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