What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is the term used to describe using hypnosis in childbirth. It teaches you simple self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to help you have a calmer, less painful birth. With the ultimate goal being to give you back control and a better chance of feeling relaxed, calm and happier throughout.
What happens in the classes?
Every therapist will run slightly different session with varying techniques which all work towards the same outcome. Hypnobirthing essentially helps you change your mindset and alters the way you think and talk about labour and birth. For example, your teacher may talk about ‘tightenings’ or ‘surges’, rather than painful contractions - helping you feel more positive about your ability to give birth. You'll also learn about best positions for labour and birth, deep relaxation, self-hypnosis and breathing techniques.
Can my partner be involved?
During pregnancy and labour partners can often feel left out. If Hypnobirthing is something that you both decide on, it can be a wonderful way for you to work together towards a more relaxed labour. While sessions focus greatly on the mother giving birth there is also a great deal that your partner can learn in the classes. Such as, massage techniques, and positive things to say to help during labour.
Will I be awake?
During the birth you will be completely aware of what is happening to you and around you, you will not be in a trance or a sleep. Rather, you will be in full control and be able to communicate while feeling more relaxed.
Does hypnobirthing work?
Many studies have suggested that self-hypnosis during labour can reduce pain, create a more positive experience during childbirth, shorten the length of labour and help more women go home sooner after childbirth.
Is Hypnobirthing for me?
Many hypnobirthing practitioners are trained medical practitioners with other training such as midwives or nurses and their use of hypnotherapy then complements their medical experience and knowledge. Others may be trained doulas. Such practitioners are likely to be equipped to give the best advice and treatment. Other hypnotherapy practitioners may have undertaken specialist hypnobirthing training.
It is important that all hypnobirthing practitioners understand the distinction between what a normal pregnancy and birth process is and what is not. It would be unethical for a practitioner to believe they can alleviate symptoms which might arise during pregnancy rather than refer the client back to the doctor, and changes in health such as lowered blood pressure should be treated with caution. It would also be unethical for a practitioner to lead a client to believe that hypnosis will remove the need for pain relief medication during labour – as this cannot be guaranteed – so it must be treated as just one more choice which is available.
We strongly recommend that you choose an National Hypnotherapy Society ccredited practitioner of hypnotherapy who has undertaken specialist hypnobirthing training.
Further information:
https://www.nct.org.uk/information/labour-birth/pain-labour/hypnobirthing-where-start
https://www.thehypnobirthingassociation.com/
Antenatal and hypnobirthing classes - Start for Life – NHS