There's Something About Hypnobirthing!
Hypnobirthing has had a lot of press recently thanks to the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle using Hypnobirthing techniques to give birth to her first child Prince Archie. So what is Hypnobirthing? Is it a new concept? And what techniques are used?
Having
a baby is one of life’s most amazing gifts and being able to create, nurture
and birth new life is nothing short of a miracle. Yet, when many women think of
the concept of giving birth this often fills them with fear and panic. The
media could be blamed for this preconception as well as others who share their
horrific stories of labour and how painful the experience was. Does labour
really have to be this way? Or is there an alternative?
What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a complete birth education programme that teaches simple but specific self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better birth. With Hypnobirthing, mothers discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour. They are also taught how to release the fears and anxieties they may currently have about giving birth, and how to overcome previous traumatic births. Hypnobirthing allows mothers to discover and experience the joy and magic of birth – rather than the horrific ordeal everyone else seems hell-bent on telling them about!
Most importantly, mothers learn how to put themselves back in control of their birth – rather than blindly turning their birthing experience over to their doctor or midwife. They will be totally relaxed yet always be aware of what is happening around them.
In short, Hypnobirthing allows mothers to experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation , free of the fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of their body from functioning as Nature intended them to.
A new concept?
Hypnobirthing originated from the work of Dr Grantley Dick-Reid. In his book Childbirth Without Fear, published in 1933, he suggests that when we are afraid, our body diverts blood and oxygen to essential defence organs. Dr Dick-Reid hypothesised that when a woman is scared during childbirth, blood and oxygen are diverted away from the uterus and therefore it cannot perform its functions efficiently, without pain. When a woman remains calm and relaxed, the uterine muscles are not starved of vital blood and oxygen, and are free to work comfortably, like any other muscle in our body. Marie Mongan was a follower of Dick-Reid and used his ideas in the birth of her own children and in turn started the Hypnobirthing programme in America in 1989.
Hypnobirthing techniques
The techniques a mother may be taught during the process of Hypnobirthing are:
1.Positive affirmations
2.Suggestions
3.Visualisation techniques
4.Relaxation techniques including light touch massage and anchors
5.Breathing techniques
6.Self – hypnosis
7.Ultra – deepening techniques
Happy Head Hypnobirthing
My name is Hollie Jordan and I am a clinical hypnotherapist and founder of Happy Head Hypnotherapy. I have recently trained in self-hypnosis for childbirth and have recently launched Happy Head Hypnobirthing. I am based in Battram, Coalville and offer private Hypnobirthing sessions. If you would like to book in for a FREE initial consultation please call Hollie on 07817907314.
If you are interested in training and learning to become a hypnotherapist, check out this article by the inlp center called 'Hypnosis Training & Hypnotherapy Certification - Learn Hypnosis Today! by clicking on the 'inlpcenter' link below:








