Hypnosis and Birthing
and How it Works!
by Lori Kolb, C.N.C., C.Ht., N.C.
The power of suggestion has always played a major role in healing. It is not a new concept but is currently experiencing a "rebirth" of this ancient philosophy. Hypnosis is an induced, relaxed state that heightens receptivity to suggestions where the individual is completely in control and aware of their feelings and actions. By using pre-programmed hypnotic suggestions during a relaxed state to access the deepest levels of the mind one can effect positive change in thought and behavior. Hypnosis maximizes the mind?s contribution to healing and behavior by producing a multi-level relaxation state ~ a state which allows enhanced focus to increase tolerance to adverse stimuli, ease anxiety, tension and enhance affirmative imagery for positive results.
Hypnosis in relationship to birthing has a direct and simple philosophy. Empower the birthing mother by giving her the tools she needs through knowledge and teaching. This is done by explaining the birthing process and the different stages of labor and what one can expect. By taking away the guesswork it removes the fear and anticipation. By teaching relaxation she will learn how to work with her bodies own natural rhythm in stead of fighting against it.
A birthing mother during labor will not be in a trance or a sleep but rather she will experience a state similar to that of a daydream, being engrossed in a movie or like staring into a fire. You are completely aware of what is going on around you yet focusing your attention and totally and completely relaxed. This being the main keys to allowing the body work through the birthing process. By eliminating the fear, stress, anticipation and anxiety that creates negative physical change in the body. This causes the muscles to contract and tighten greatly increasing pain and slows down the birth process. Relaxation and awareness allows you to get in touch with your own natural birthing instincts and results in a painless and often a pain free childbirth.
The birthing mother is completely aware of the stages of labor that she is in and the surges in her body. Because she has trained herself to relax completely and trust her natural instincts and work with her body?s natural rhythm she can and will be able to determine the degree to which she feels the surges. She is completely in control of her labor process.
"Imagine what might happen if the majority of women emerged from their labor beds with a renewed sense of the strength and power in their bodies, and of their capacity for ecstasy through giving birth. When enough women realize that birth is a time of great opportunity to get in touch with their true power, and they are willing to assume responsibility for this. We will reclaim the power of birth and help move technology where it belongs ~ in the service of birthing women, not as their masters". Christine Northrup MD Author of Women?s Bodies, Women?s Wisdom.
It always amazes me when the universe presents the opportunity for me to experience first hand situations that allows me to learn from these experiences and be able to walk the talk. At the time of this article my daughter Karina just turned 8 months old. During my pregnancy with her I decided to use hypno-birthing and stick to my own birthing program that I currently teach.
My own personal experience with it went like this. I listened to the hypnosis tape I created every night before I fell asleep which greatly improved my sleepless nights and anxiety. Then on a Sunday morning I awoke and noticed that I had a low nagging backache, but nothing to really complain about. Yet, I knew this was the day. This largely in part because I was not packed for the hospital. Yet I had no pain.
Around 2:00 PM I started to notice slight cramps that were like a menstrual cramp. My instinct told me that when I was having them to start doing squats. So I did. By 4:00PM I was still only having slight cramping and I called my midwife and explained what was going on. She suggested that I take a hot shower and call her back. That did it. When I got in the shower around 4:25PM. I had one major contraction and lost the mucus plug. Finished my shower and called her back. Advised her I think I need to leave for the hospital, which was over a half an hour away from my home. I finally left for the hospital at 5:10PM. Arrived in the parking lot at 5:39PM.
Got up stairs to the third floor and into my room at 5:45PM. I got my gown on and just stood there waiting for my midwife still only having cramp like contractions, but nothing really major. So she said, "Ok, climb up on the table I need to check to see how far dilated you are." When I climbed on the table that was it. My water broke and out she came. It happened so fast, no one was prepared for it. One push later and Karina was born at 5:56PM with no complications.
After my first deliver that took 36 hours and had many complications after delivery my second one was a walk in the park. This I feel was largely in part to the hypnosis. Yet, if I hadn?t experienced it myself first had I might not believe in it so much. It really worked! It also got some major attention of all the nurses and midwives at the hospital. They were all talking about it while I was at the hospital.
Of course, every birthing experience is different weather it is your first or your last. However, I highly recommend for every birthing mother to look into hypnosis. If for no other reason it is worth it just for the relaxation alone.
For more information on hypnosis and birthing please feel free to contact me. Birthing programs and birthing hypnosis audio tapes available.
Copyright Â
2000 Lori Kolb C.N.C., C.Ht., N.C.
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Hypnosis and Birthing and How It Works
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