What is HypnoBirthing?

hypnobirthing

/ˈhɪpnə(ʊ)bəːθɪŋ/

noun

1.     a method of managing pain and anxiety during childbirth, involving various therapeutic relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and visualisation.

"the hypnobirthing worked all through my labour"

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Perhaps you have searched the web to find out what is hypnobirthing? Are hypnobirthing classes worth it? What to expect from hypnobirthing? There is lots of information out there! Let’s start at the beginning…

What is hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is a method of pain management that can be used during labour and birth. It is a mixture of visualisation, relaxation and breathing techniques. HypnoBirthing prearation aims to have expectant mothers view birth in a positive manner with the belief that childbirth does not have to be painful. Hypnobirthing (The Mongan Method) was developed by Marie Mongan and was first described in her book, Hypnobirthing: A Celebration of Life (1989). Mongan wrote:

‘The HypnoBirthing philosophy is “the belief that every woman has within her the power to call upon her natural maternal instinct to birth her babies in joy and comfort in a manner that most mirrors nature”.’

How does HypnoBirthing work?

A Woman’s experience of labour pain can vary in intensity; but fear, tension and anxiety can worsen it. Hypnosis focuses on preparing a woman for birth by reframing the representation of labour from a painful and difficult experience to a positive one!

Hypnosis bypasses the Neo Cortex (thinking part of your brain). Practicing pregnancy relaxation allows you to prepare to tap into your primal, instinctive brain, moving instinctively and confidently to birth your baby. Stimulation to the Neo Cortex causes the human mind to interfere with the instinctive birthing process, reducing the ability to completely let go and surrender to the ‘birthing brain.’ So a negative word, interaction or presence in your birthing room can have an actual physical impact upon your birthing experience.

Relaxing breathing techniques reduces adrenaline during labour and increases Oxytocin, the fuel to your contractions. Breathing techniques can provide an element of control over your contractions. Practicing ‘up’ breathing during those surges as your uterus contracts up and away from the cervix and ‘down’ breathing for the second stage of labour when you feel the urge to bear down, pushing your baby out. Using breathing techniques to support the biomechanics of birth.

Visualisations change how you perceive pain, ‘tricking’ your mind to produce more Oxytocin (the fuel for your contractions) – potentially resulting in a shorter, more comfortable, easier labour, with less need for intervention. Visualisation can also help to release fear. Fear of pain, fear of labour, fear that your body will be unable to birth your baby (fear often the result of representation of birth in media, horror stories and the language choices when information is delivered by healthcare professionals such as ‘big babies’!). Fear creates tension within the body, adrenaline rises, discomfort is felt more keenly, oxytocin reduces and labour slows and so continues this negative cycle.

Can I use HypnoBirthing techniques if I plan to have an epidural?

Many women start learning and practicing hypnobirthing techniques from 20 weeks of pregnancy but most often start between 28-32 weeks. Hypnobirthing isn’t only suitable for those planning for a pain relief free, vaginal delivery – we know that often our birth plans can change, adapt and develop on baby’s birthing day due to many factors. Hypnobirthing can still play a significant role in supporting the process of childbirth. Through relaxation techniques, a positive mindset and knowledge about physiology and biomechanics, hypnobirthing can harmonise with medical interventions and optimise your birth experience.

These words from a Blossom Birthing Mama demonstrate the power of practicing these techniques and continuing to use them when things haven’t gone to plan:

‘Going into emergency caesarean I continued the breathing techniques and kept adrenaline at bay as much as I could. My surgeon came to see me shortly after the birth with my midwife and congratulated me on staying confident and calm’

Blossom Birthing Classes

In our weekly class we practice pregnancy relaxation, visualisation, affirmations, movement and breathing techniques – all elements of hypnobirthing. Education is delivered when you are at your most relaxed, bypassing the Neo Cortex, information is absorbed where you need it most on your babies birthing day – when you will completely let go and access your ‘birthing brain’. How incredible you are to have this ability to birth confidently and instinctively.