We get a lot of questions regarding BirthSkills, the use of meditation or hypnosis for childbirth and other aspects of natural childbirth.
Here are the answers to some of the more common questions:
Q I am very interested in participating in the classes and was wondering at what stage of pregnancy you recommend taking the classes?
A We have had women start the BirthSkills classes at 14 weeks and others at 35 weeks. Despite the starting date, participants always gain some benefit from the classes; the knowledge, skills, and techniques are not difficult to learn and are readily applicable to life as a parent and to any other circumstance which might pose some level of stress or frustration.
If someone really tries to pin me down on this question I suggest around the 28 week mark, you have had all of the first-trimester tests and screenings and know all is going well and are ready to focus on the ‘next bit’, at this stage you also have a few months ahead to practice the techniques and develop a great birthing plan and set of preferences.
Q What do you teach in the program, is it different to the ante-natal classes at the hospital?
A The BirthSkills program teaches you and your partner physical relaxation techniques, the use of breath, how to use visualisations and guided meditation or self-hypnosis, how your muscles work during birthing and what your hormones will be doing. The focus is on mind/body communication, that is, how you can use your thoughts to work effectively with your body during birthing. Generally speaking, hospital ante-natal classes will run you through their processes and standard procedures, the basics of how the baby will move through your body during birthing, what happens if… and your options regarding medical pain-management (all of which is also covered in BirthSkills, but more specifically in terms of the choices you have).
Q Does your partner have to attend all of these sessions and what do you teach the guys?
A Ideally, Mum and Dad (or other birthing partner) attend the sessions together so that both learn and understand how to use the breath, hypnosis and other relaxation techniques, this way there is also less chance for Mum to become frustrated with Dad on the day! As well as very practical things, we teach the Dads techniques for helping their partner to go even deeper into hypnosis and relaxation, and massage techniques specifically designed to compliment the natural pain-management. Partners also gain an understanding of what the labouring woman might expect of their partner during birthing and how what they say and do can contribute to making it a more calm and positive experience.
When it is not possible for a partner to attend a class women attending solo are very welcome and well accommodated, mothers, sisters, and friends are also welcome.
Q Why use relaxation/hypnosis instead of the medical pain-relief offered by the hospital?
A The short answer is personal preference. Medical pain-relief methods (gas, pethidine and epidural) involve the introduction of a chemical to the woman’s body to control the experience or perception of an unpleasant sensation. These substances can be unpredictable with regard to the effects that they might have on the woman (side effects of the gas or pethidine) can include nausea, dizziness, feeling out of control etc. and there is research to suggest that there may be side-effect for babies too (especially with regard to pethidine). Some women don’t like the thought of the needle or the catheter (for passing urine) which is often needed for an epidural. Learning relaxation and self-hypnosis and other skills for birthing offer you the opportunity to use the natural resources available within your body, with no side-effects, to birth the way nature intended.
Q Why don’t more people use hypnosis instead of the medical ‘stuff’?
A Our culture perpetuates the view that birthing is a medical process, that women need others to help them birth their baby even when everything is going ‘normally’. We are not taught the skills of birthing as girls or young women, instead we are told about the pain, how long it takes and about all the things that go wrong, Unfortunately, not everyone comes across the idea that there is another way, that these are other people’s stories and with the right preparation your experience can be very calm and very positive.
Q I have heard some mothers (who have used hypnosis) refer to being able to select on what day they would give birth, and one woman swearing that she planned the length of her labour and ended up within 5 minutes of her goal. Is it in fact possible to your knowledge?
A Yes, through hypnotherapy, releasing fear and trusting your body, you are able to choose the day and length of your labour, I have had a number of women do this successfully (not all choose to do this). I still find it absolutely amazing and am in constant awe of the power of the mind. We use a hypnotherapy script in the BirthSkills program that offers women the opportunity to select aspects of their birthing experience including day, time, length and intensity of their labour.
Q Is it actually possible to have a pain-free birth?
A Again, yes, and again, I find it absolutely amazing that the main difference between women who have a pain-free birth and those who do not is their beliefs. Women who have pain-free births develop trust, confidence, determination and concentration using the relaxation and/or self-hypnosis techniques, they are the happiest new Mums on the planet! Many midwives have said to me that birthing is 90% attitude and 10% medical luck - attitude is something we can choose!
Q How do you relax during a contraction?
A With knowledge and practice the physical relaxation becomes very easy and natural, combine this with breath-work, endorphins and a good support person and you will be able to work with your contraction instead of against it.
Q When are the classes?
A Please see the Format page for more information.
If you have a question regarding hypnosis for birthing or the BirthSkills classes please email Dr Shari Read at shari@birthskills.com.au or phone 0407 775 783.