Hypnosis Education Association

Self-Hypnosis for Childbirth… What Is It?  How Does It Work?

 By Jan Segers Rysdon, M.A., C.Ht.

When I introduce my comfortable childbirth program to women, they ask, “How is it possible to be comfortable?  Labor and delivery mean PAIN!”  Yes, women emphasize the last word, but I quickly eliminate it from their vocabulary and focus on the word “COMFORT.”  The truth is, childbirth creates a natural state of ecstasy that is life transforming.  Utilizing self-hypnosis and deep relaxation techniques magnifies that state and creates comfort before, during, and after the wonderful birthing journey.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state of heightened, focused attention best achieved through physical relaxation.  You do not sleep. Your mind is alert and always in control.  All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and unlocks your own inner intelligence to allow desired changes leading to enhanced control over the body’s responses.  Most anyone can be hypnotized, even teenagers and children.  Each person responds differently and goes into a state of trance appropriate for the individual and the situation.  Learning self-hypnosis and other important strategies generally takes several sessions; a session may last 60 to 120 minutes depending on the work to be done.  The American Medical Association accepts the therapeutic use of hypnotherapy, and many scientific studies have revealed the benefits of hypnosis.

What do Moms-to-Be learn?   How do they use self-hypnosis?

Moms-to-Be begin my Comfortable Childbirth Education Program at any point up to Week 30.  The earlier pregnant women learn how to create comfort by using the techniques and tools taught in the program, the easier it is to use them during the birthing experience.

While in my classes, Moms-to-Be transform negative thoughts and beliefs by talking about childbirth and creating positive and joyful expectations. New terminology for the journey becomes paramount; for example, “contraction” becomes “pressure.”  She also learns self-hypnosis and progressive relaxation techniques to assist her in focusing, relaxing, and releasing fear which will assist in creating positive thoughts and emotions. Learning and using the “Comfort Tools” and techniques for any uncomfortable physical moment or experience before the baby arrives easily empowers women to be ready for the actual birthing journey.  Daily, Moms-to-Be take time to practice self-hypnosis.  Repetition of this exercise assists the unconscious mind to make necessary changes in the body.

Visualization is another key element of self-hypnosis.  With creative visualization and mental imagery, women also connect with their babies and prepare their bodies’ muscles for the journey.

Childbirth is a journey, a climb; it’s work and each turn in the journey requires deep focus.  The Partner serves an invaluable role in Mom-to-Be’s achieving the optimum state of focus and deep relaxation.  The partners rehearse and practice many times before the due date to ensure Mom-to-Be will automatically reach the optimum state of relaxation when the real birthing journey begins.

Hypnosis WORKS for Childbirth!

Self-hypnosis taught in my Comfortable Childbirth Education Program is a welcome addition to information learned in other childbirth education classes.  Hypnosis offers many benefits including the following:

• helps minimize pain and pressure
• prepares the body’s muscles
• empowers the mother-to-be
• improves emotional well-being
• may reduce the length of labor
•  releases stress, fear and anxiety
• may reduce the need for drugs
• triggers the body’s relaxation response
• helps ensure rapid postnatal recovery
• And much more!!!

One of my clients wrote me after she delivered her baby:  “The hypnosis for birthing worked as far as I’m concerned… After the birth [my husband] was the first in line to say how easy it was. It was more emotional, and he was there for that part, concentrating on his new baby girl because there was no pain for his loving wife.”

Another client told me that one of her affirmations for childbirth was, “This is going to be easy.” After she gave birth, she asked me to tell other women, “It most definitely was.”

If you are interested in exploring the wonderful benefits of hypnosis for a joyful birthing journey, consult with a Certified Hypnotherapist who specializes in creating comfortable childbirth.

Jan serves her clients by using and teaching hypnotic techniques that create changes necessary to achieve happy, healthy, and productive personal and professional lives.   Learn more about Jan at www.JanRysdon.com.

Connecting with the Unborn Child

By Okka Holthuis, DNM

Dr. Anne Spencer asked that I expand on the thought of asking an unborn child to shift from the breach position within the mother, to allow a safe and comfortable birthing experience for all. As hypnotists we know that verbal communication is a small part of the total communication we have with ourselves as well as with others.

We also know that just by recalling an experience, we can stimulate an emotion again, re-creating a feeling to a degree that can be felt clearly on a cellular level. Just like now, when you take a deep breath and go back to a moment in time when you felt calm and relaxed …. notice the physical response in your body. And when you remember a moment when you were angry at somebody  …. again just notice the changes in your body. Or when you remember the moment when somebody unexpectedly gave you a present …. and notice that response.

Already this little exercise shows us how emotions change our physical experience, travel throughout our entire body, effecting all cells. Emotions like joy and calmness bring about that we feel good in our bodies, emotions of stress or anger create tension.

Let us expand that awareness by following the idea of quantum physics that all is energy and everything is interconnected, and  apply this toward a Mom, a Dad and an unborn child. It then might not seem too difficult to imagine, that thoughts and feelings of a Mom- or Dad-to-be will reach the unborn child. Now, on the other hand, how would it be when we allow for the possibility that the child could communicate with the parents as well?

Then the connectedness between child and parents and the ability to communicate establishes a bond we can use very effectively in our work.

Even when a pregnancy is healthy and joyful, an intimate connection through communication between the parents and the unborn child is beneficial, not only throughout the pregnancy but far beyond. And especially in situations like premature contractions or a breach position, which usually cause feelings of stress, fear or helplessness, this communication can be used as a powerful tool. Stress and fear are contracting emotions. The body is in tension, obstructing the flow of energy – and in that having an adverse effect on the baby.

In order to stop this cycle, I have found it helpful to focus Mom’s attention away from the issue and towards the baby. When a Mom knows how to enter a state of altered consciousness, relaxing into being with her unborn child and asking the child what he or she needs in order for the situation to improve, at least three things happen:

— Firstly, the mother has something ‘to do’, which takes her attention away from the fearful or stressful situation and at the same time empowers her. This shift of attention often already allows the body to start to relax.

— Secondly, when Mom begins to listen to her child, her own inner chatter has to stop – we cannot speak and listen at the same time – in other words she removes herself once more from her own feelings and tension, thus allowing her body to relax further.

— Thirdly, the child has the experience prior to entering this world that s/he is listened to while the parents learn that their child – on a very deep level – knows what is best form him/her, and trust can be established.

Miracles seem to happen when this communication and bond is established. Babies turn from a breach position by themselves, premature contractions stop, a birthing process begins naturally without inducing it.

Sometimes it seems that a baby just needs some encouragement to come into this world, sometimes it is entirely different. As unalike as we are as individuals can the insights of the unborn child be. When we learn to listen and to trust the answers, we might be surprised about the outcome.

Okka Holthuis is an experienced and respected Health Practitioner (a degree in complementary medicine from Germany), Doctor of Natural Medicine, certified as an hypnosis instructor, NLP practitioner and Spiritual Counselor and has dedicated her life to supporting others improve their life’s situation. Visit Okka at www.rainbowhealingcenter.com