What is HypnoBirthing®
HypnoBirthing® was developed in the US in 1989 by Marie Mongan and is based on the work of an English obstetrician and founder of the National Childbirth Trust, Dr Grantly Dick-Read. He noticed that women who were calm and had positive expectations of their labour experienced less pain than those who were frightened.
HypnoBirthing® is a complete birth education programme that teaches simple but specific self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better birth.
HypnoBirthing® is much more than just self hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth. With HypnoBirthing®, you'll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour. You'll learn how to release the fears and anxieties you may currently have about giving birth, and how to overcome previous traumatic births.
HypnoBirthing® lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth - rather than the terrible child birth stories some woman enjoy reliving with you. Most importantly, you'll learn how to put yourself back in control of your birth - rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife.
HypnoBirthing® doesn't mean you'll be in a trance or a sleep. Rather, you'll be able to chat, and be in good spirits - totally relaxed, but fully in control. You'll always be aware of what is happening to you, and around you.
HypnoBirthing® doesn't require any particular belief system, or prior experience. Some of our mums (and especially their partners!) have been very sceptical at first - until they experience it for themselves. Just imagine welcoming each surge! Feeling peaceful... relaxing... and even smiling as your baby comes closer to you!
In short, HypnoBirthing® allows you to experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to.
What You Will Learn
Introduction
- HypnoBirthing® Beginnings.
- How Fear Affects Labour and why birthing doesn't have to hurt and why it often does.
- Building a Positive Expectancy as your mind can and does affect your body.
- Watch inspirational videos of women birthing easily and calmly.
Preparing for the birth
- Learn why nutrition and exercise are important for you and baby.
- Learn how to be confident and informed when dealing with the medical staff - when to question, what to ask...and when it's time to let them take charge.
- Write your own birth plan that is personal to you.
- How to bring about your own easy start of labour with simple, natural techniques, if you go beyond your "estimated due date".
- How to release any fears you might have about childbirth...regardless of where they come from.
- How to reduce your risk of needing an episiotomy during birth with a stunningly simple massage technique.
During the birth
- Helpful breathing and visualisation techniques for each of the stages of labour.
- How to massively reduce the need for any medication at all.
- Your birthing partner will learn how to deepen your relaxation using hypnosis techniques and specific massage techniques that really work.
- Learn about positions for an optimal birth, and how to re-start your labour naturally should things slow down.
- Most importantly, you'll know how to relax and stay calm and in control - regardless of what's happening around you.
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HypnoBirthing® Benefits
- Considerably shorter labour and birthing.
- Significantly fewer surgical births.
- High number of comfortable, natural births with no technological assistance.
- Reduction of Post Natal Depression.
- Highly energized mums in good spirits following births that are calm and gentle.
- Increase in baby’s apgar scores (health of baby after birth).
- You'll learn the techniques once for this birth, but then you can then use them again and again, no matter how many children you have.
- You can use the techniques to help calm and relax yourself any time you feel stressed out...(we've had many couples tell us this alone has been invaluable!).
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What is Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a naturally induced state of relaxed concentration, a state of mind and body in which we communicate suggestions to our subconscious mind. This part of our mind influences what we think, how we feel, and the choices we make. It can actually control pain.
There is no magic to achieving success with self-hypnosis. Almost anyone who chooses to can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus.
When having your baby with HypnoBirthing®, what you will experience is similar to the daydreaming or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book or staring at a fire. You will be conversant and in good spirits, totally relaxed, but fully in control. You will be aware of your body’s surges, but will be able to determine the extent to which you feel the surge.
You will experience your birthing in an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, without the fear and tension that cause pain. Your body’s natural anesthesia (endorphins) will replace the stress hormones that cause pain.
When it is time for your baby to be born, you will be fully awake and involved.
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Class Description
The course consists of five classes amounting to a total of 12.5 hrs over a period of five weeks, however some flexibility is possible. All course material such as HypnoBirthing® manual, Rainbow Relaxation & Birthing Affirmations CD and practice handouts are included in the price. As I only offer private classes I believe this gives you the opportunity to explore issues which are important to you and the sessions can be personalised to suit your individual needs.
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