January 2023 - Tina Gibbs

The hypnosis and mindset iceberg: the conscious mind, the subconscious mind and the critical faculty. How does all that apply to childbirth?

Let’s think about it. When you look at an iceberg, you only see its tip – most of it is hidden underwater. So how does that relate to hypnosis and your mindset for birth?

Consciously, you know that childbirth is a natural process and that most babies can be born without assistance. We know that when we relax, more oxytocin flows, helping the birth process along with strong, regular contraction waves. So why do so many expectant parents struggle to relax during birth, or even during pregnancy? Because throughout our lives we hear – and start to believe – that childbirth is painful. The media, family and friends tell us so. During pregnancy, tests, appointments, scans and precautions can reinforce the belief that birth needs intervention. You might even hear a traumatic birth story from a stranger in the supermarket queue!

Your conscious mind is the tip of the iceberg, and your subconscious mind is the hidden base. This is your hypnosis and mindset iceberg:

Overcoming the iceberg

Practising self-hypnosis and mindfulness during pregnancy can help you quieten the unhelpful beliefs held in your subconscious. It helps you focus on the here and now, and make the right decisions for you before and during your birth. Remember: regular practice and reinforcement of the techniques are the key to an empowered birth experience! Find out more in How does hypnobirthing work?

Please also check out my online course! No videos, just text and images to learn in your own time. Includes hypnobirthing mp3s, scripts, workbook, handouts, infographics and much more! Lots and lots of information at your fingertips! Includes:

hypnobirthing mp3s
hypnobirthing scripts
written information
infographics and other imagery
printable handouts
printable workbook/journal

Enroll now

For perinatal educators: the iceberg is a powerful image to use in antenatal or parenting classes. Use it to explore expectant parents’ feelings, where they come from, and how the subconscious can influence decision-making, mindset and the birth, feeding and parenting experience.

Sources and further reading

All accessed on 24 January 2023. Please note that I am not affiliated with the owners of the websites above.

Teaching physical skills for childbirth is one of the most important parts of your childbirth preparation classes! So how should you go about it? Remember that clients usually want to practise their physical skills, not just hear about them. From experience, I’d spend about 10% of the time explaining the activity, 10% demonstrating, and give clients the remaining 80% to practise. While they practise, you can go round offering individual feedback and guidance.

For example, if you have 20 minutes for an activity, spend no more than 2 minutes explaining and 2 minutes demonstrating – then your clients have 16 minutes to crack on! Alternatively, split the time into two 10-minute slots: one for a deep breathing technique and one for a massage technique. While practising the massage, ask clients to combine it with the breathing technique they’ve just learned.

One idea that always goes down well is the ice cube technique. Parents-to-be hold an ice cube and practise new or familiar coping skills to help them manage the strong sensation. This lets them physically experience how breathing, massage and other techniques can help during labour and birth – a fantastic, interactive and memorable way to learn!

Another great approach is a labour rehearsal. Set up the room with relaxing music and dimmed lighting, then encourage parents to practise different positions for labour and birth using flashcards, cards or a poster. Or try my Stages of Labour board game!

Observe how other educators teach physical skills, and give each other feedback: share what worked for you and your clients, and what didn’t go so well. Please share your own experiences and ideas in the comments or email me!

References and further reading:

Buckley SJ. (2015) Hormonal physiology of childbearing: Evidence and implications for women, babies, and maternity care. Washington, D.C.: Childbirth Connection Programs, National Partnership for Women and Families. Available from: nationalpartnership.org [accessed 9 January 2023]
Declercq, E. R., Sakala, C., Corry, M. P., et al. (2014). “Major Survey Findings of Listening to Mothers(SM) III: Pregnancy and Birth: Report of the Third National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences.” J Perinat Educ 23(1): 9–16.
Gupta, J. K., Sood, A., Hofmeyr, G. J., et al. (2017). “Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 5: CD002006.
Kibuka, M. and Thornton, J. G. (2017). “Position in the second stage of labour for women with epidural anaesthesia.” Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2: CD008070.
Odent, M. (1999) The Scientification of Love. London: Free Association Books.
Thies-Lagergren, L. (2013). The Swedish Birth Seat Trial. Karolinska Institutet.

Month: January 2023

Hypnosis and Mindset Iceberg

Overcoming the iceberg

Teaching physical skills for childbirth