Birth & More | Birth Options

Giving birth naturally: Hypnobirthing and Childbirth

A Dream delivery
Hypnotherapy and pain relief

For most people, the word “hypnosis” conjures up visions of a suspicious-looking therapist dangling a watch in the face of a dazed and intimidated patient. We have Hollywood to thank for this misconception and, thankfully, the field of hypnotherapy has traversed this comical stereotype due to the fantastic results that it can offer the willing patient.

For the pregnant woman determined to go the natural route, hypnotherapy is an incredibly powerful form of pain relief. At its most basic level, hypnotherapy is the practice of applying hypnotism as a remedy to achieve various therapeutic results. Growing rapidly in popularity amongst women preparing for childbirth, this ancient form of mind control offers heaps of benefits.

Read on as we demystify the subject of hypnotherapy as a birthing tool.

Neither dazed nor confused
How hypnotherapy works

Although hypnotherapy has been used during pregnancy and childbirth for centuries, it has experienced a massive resurgence in the past three decades. Various practitioners have perfected and registered specific techniques, which are now employed by hypnotherapists around the world.

Most notably, Marie Mongan pioneered HypnoBirthing® (also known as the Mongan Method) after employing the techniques advocated by Dr Grantly Dick-Read, the British obstetrician who is widely thought to have been the father of the natural childbirth movement. HypnoBirthing® practitioners are now found in almost every main centre worldwide, although many other therapists offer different techniques with very positive results.

No matter which specific type of hypnotherapy is employed, the concept and techniques of hypnobirthing remains the same

• Improved prenatal health and sleep patterns
• Reduced morning sickness
• A relaxed and calm state
• Heightened energy and awareness
• Control over the labour process
• Shorter labour
• Decreased anxiety, fear and shock
• Less discomfort and tension
• Well-practised mothers can use their skills to turn breech and posterior babies
• Less likelihood of medication and intervention
• An exhilarating, pain-free birth
• Positive feelings and memories of pregnancy and childbirth
• Faster postnatal recovery
• Lower risk of postnatal depression
• Strong mother-child bond
• Calmer, happier babies who sleep and nurse well

Staying in for a spell
The benefits of hypnotherapy-assisted childbirth

The birth of her baby is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life. All too often, though, this special moment can be lost in a haze of pain and drug-induced confusion. Hypnotherapy offers the ultimate objective: to experience the entire miracle of the birth, without pain, anxiety or trauma.

Benefits of hypnotherapy include:

• Improved prenatal health and sleep patterns
• Reduced morning sickness
• A relaxed and calm state
• Heightened energy and awareness
• Control over the labour process
• Shorter labour
• Decreased anxiety, fear and shock
• Less discomfort and tension
• Well-practised mothers can use their skills to turn breech and posterior babies
• Less likelihood of medication and intervention
• An exhilarating, pain-free birth
• Positive feelings and memories of pregnancy and childbirth
• Faster postnatal recovery
• Lower risk of postnatal depression
• Strong mother-child bond
• Calmer, happier babies who sleep and nurse well

Zoning in
Is hypnotherapy for you?

Offering many advantages and few drawbacks, hypnotherapy is an exciting option when weighing up pain-control options during pregnancy and childbirth. But, because we’re all individuals, what works for one woman may not work for another.

Before you make any further decisions, we suggest you:

• Talk to your partner
• Do further research on hypnotherapy
• Make a list of your expectations
• Talk to your doctor or midwife about hypnotherapy
• Find a local registered therapist and discuss your options

We’re sure that you’ll be utterly entranced by the experience.
Good luck!

Click here to submit your personal Hypnobirthing story.

References:
www.mebmd.comwww.brisbanehypnosis.com.au
www.babyexpert.com
www.childbirthsolutions.com
www.hypnobirthing.com
www.posihd.com
www.homebirth.org.uk
www.hypnotherapy.co.za