Are you thinking of trying hypnobirthing? Hypnobirthing is the use of hypnosis along with normal vaginal childbirth. Hypnosis is a state of mind in which the person becomes highly responsive to suggestions and direction. Contrary to what many people believe, hypnosis is not baloney as medicine has found several possible uses for it such as relieving chronic pain and anxiety, and to help smokers quit . In some studies, hypnobirthing is viewed as more advantageous compared to the more popular husband-coaching method .
How to do hypnobirthing?
One of the things expecting mothers dread the most in giving birth is pain. The pain in childbirth is often seen as an intolerable experience . The premise of hypnobirthing is that fear of labor or childbirth is the cause of pain. Therefore, by removing this fear, the mother can harness the ‘maternal instinct’ inside her that enables joyous and comfortable childbirth.
It is like this. Remember the days when you experience fear or anxiety just before taking tests at school? Yes, school tests seem dreadful, but you felt fine after that. Over time, you learn that studying helps ease your anxieties before and during tests at school.
The same thing happens in hypnobirthing. The therapist will help you achieve a relaxed state of mind and body during childbirth, yet you remain focused. In this way, you will learn to prevent or counter uncomfortable feelings or pain with positive or comforting things. It may sound unconvincing but through training and practice, you will learn that there is nothing to fear or feel anxious about pain during childbirth. Because it teaches self-help techniques, hypnobirthing is very advantageous to mothers with complex pregnancies, which because of their situation find childbirth incredibly stressful .
You must see hypnobirthing as a training process as if you are learning a new skill or trade. You will have to attend hypnobirthing classes where you will learn and practice self-hypnosis techniques.
Specific techniques to learn in hypnobirthing
You will learn and practice these essential techniques by the therapist during hypnobirthing classes. Unlike marriage or making babies, there is no step-by-step process in doing hypnobirthing. The therapist will teach you the techniques and helps prepare a birth plan to prepare for childbirth.
Hypnobirthing relies on self-hypnosis during labor and childbirth. You will do that using the following techniques:
- Visualization, which is probably the most important technique. You will be taught to use visualization of positive and serene thoughts in times of discomfort and anxiety.
- Concentration, which allows you to eliminate distractions and negative feelings (fear and anxiety).
- Identifying and avoiding negative sources of emotion and childbirth misconceptions, like childbirths in TV and movies, or even friends, relatives, and co-workers that say nothing but bad things
- Massage techniques
- Relaxing breathing techniques
- Practice ‘pushing’ for childbirth
- Frequent practice of learned techniques. Like a switch, application of self-hypnotic technique will help you control fear, anxiety, and discomfort.
- Perform specific tasks in preparation for childbirth such as rest, sleep, packing a birth bag, or acclimatizing to the hospital environment, which is helpful in relieving anxiety and helps instill positivity.
A successful hypnobirthing depends on patient’s effort and response to applied techniques.
Popular misconceptions about hypnobirthing
We will debunk some of the popular misconceptions about hypnobirthing. One of the problems is the basic understanding of hypnosis itself as most people get their idea about it from watching cartoons. Hypnosis does not compel you to obey someone unquestionably. Hypnosis is like losing yourself from the surroundings and focusing on the task at hand, like in the case of hypnobirthing, achieving comfortable childbirth . In hypnobirthing, the patient remains alertand not sedated.
Note that giving birth under hypnosis is not a one-day affair. You must learn the proper techniques and practice them so it works for you! In hypnobirthing, you still need to be under the care of the doctor. Make your doctor know you desire to do hypnobirthing.
You also have to understand that hypnobirthing is taught by professionals with credentials to teach hypnobirthing classes.
Lastly, hypnobirthing does not guarantee completely pain-free or complication-free childbirth. It is just a away for expecting mothers to control discomfort and anxieties of upcoming childbirth. If complications arise, the doctor may decide to do a C-section or other procedures.
If you are interested in hypnobirthing, contact our experts at HealthTree-associated clinics. We will help you understand the basics of hypnobirthing and answer questions you might have.
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