Hypnosis has long been used as a calming tool to rid the mind of fear and anxiety. It can be especially beneficial for certain moms during pregnancy and childbirth. This is the form of HypnoBirthing, which can help you prepare for the big day ahead. For moms who wish to have a more natural birth, hypnobirthing classes can make the process easier. Not sure if hypnosis, or HypnoBirthing, is right for you? This article can help you.
What Is HypnoBirthing?
The word hypnosis means a procedure in which a person experiences desired changes in:
- sensation,
- perception,
- thought
- or behavior.
One particular branded version of hypnosis during the birth process is known as HypnoBirthing.
This basic idea has been around for decades. But the specific word coined in the 1989 book HypnoBirthing. HypnoBirthing seeks to help a woman cope with any fears or anxieties. It involves various relaxation and self-hypnosis strategies. This helps the body recover before and during labor and birth.
The concept is that when the body and mind are in a fully stable state, birth can happen more naturally and painlessly. So the body does not combat the natural process.
Is Hypnobirthing Proven To Work?
A 2015 NHS self-hypnosis research found that these methods did not differentiate the pain relief needed or the birth process (natural, instrumental, or c-section) compared to the control group. But anxiety feelings are seen to reduce.
Meanwhile, a small Australian study of 77 women in 2006 found that women using hypnobirthing methods were less likely to have epidural vs. control, 36% vs. 53%.
When it comes to hard research, this field is very much pending further analysis.
Does Hypnobirthing Relieve Pain?
Hypnobirthing does not ensure pain relief. Certain factors in childbirth are responsible for pain beyond your control. Hypnobirthing can minimize the need for conventional pain relief. But it just decreases the perception of pain.
How HypnoBirthing Works?
“With HypnoBirthing, I was able to fully empty my mind and breathe my way into birthing our baby,” says Iradis Jordan. who chooses the method for giving birth to her baby. ” I feel like my body was reacting to the way how it was meant to be.”
Again, relaxation is the name of the game for HypnoBirthing. But with all the possible chaos of contractions, how can you get into a Zen-like state? Well, there are different methods to use, like controlled breathing.
Controlled Breathing
HypnoBirthing Midwife shares two of these breathing techniques. First, you breathe in into your nose and out of your nose. Breathe in at the count of four and out at the count of seven.
The second technique is close to that. You follow the same deep-breath pattern. Except you lengthen the inhalation to the count of seven. And hold the exhalation to the count of seven. Breathing this way is meant to help trigger your parasympathetic nervous system. It is giving you some relaxing vibes.
A Focus On Positive Thoughts and Words
Focusing on good thoughts and vocabulary is another very useful technique. Instead of using the term “contraction” to describe the tightening during labor, you might use “surge” or “wave” for a more positive twist. Another way is to replace the “rupture” of the membranes with the term “release.”
Guided Visualization
Other methods include guided visualization. You can visualize things like a flower opening to help calm the body. And use music and meditation to relax.
By using these methods, the idea is that you will give birth in a condition similar to daydreaming. You may:
- be completely aware of what’s going on with you. And be able to come out of hypnosis whenever you please.
- Become calmer, keeping the body out of the fight-or-flight mode. An unfamiliar birth-room environment could induce that.
- Improve the ability to control pain and stress hormones by releasing endorphins
By controlling pain and stress hormones, the body can let go and truly fulfill the task ahead.
Benefits Of Hypnobirthing
Here are some of the things you’ll learn in most antenatal classes:
- Breathing techniques that help birth (and it’s not the panting that most people believe they ought to do. Think about it – why does anyone want to hyperventilate during labor?).
- How to minimize the need for any medication at all
- Learn to reduce your chance of having episiotomy at birth with a simple massage technique?
- How to sure and inform when communicating with medical professionals? When to ask what to ask. And when it’s time to let them take charge of themselves.
- How to release any fears you may have about childbirth, regardless of where they come from.
- How to make your quick start of labor with these basic, natural strategies
- you’ll know how to relax and stay calm and in control. No matter what’s going on around you.
More Benefits
Additional Benefits Reported By Moms Include:
- Much shorter labour and birthing
- Significantly fewer surgical births
- A high number of comfortable, normal births without technical assistance
- A high rate of success in helping breech-presented babies transition into an appropriate birthing pose with the use of posture and hypnosis(A survey of 100 women at 37 to 40 weeks at the University of Vermont shows an 81% success rate for hypnosis)
- You can learn the methods once for this birth. But then you will use them again and again. No matter how many children you have.
- Hypnobirthing techniques work well for home births, water births, hospital births, birth centers, whatever.
- It’s your preference what kind of birth to have. Hypnobirthing benefits all of them.
- You should use techniques to help you calm down and relax at any moment you get stressed out. (we’ve got a lot of couples telling us that this alone was invaluable!)
Can My Birth Partner Help with Hypnobirthing?
Yeah, your birth partner will be a great help to Hypnobirthing.
Your birth partner should take care of everything practical so that you can focus entirely on the procedure. Here are some things that your birth partner would like to be in charge of:
- the logistics of going to the birth unit
- talk to midwives and doctors
- Set up a birth space with your preferred music and decorations.
Your birth partner can also breathe and calm beside you and tell you that you’re doing well.
The Bottom Line
HypnoBirthing can be a perfect choice for low-risk mothers looking for a natural birth. And wish to benefit from the relaxation strategies they learned in class. But no matter what happens on a big day, and whether things go mostly according to schedule or not, what’s really important is a beautiful, healthy baby that you can hold in your arms when it’s all over.
