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| Jennifer King, Clinical Hynotherapist Hynomamas |
Hypnosis for childbirth?
Many times, when people think of hypnosis, the first thing that comes to mind is an image of stage shows with people seemingly unable to control themselves, acting goofy and providing entertainment for an audience.
The reality is that hypnosis is a very natural state of mind that we are all in many times a day; we just don’t always call it hypnosis! Instead, we call it daydreaming, zoning out, meditating, automatic driving, etc. They are all altered or relaxed states of consciousness. The only difference with regard to the therapeutic applications for hypnosis is the depth; a hypnotherapist is trained to guide people to a specific depth of hypnosis where amazing things can happen. It is important to add that even in the deepest levels of hypnosis, you are always in control! All hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
Unfortunately in our culture, there is much fear surrounding childbirth. Many women, because of this raw fear, would rather skip the entire birth process. Possibly the saddest thing about this is that birth is such an important rite of passage and can be one of the most amazing, empowering and loving experiences that we can experience in life! And here is the thing: it can actually be ENJOYED!! Using hypnosis during pregnancy addresses specific fears and limiting beliefs. Hypnosis empowers a woman to trust that her body is perfectly capable of the task at hand.
In a deep state of hypnosis, the body and mind are extremely relaxed and yet the mind is also highly aware and focused. Hypnosis has the ability to provide emotional and physical healing and has also been widely and successfully used within the medical community for pain relief and hypno-anesthesia. The use of hypnosis for analgesia in childbirth was recorded as early as 1831 but the development of chemical anesthesia in obstetrics pushed hypnosis into the background.
Research from around the world shows that the use of hypnosis for childbirth results in shorter labours (since there is no resistance from the birthing muscles), reduced use of pain medication, reduced surgical delivery rates and higher Apgar Scores...not to mention an alert, relaxed & energized mom and calm birthing environment. A much nicer welcome for baby!
Hypnobabies uses medical hypnotic anesthesia techniques as opposed to simple visualization and imagery (the same kinds of scripts are used by people who undergo surgery with hypnosis as their only anesthesia) and teaches women “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis”. Women are able to move (using upright positions that facilitate the position and descent of the baby), interact, eat & drink all while staying in hypnosis; no, your eyes don’t have to be closed and you don’t have to lie completely still!! In Hypnobabies, we also provide detailed Birth Partner training which goes a long way in helping mom stay focused and relaxed (the program can also be used successfully by single moms or women whose partners will not or are unable to participate). Most importantly, Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education program and is recognized by DONA (Doulas of North America) as such. Women taking a Hypnobabies class will learn all the hypno-tools AND get the information they need to truly become informed consumers: this IS a complete prenatal class! For more information on the benefits that are unique to Hypnobabies, please go to: http://www.hypnomammas.com/Unique-Benefits.html
By empowering women to actually enjoy their birth experience, just imagine the shift we can create as more and more children are being welcomed in comfort, joy and love…what a wonderful legacy to pass on!
By, Jennifer King
Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor (Childbirth Educator), Birth Doula & Hypno-Doula, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Hypnofertility Specialist
*Birth Junkie*
HypnoMammas
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