Hypnobirthing - An Overview

What Is Hypnobirthing?

The term hypnosis alone refers to “a process in which a person undergoes suggested changes in sensation, perception, thought, or behavior.” A specific version of hypnosis during childbirth is called hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing helps to aid a woman in addressing any fears or concerns about giving birth. These include various relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to help the body relax before and during labor and birth. The idea is that when the body and mind are completely relaxed, the birth process can be quicker and more painless because the body is not resisting the natural process.

How Hypnobirthing Works?

Hypnobirthing can really help a woman stay awake and breathe to give birth. It relaxes the body to the point where all the pain subsides, helping the body react the way it is supposed to.

Once again, relaxation is the keyword with hypnobirthing. But amid all the potential chaos of contractions, there are many different techniques to try, such as controlled breathing, in order to achieve a Zen-like state.

Control the Breathing - Hypnobirthing midwives share these two breathing techniques. Firstly, inhale and exhale deeply through the nose. Inhale for at least four seconds and exhale for a minimum count of seven seconds.

The second technique is similar. Follow the same deep breathing pattern, but lengthen the inhale to a count of 7 and hold the exhalation to a count of 7. Breathing this way is thought to help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings soothing vibrations.

Emphasize Positive Thoughts and Words - Trying to align the mind and focus on positive thoughts and words is a helpful alternative technique. Instead of using the word "spasm" to describe contractions during labor, use "push" or "wave" for a more active movement. Another example is to replace the word “rupture” of the membrane with the word “release.”

Guided Visualization - Other techniques include guided visualization, where imagining something like a blooming flower helps the body relax, and using music and meditation to promote relaxation. By using these techniques, the idea is that a woman can give birth in a dream-like state. Women can be:

• Be fully aware of what is happening and be able to control and cease hypnosis at will.

• Become more comfortable, keeping the body out of the fight-or-flight state that can be triggered by the unfamiliar environment of the delivery room.

• Better able to control pain and stress hormones through the release of endorphins.

By managing discomfort, pain and anxiety hormones, the body can let go and completely submit to the task ahead.

What Are the Different Hypnobirthing Method?

• Hypnobirthing is also known as the Mongan method. It is considered the “original” method and consists of five lessons of 2.5 hours each for a total of 12 hours of instruction. There are a lot of professional Hypnobirthing instructors all over the world.

• The main idea of ​​this method is that severe pain does not have to be part of the labor process if the body is relaxed. Participants learn various self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques, including imagery and guided breathing. Neonatal hypnosis is another method that uses hypnosis during childbirth.

• Although similar to hypnobirthing, this method has some key differences. It focuses on specific strategies for pain relief rather than simple relaxation techniques. These tactics include things like incorporating hypnosis (repetition) and other “medical-grade” sleep hypnosis (sleepwalking) techniques. This course is also a bit longer, consisting of six lessons of 3 hours each for a total of 18 hours of instruction.

In addition to confidence in the birth process, Hypnobirthing can also:

• Shorten Labor: Specifically, hypnobirthing can help shorten the first stage of labor. This stage includes both early labor and active labor.

• Reduced Need For Intervention: Hypnobirthing may help encourage vaginal birth, and women using hypnosis did not need as much oxytocin boost. A study found that only 17 percent of hypnobirthing mothers gave birth by cesarean section, compared to an overall rate of 32 percent in the United States.

• Control Pain Naturally: For women looking for drug-free work, hypnosis can help.

• Gives a Feeling of Control: Women also reported feeling more comfortable and in control. Thanks to that, they are less afraid of labor and birth.

• Help Women Who Have Experienced Trauma: Hypnobirthing can especially help those who are about to give birth and have experienced childbirth trauma or have general fears about labor and birth.

Things To Remember:

• While all of these benefits sound great, the real truth is that following hypnobirthing or similar methods does not guarantee that labor will be easy or painless.

• One of the main disadvantages of self-hypnosis for childbirth, especially the Mongan method, is that it does not necessarily prepare women for births that do not go as planned. The courses do not include much information about pain relief measures other than various techniques to relax the body. This method also does not include the various medical interventions that parents may encounter.

• Women can certainly practice this method and plan to use it during birth, but should also think about what to do if things do not go as planned.

• Most people have positive experiences with birth. However, some people have reported the following disadvantages of self-hypnosis during labor:

  • Hospital staff do not take it seriously.

  • Feeling depressed and disappointed when not having a baby as expected.

  • Work progress is rated poorly by employees due to sluggishness.

• Practicing hypnosis does not mean that unexpected things will not happen. A birth without medical intervention or complications can never be guaranteed. However, learning to relax and stay calm can help the mother feel more in control during labor if things do not go as planned.

• Most hypnobirthing courses and classes are taught privately, so the mother will most likely have to pay a fee.

Conclusion

As with most things, a celebrity endorsement does not mean the method is right for everyone. But there are certainly normal, down-to-earth moms touting hypnobirthing, too. Hypnobirthing is recommended to anyone who wants to be surrounded by positive affirmations. If hypnobirthing sounds interesting, consider asking the doctor or midwife if there are classes in the vicinity of the patient’s area. Even if the birth does not go as imagined, the tools learned in a hypnobirthing class can help women with much more than just getting pregnant.