The Truth About Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing suffers in the hands of its own name. I have friends reject my offers of hypnobirthing classes, because they believe I'm going to throw on a headscarf and start chanting. Or that I'm going to put them into a trance so strong, that they won't have control over their births. Or that I'm just going to waste their time with 'meditations' that stand zero chance of impacting something as powerful as labour.
Well, it's time to put all of these misconceptions to rest, to slap the hypno-nonsense in the face. To shout the truth from the rooftops - "Hypnobirthing is so simple and practical that it verges on boring!" Here's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
1. Hypnotherapy is merely the use of words.
That's right. A hypnobirthing course will teach you how to use words in a more focused and positive way, in order to rid your mind of all the negative ideas about birth that you have acquired in your life. Our perception of pregnancy and labour is the sum total of every bad birth story told, overly-dramatic film seen, and 'One Born Every Minute' episode endured. These images and associations sit in your subconscious, convincing you that birth is a scary, over-medicalised, and painful ordeal. Hypnobirthing uses relaxations, visualisations and the power of words to release this fear and negativity, replacing it with calm, confidence and positivity. And none of this requires you going into a 'trance' - you might be so relaxed that you have a little snooze, but in my opinion that's just another great reason to give it a go #winning.
2. Hypnobirthing helps your body do what it is perfectly designed to do naturally.
A woman's body is perfectly designed to give birth - it's what we are made for. It is not a medical event, nor is it a scary or dangerous one. As society has evolved we have just forgotten that. Hypnobirthing releases fear and gives you confidence, which in turn helps your body relax. And a relaxed body will birth a baby more quickly, with less pain, and without the need for medical interventions.
Whilst in a calm and relaxed state, a labouring woman's body will release Oxytocin - this is the best drug in the world. It's the love drug - the hormone that your body releases when you have a cuddle, a kiss, an orgasm, even when you laugh. And it is also the drug that fuels birth. What? Yes, you got it - labour is designed to feel good! However, when a woman is frightened and stressed, she will release Adrenalin - the fight or flight hormone and Oxytocin's nemesis. It makes your heart pump faster, and diverts blood (and oxygen) away from your uterus and into your extremities. This is really useful if you need to fight your midwife or run away from the hospital, but less useful when you need to birth your baby. With less oxygen the uterus can't work as effectively, resulting in a more painful, and often longer, labour.
In a nutshell, hypnobirthing lets us get back to using our fabulous bodies the way they are supposed to be used.
3. Hypnobirthing doesn't promise a pain free birth.
Sorry ladies, hypnobirthing can't promise you a painfree birth. If it could, I'd be a millionaire. Pain is completely subjective and of course everybody feels it differently. So whilst some hypnobirthing mothers describe a totally pain-free labour (lucky devils), others do experience discomfort and pain.
What it can promise you is that the pain you do experience will be less intense and far more manageable. Pain is caused by tension which is caused by fear. By giving you the tools you need to relax, and replacing fear with confidence, you will have less tension, and in turn less pain. Simples.
4. You can have a hypnobirth, no matter how you give birth.
There is no perfect hypnobirth. None at all. No one-size-fits-all answer to how you should give birth. Hypnobirthing is about giving pregnant couples a toolbox of helpful techniques that can be used whatever happens during your birth. And these techniques are incredibly valuable whether you give birth in a birth pool in your home, with an epidural in the hospital, or by caesarean in theatre. What Hypnobirthing ensures in all of these situations is that you are in control, that you are calm and confident, and that you have a positive experience. Hypnobirthing supports the birth that is right for you and your baby.
5. Hypnobirthing is a team sport.
One of the best things about hypnobirthing is that it gives your birth partner an active part to play. No more dads standing in the corner looking terrified and feeling like a third wheel. Not only do birth partners get to indulge in the lovely relaxations leading up to the birth, but they get to take on the incredibly important role of protector and advocate during birth. A hypnobirthing course will give birth partners the skills to confidently maintain a calm and relaxed environment, protect the woman's space and birth preferences, and advocate for her when she is unable to do it for herself. Often sceptical partners end up loving hypnobirthing more than the pregnant woman. Go team!
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