It’s
really worth having a look at HypnoBirthing when you’re pregnant. When I told
people I was reading about it, they’d immediately assume from the name ‘HypnoBirthing’
that it was some sort of hippy dippy fad. But it isn’t as airy fairy
as you’d expect. It’s a complete antenatal education and one which is far more
truthful and useful than the conventional antenatal classes. In fact, I think
it’s probably going to be the future of antenatal courses. Here's an article about it from the Royal College of Midwives Journal.
I can’t
talk about the full-package experience of a hypnobirthing practical course,
because there were no practitioners in the area that I live in. But I did read
the book and practise the techniques taught on the tape at home.
In the
end, my labour totally didn’t go to plan, I ended up having a Pitocin drip and
an epidural (which was literally my worst nightmare as I have an absolutely
awful phobia of needles). But I was pretty calm considering the situation and
would do it all over again.
Marie
Mongan, the founder of hypnobirthing, goes over the history of childbirth and
argues that the ‘pains’ we feel during contractions are, ultimately, because of
fears instilled in us over centuries. She constantly drives home the point that
this is what our bodies are made to do and that we should embrace the whole
experience and see it as something natural rather than medical.
The
methods (breathing techniques, visualisations etc.) in hypnobirthing are
designed to override the ‘flight or fight’ response your body has when you are scared.
When you’re scared, blood rushes to your vital organs and away from the uterus,
where it is needed, and the breathing exercises Mongan teaches help to stop
this from happening, helping you to have a more comfortable time.
If you're worried about giving birth you need to read this book!
If you're worried about giving birth you need to read this book!
One
example is the breathing you’re supposed to do whilst having a contraction.
Breathe in for 20 seconds using your stomach, and then breathe out for 20
seconds using your stomach – physiologically this helps the contraction along,
and psychologically tells your brain that you are not scared. I found that it
really worked and the midwives were super impressed!
Obviously I'm only scraping the surface of what HypnoBirthing is like, so here are
some resources for you to look at:
And here's a video of Jessica Alba on The Ellen DeGeneres Show talking about her pregnancy and HypnoBirthing experience
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