Hypnobirthing?

“Ready, Steady, Sleep!”
 

NOT HYPNOBIRTHING!


My methods have much in common with the process of HypnoBirthing(R), founded by the American Marie Mongan, but I have a more UK-centric approach.
I do not promise a pain free childbirth. While pain free childbirth is possible to achieve, (and sometimes happens naturally without using hypnosis) I believe that it is misleading to suggest that by using a particular method it is achievable for all.
However I can report that scientific studies have shown hypnosis to reduce the need for pharmaceutical pain relief and medical interventions. Hypnosis can also result in a shorter time in labour, as a relaxed body and mind can labour more efficiently.  

Ecnouraging a healthy pregnancy, reducing anxiety, preparing you for the birth.

 

Hypnobirthing
Peggy gave birth on a narrowboat, twice.

Most births are free from complications. Your body knows how to give birth. Hypnosis can improve your confidence and trust in yourself and your body to do this in a more calm and comfortable way. If possible, it’s good to start a hypnotic program quite early in the pregnancy, to begin to teach your mind to perceive childbirth in a positive way. People are too fond of sharing childbirth ‘horror stories’. The women who experience a calm and relaxed healthy childbirth don’t make it into the gossip legends! If someone wants to share their horror story with you – stop them! Remain focussed on positive images and ask them to just share their good experiences.

What does the Pregnancy and Childbirth programme include?

1.
Relaxed healthy pregnancy.
2.
Preparing for a happy birth-day!
3.
Breast feeding, bonding and postnatal recovery.

 


Guided imagery and visualisation allows your mind to do a ‘practice run’ of a relaxed and comfortable childbirth. Your subconscious mind does not know the difference between dreams, imagination and reality. A mental ‘practice run’ prepares your subconscious mind. Think of your favourite food and you salivate. Thoughts and imagination can produce physical responses in your body. Thinking of a dreaded exam or test may produce ‘butterflies’ in the stomach – a physical sensation. A pleasant nervousness (like a first date) also produces ‘butterflies’. A mental rehearsal results in a better performance. Repeat song lyrics in your head and you will learn the words. A dancer who repeatedly imagines her performance as a mental rehearsal will execute the moves more accurately. Repetition is hypnotic. 

Hypnotic triggers link sights, sounds or feelings to positive responses. Eg: “Every breath I take makes me more relaxed. My partner’s voice makes me more and more confident. The smell of a hospital makes me calm and in control.” You can choose something that previously might have made you anxious to now trigger a calm response instead.

Post hypnotic suggestions are instructions suggesting to your subconscious that your mind and body may feel or behave in a certain way in the future, after you have been hypnotised. Eg: during pregnancy “Your pelvic floor muscles are now becoming stronger and more supportive, your blood pressure remains at a natural safe level”, and during childbirth; “because you are so calm and relaxed, free from fear, you experience the contractions with excitement.” A typical Pregnancy and Childbirth Programme will have three or more parts and may be recorded to CD.

Relaxed healthy pregnancy.

The first session provides suggestions for more relaxed muscles, improving the skin’s natural elasticity, more healthiness and fitness, blood pressure at a safe level for you, progesterone and oestrogen levels remaining correct, choosing beneficial foods for you and your baby, and enjoying a better quality sleep.

Preparing for a happy birth-day!

The second session allows you to mentally rehearse your childbirth experience, remaining mentally calm, physically relaxed and in control.

Breast feeding, bonding and postnatal recovery.

An important part of the programme that promotes a speedy recovery in those challenging early days with your newborn. It incorporates suggestions that your body returns to its pre-pregnancy size and shape.

Personal to you.

Other suggestions that are personal to you as an individual may be added in to any part of the hypnotic programme. If you’re looking for hypnobirthing or ante natal hypnotherapy in the Berkkhamsted and Tring areas you may find that Peggy’s tailored one to one approach including personalised CDs or MP3s provides you with an affordable and bespoke service.

For further advice and information contact Peggy Melmoth.
This is intended to be general information about some of the uses of hypnosis during pregnancy and childbirth. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or attention. For advice and information on pregnancy and childbirth please contact NHS Direct or The National Childbirth Trust.