Hypnotherapy for Natural Childbirth

Bring up the words “labor” or “childbirth” for a pregnant woman and you are sure to be met with a look of anxiety or even panic. Most American women fear childbirth due to the anticipation of extreme pain. As women we learn of this pain early on in our lives from stories passed down from mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends. Of course even movies and TV shows reinforce this idea.

As a result of this negative conditioning, a majority of women don’t look forward to birth. Fear usually overrides their other emotions and as a result, most women immediately choose to accept pain medication during delivery. But could there be another solution?

For some women the alternate option to a fear based birth that includes pain medications and frequent interventions is a natural labor that is assisted by hypnosis. Hypnotherapy – used now for many medically related causes – is gaining popularity as an essential tool for women who want a different and more natural experience of childbirth.

Hypnotherapy works by relaxing an individuals conscious mind to the point whereby powerful and positive suggestions are able to be fed to the subconscious mind – which many believe – accounts for close to 90% of our behavior and responses.

Contrary to popular belief, hypnotherapy does not leave the client vulnerable or defenseless in the hands of the hypnotherapist. Rather the participant is completely alert and conscious of all goings on; they are simply guided into a process that allows their mind to register new and more positive thoughts and beliefs related to their goal.

In the case of childbirth women are given powerful suggestions that allow them to accept the possibility that they can in fact handle the pain of labor and even – believe it or not! – possibly enjoy the experience.

Hypnotherapy has assisted thousands of women in having better, more pleasant labors. It does so by assisting with the following:

• Decreases total labor time

• Increases comfort and mobility

• Decreases fear and anxiety

• Decreases the experience of pain

• Decreases the need for pain medication

• Increases a woman’s confidence in her ability to birth

• Facilitates the proper positioning of baby in the uterus

• Allows for a calm and peaceful birthing environment

• Can increase the release of pain-reducing endorphins in a woman

• Improves the total experience or perception of birth for a mother which has residual benefits for both her health and the health of her baby

For women that are interested in using hypnotherapy for their childbirth it is recommended that they consult a practitioner that specializes in pregnancy and delivery. As opposed to general hypnotherapists, those that have a specialty in childbirth will be able to coach a mom-to-be through the right choice of suggestions that can assist her in having the type of delivery she desires.

Hypnotherapy is generally recommended after 20 weeks of pregnancy and in some cases a few sessions may be necessary to break through deep-seated fears that a woman may have. In other instances the hypnotherapist may record your personal session and encourage you to listen to it throughout the rest of your pregnancy just before sleep to reinforce the suggestions.

For those moms wishing to experience a more natural experience of birth – one that allows them to welcome their child into the world in a peaceful and loving way – hypnotherapy can aid them in the process.