HypnoBirthing® was created in 1989 by Marie Mongan. It is as much a philosophy as much as it is a technique. This method focuses on preparing you for a calm pregnancy, a gentle birth, and techniques for the rest of your life. In my class, you will learn proven techniques in a well thought out program including deep relaxation, visualization, and self-hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural state of relaxed concentration, while in this deep relaxation your body’s natural anesthesia will replace the stress hormones that create pain. Using these techniques many women have given birth with little or no discomfort. HypnoBirthing® encourages a calm, peaceful, and natural pregnancy, birth, and bonding experience for families.
Anytime after your first trimester; this course is designed for pregnancy, labor, birthing and tools for the rest of your life. It’s never too soon or too late to start this course. If you are near your birthing time, we can arrange private sessions. I have been able to successfully assist Moms and couples even in their last month.
All Moms are welcome in my class with or without partners.
The birth companion is an integral part of the HypnoBirthing experience. He or she practices with the mother to assist her during labor using hypnosis, relaxation techniques, visualizations, light touch massage, and receiving the new baby.
Unlike other childbirth methods that teach Mom how to cope with and manage pain, HypnoBirthing® is based on the premise that childbirth does not need to be painful if she is properly prepared and relaxed. When women let go of the fear-tension-pain syndrome it allows them to release endorphins and oxytocin, the feel good
hormones. Moms are able to change their expectations of long, painful labor and look forward to a more comfortable birthing. Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical prepared childbirth programs, HypnoBirthing® parents learn deep breathing and total relaxation, enabling the laboring Mom to work in harmony with her body and baby. This allows her to achieve a shorter and more comfortable labor.
Despite misconceptions, you are definitely conscious during self-hypnosis. The HypnoBirthing Mom is deeply relaxed and is an active participant in the labor process. She is totally aware and may return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile whenever she desires. HypnoBirthing Moms often find they experience time distortion, are able to rest, and focus on birthing and her new baby.
Absolutely! What you will learn in HypnoBirthing® classes gives you relaxation skills that will be useful to you, your partner and your baby, regardless of the circumstances. In the event that medical interventions of any sort are needed, you will find yourself better prepared to remain calm and in control. Moms who have needed cesareans for medical reasons report that they were totally relaxed before, during, and after the procedure. Many report they needed less medication following the birth, and were able to return to normal functioning in a shorter amount of time.
HypnoBirthing® does not promise painless birthing, though many HypnoBirthing® Moms do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily. When the causes of fear-tension-pain that constrict the birthing muscles are eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter time and much more comfortably. A relaxed Mother’s body will produce more endorphins and oxytocin, nature’s own relaxants. HypnoBirthing® Moms may experience sensations of tightening or pressure, but most describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is frequently spoken of by women who choose other methods of preparation for birthing.
More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of HypnoBirthing®. This course is now offered as a childbirth education program in many hospitals and taught to student doctors in some schools of medicine. Nurses are getting educated in HypnoBirthing® as well. (Labor and delivery nurses at Cedars Sinai have been taking my classes). In class, you will learn how to create your birth preferences, which will help you communicate your birthing choices to your doctor, midwife, and nurses. If your care provider is not knowledgeable about HypnoBirthing®, discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment that you desire. I would be happy to contact your provider and give them information on HypnoBirthing®.
Yes, yes, yes! HypnoBirthing® is beneficial to Moms with any of these circumstances.
“Children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.”
– Kahil Gibran
