What is hypnobirthing & why you should consider it before giving birth
This month I am doing a collaboration with a local hypnobirthing teacher in South Croydon, the lovely Katie from @theawesomebirthtribe
I am personally interested in hypnobirthing and I learnt about it with the book “The Hypnobirthing book” by the famous Katharine Graves.
When I was pregnant with Lily, I was curious to understand a bit more about it especially if it would help me relax and have less pain during labor! Long story short, I ended up having a c-section so I never really got a chance to put it into practice for her birth as much as I wanted. But it did help me relax even during the c-section. I am really convinced by the techniques and how effective it is to help you relax in many situations.
But let’s hear a bit more about Katie the expert, as she answers my questions :)
What is hypnobirthing ?
Hypnobirthing is a form of birth preparation that focusses on preparing your mind, as well as your body, for birth. When we fear birth or have negative connotations of it (which, let's face it, most of us do thanks to all the things we hear from family and friends, or see on TV) then we're more likely to release adrenaline when we go into labour, which can interfere with our body's hormones and natural processes, and can slow down labour and/or make it more uncomfortable.
Hypnobirthing is designed to give you tools and techniques to reduce the chances of that happening.
A hypnobirthing course also teaches you what is happening in your body during birth and helps you work with your body rather than fighting against it, as well as helping you understand all the options you have in a whole variety of different birth scenarios, and preparing you to advocate for yourself and make the right decisions for you and your baby.
How does it work?
The 'hypno' part of hypnobirthing uses tools such as self-hypnosis, visualisation and affirmations to help your subconscious (the part of your brain which would be responsible for releasing adrenaline) 'unlearn' everything that society has taught us about birth, and release/reframe any anxieties or fears.
We also go through a number of practical techniques to help you deeply and quickly relax, so it becomes muscle memory, enabling you to stay calm and in your birthing zone during your labour. This can also help you to connect with your baby, listen to your body, and tune into your instincts, which can be so important in birth and new parenthood.
What are the benefits of practicing hypnobirthing during childbirth?
There are so many benefits. Using hypnobirthing techniques can result in a shorter and more comfortable labour, and can significantly reduce the need for intervention. While hypnobirthing cannot guarantee a pain-free birth, it can be really effective as a form of pain relief. Moreover, the combination of powerful mindset techniques and empowering birth education, and confidence in your ability to advocate for yourself, gives you the tools to navigate any birthing scenario that you might find yourself in.
Are there specific breathing techniques or visualizations used in hypnobirthing?
Yes, different instructors will teach slightly different breathing techniques, but personally I cover three different breathing techniques - one to use to help you stay calm and relax in general life and in between surges to help you rest and relax, one to use during surges, and one to use to help you work with your body to push your baby out.
I do use specific visualisations during my courses, but the beauty of visualisation is that you can create your own personal visualisations depending on what resonates and connects with you.
Can hypnobirthing be used for any type of childbirth, including natural births and medical interventions?
100% There's a misconception that hypnobirthing is only really for homebirths, water births, or 'natural' births. But hypnobirthing is designed to help you navigate any birthing scenario.
It can be incredibly helpful in hospital settings to help you influence the environment and reduce the chances of adrenaline kicking in, it can be a great tool to help you manage an induction or other medical interventions, and it can be used with pain relief. Hypnobirthing can be really helpful in keeping you calm during a caesarean birth, and helping you have a beautiful and empowering experience.
What role does my partner play in hypnobirthing?
Your birth partner, or birth partners, can play a really key role in hypnobirthing. By going through the techniques at the same time as you, such as the breathing and relaxation techniques, they can help to spot when you might be starting to feel anxious and can help to ground you.
The techniques are also incredibly useful for helping birth partners stay calm and confident too. And importantly, by going through the birth education with you, your birth partner will know what your options are, what your preferences are and what you want to avoid, and will feel so much more confident in advocating for you and helping you make the right decisions for you and your baby.
How long in advance should I start hypnobirthing classes or start practising at home?
You can start a hypnobirthing class, or practicing the techniques at home, at any time in your pregnancy. Most people start between 20 and 30 weeks to give them plenty of time to get used to the techniques - ideally you will be so used to the breathing techniques and the relaxation that it is muscle memory by the time you get to your baby's birth. But it’s never too late - you can learn and/or start using the tools and techniques at 39/40 weeks and you'll still get loads of benefit!
Can I use hypnobirthing outside of maternity, like if I go have a surgery ?
So many of the hypnobirthing techniques translate over into other aspects of life. The ability to stay calm in situations that might be uncomfortable, to quickly and deeply relax, to ground yourself and to block out external noise and go within yourself when needed can be incredibly useful. I regularly use hypnobirthing techniques in doctor's surgeries when I'm feeling on edge, at the dentist, and on a weekly basis when my two children are testing me!
Thank you so much Katie, that was super insightful!
Mamas, I hope you enjoyed it as much as me, and you are ready to give it go. There are sooo many benefits and you can even use it after your baby is born for day-to-day stress!
If you want to learn more about it, get in touch with the lovely Katie :)
And if you would love to capture you newborn memories, Contact me now to book your session
