5 Tips For Successful Hypnobirthing
Used correctly, medical hypnosis works to shorten labor time, eliminate fears about birthing, and greatly reduce childbirth pain.
By Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Co-creator - The Birth Relaxation Kit™
Hypnobirthing has been proven effective time and time again in dozens and dozens of studies worldwide.
Those who have the most success with hypnosis incorporate the tips I'm about to share with you. I share them not just as a doctor, but--perhaps most importantly--as a mother who followed these tips and used medical hypnosis for my birth.
Here is what you should do...
1. Practice daily. This is probably the most important hypnosis tip I can give you. I know for sure this was the key to my success. For one, it helped me relax during pregnancy. And I was able to sleep better at night. Secondly, during birth I was able to get into a hypnotic state effortlessly. Regular practice was a daily rehearsal for birthing time.
The nice thing is that hypnosis recordings actually make regular practice easy and enjoyable. I really looked forward to that half hour escape I would get in the evenings after work listening to my hypno-recordings.
2. Practice close to bed time. This was so helpful for sleep. A lot of times I would get ready for bed and listen as I lay in bed. The hypnosis recordings really help you let go of the day's stress, as well as built-up fears about birthing. While I can't say it made everything about sleep enjoyable (finding a comfortable position to sleep in in the last 2 months of pregnancy is very challenging!), it did make it much more comfortable.
3. Repeat or listen to affirmations daily. I listened to affirmation recordings in the car, to and from work...you should never listen to hypnosis recordings while driving, but affirmations recordings are fine to listen to in the car. This really helped shift my whole mindset about birth.
Our thoughts are very powerful, and those seeds of thought in our subconscious are the most powerful. Affirmations, visualization and hypnosis, done regularly, can plant very positive, empowering seeds in our minds! And don't take that just as a metaphor. As a neurologist, I know that using these techniques help form new neural pathways in your brain.
4. Don’t overthink the process, especially during birth. This really follows the daily practice. Like I said before, if you have practiced, hypnosis will come naturally. You’ll be able to move easily in and out of that trance state, and even be able to move around in that state. I was able to do just that.
5. A supportive birth partner helps. Having strong support during birth will help you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Relaxation and comfort are the name of the game.
If you have a birth partner who is unsupportive of hypnosis for childbirth, or doesn't believe, you may want to direct them to the studies in this article. Time and time again I hear a mother say, "I wanted to have a natural birth but my husband thought I was crazy," or "My husband didn't feel safe about a homebirth eventhough I wanted to birth at home." Often, showing your partner scientific proof will be just the thing to help him take your birth choices seriously.
Besides listening to his birth partner recording, my husband Jeremy listened to just about all of my hypnosis sessions. This gave him a strong sense for how it all worked. He was actually practicing and enjoying the benefits of hypnosis too. And during birthing time, he saw the result which is why he is such an advocate.
| Please share this article with any expectant mother you know who may find hypnosis or other relaxation techniques helpful. |
