Vaginal Childbirth Methods
Hypnobirthing
The only vaginal childbirth method, to my knowledge, that teaches pain is not a necessary part of childbirth is Hypnobirthing.
What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is the use of hypnosis to achieve complete relaxation, comfort, and relief during vaginal childbirth. It's important to note that hypnosis really refers to deep relaxation. It feels similar to daydreaming, or the feeling you get when you are lost in a book or movie. Women who've used this technique report feeling relaxed, calm, aware, and in control.
Hypnobirthing was
founded on
the work of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English doctor. He
wrote of his experiences as an obstetrician, specifically when he was
called to a delivery in the middle of a rainy night. He
arrived at the house to find the laboring woman alone in a rickety
shack, the rain from the leaky roof dripping on her as she lay on the
makeshift bed.
He assisted her throughout her delivery, awed that she never cried out
in pain nor requested medications. After the birth, he then
asked her if she needed anything for the pain. She simply
gazed at him and inquired, "Was it supposed to hurt?"
This
question was to change his life. He went on to author
Childbirth without Fear
in 1944, where he detailed these experiences
and his revelations on childbirth, specifically the Fear-Tension-Pain
syndrome which he theorized causes the pain of vaginal childbirth by
diverting
necessary blood flow from the uterus and by inhibiting the body from
effectively using contractions to guide the baby down and out the birth
path.
He theorized that using deep
relaxation such
as in hypnosis, this "Fear-Tension-Pain" cycle could be broken, thus
enabling women to give birth naturally without pain.
His
work developed into Hypnobirthing, which was founded by Marie F.
Mongan, affectionately known as "Mickey". Her book,
Hypnobirthing: The Breakthrough Natural Approach to Safer, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing - The Mongan Method, 3rd Edition
, (wheh, what a mouthful!) is my all-time favorite
childbirth book. It is
a concise book that is well-written and engaging. A
huge
benefit of this method is that classes are not required.
You
can order the book and audio CDs to learn via self-study.
I
think the course is highly beneficial but this is a viable alternative
if a certified instructor is not available in your area.
How Does it Work?
Hypnobirthing uses relaxation scripts, positive affirmations, visualizations and mental imagery to teach a woman to relax her body, guide her thoughts, and control her breathing. This can be self-directed or with the support of a labor companion, class instructor, or hypnotherapist.
The Benefits of Hypnobirthing:
- It is teaches comfort and relaxation during vaginal childbirth.
- It alleviates stress and fear.
- You remain alert and awake.
- It eliminates the need for drugs that affect you, your baby, and your milk.
- Labors are often shorter since the body's muscles work effectively.
Hypnosis Myths
- Hypnosis is mind control or brainwashing.
- You aren't in control of yourself.
- You are deeply asleep and can't remember what happens.
- You have no free will under hypnosis.
- You can't perform function normally when hypnotized.
- You're unaware of things around you.
I want to inform you that this is the method I used for both my children, so naturally, I am a bit biased.
However,
I believe that almost all women are able to have a natural vaginal
childbirth, no
matter what method they use, or even if they do not use a childbirth
method.
I believe that all a woman needs
to give
birth naturally
is the understanding that fear and tension cause pain. Once
you
eliminate your fears and your tension, you will not have
pain. This
can be done through a variety of means, from relaxation to hypnosis,
breathing or emotional support. I believe that Hypnobirthing
offers
each of these components, so for me it was a logical choice.
Do
I believe I could have had a natural pain-free birth without
it? Of
course. I just would have had to gather the
information and
done the
legwork on my own. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I took
these
classes instead.
If I could change
anything about
this method, I
would change its name. "Hypnosis" as a term carries
widespread
misconception. People automatically think of people on stage
performing funny tricks or making people do embarrassing
things. I
feel that this is a true barrier to the widespread acceptance of this
method of natural vaginal childbirth.
For
those of
us
familiar with this method, we know that these preconceived ideas are
far from the truth.
For
more information or to locate a practitioner in your area, contact the
Hypnobirthing Institute at www.hypnobirthing.com.
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