Childbirth Hypnosis, will it work for me?

As a Hypnobabies® childbirth educator and doula, I am often asked what exactly childbirth hypnosis is. To start, you must understand a few things about Hypnosis.

1st – All Hypnosis is self Hypnosis.

A Childbirth Hypnosis instructor is a guide. Each mother chooses to enter hypnosis, stay in hypnosis, and come out of hypnosis whenever she wants.

2nd – About 90%-95% of the population can be hypnotized.

If you are willing to enter hypnosis and choose to accept the suggestions of hypnosis, then you are a great candidate for Hypnosis for birth.

3rd – You can not be made to do something against your will while in hypnosis.

All hypnosis is self hypnosis, and you will only do what you would normally feel comfortable doing. You are in complete control.

4th – Hypnosis has been used for years for medical and dental procedures with great results. The patients are completely comfortable and have no drugs and no pain.

Since hypnosis has been used for years for people with life-threatening allergies to anesthesia, and those patients feel no pain, we know that we can use hypnosis for childbirth. With hypnosis, we are basically reprogramming the mind to believe and to know that childbirth can be easy and comfortable, and in some cases, pain-free. During labor, a woman will progress more quickly when she is relaxed, and will remain more comfortable. With childbirth hypnosis, women practice daily with self-hypnosis to retrain the mind to stay calm and relaxed.

In many cultures childbirth is an easy and natural process. Many women experience birth as easy and comfortable, so why not here? Can we experience a pain-free birth too? Yes we can, but there are many variables that affect a women’s birth experience. The expectations of birth are the biggest variable. Each Hypno-couple mist set a realistic view of birth, and their birth outcome. They must understand their choices, and the outcome of those choices.

So, how effective is childbirth hypnosis? Statistics will vary by the program and method chosen, depending on the length and number of hypnosis sessions, the materials used in each, and the skill of the hypnotherapist or teacher, as well as the dedication and compliance to the program of each birthing couple. Ideally, hypnosis for childbirth instructors will have backgrounds in both hypnotherapy and childbirth education, and be able to address each woman's personal needs. With adequate preparation and trust in the natural process of birth, most women can have much more relaxed and comfortable births, with many actually free of pain. It is important to know that the childbirth hypnosis program you choose to use will directly affect your success in having a comfortable birth, so educate yourself before choosing. (taken from Kerry Tuschhoff, Founder of Hypnobabies®)

There are many benefits to using Hypnosis for childbirth.

1- Fewer Drugs or no drugs at all, which means little to no chance of side effects.

2- Shorter Labors

3- Calm, peaceful birthing environment.

4- Fewer interventions during the birth

5- Fewer complications during birth

6- Breech babies can be turned using hypnosis.

7- Awake and alert babies, do to no drugs in their systems at birth. (and isn’t that what we all want?)

When it comes to childbirth hypnosis, your success depends highly upon the course you choose, the amount of hypnosis taught in the course, and your ability to apply yourself and practice your new skills. Hypnosis is the upcoming trend in natural childbirth, because it allows the mothers to have the best of both worlds; an un-medicated birth, and a pain-free experience.

For more information on childbirth hypnosis and Hypnobabies®, please visit

www.hypnobabies.com

www.thedoulahouse.com