Hypnobirthing

Pregnancy initiates a whole range of feelings and emotions as well as prompting pre-conceived ideas of what the child-birth process will entail as a result of other people’s experience. Hypnotherapy is becoming more and more popular for helping a ‘mother to be’ because it is a largely hands-off, non-invasive therapy that encourages a sense of relaxation and calmness. Most fears about childbirth will focus on pain and the sense of losing control as well as another associated fears about needles and hospitals. 

Hypnobirthing  is a technique that focuses on helping a person come to terms with those fears. By teaching self-hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to come to terms with the pain through labour, the goal is to help the person remain in control and encourage feelings of being safe. Deepening techniques can be taught during pregnancy and practised ahead of labour to deepen the state of relaxation as well as using imagery such as the waves gently lapping the shore line or visualising a balloon floating away as the contractions peak and subside. Working with clients is always complementary to the birthing plan that has been established with the mid-wife and realistic expectations are always at the forefront of any sessions. The role of the birthing partner is enhanced through this process and more than anything the goal is to help reduce fear and anxieties that may be presenting issues.

Normally, sessions of hypnotherapy begin around 20 weeks of gestation but in reality the best time to come is when you are ready and it can still be useful in the later stages of pregnancy.