For many expectant mothers, the thought of giving birth is filled with conflicting emotions - joy and love for her unborn, excitement but also concern and fear as she realises that an uncontrollable force is about to take her over and that her body will rule itself completely.
Childbirth is a natural event in a woman's life. Yet our society treats it as a medical procedure. We have been told that delivering a baby is many hours of painful work. Even the term 'labour' indicates that this is an experience that is going to be hard. Terrifying stories from well-meaning friends and family set up a response of fear towards the thought of giving birth. We experience pain in childbirth, but it is increased because that is our expectation.
When a woman enters the process of childbirth full of fears, she unconsciously tenses her body. This then creates more pain. Tight muscles are more likely to tear. Fear and anxiety can also increase adrenaline production in the body, causing the labour to become dysfunctional and increasing the likelihood of a Caesarean. Drugs used during labour can pass through the placenta and enter the baby's bloodstream.
Hypnosis has been used for childbirth since the 1920s. A Clinical Hypnotherapist teaches a woman how to use self-hypnosis and create her own natural anaesthesia whenever and wherever she needs it. The relaxation and guided visualisation techniques are programmed into the subconscious mind so that they are available when needed. This gives back to the mother some control over her body and she becomes an active participant in the birthing process. She is completely aware of what is happening during the experience but is able to distance herself from any discomfort.
During the three or four individual sessions before the birth, any fears that the mum-to-be has are addressed so that they do not cause undue distress during the birth. Freedom from fear can make a huge difference in the birthing experience.
A review of 19 studies (as reported in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2004) found that there was a significant reduction in the use of painkillers where hypnosis had been used to prepare for childbirth. Another study found that the length of labour was significantly reduced when hypnosis had been used. (For first-time mothers, the length of first stage labour of mothers who used hypnosis was 6.4 hours compared to 9.3 hours where mums had not used hypnosis).
Other studies have found higher Agpar scores in new-born babies and less post-natal depression when hypnosis was used for childbirth. If you would like more information on these and other studies, please go to:
http://www.pubmed.gov (American Government website - just type 'hypnosis birth' in the search window for a list of articles.)
Most hypnotherapists will involve partners or support people in at least one of the sessions. Some also supply CDs or other support material.
Benefits of using hypnosis for childbirth:
* Fewer drugs or no drugs at all means less risk of side effects on mother and baby.
* Shorter labors - resistance of the birthing muscles as a response to pain is minimised or eliminated.
* An awake, energised mother, due to total relaxation throughout the birthing process.
* A calm, peaceful birthing environment.
* Breech and posterior babies can be turned using hypnosis.
* Fewer interventions and complications during labor.
* Babies who are better sleepers and nursers due to fewer drugs in their systems.
Find a hypnotherapist in your area!
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