Clinical hypnotherapist Sue Steed praises the latest self-hypnosis for childbirth technique, listing a positive attitude, confidence and sense of control, as well as better sleep, among the benefits before delivery
It was recently reported in the press that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge prepared for the delivery of Prince George using a hypnosis for childbirth technique.
Preparation in this way allows the expectant mother to let go of fears, worries and anxieties about labour and delivery and also to overcome any lingering negative beliefs, thoughts, or memories that might be getting in her way. It allows her to discover how to look forward to the achievement of giving birth with confidence.
The way it works is that most mothers sign up for four sessions, but some, with extra issues to explore, attend six.
The approach is flexible, positive and interesting, taking into account the expectant mother’s feelings, respecting her wishes and guiding her towards the birth that she wishes for her and her baby.
During the sessions, women learn self-hypnosis; how to go into a state of calm relaxation. They prepare personal visualisations, specific to their own circumstances, and learn relaxation and a range of pain control techniques, as well as how to remain positive, in control and in communication.
By the end of the sessions, the mothers-to-be may be surprised to discover how much their mindset has shifted, so that they can look forward to childbirth in a much more relaxed way than before. They would have taken their mind and body through so many positive mental rehearsals for the birth that their body is ‘primed’ to go through its natural process very smoothly.
The benefits before delivery give a positive attitude, confidence and a sense of control, and can help to sleep better during pregnancy.
It allows her to discover how to look forward to the achievement of giving birth with confidence
During labour and delivery, women are less likely to need chemical painkillers as they know how to remain positive and calm, and have a selection of painkilling techniques at their disposal.
Research suggests labour is likely to be significantly shorter and that there’s a much reduced likelihood of interventions using forceps, ventouse or Caesarian sections.
The women would have learned a proven method for communicating with medical staff, which means they feel involved in any decisions that are made as labour progresses. Their personal range of tools and visualisations allows them to stay positive and calmly in control.
Once delivered, the baby is likely to have a higher Apgar score (a measurement of well-being, post-delivery). Moreover, the reduced use of pain medication means reduction of undesirable side effects for the mother and baby.
Mothers are also likely to need a shorter hospital stay and have a quicker postnatal recovery, while there is also a reduced incidence of postnatal depression.
Many mothers report that their babies are calmer and sleep and feed better due to their gentle passage into the world. Additionally, self-hypnosis aids relaxation and breastfeeding and can help deal with family life.
Hypnosis for childbirth is suitable for mothers planning home or hospital births and once the skills have been learned they can be used again for future births.
Sue Steed offers hypnosis for childbirth sessions at the Tigné Holistic Centre in Sliema. Send an e-mail to maltaholistics@gmail.com, or call 7900 7642, or 2701 9807.