Relaxed and pain-free birthing sounds like an impossibility. It isn't. Hypnotherapy can be used during pregnancy and childbirth to prepare a mother for birth and/or to treat a number of issues ranging from fears and minor health conditions related to the pregnancy, to reducing or eliminating pain during labour.
Using hypnotherapy for childbirth can also reduce or eliminate a wide range of pregnancy related problems, such as heartburn, high blood pressure and postnatal depression.
During pregnancy and prior to birth, the use of hypnosis can significantly shorten labour, reduce pain and reduce the need for intervention.
We can also offer a tailored approach geared towards each woman's needs and concerns. This is especially important if there are additional phobias or fears associated with childbirth. This can include needle phobias, fear of hospitals or even fear of pregnancy itself.
Hypnotherapy is very successful in easing the pain of childbirth, relaxing the mother and even assisting in the delivery of the baby. As a follow-up, it can assist in helping the mother to produce milk and generally assisting in motherhood.
Both the mother and the partner are coached. The mother in self-hypnosis and the partner in techniques for hypnotising the mother to alleviate pain and induce a relaxed state. Mothers who have used the techniques (sometimes called 'hypno-birthing') say that not only is the delivery pain-free, but the baby comes out easier and is calmer.
It is reported that hypnosis
Reduced the length of labour
Reduced the incidence of pain medication use
Produced higher apgar scores (Harmon et al 1990)
Reduced the incidence of postpartum depression
Increased the incidence of spontaneous deliveries
Here is a video from the US 'Dateline' program on Hypnobirthing (in two parts):
For more information on pain-free delivery, please contact us.
