HypnoBirthing® is self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to be used for pain relief during labour and childbirth.
HypnoBirthing® is suitable for first time mums and mums who have had children before.
We help women who are scared of birth because they have never done it before, who are anxious because of a bad experience last time, or who just want a calm, easier, more natural birth experience.
If you are pregnant and looking for an alternative to the over-medicalised, pain is inevitable, "gimmie all the drugs" mindset, then HypnoBirthing® is for you!
For many people the word hypnosis conjures up a swinging pendulum or '3,2,1 and you're back in the room' kind of thing! With HypnoBirthing® you will not be 'out of it' or in a trance or asleep, instead, you will be aware of what is going on and be able to 'tune out' the distractions going into a state of deep relaxation and aware of your body and your baby's progress.
Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of! Unfortunately media and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken view of what hypnosis is and what it can (and can't) do.
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind, think of sitting reading a book or watching a fire, you can become so engrossed in it that you just tune out everything else, but are still aware of what is going on around you. This is hypnosis.
Hypnotherapy in HypnoBirthing® is where we induce this natural state of relaxation and use it to release negative thoughts and fears surrounding birth and to re-enforce positive thoughts and visualisations to help you to achieve a calm and easier birth.
There are many factors which could affect the outcome of childbirth and sometimes these are out with our control. Like most things, the success of the techniques is related to the amount of practice we put in. So whilst we cannot 100% guarantee a pain free birth, here are some statistics which might explain what is achievable:
-
65-70% of HypnoBirthing® mums dont need any form of pain relief
-
Nearly all the mums in this category dont experience any pain - just pressure.
-
Around a further 20-25% only require mild analgesia, such as gas & air.
-
The remaining 5-10% usually fall into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical intervention is required. However the HypnoBirthing® mums still report that HypnoBirthing® really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean section.
The aim of HypnoBirthing® is not a completely pain free and picture perfect 'natural' birth (although this is possible). It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth, where you are in control and in a way that most mirrors nature.
Unlike other antenatal classes, the HypnoBirthing® course is particularly special because it creates an integral role for the father or the birth companion. Instead of your birth companion feeling like a helpless onlooker, the course allows them to feel involved and informed and therefore in a better position to support you throughout pregnancy and birth. So it is ideal that you attend the classes with your birth companion, however women wishing to attend alone can of course do so and still benefit entirely from the course.
Marie Mongan's book provides a comprehensive guide to the history and theory of HypnoBirthing®. However it is important to support this with the practical skills of hypnosis and relaxation which are best demonstrated by a certified HypnoBirthing® practitioner. After all you wouldn't buy a book on learning how to drive, then expect to get in a car and drive to Edinburgh!
You will undergo tuition in the classes as well as fear release therapy and demonstrations of specific breathing techniques. In addition to this, the classes are the best way to enhance your birth companion's role as they learn techniques and scripts for hypnosis to aid you in concentration and relaxation.
