Hypno Birthing
What is Hypno Birthing
Hypno Birthing combines the use of self hypnosis with childbirth education. This method of natural childbirth preparation has been taught by Sussex Hypno Birthing longer than anyone else in the UK. It has the support of many midwives who have seen the relaxed more comfortable births that can results from using these techniques.
In essence Hypno Birthing teaches women that, in the absence of fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour.
We teach women and their partners that in the absence of fear or any other negative emotions, birth can be a calm, powerful and intensely positive experience.
Can this be true?
Yes it can and midwives who have seen the techniques in action now recommend it enthusiastically. Hypno Birthing has also been reported on TV in the National media and now even the governments main medical advice committee (NICE) is stating that it is helpful. If you want to know more look on our website and read the numerous testimonials from women just like you who have used Hypno Birthing for their births.
What exactly is Hypnosis?
You may not have realized it but the hypnosis is entirely natural. We go into natural trance states everyday and it is generally during time when we are feeling relaxed, like day dreaming, reading on a train or even watching TV.
We teach you how to achieve a deep relaxation during the classes and with practice you can learn to develop this natural ability and shut out the chatter of the conscious mind and enter in to a profoundly restful state. In childbirth this means that you will have the ability to maintain a relaxed focus and your body will respond by allowing the birth process to progress in a natural, calm and efficient way and often comfortable way.
You can look forward to discovering just how to tap into that natural state, and relax, turning your birthing over to your body and baby because they know exactly what to do. Your subconscious mind, the part that conceived and nourished your baby can get on with bringing him or her into this world.
What do we teach in Hypno Birthing classes?
With the Hypno Birthing method we teach an understanding of how the body works during pregnancy & labour so that when a woman is sufficiently relaxed, the birthing muscles can work in perfect harmony as they were designed to. Clients learn how to achieve this kind of relaxation free of the resistance that fear creates and they learn to use the natural birthing instincts for a calmer and more comfortable birthing.
With Hypno Birthing, clients will not be asleep but are in a deep state of relaxation. They are fully conversant in between contractions, but totally relaxed and fully in control. We teach women how to relax into the surges (contractions) using specific breathing techniques and focused visualizations. In this calm state the body’s natural anaesthesia, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones that cause pelvic muscles to constrict and cause pain when women are fearful or anxious.
With Hypno Birthing the partner or birth companion is fully involved and is taught how to help mum practice her relaxation techniques between classes and to help her maintain relaxation during labour. The technique is designed to work equally well in a medical or home environment. It is complimentary and is not meant to be an alternative to appropriate medical intervention.
What will it feel like and will I be able to hear others?
Everyone’s experience of hypnosis is different, some become so absorbed that the sounds around them fade way into the background, you will remember a time sunbathing or resting peacefully, not asleep but in a very relaxed state, well it is very much like that.
How long will it take to learn?
Again everyone is different. Some Mum’s get there quicker than others, the important thing is that you take time out to practice regularly trusting that just as you have learnt so many other things in your life you will soon become familiar with your bodies ability to relax deeply.
Will mum still be in control during the labour?
Yes, and when deeply relaxed you will be more in tune with your body and the baby. You will be able to move around and chat as you wish, but as labour progresses we find that our Mum’s become more and more focused and although they can talk to and respond to their partners and the midwife they naturally concentrate on the calming hypnotic state and breathing.
When should women start the programme?
We recommend you start anytime from 22 weeks onwards. We suggest women start before they are 32 weeks but we have had mums who have started as late as 37 weeks and still received benefit from learning the techniques.
How are classes run?
Hypno Birthing classes are taught all over the country as there are now over 500 practitioners. We run classes in London and Brighton, however you can be put in touch with practitioners running classes all across the UK by visiting hypnobirthing.co.uk