Hypno what?
Common hypnobirthing questions and answers.
1. What is Hypnobirthing?
When you hear the word hypnobirthing you may imagine swinging pocket watches and think it’s all a bit weird! However, hypnobirthing is just a way of approaching birth with a positive mindset and a set of techniques and tools that aim to reduce fear and anxiety during labour and delivery, promoting a more relaxed and positive birthing experience. It’s all about a positive birth! Read more HERE!
2. How Does Hypnobirthing Work?
Hypnobirthing involves learning deep relaxation, breathing exercises, visualization, positive affirmations, self-hypnosis, and so many more, to help work with the sensations of labour and birth, and create a calmer birthing environment. It’s about creating a space of safety and securing with a trusted support team who respects you. It builds your birth partner’s confidence in how they can best support you as your advocate and with the tools and techniques they learn with you in your hypnobirthing classes. Hypnobirthing allows us to tap into our subconscious and replace all the trauma and preconceived ideas about birth with new, balanced, empowered and positive thoughts and ideas. Hypnobirthing is as much about mindset as it is about the tools you learn. When you and your birth partner are able to approach the birth of your baby without fear you are better able to make the decisions that are right for you every step of the way, keeping you in the driver’s seat.
3. Does Hypnobirthing Guarantee a Pain-Free Birth?
I don’t promise a pain-free birth. Everyone’s perception of pain is different and how we think of and anticipate the sensations of labour and birth play into how we will experience them when the time comes. In your hypnobirthing classes, you learn lots of helpful tools and techniques for more relaxed and comfortable birthing (for active birthing and mindset). When you remove the fear of potential pain and know how to work with your body rather than against it, you can be more relaxed allowing your body to work more comfortably and efficiently to bring your baby to you.
4. Is Hypnobirthing Safe?
Hypnobirthing is incredibly safe! It is non-invasive and you are in control the entire time. You are empowered to make informed decisions about your pregnancy, labour, and birth. Hypnobirthing isn’t about one particular method of birth at all costs, it’s about positive birthing no matter how your birth unfolds. Your best birth possible with the circumstances you have.
5. How Do I Learn Hypnobirthing Techniques?
Attend hypnobirthing classes run by a certified practitioner. Hypnobirthing Australia™’s Positive Birth Program is number 1 in Australia. (Read HERE why it’s the best!) I run face-to-face group and private classes in Western Sydney, have online options available, and live via Zoom options for those further away.
6. When Should I Start Practicing Hypnobirthing?
The ideal time to book into classes is between 20 and 32 weeks. You’ll learn a lot of tools in your classes including self-hypnosis, relaxation, breathing and other evidence-based techniques for gentle, calm birthing which become more effective the more you practice them. 20-32 weeks gives you lots of practice time whilst keeping the course nice and fresh in your mind. If you are further along, please don’t let that worry you! I have taught couples as far along as 39 weeks and they went on to have two amazing births. Please contact me, Claire, directly about your options if you are further along in your pregnancy.
7. Is Hypnobirthing Only for Natural Births?
Absolutely not!
The things you will learn in your hypnobirthing classes will help you to learn relaxation skills that will be useful to both you and your baby, regardless of how your birth unfolds. In the event that medical intervention of any sort is needed, you will find yourself better able to remain calm and in control. Parents who have needed scheduled caesareans for medical reasons report that they were totally relaxed before, during and after the procedure. Many report that they needed little or no medication following the birth, and they were able to return to normal functioning in a very short period of time. In fact, we even have special tracks and an alternative program designed for caesarean birth. You deserve a positive and empowering birth; regardless of how your precious baby comes into the world.
8. Does the Birth Partner Play a Role in Hypnobirthing?
Your birth partner (could be your partner, doula, sibling, friend, parent – whoever you feel will best support you throughout your pregnancy and birth) can be an integral part of the hypnobirthing experience. They practice with the you in helping to prepare for deep relaxation. During labour they play the crucial role of advocate and protecting the birthing environment. They also guide you through hypnosis prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualisations, provide comfort measures, and join in welcoming the new baby.
9. What are the Success Rates of Hypnobirthing? Does Hypnobirthing Work?
Success is determined by you! Think about how you want to feel about your birth in a year’s time and aim for that. I have had two incredible hypnobirths. One completely didn’t go to plan and one went almost perfectly to plan. They were both absolute successes for me. You can read about them HERE and HERE!
If you would like to read the evidence on Hypnobirthing Australia™’s Positive Birth Program check out these amazing outcomes! CLICK HERE
10. Can I Read Some Personal Experiences of Hypnobirthing?
You can read about Sandhya’s Wonderful Birthing Experience – she and her husband completed Hypnobirthing Australia™’s Positive Birth Program private classes with me in the lead up to the birth of their second baby after a traumatic first birth experience.
Read about Isabelle’s powerful birth - she and her husband attended Hypnobirthing Australia™’s Positive Birth Program group classes in Westmead with me to prepare for the birth of their first baby.
You can read more beautiful birth stories HERE.
More FAQs HERE!
