Month: March 2022

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How does hypnobirthing work?

How does Hypnobirthing work and what is the difference between hypnobirthing and mindful hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is a method that helps women and birthing people stay calm during pregnancy and childbirth.

There isn’t much research on hypnobirthing yet. However, from my own experience of giving birth to four children and supporting families since 2010, I would encourage every family to explore it.

So how does hypnobirthing work? Do you have to be a hippie?

Hypnobirthing (hypnosis for birth) works through the power of suggestion. A practitioner uses affirmations, visualisations and suggestion to help you relax your body and mind, guide your thoughts and control your breathing. They don’t need to be with you at the birth, but you will need to practise the techniques regularly to get the full benefit.

You can learn the techniques at an in-person workshop, online in a group or 1:1, through a self-paced online course, or simply by reading a book.

Benefits of Hypnobirthing

  • Alternative for anyone who is looking for a non-medical pain relief method
  • Can be used alongside medical and other pain management methods
  • Non-invasive
  • Accessible to anyone who practices
  • No adverse health outcomes / side-effects known
  • Inexpensive
  • The skills learnt are transferrable

Disadvantages of Hypnobirthing

  • Learning the techniques takes time and effort and requires practice
  • The language used in a hospital setting may disrupt the hypnotic state
  • Not provided by the NHS
  • Not everyone can afford a workshop or practitioner
  • Families [mostly first-time parents] have reported that their relaxed state was misinterpreted by medical professionals [midwives] at arrival at the hospital and seen as not ‘far along enough to stay’.
  • May not meet your expectations
Hypnosis + Mindfulness = Magic

WHAT IS HYPNOBIRTHING?

Hypnobirthing is a range of hypnosis techniques to help keep you calm and relaxed during the birth.

Why is being calm and relaxed during birth so important?

Well, it’s pretty basic. Our survival instinct makes it important!

All mammals – including humans – naturally have a fight-or-flight response to danger. When we are scared or anxious, our bodies produce stress hormones, such as adrenaline, to help us deal with the situation and act quickly if we need to. These protective hormones shut down non-essential systems like digestion, raise our blood pressure and heart rate, and divert blood away from organs such as the uterus towards our arms and legs.

Adrenaline may be a protective hormone, but it also slows labour down by inhibiting oxytocin…

Oxytocin is the hormone of love, labour and lactation. It causes the uterus to contract, but it also softens how intensely we perceive those contractions. Your natural oxytocin makes you feel better and happier, and lets your body’s own painkillers (endorphins) thrive too.

Nobody wants to give birth in an uncomfortable or unsafe environment

The way our bodies respond to our surroundings is rooted in a basic survival instinct that goes back thousands of years. Of course, we know that midwives and other healthcare professionals won’t hurt our babies, but we can still be ‘triggered’ by strangers in the room or an unfamiliar environment. These triggers can make us feel out of control, as if fear and pain might take over. Hypnobirthing techniques aim to ease your anxieties about childbirth and help you create a ‘safe place’ in your mind that you can retreat to at any time. Other techniques help you tone down unwanted sensations and thoughts.

What is Mindful Hypnobirthing?

Mindful Hypnobirthing was first introduced by Sophie Fletcher in her book Mindful Hypnobirthing. Sophie Fletcher was the first to combine Hypnosis with Mindfulness for Childbirth.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a deeply relaxed state of focused attention in which you are highly responsive to suggestion. You are always in control of how deep the hypnosis goes, and you will only accept suggestions or changes that you are willing to make.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a state of mind in which you are aware and living ‘in the moment’. You pay attention to the here and now, calmly acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts and sensations.

Mindful hypnobirthing combines self-hypnosis and mindfulness techniques to help you and your birth partner have an empowered, calm and positive birth experience.

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Pregnant again

pregnant again

Congratulations! Being pregnant again can be especially challenging when your older child is still very young. Being pregnant with a toddler in tow is hard work! You’re tired because you’re pregnant, but you can’t nap during the day as easily. The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to accept help. If family or friends offer to look after your older child or children, say yes! If your older ones are at school or nursery, rest when you have some time to yourself.

When and how will you tell your older child or children? Everyone is different. Some parents tell their children as soon as they know; others prefer to wait. There is no right or wrong, and it often depends on how old your children are. If you have a toddler, a baby doll can be a great way for them to explore how to treat a baby and get used to the idea of having one around.

Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself and your child for the new arrival:

  • If you’re planning to move an older sibling to a new room, it may be easier to do it well before the new baby arrives, so the baby isn’t the obvious reason. You could talk about moving to a “big boy” or “big girl” room.
  • The new baby could “give” their older sibling a present, to start things off on a good note 🙂
  • Get your older child involved in packing your birth bag.
  • Think about who could look after your older children while you’re pregnant and need a rest, while you’re giving birth, and in the early days.
  • You may feel you can’t give your second child as much attention as you gave your first. That doesn’t mean you love either of them any less.
  • It’s okay to sometimes use the TV or a tablet to keep your older children busy while you rest, and once your new baby is born 🙂
  • Eat well and get plenty of fresh air and daylight to help with tiredness – especially as you need to limit your caffeine.
  • Look after yourself, and remember to take folic acid from when you start trying to conceive until at least 12 weeks of pregnancy.
  • Practise your breathing and relaxation techniques for labour and birth every day.
  • Try to exercise gently or go for a walk regularly – it will help keep your energy levels up!
  • You could watch some positive birth videos with your older children. I suggest watching them on your own first, then choosing one or two to watch together. My library even has a section of other mammals giving birth!
  • MamAmor dolls are a lovely way to show children (or adults!) how babies are born, both vaginally and by caesarean – see the demo videos below.

If your previous birth was traumatic, it may help to speak to a trauma-informed doula or perinatal educator. A non-judgemental approach to your new pregnancy can help you work towards a positive birth experience this time round. My wonderful colleague Sheryl (@simplynatal) calls it your Healing Birth.

You’ve got this!!