Hypnobirthing FAQ’s

(frequently asked questions)

“What is Hypnobirthing all about – and how can it help me?”

Hypnobirthing comes down to four things: Knowledge, Tools, Support and Preparation.

Knowledge about options for care such as hospital (public or private), birth centre or home, midwife led or obstetrician; and knowledge about the physiology of birth – how our bodies are designed to work during birth – so that we understand what’s happening during labour and birth, and don’t fear that process. Tools such as massage, hypnosis, acupressure and more that assist in achieving a deep relaxation during labour and birth. Support from your birth partner, care givers and environment. Preparation so that you and your birth partner know what to do and what to expect when the time comes.

Having the knowledge and information about your options and about how your body works during labour and delivery will help you to state your preferences and make informed decisions about your care that are right for you and your baby. This creates the foundation for a beautiful, positive birth.

Becoming familiar with the tools of deep relaxation (hypnosis), massage, acupressure and others will give you a variety of techniques to use to help you achieve deep relaxation, trust in your body’s abilities to birth and manage the strong sensations that can come with labour and birthing a baby.

Your birth partner will be able to support you during labour and birth with not only the different tools but also with advocating for you and your preferences for labour and birth with the doctors, midwives and nurses. This includes making the environment in which you are labouring and birthing a supportive and peaceful one that helps assist with your relaxation and facilitates the process of birth.  You could use music, dim lighting, positive words, a birth ball, water etc. There is also information to give to caregivers about hypnobirthing to assist them in supporting you in your choices.

Preparation is about practicing the tools and techniques over and over during your pregnancy so that when your labour begins they’re second nature. It’s also about being prepared by doing all the things already mentioned – gaining knowledge (knowledge is power!), having tools to assist you, having the support of your birth partner and your caregivers, and practicing.

Hypnobirthing uses all of these things to empower you to have the beautiful, positive birth you deserve and are capable of.

Why choose Hypnobirthing Australia™?

Click here for more info!

How is Hypnobirthing different from other childbirth methods?

What makes hypnobubs® and Hypnobirthing Australia™ different?

Does hypnobirthing actually work?

We are all about positive birth. Whilst other childbirth methods can be focused on one way to birth or natural birth at all cost, Hypnobirthing Australia™ classes are all about having a positive birth no matter how your birth unfolds.

Other childbirth education programs and methods teach pain management and how to cope with pain. Hypnobirthing is based on the idea that for a healthy individual with no risk factors, with a low-risk, uncomplicated, healthy pregnancy and baby, physiological birth (no unnecessary interventions) should be the norm not the exception.

We learn and understand how the body works in childbirth, the role of hormones, how we can work with our body, increase our understanding of the difference between physiological pain (body working) vs pathophysiological pain (something is wrong) and reduce fear. We change our mindset, focusing on positive birthing and the joy of bringing our baby into the world. The tools and techniques learnt in the program assist in staying calm and relaxed, trusting our body and baby to do what they are so perfectly designed to do.

Do I need to do hospital antenatal classes?

The choice is yours. The Hypnobirthing Australia Course is a very comprehensive course in natural childbirth education. Hospital antenatal courses often cover a lot of information about interventions and medical procedures during birth and are bound by hospital policy in what they will teach. In hypnobirthing we learn all about the birth process, what to expect during pregnancy/the onset of labour/birthing, how to release any fears associated with birthing and we learn techniques (relaxation, breathing, visualisations and deepening exercises) to use during labour. The Hypnobirthing Australia courses are not bound by any hospital or facility policy, they are entirely evidence-based and advocate for best practice. Having said that, we are of the belief that ‘knowledge is power’ and the knowledge that you will gain through antenatal classes, along with your hypnobirthing classes, can help you to make informed decisions.

Is hypnobirthing only for natural births?

What if I don’t opt for a natural childbirth or if circumstances necessitate medical intervention or a caesarean birth?

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.

Can hypnobirthing be beneficial to someone who has special circumstances, VBAC or who must have a C-section?

Hypnobirthing is very beneficial to parents who have special circumstances.

Many obstetricians, midwives and doctors are now requesting that parents take a hypnobirthing course or similar before VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean).

In fact, we even have special tracks and an alternative program designed for caesarean birth. We want you to experience a positive and empowering birth; regardless of how your precious baby comes into the world.

Is hypnobirthing for partners too?

Absolutely!

The birth partner of the birthing parent’s choice (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 birthing parent in helping to prepare for deep relaxation. During labour the partner guides the labouring parent through hypnosis prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualisations, provides comfort measures, and joins in welcoming the new baby.

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.

What will I learn in hypnobirthing classes?

See the Positive Birth Program course outline HERE.

Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience if I use hypnobirthing?

Despite misconceptions and misinformation, you are definitely not unconscious during self-hypnosis.

The Hypnobirthing parent is deeply relaxed, but they are also an active participant in the labour process. Though they are deeply relaxed, they are totally aware and may return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile whenever they desire. Hypnobirthing parents often find that they experience time distortion and are not distracted by other people or their birthing environment, while they focus on their birthing and their baby.

Is it true that I will experience a pain-free birth with hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing does not promise painless birthing, though many hypnobirthing parents do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily. When the cause of pain – fear, that constricts the birthing muscles – is dealt with, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period and much more comfortably. A relaxed body will produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants. Hypnobirthing parents may still experience sensations of tightening or pressure; but most describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is frequently spoken of by parents who have prepared for their birth differently.

We recognise the difference between physiological (body working hard) and pathophysiological pain (something is wrong- injury/disease) and this understanding helps to change our mindset and perceptions of the sensations we feel during labour and childbirth.

What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with Hypnobirthing?

Can I still use this method and how can my healthcare providers help me to achieve my Hypnobirthing goals?

More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of Hypnobirthing. If your care giver is not knowledgeable about Hypnobirthing, take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment that you desire. In class, you will learn how to create a plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your doctor or midwife.

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