HypnoBirthing is a childbirth
method that focuses on preparing parents for gentle birth. In
HypnoBirthing classes, you will learn proven techniques in a
well-thought-out program of deep relaxation, visualization,
and self-hypnosis. All of these are designed to help you achieve a more
comfortable birth. HypnoBirthing encourages a calm,
peaceful, and natural pregnancy, birth, and bonding
experience for families.
Unlike other childbirth
methods that teach you how to cope with and manage pain,
HypnoBirthing is based on the premise that childbirth does
not necessarily need to be painful if the mother is properly
prepared and relaxed. When women understand that pain is
caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear, they learn,
instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel
good hormones. They are then able to change their
expectations of long, painful labor and are able to replace
them with expectations of a more comfortable birthing. Rather than
exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques
of typical “prepared childbirth” programs, HypnoBirthing
parents learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation,
enabling the laboring mother to work in harmony with her
body and her baby. This allows her to achieve a shorter and more
comfortable labor for herself and baby.
The Birth Companion of the
mother’s choice is an integral part of the HypnoBirthing
experience. He or she practices with the mother in helping
to prepare for deep relaxation. During labor the Birth
Companion guides the laboring mother through hypnosis
prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and
visualizations, provides comfort measures, and joins in
welcoming the new baby, often by receiving the baby as he
emerges.
Despite misconceptions and
misinformation, you are definitely not unconscious during
self-hypnosis. The HypnoBirthing mother is deeply relaxed,
but she is also an active participant in the labor process.
Though she is deeply relaxed, she is totally aware and may
return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile
whenever she desires. HypnoBirthing mothers often find that
they experience time distortion and are not distracted by
other people or their birthing environment, while they focus
on their birthing and their baby.
Will HypnoBirthing be useful to
me if I don't opt for a natural childbirth or if
circumstances necessitate medical intervention or a
surgical birth?
Absolutely. The things
you will learn in your HypnoBirthing classes will help
you to learn relaxation skills that will be useful to
both you and your baby, regardless of your birth
experience. In the event that medical intervention
of any sort is needed, you will find yourself better
able to remain calm and in control. Mothers who
have needed scheduled cesareans for medical reasons
report that they were totally relaxed before, during and
after the procedure. Many report that they needed
little or no medication following the birth, and they
were able to return to normal functioning in a very
short period of time.
HypnoBirthing does not
promise painless birthing, though many HypnoBirthing mothers
do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that
they were able to manage easily. When the cause of
pain--fear that constricts the birthing muscles—is
eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period
and much more comfortably. A relaxed mother’s body will
produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants.
HypnoBirthing mothers may still experience sensations of
tightening or pressure; but most describe their
birth experience as working with their body through the
sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is
frequently spoken of by women who choose other methods of
preparation for birthing.
More and more care providers
are becoming aware of the benefits of HypnoBirthing. Many
hospitals offer HypnoBirthing as an option in their
childbirth education programs, and HypnoBirthing is now
taught in some schools of medicine to student doctors. If
your care giver is not knowledgeable about HypnoBirthing,
take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the
techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing
environment that you desire. In class, you will learn how
to create a plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you
to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your
doctor or midwife. Also, your HypnoBirthing instructor will
contact your provider with information on HypnoBirthing.
Can HypnoBirthing be
beneficial to someone who has special circumstances or
who must have a C-section?
HypnoBirthing is beneficial to Moms who must have a
C-section.
(click here to read)
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