What is hypnosis?

How can it help in pregnancy and childbirth?

Hypnosis is a naturally occurring relaxed state of mind that allows the subconscious to accept suggestions. Anyone can be hypnotised if they want to be as all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis, i.e: simply putting yourself into a relaxed state of mind. A hypnotherapist can help you to focus on this relaxation by suggesting that you concentrate on relaxing images, sounds, relaxing music, or physical sensations. After spending some time deepening this relaxation I would then begin to make suggestions to the client’s subconscious mind that will produce the desired effect after the hypnotic session has ended. This is known as a ‘post-hypnotic suggestion’.

 

During pregnancy I may see a client for an average of three sessions. Although the most popular request is to focus on preparing for labour, and pain control, hypnotherapy can also assist with improved health in pregnancy, reduce morning sickness, and encourage postnatal recovery and bonding.

 

A one-to-one hypnotherapy session will often be recorded to CD or MP3 so that the client can take the recording away and use it to practice self-hypnosis at home. Repetition is hypnotic so the more you listen to a recording the more effective it becomes.

 

On the day that you go into labour the post-hypnotic suggestions will ensure that you remain calm, confident and physically relaxed. If any birthing mammal feels threatened or afraid it is natural for the muscles of the uterus to become tense in a ‘flight or fight’ response, often slowing down the birthing process. A mother who has prepared herself with hypnosis

will have the techniques in place to remain calm and confident, therefore allowing labour to progress efficiently, naturally and often more quickly.

 

Research indicates that the use of hypnosis in childbirth promotes shorter labour, reduced use of pain relief, medical and surgical intervention. Studies conclude that hypnosis can encourage a reduced time in hospital, reduced instances of post natal depression and higher Apgar scores in infants (a measure of newborn health). Hypnosis can reduce fear, increase mental calmness and confidence and help the client to manage pain. It is misleading to suggest that by using a particular technique pain free childbirth is achievable for all, but positive suggestions can encourage a more calm and comfortable pregnancy and childbirth.

 

A session to prepare for labour includes a personalised hypnotic suggestion visualising your ideal birth, including suggestions for mental calmness, confidence and physical relaxation,  plus some pain management techniques. In addition to this a three session package can include relaxed, healthy pregnancy, keeping blood pressure and hormone levels healthy, choosing healthy food in pregnancy, and postnatal recovery, breastfeeding and bonding.

 

I used self-hypnosis in this way myself to have two safe and efficient homebirths on board our narrowboat, without the use of drugs, or gas and air.

My birth stories were both published in The Hypnotherapist Journal, the Hypnotherapy Association magazine for hypnotherapists in clinical practice.

 

The Hypnotherapist Journal, September 2009

 

The Hypnotherapist Journal, February 2011

http://www.thehypnotherapyassociation.co.uk/journal.php

 

NB. This is not HypnoBirthing®.  HypnoBirthing® is an antenatal education programme originating in America, covering a variety of topics and techniques, including the use of self-hypnosis for childbirth.  Currently, like Sellotape and Hoover this brand name has (inaccurately) become a popular term for anyone using hypnosis to prepare for childbirth. Natal Hypnotherapy(R)  is a UK company also providing antenatal education courses for parents. Peggy Melmoth at Naturality Wellness Centre provides one to one consultations and hypnosis recordings specifically tailored for the individual. The total cost of three one-to-one personalised sessions is less than many hypnosis for childbirth group courses, and you will receive personalised recordings that mention your name, your partner’s name, and a visualisation of your ideal birth.