Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Hypnobabies, not just for Homebirths

One of the most common questions, or statements, I hear about Hypnobabies Hypnosis for Birth is "Is that just for homebirth moms?" or "Can I use it even if I am birthing at the hospital?"
Let me take a moment now to explain WHY Hypnobabies Hypnosis for Birth works, and why it is the best option for a mom birthing in the hospital (or out of the hospital)




First, Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth course. This means that when you take a Hypnobabies Hypnosis class, you are learning all about:
*What to expect During Pregnancy and Birth
*How Labor (birth) begins
*Stages of Labor
*Staying Healthy and Low Risk
*A Healthy Pregnancy Diet
And so much more. You are will leave you Hypnobabies class having a much better, and often times very clear understanding on what the birth process is, how it begins, and what happened during each stage. This is a very important component of Hypnobabies because it means that you will not need to take another childbirth prep course. And remember, mom may have been studying up on everything birth related, but her partner may not. So it is another added benefit that Hypnobabies helps to educate mom and partner about what to expect during birth.
So, we have covered that Hypnobabies Hypnosis for Birth includes a detailed Childbirth Preparation, it also includes Hypnosis. Hypnosis has been used for pain management for many years. It is used for medical as well as dental surgeries when the patient is unable to use traditional anesthesia. With Hypnobabies, you are learning very powerful self-hypnosis. This means you learn to enter hypnosis, literally, at the drop of a finger. This deep self hypnosis that our moms learn and practice for 6 or more weeks helps them to instantly enter hypnosis and stay comfortable during their birth. The best part, mom's partner learns all her hypno-cues so that s/he is able to help mom stay focused, comfortable, and in a space of calm.

         On that note, a couple of things that you may, or may not, know about hypnosis.
                1- All hypnosis IS self hypnosis. 
                            This means that mom, partner, or anyone doing hypnosis; chooses to enter hypnosis  and they also choose to exit hypnosis whenever they need too. 
                2- Hypnosis is a state of being that we all do, on a regular basis.
                            Have you ever left on a simple errand in your car, and the next thing you know you are at your destination...that is a form of hypnosis. Other forms of hypnosis are: watching tv, listening to someone talk, etc. 
                3- Hypnosis is not a state of mind control, or a state of sleep. 
                            Since all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, you are always completely in control, and you are never asleep. 

Next, I would like to cover one of the reasons I think Hypnobabies should be a cornerstone for any couple that is choosing to birth in a hospital. Hypnobabies covers Informed Consent. This is a big deal, since often times couples enter the birth arena with little to no knowledge of what their choices are during pregnancy, birth, and the care of their baby.
Far too often I hear moms tells their birth stories and it goes something like this: "Then they allowed me to _____", "They told me I had to ________", " I felt like my birth was happening to me, I had no choice, no control."
These are sad, often painful statements that mothers are making about their birth. The truth is, you have a choice during your birth. This, to me, is the best part of a Hypnobabies class. Since each instructor is teaching the exact same things, no matter where you take your Hypnobabies class (whether here in utah with me, or in Canada with one of our amazing instructors there) you are getting the same, invaluable information.
Hypnobabies takes the time to really educate an expectant couple on their choices during birth. Did you know that Pitocin can be turned down or even off is the pressure waves (contractions) are too strong? Did you know that you have other choices for cervical softening besides cytotec? Do you know what a Bishop's score is?
All of this stuff is what makes Hypnobabies stand out. We teach our couples how to ask questions and get all the information needed to make the best choice for them and their baby. By adding choice back into the birth equation, hospital moms are more able to feel empowered about their birth choices, instead of feeling that things just happened. This choices are also helpful for birth center and home birth moms!!
Right there, one class in a series of 6, is just ONE reason why Hypnobabies is almost a necessity for a hospital birth. Being informed allows you to have a greater say, and a greater understanding of the birth process. This in turn allows the Hypno-Family to make educated choices not only during birth but for the rest of their lives. Many of my hypno-couples have mentioned that the tools they learned they continue to use. One mom said it was nice to know what to ask when she had to take her 14 month old baby to the hospital and they wanted to perform test and do procedures that she did not feel was necessary. After asking questions that she learned from Hypnobabies, she was able to decide what was legitimate for her baby, and what was just a doctor "shooting in a barrel hoping to find something."



If you are an expectant couple, the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is to become informed. If you are wanting an unmedicated childbirth, then I highly recommend you look for a local Hypnobabies Instructor.

1 comment:

  1. Great post! Learning how to make educated and informed decisions about my care during pregnancy and birth is one of my favourite components of Hypnobabies!

    ReplyDelete