What is Hypnobirthing and why would I use it?
Hypnobirthing is a way of training your mind to deeply relax and to feel pressure or waves instead of pain. If done correctly (or taught correctly) it should work for any pain, not just childbirth. Most programs use triggers to help the person go in the hypnosis so they can have a more comfortable birth. It allows the birthing person to be able to move freely and enjoy the birth process. Having the body so relaxed helps to shorten labor since we aren’t tensing up and fighting the process.
Does Hypnobirthing actually work?
This and “Which Hypnobirthing program should I go through?” are questions I hear often. These are great questions and I have very strong opinions about them. First I will always state up front that I do not BS about what I believe is true. I used Hypnobabies birth hypnosis for both of my homebirths and was able to have 2 almost completely pain free births.
Hypnobirthing has been around for quite a while now and there are many options for learning it. You can take an in person class if there is one near you, you can read a book about it and follow along (I don’t recommend this but it does work for some), or you can take an audio course either through an app, mp3 files downloaded on your phone or good old CDs. All of these options can work.
Which Hypnobirthing program should you pick?
Which one should you pick? That depends on a few things. Do you have a class near you, and do best with in person instruction? Then in person is your best bet. Are you extremely independent, have lots of independent follow through, very little budget, and do best with written instruction? Then maybe a book can work for you. Do you not have the time, budget, or energy to make yourself a schedule or go to classes and just want to follow the instructions and have a lovely birth? Then using an audio program may be best.
For those who want to know what I recommend, I have found that classes or a really good (this is important) audio program have the best outcomes. Tacoma now has in person and Zoom hypnobirthing classes through Eleamor HypnoBirthing. Click HERE for more information. In Olympia, there is an in-person Hypnobabies class. Click HERE for more information. Both classes are full childbirth education classes in addition to birth hypnosis.
For audio programs, you have a lot of choices. I am going to hands down recommend Hypnobabies as the best, most comprehensive audio program around. I have had clients use other, cheaper, less involved programs and every time I see that when labor starts to get serious, their program is no longer helpful. Click HERE for Hypnobabies audio program.
If your program is just teaching you how to relax and doesn’t have any triggers for pain relief, it may not be adequate to work during labor. This is because real hypnosis is needed in order to actually work. You can NOT just “relax” to take the pain away from birth. If that were the case, Lamaze would be much more effective. You have to completely reprogram your brain to believe that pushing a baby out in to this world, is just pressure. So you need a program that actually teaches you real self hypnosis. Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies does this and they both come with a full pregnancy class as well so you are getting two classes for one price.
How long does it take to learn birth hypnosis?
This is a very important question because learning hypnosis takes time and effort. This is one way I see parents fail themselves: when they just half ass it. “Oh, I just didn’t have time”, “I’m just too busy”, etc. Fine, you’re too busy. So don’t complain when it doesn’t work for you. Teaching your brain hypnosis is not done in a day.
Hypnobabies and most hypnobirthing classes are 6 week programs. Even when your class is only once a week, you are listening to the tracks, and doing the practice “finger drops” every day at home. I promise it is the most relaxing thing in the world. After the first two weeks, I fell asleep as soon as the tracks started and woke up as soon as the voice said “wake up.” I had two, almost completely pain free births. But you do have to attend the classes, do the homework or turn the correct tacks on and go through the program the way it is meant to be done or you will not have the result you want.
No matter what program you use, follow the directions fully for best results. I started the Hypnobabies program early with my first pregnancy and then went through it again just to be sure everything was in my brain solidly. If you are interested in Hypnobabies click HERE. If you would like a trained Hypno-doula to support you during your birth, click HERE.
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