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.

Giving Birth Naturally: Vaginal Childbirth Methods: Hypnobirthing