Hypnotherapy for Birth

Pregnancy can be an exciting and overwhelming time. Mothers-to-be are dealing with body changes, hormones and new feelings that can be scary. You can use hypnotherapy for a calmer childbirth experience. Birth hypnosis involves being hypnotized into a calm, trance-like state, and then repeating positive affirmations and goals for a painless, safe birth. It is all natural and safe, and you will be more physically and mentally relaxed.

For many women, the idea of childbirth is nerve-racking. We all hear horror stories of labours that lasted for days, botched caesarean sections and painful contractions. With birth hypnotherapy, your analytical mind is put to rest, and the hypnotherapist can help you change your behaviours or way of thinking during labour. Rather than feeling terrified or worried about having your baby, you can embrace positive feelings and change your thought patterns for a much calmer labour.

Focus is extremely important during labour, and birth hypnotherapy can also increase your mental clarity and concentration. Your hypnotherapist will work with you to erase negative thoughts and beliefs, and replace them with goals and a more positive outlook. During birth hypnosis, you or your hypnotherapist will repeat certain affirmations and suggestions to your subconscious mind, which your mind will then process and accept.

Pain management is also an integral part of birth hypnotherapy. Some women experience little or no tearing having used birth hypnotherapy and the chances of having to undergo an episiotomy are reduced. In many cases, a women tears due to stress or pushing too quickly. Birth hypnosis slows down thoughts and allows a woman to focus on contractions and delivery with a lot less stress. Numerous women who use a hypnotherapist at their baby's birth are able to have their child without the aid of drugs. In a recent case in Iran, a woman even underwent a Caesarean section without anaesthetic with the use of birth hypnosis!

If you are choosing to have a home birth, birth hypnosis can be a wonderful experience. You will be in a more relaxed environment, and can utilize the exercises and techniques to put your body at ease. Whether you choose a home birth or a hospital birth, you can opt to have your hypnotherapist there with you, or you can learn these techniques for self-hypnosis. Either way, most couples or expectant mothers wanting to use this therapy will attend hypnotherapy training and information sessions during the pregnancy. Women work on changing their state of mind through hypnosis, and can then focus their mind themselves when the time comes to have the baby. There are a number of birth hypnosis books, videos and online resources, so you can learn more about this natural therapy.

While birth hypnosis can't promise that labour will be drug free, painless or without complications, it can greatly increase the chances of all three of these things! When your body is more relaxed, you can focus on labour without being overcome by the negative thoughts or emotions that can cloud your mind during delivery. Instead of feeling nervous and agitated, you can be calm and relaxed, and both your mind and body will reap the benefits.