Candace McLean

The Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Childbirth

Imagine a peaceful birthing experience free from fear and pain. Does this sound like an oxymoron to you? I can relate. I remember well my experience of childbirth -- I had twins. Unfortunately, I wasn't a Hypnotherapist back then, and was not familiar with hypnosis or the positive effects it has.

Hypnosis has effectively been used as an analgesic to help reduce pain and to reduce pain medication during childbirth for at least a century. Only recently, is it beginning to gain some momentum and becoming a mainstream method for pain control during childbirth. Women everywhere are embracing this method with open arms, because they realize that they can have a natural birth without fear. They don't need to rely on epidurals and pain medication. 

Let's Talk About Pain

At least 70% of the experience of pain during childbirth is created by fear (emotion). The fear creates tension, which causes your muscles to tighten, resulting in physical pain. You can see how this will effect the birth process for not only you, but your baby as well. Hypnosis creates a totally peaceful state of relaxation, allowing your muscles to let go and completely relax. When this happens, the adrenaline is released, and, in effect, the pain. When the muscles are loose and relaxed, the baby is able to make its way through the birth canal so much more easily. There is no struggle; no resistance. Your muscles easily stretch to meet the needs of the baby, as nature intended. Hypnosis has the added benefit of helping you to focus clearly on your breathing, which is so important to pain management during the childbirth process.

What are the Key Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Childbirth?

Several studies have been conducted in the area of hypnobirthing. Here is a run-down of the findings:

Hypnosis for Childbirth

Let me make one thing very clear. In hypnosis, you are very focused. You are not asleep and will not miss out on the birth of your child. Hypnosis causes more of a connection, and communication process between your body and mind, keeping everything in harmony. Your muscles work as they should, very naturally. Hypnosis generally produces a shorter birth because of this wonderful communication between body and mind. Women using hypnosis during labour are usually very relaxed, so medical staff don't even expect that she is advancing as much as she is, based on observation alone. The dilation of the cervix can happen rather quickly, decreasing the amount of time during the pushing phase. Through hypnosis, your mind and body are completely in control, very relaxed and open. There are no fears. You know your body will work with your baby for a beautiful birth process.

What Women Say

It is important to start your practice of self-hypnosis while you're pregnant. Your body has memory, so when you begin to induce hypnosis on a regular basis, your body falls into that relaxed place so much more quickly and easily. For some women, they become so relaxed during childbirth, that you can't tell if they are even having a contraction. Other women say they feel pressure, but no pain. The pushing phase of labour has been described by some as being very natural, where the baby just seemd to flow out into the world with a few pushes.  

Creating a Natural and Beautiful Entrance into the World

On several occasions, I've brought groups of people back to the experience of being born. It is quite an amazing recollection we have! People have recalled all the details of where they were, who was there, the psychological state and emotions of the people present, and the conversations that took place. There have been some studies in this area, to show that people's recollections were in fact correct. This indicates that the birth process is important! Yes, it marks your entry into the world, but also introduces you to emotion. If the mother is anxious, this is the child's first emotional experience with his/her mother. Wouldn't it be better to create an experience full of love and peace to welcome this new child?

For more information, please reply to this blog post. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have!