Why labor and birth is not what you see on TV – HypnoBirthing as a birth preparation method
by Margaretha Tosi, HypnoBirthing Practitoner, Doula & Holistic Therapist
HypnoBirthing is based on the knowledge that the uterus mostly consists of muscle, a muscle like any other in a woman’s body. Besides that, Hypnobirthing is a comprehensive birth education course that teaches simple but specific self-hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques that can make labor and delivery very comfortable. You may approach this idea with skepticism, as many women have before you, thinking this cannot be true, simply due to much of today’s conditioning that “Giving birth is painful”. While the opposite can often be far nearer to the truth.
The name HypnoBirthing can seem strange and a bit alternative at first, but the truth is that we “hypnotize” ourselves many times every day – an example is when you take your daily walk and arrive home without having thought about the surrounding noises such as birds, cars or the barking of the neighbor’s dog. Or, the moment right before you fall asleep or as you start waking up in the morning. Your mind simply wanders off into a different state of mind, and HypnoBirthing uses this. HypnoBirthing doesn’t mean that a woman will be in a trance or asleep. Rather, she will be able to chat, and be in good spirits – totally relaxed, but fully in control. She will always be aware of what is happening to her, and her surroundings. (1)
“Even though many of us will birth for the first time, we are all looking for that calm, self-confident attitude of a woman who knows what she’s doing”
HypnoBirthing usually is taught over the course of 12 hours during which you get to learn all about how your body works when giving birth. The philosophy strives to have you experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to. HypnoBirthing empowers women and teaches couples how to be in control of the birth process and how to let go of any fears and anxieties they might have about childbirth.
HypnoBirthing teaches how to use your brain as your best painkiller through very simple techniques of deep relaxation and specific breathing. Together with visualization techniques and positive birth affirmations.
A complete HypnoBirthing Course:
- educates you about the way in which your body is designed to give birth
- helps you relax and have confidenceduring pregnancy & birth
- prepares you for labor by giving you the tools to go through labor in a more comfortable way
- teaches breathing techniques for all stages of labor
- teaches visualization techniques that help you open and relax during labor
- educates partners in how to become (if they aren’t already) the best and most confident birth companion possible
- teaches how to work with your body to eliminate fear and pain
- shows how to use a light massage during labor to ease back discomfort
- helps you to create a birth plan and informs how to confidently communicate your choices to caregivers
- gives tools how to handle situations where your birth doesn’t go the way you desired
- gives you breastfeeding tips and tricks
- teaches about the golden first hour of bonding
- and more!
“What your mind believes, your body achieves”
We as women have the possibility to get back in touch with THAT part of us that knows how to birth our babies. A deep instinct that has been with us for as long as we are on planet Earth. HypnoBirthing helps you reconnect with that part of you.
When we start to look at pregnancy and birth as a positive, beautiful and strong moment in our lives, and surround ourselves with positivity and people that are positive, your way of going through pregnancy changes. This is how we as women together can begin to change the conditioning of childbirth; one birth at a time.
If you are interested in attending a course we have three Hypnobirthing practitioners, Margaretha (Milano), Sabrina (Roma) and Karen (South Africa). Check out their profiles to learn more about them.
Margaretha Tosi is a Dutch Holistic Therapist, Doula and HypnoBirthing Practitioner, currently living in Milan, Italy with her Italian husband and daughter.
Resources:
- HypnoBirthing – the Mongan Method: https://www.hypnobirthing-uk.com/faqs
