Calm, Confident, Welcoming
Calm, Confident, Welcoming |
Phone Shari on 0407 775 783 Email shari@birthskills.com.au
Canberra Adelaide Perth Hobart
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Hypnosis
for Childbirth. Hypnosis is just ONE tool that helps you prepare for a calm, confident, welcoming birth. To Milton Erickson, a
highly skilled and world famous hypnotherapist, hypnosis is the way two people
respond to each other, nothing more or less (Haley, 1986). There is not
necessarily the need for a deep trance or a formal initiation such as counting
backwards or swinging a watch. Hypnosis is simply a form of communication that,
when used in hypnotherapy, allows one person to suggest to the other that they
may wish to correct or change the way they think and behave. A person acting
under hypnosis is not under anyone else’s control and will not change or do
anything if they do not wish to. The most wonderful thing
about hypnosis is that it is easy; almost anyone who wants to can achieve and be
helped by hypnosis. Hypnosis for pregnancy and
childbirth can be used in a number of different ways: -
as therapy (hypnotherapy) for dealing
with fear and anxiety; -
as a method for training the mind to shut
off or ignore pain sensations; -
as a method for achieving deep
relaxation; -
to help the new parents be accepting of
the changes in their lives. Can
women really give birth without experiencing pain?
Yes, however there are many variables in labour and birth that can affect the
outcome, and couples need to have a positive but realistic view of hypnosis for
childbirth. Each pregnant woman and her partner need to feel empowered about the
choices they have during labour and how they might interact with their
caregivers to achieve the best outcome for mother and baby. Many a wonderful
birth has been thwarted by not realizing how to make positive, informed choices,
and yet these issues are easily addressed and learned in a good parent oriented
childbirth class (Dick-Read, 2004). Choosing a class that also incorporates
hypnosis will help you focus your energy and awareness towards a positive
birthing outcome. Benefits
of using hypnosis for childbirth: -
Shorter labours - resistance of the birthing muscles as a response to
pain is minimised or eliminated. -
An awake,
energized mother, due to total relaxation throughout the birthing process. -
A calm,
peaceful and welcoming birthing environment. -
Breech and
posterior babies can be turned using hypnosis. -
Fewer
interventions and complications during labour. -
Babies who are
better sleepers and feeders due to fewer drugs in their systems and more feel
good hormones they get from Mum. Hypnosis also has many
wonderful benefits during pregnancy and can be used to help with nausea,
fatigue, leg cramps and heartburn as well as the physical and emotional benefits
of deep relaxation for both mother and baby (Streeter, 2004). A good childbirth
program will provide a CD and also teach your partner how to help you into deep
relaxation so you don’t have to wait for the next class in order to benefit
from the methods. It is important to note
that hypnosis alone will not ‘deliver’ the ideal birth. When placed in the
right context of education about the human body, health and wellbeing and the
process of natural labour, hypnosis can be a powerful tool for achieving the
calm and confident state of mind vital to a positive birthing experience. References o
Dick-Read, G. (2004). Childbirth
Without Fear. Printer and Martin, London. o
Haley, J. (1986). Uncommon
Therapy: The Psychiatric Techniques of Milton Erickson MD. W. W. Norton and
Company, New York. o
Pratt, G., Wood., & Alman, B.
(1988). A Clinical Hypnosis Primer. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., Canada. o
Streeter, M. (2004). Hypnosis:
Unlock the Power of Your Mind. ABC Books, Sydney. |
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Email shari@birthskills.com.au .
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