hypno-what?
I asked this same question. Let’s break it down.
’Hypno’ Birthing = (self) hypnosis during childbirth
Hypnosis is an incredibly powerful therapeutic tool that is more commonly being used in healing approaches for Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, mood disorders, sleep disorders, pain management, among others.
However, it is often misinterpreted for what we’ve seen in media when it’s used as mystical entertainment. This is a common misconception!
Hypnosis is designed to help improve focus and concentration, increasing feelings of relaxation and calm. It is a changed state of awareness that helps increase suggestibility to help reduce negative associations and feelings. These suggestions can have a significant effect on attitudes, perceptions and behaviours, especially when it comes to childbirth.
This focus, clarity, and control allows birthing people to visualize a positive birth experience , while reducing fear or negative associations from the mind and body helping you to feel more in control of your birth experience.
why take my hypnobirthing course:
Tools, skills & techniques to use during pregnancy and during labour to help you feel calm, confident and in control
Knowledge of your body and what happens during childbirth from a physiological lens
Understand your rights and know your options
Become confident in the decisions you & your birth partner make
Birth partner plays active role with tangible tools to use as support
Creates a space for you to bond your birth partner and form a community of support with other expecting parents.
Puts how you feel about birth at the forefront of its practice
Cultivate trust within yourself - knowledge is power!
Types of Hypnosis
There are a few different ways that hypnosis can be delivered:
Guided hypnosis: This form of hypnosis involves the use of tools such as recorded audios/meditations induce a hypnotic state. In my Hypnobirthing course, your birth support partner will learn how to deliver a guided hypnosis. You will also experience guided hypnosis towards the end of each session, delivered by Megan.
Self-hypnosis: Self-hypnosis is a process that occurs when a person self-induces a hypnotic state. It is often used as a self-help tool for controlling pain or managing stress. This is what you will learn to do in a Hypnobirthing course!
Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy and is practiced by licensed physicians and psychologists to treat a variety of disorders.
neuroscience behind hypnobirthing
Understanding the neuroscience behind hypnobirthing can help clients understand the immense role hypnobirthing can have during pregnancy and birth. Having this knowledge gives me the confidence to tell my clients that hypnobirthing can help you feel calm and confident during childbirth. It’s a tool everyone should have access to and I am passionate about sharing this knowledge and empowering expecting mamas!
how does hypnobirthing work?
Hypnobirthing is designed to help you strengthen your mind-body connection so that labour can unfold the way nature intended it to.
There are many miraculous components at work during the childbirth process, and the role of Hypnobirthing is to create an environment within the mind and body to facilitate this beautiful journey.
What happens inside the mind & body while using hypnobirthing techniques:
1. Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system
Being in this state helps you to stay calm and relaxed, which has a direct effect on our muscles, heart rate, blood pressure and hormone production. You will experience more confidence and an improved ability to cope with birthing sensations.
2. Creates an optimal hormonal environment
Hypnobirthing techniques pump our system with all the amazing hormones (like Oxytocin and Endorphins) which can contribute to less pain and a shorter labour.
3. Shifts how the mind perceives childbirth
Breathing patterns, positive visualizations and self-hypnosis all contribute to developing and nurturing a positive mindset, releasing any existing associations of discomfort and anxiety with birth (even if it’s within the subconscious mind).
