Hypnobirthing - Advantages & Disadvantages
What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing focuses on the use of self-hypnosis and hypnotherapy during childbirth to help you work with your body and achieve a relaxed state during labour. Hypnotherapy can help you release fears and condition ourselves to release endorphins at times during our birth. By utilising self-hypnosis, the birth of your baby can be a more calm and relaxed experience; one where you are in the driver’s seat, rather than feeling like a passenger. This is likely to reduce the need for interventions during your birthing. Read more.
The Benefits of Hypnobirthing
Reduced fear approaching birth
Improved birth experience
Shorter first and second stage labour
Build confidence to advocate for yourself
Reduces pain medication requests - including epidurals
Fewer inductions
Fewer pre-term and low weight babies
Better postpartum recovery
and more!
The Disadvantages of Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing requires an investment of time, to learn and practice all the amazing tools and techniques so that when you go into labour, your body automatically knows what to do. All that practice means that when the time comes, you can focus, breathe, release tension and bring your baby calmly into the world.
Some hypnobirthing methods and courses only focus on natural birth. So if your birthing journey takes a detour or deviates from what you've been envisioning, it can be extremely stressful and disheartening.
This is where Hypnobirthing Australia™'s Positive Birth Program is revolutionising birthing in Australia. The difference is that we promote POSITIVE birth and are well prepared for whatever turns our birth may or may not take. Chances are, our birth will be natural, but all throughout the course is it emphasised that the techniques serve us well however our birth unfolds.
Preparing for Hypnobirthing
When you're ready to begin your hypnobirthing journey, there are a few things you can do to get started. First and foremost, have a look at all the different course options available - group, private, online; and choose the one that suits you. The best time to begin your classes is any time from 20 weeks pregnant to give yourself lots of time for practice.
Next comes understanding the principles behind the practice of hypnobirthing: that deep relaxation can help reduce stress during labour; that visualisation exercises can help prepare for birth; and that positive affirmations will help keep your mind focused on your baby and body working together.
Finally, practice, practice, practice! You'll want lots of hands-on practice with these techniques so they feel more natural when it comes time for delivery day!
Hypnobirthing During Labour
The techniques you learn during Hypnobirthing Australia™'s Positive Birth Program can be used during labour and birth. You will learn how to release tension and trust in your body and baby, which will help you stay calm and relaxed throughout the experience.
Whilst we can't control exactly how our birth will unfold, we can be informed, calm and make the decisions that are right for us every step of the way.
Some of the techniques you'll learn are:
BREATHING TECHNIQUES
LIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE
ACUPRESSURE
VOCALISATION
SELF-HYPNOSIS
VISUALISATION
MOVEMENT
DEEP RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Possible Challenges With Hypnobirthing
There are a few possible challenges that you may anticipating:
Staying focused: Some parents-to-be worry about staying focused on breathing and visualizations when they're in labour, especially if there are lots of distractions around you.
However, one of the great things about hypnobirthing is that you will be encouraged to practice your breathing and relaxation techniques in different situations, including when there are lots of distractions around so that you're as prepared as you can be. Plus your support person will know just how to encourage and prompt you to help you remain in a deeply relaxed state!
Pain: Some parents-to-be worry about the pain of childbirth which is understandable considering it's one of the first things that comes up when talking about labour!
It's important to understand pain. The difference between the normal, powerful, intense sensations of your body working beautifully as it brings your baby into the world and how those sensations may feel different depending on the specific situation. Learning how your body works to bring your baby into the world can change your mindset and perception of pain in childbirth!
Dealing with interventions: If something happens during labour that wasn't part of your vision -- such as needing an epidural, an induction, or having an C-section -- it can be difficult adjusting back into thinking positively about birth after having been so focused on avoiding intervention at all costs!
However, the Hypnobirthing Australia™'s Positive Birth Program ISN'T about natural birth and avoiding intervention at all cost. It's about positive birth. It's about envisioning the birth of your dreams AND it's about preparing to calmly meet whatever turn your birthing takes.
When parents-to-be are able to approach their birth without fear and with knowledge, good support, and tools for the birth – then their birthing can be a positive and empowering experience no matter how their baby enters the world.
The Benefits of Hypnobirthing After Birth
The benefits of hypnobirthing after birth are many. One of the most important is that you often recover more quickly from labour and delivery, which means you can spend more time bonding with and enjoying your new baby.
Another benefit is that hypnobirthing helps you trust in your body's abilities and your instincts. This can improve breastfeeding success rates by helping mothers relax during feeding times and believe in their body and baby.
Also, the tools and techniques used during labour and childbirth can be used during the postnatal period, for parenting and life in general.
Hypnobirthing has benefits during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, postnatally and beyond!
You only birth your baby once.
You deserve a positive birth.
