Yep, I LOVE hypnobirthing. For me, it was a complete game changer and I tell everyone I can about how wonderful it is. So much so, that I have now trained to be a practitioner through KG Hypnobirthing, with the wonderful Katharine Graves. I want everyone to know how it can help in the most live-changing event of your life. Just sharing the love!
If you're reading this, you are either interested or already converted, so it's unlikely you need much more convincing, but just in case you do, here are ten reasons why hypnobirthing is blimmin marvellous:
1. A role for your birth partner
So many times, I have heard and seen birth partners standing by the bedside having their hand squeezed or shouting 'pugh, push'). Up until the final minutes, they might be a little bit redundant. Responsible for the sandwiches or going for a little walk or sitting and reading a magazine. All while the birthing woman has her contractions and cracks on with the process of labour. With hypnobirthing, there is no getting out of the vital role held by the birth partner. They are crucial in communicating with you, with the care providers, ensuring safe surroundings and ensuring you have everything you need to labour calmly and comfortably (with very little need for any 'push, push').
2. Learning to take time for yourself
There is an emphasis on taking care of the home that you are building for your little one. To build up those oxytocin and relaxin levels (the hormones responsible for effective labour), hypnobirthing practitioners believe that taking time to relax and soothe yourself is one of the most significant things you can do in preparation for your birth. Attending classes will also give you time to focus solely on yourself*
There is an emphasis on taking care of the home that you are building for your little one. To build up those oxytocin and relaxin levels (the hormones responsible for effective labour), hypnobirthing practitioners believe that taking time to relax and soothe yourself is one of the most significant things you can do in preparation for your birth. Attending classes will also give you time to focus solely on yourself*
3. Ability to make informed decisions
As a key part of the hypnobirthing course, you will learn about the science and physiology of labour, as well as the different paths that your birthing might take. Good quality courses ensure you are armed with all the possibilities, and an understanding of the system you are going into. You might decide to write some birth preferences, but also have awareness and acceptance that birth is completely natural and nature does not always do what you want it to. Hypnobirthing allows you to make the decisions necessary when the time comes, and remain calm at the same time.
As a key part of the hypnobirthing course, you will learn about the science and physiology of labour, as well as the different paths that your birthing might take. Good quality courses ensure you are armed with all the possibilities, and an understanding of the system you are going into. You might decide to write some birth preferences, but also have awareness and acceptance that birth is completely natural and nature does not always do what you want it to. Hypnobirthing allows you to make the decisions necessary when the time comes, and remain calm at the same time.
4. Supporting any type of birth
Hypnobirthing is often associated with 'natural' births and reducing the need for pain relief, but it is equally valuable no matter what path your birthing takes. I wholly believe that practising the techniques can help with any form of birth, as you are encouraged to release fear and anxiety, and have complete belief and confidence in your body and mind. It also enables you to self-hypnotise in order to remain calm and collected, without letting panic take over.
Hypnobirthing is often associated with 'natural' births and reducing the need for pain relief, but it is equally valuable no matter what path your birthing takes. I wholly believe that practising the techniques can help with any form of birth, as you are encouraged to release fear and anxiety, and have complete belief and confidence in your body and mind. It also enables you to self-hypnotise in order to remain calm and collected, without letting panic take over.
5. Reducing need for medical intervention and pain relief
Whilst the above is true, it has been shown that hypnobirthing can often reduce the need for any medical intervention, because of the preparation to ensure greater knowledge, release of fears and reliance on instinct. More and more midwives are seeing the benefits of hypnobirthing in labour, and becoming observers, rather than leading the process. See this article on how hypnobirthing can help with homebirthing, for more information. Alongside this, research has also shown that labours are often significantly shorter with hypnobirthing mothers.
6. Assisting with breech babies
Even more specifically, a study by the University of Vermont, hypnobirthing techniques were used with breech babies to help turn them and decrease the rate of caesarean sections. The success rate was 81% (compared to around 50% ECV success rate in hospitals).
Whilst the above is true, it has been shown that hypnobirthing can often reduce the need for any medical intervention, because of the preparation to ensure greater knowledge, release of fears and reliance on instinct. More and more midwives are seeing the benefits of hypnobirthing in labour, and becoming observers, rather than leading the process. See this article on how hypnobirthing can help with homebirthing, for more information. Alongside this, research has also shown that labours are often significantly shorter with hypnobirthing mothers.
6. Assisting with breech babies
Even more specifically, a study by the University of Vermont, hypnobirthing techniques were used with breech babies to help turn them and decrease the rate of caesarean sections. The success rate was 81% (compared to around 50% ECV success rate in hospitals).
7. Release fear
Fear and anxiety can consume pregnancy and birth. The stories of emergencies and operations, blood and gore...everyone loves a birth story. The births that just happen - the boring ones - aren't quite as prone to exaggeration. Hypnobirthing helps you to release the fear around birth. To reprogramme your subconscious with positive stories. To practice relaxations that allow you to acknowledge the fears and simply let them drift away. It's incredibly powerful stuff.
Fear and anxiety can consume pregnancy and birth. The stories of emergencies and operations, blood and gore...everyone loves a birth story. The births that just happen - the boring ones - aren't quite as prone to exaggeration. Hypnobirthing helps you to release the fear around birth. To reprogramme your subconscious with positive stories. To practice relaxations that allow you to acknowledge the fears and simply let them drift away. It's incredibly powerful stuff.
8. Trusting your instinct
There are so many experts. The internet has meant that, unfortunately, anyone can be an expert. But we are also forgetting that we are experts of ourselves. We have forgotten to trust our instincts. To an extent, we have forgotten what our instincts are, as we look to experts to tell us what's right and wrong. Hypnobirthing doesn't tell you how to give birth. It helps you to trust your instinct and provides you with tools to birth your child in the way that you see most fit. There is no right or wrong. There is only YOUR birth, and that will be different from everyone else.
There are so many experts. The internet has meant that, unfortunately, anyone can be an expert. But we are also forgetting that we are experts of ourselves. We have forgotten to trust our instincts. To an extent, we have forgotten what our instincts are, as we look to experts to tell us what's right and wrong. Hypnobirthing doesn't tell you how to give birth. It helps you to trust your instinct and provides you with tools to birth your child in the way that you see most fit. There is no right or wrong. There is only YOUR birth, and that will be different from everyone else.
9. The science makes sense
Hypnobirthing was made popular by a doctor: Dr Grantly Dick-Read in the 1940s. His beliefs were founded in science and his work with women in labour. He argued that if you are relaxed in your mind, your muscles will relax. If you are stressed, your muscles will tighten. It's a fact of life that we all know. Frowning forehead, clenched fists...these are typical signs of anger and frustration. In labour, if you are fearful, your uterus will tighten. If you are completely relaxed, the muscles needed for birth will soften and release, to enable them to work effectively, and your baby will most likely remain calm too.
Hypnobirthing was made popular by a doctor: Dr Grantly Dick-Read in the 1940s. His beliefs were founded in science and his work with women in labour. He argued that if you are relaxed in your mind, your muscles will relax. If you are stressed, your muscles will tighten. It's a fact of life that we all know. Frowning forehead, clenched fists...these are typical signs of anger and frustration. In labour, if you are fearful, your uterus will tighten. If you are completely relaxed, the muscles needed for birth will soften and release, to enable them to work effectively, and your baby will most likely remain calm too.
10. Clarity for life
As I've written before, I have never been known for being particularly calm and collected. Since hypnobirthing, I have proven to myself the power of the mind, and the potential to bring this into other areas of my life, include the most challenging role of my life - as a mother. Hypnobirthing provides you with tools to ensure clarity and positivity in all areas of your life. And to ensure it all by yourself.
If you are interested in finding out more or about the course I offer, feel free to get in touch: relaxingbirth@googlemail.com
*Classes can take place in the comfort of your own home
As I've written before, I have never been known for being particularly calm and collected. Since hypnobirthing, I have proven to myself the power of the mind, and the potential to bring this into other areas of my life, include the most challenging role of my life - as a mother. Hypnobirthing provides you with tools to ensure clarity and positivity in all areas of your life. And to ensure it all by yourself.
If you are interested in finding out more or about the course I offer, feel free to get in touch: relaxingbirth@googlemail.com
*Classes can take place in the comfort of your own home
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