What Is Hypnobirthing?

Congratulations, you’re pregnant! So much information flying your way, and a friend has suggested you book a hypnobirthing class for your upcoming birth. Sounds great, but you have no idea what it really is? Google says it’s a ‘form of pain relief’, it’s relaxation, visualisation and self-hypnosis skills. 

Well Google is partially right, but lets delve a little deeper as to what an in person, local Hypnobirthing course really is and why you should book on one as soon as you find out you’re pregnant!

I always start my classes with ‘What 3 words’. What three words come to mind when you think of ‘Birth’. Don’t over think it, just write down what comes to mind. 

I hear a lot of mixed words, both positive and negative, such as pain, screaming, worry, baby, unknown, excitement, uncontrolled. Now think about where these words come from. It could be a previous birth experience, stories from friends and family, dramatic scenes from TV and film, celebrity birth stories, assumptions.

Wherever they come from, they’re stored in your subconscious and this is what you “know” about birth. The subconscious is there to protect us (great!), so when we think of birth we recall these messages (not so great) and our mind tells our body to go in to ‘fight or flight’. We tense up, we fear what’s coming, and it’s not going to be a pleasant experience because that’s what we expect it to be.

Well, your birth doesn't have to be like you expect it to be. 

Now, take a slow, deep breath and feel your muscles relax. Your mind clear, you’re in tune with your strongest superpower – your intuition.

Here’s what Hypnobirthing really is. Whatever way birth goes, feel relaxed, in control, supported and empowered. Focus on meeting your baby. Focus on how amazing you are. 

Hypnobirthing is for a positive birth - not a perfect birth.

It’s science: understand how your body works and how your mind works, and how they work together.

It’s knowledge: you have a choice, you have the tools to ask meaningful questions, to gather all the information to make your informed decisions for you and your baby. Understand the choices you’re offered, your rights, your pain relief options.

It’s preparation: have a plan whichever way it goes, see what birth can really look like, trust your birth partner and understand what's happening with your body. Visualise meeting your baby and how you’d like to feel. Breathe deeply, nourish yourself and your baby. Relax. 

You feel empowered, excited and in control. And when you have your baby in your arms, you have no regrets. 

Birth isn’t medical unless you decide it is and your body is built to do this. Be empowered and birth your way - your body, your baby, your birth.

And you’re in good company! Celebrities that have used Hypnobirthing include Kate Middleton, Giovanna Fletcher, Angelina Jolie and Fearne Cotton.

If, like me, you like research-based evidence, that can be found:

Women's experiences with hypnobirth - A qualitative study from 2023: “The participants experienced an empowered birth because of the knowledge, coping strategies and mental training they gained from hypnobirth classes.”

Hypnotherapy in management of delivery pain: a review from 2019: Their paper reviewed the use of hypnotherapy for pain management during childbirth. Their findings suggest that hypnosis may be a safe and effective way to reduce pain during childbirth, with some women even experiencing complete pain relief. Although again they call for more research to determine its overall effectiveness.

These skills will last a lifetime, and an in person, local hypnobirthing class, you’ll be supported throughout pregnancy and beyond. 

I wonder if those ‘What 3 words’ are already starting to change?

Written by Sophie, A Mother World October 2024. Copyright. All Rights Reserved.