birth.

"I would definitely recommend this option to other women.

"The labour was the easy bit. Bringing Evan up is the hard bit. He has constant deadlines to meet to keep him healthy. It’s exhausting, but the best thing I have ever done."