What is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing aims to help a woman deal with fears or anxieties around giving birth and helps her develop ways to relax once labour starts using hypnosis techniques, be that self-hypnosis or being led by somebody else (often a recording).

Once the the mind and body are in a completely relaxed state, birth can happen more quickly and with less pain because the body doesn’t fight the natural process. We are after all, designed to give birth and many cultures do this quite naturally without any medical support.

You can choose how important the "natural" element goes for you, it might just mean no pain killers, for others it might mean only natural products throughout and no medical intervention whatsoever.

How HypnoBirthing works With the relaxation techniques you will learn you are able to be completely present in the moment, empty your mind becoming focussed and calm. If you are relaxed, breathing well, pain is generally lessened. Try breathing steadily with concentration next time you are exercising, eg. holding a yoga pose, it will reduce the muscle ache and allow you to hold the pose more effectively for a bit longer.

Controlled breathing You will be taught a few breathing techniques for each stage of the birth - during contractions, between contractions and breathing down your baby at the final stage. This will help you work with your body and not against it. In this relaxed state, it all happens more naturally, often much quicker and with less discomfort. Your partner can play a vital role in supporting your relaxation and calm state.

You will be taught to dismiss any negative connotations with birth, ie. not listening to your friends' labour horror stories and use different words that reduce any relation to pain or stress.

Benefits of Hypnobirthing:

- You will be fully aware of what is happening to your body and around you and can move

in and out of hypnosis

- You will feel more in control of what is happening and therefore reducing stress

- You will feel so relaxed that you will feel your body working naturally and be able to

work in conjunction with that, usually requiring little or no pain drugs and usually

shortening the time of the birth significantly.

- You will feel so relaxed that your body will release endorphins that give you that feel

good sense, thus making your birth a much more enjoyable experience. These

hormones will also help alleviate discomfort.

- Baby is more alert due to limited use of drugs and because mum was less stressed

- It can be really helpful in calming somebody who has previously had a stressful

birthing experience.

- Even if the birth doesn't go as planned and medical intervention becomes necessary,

the techniques you learn will help you be calm in that situation and still have an

element of control.

If you would like to know more about Hypnobirthing for you or a group of you, contact me and we can discuss your requirements.

Review from one of my Hypnobirthing Clients

H said "I had several hypnobirthing sessions with Chris. She made me feel comfortable, relaxed and more importantly excited about labour and birth. Her knowledge and patience is inspiring and I had the most perfect, pain-killer free birthing experience. Hypnobirthing really does work and I highly recommend it. Thank you Chris!"