Can hypnosis help you have an easier labour?

Hypnotherapy classes can help you relax during birth

How does hypnosis work?

Hypnosis is a state similar to daydreaming, when your conscious (rational mind) takes a step back and your subconscious (feelings, memories, emotions) comes to the fore. With intended hypnosis, you purposefully take yourself into a daydream-like state using music, soothing images and visualisation. Once the analytical part of your mind relaxes, you become receptive to positive suggestions.

How can this help during labour?

Your perceptions of birth, coupled with your confidence in your body, play a major part in your birth outcome. By listening to positive suggestions during hypnosis in pregnancy, you can deal with fears about birth and replace them with confidence and increased belief in your body’s abilities.

By learning deep relaxation, practising effective breathing, overcoming fears and understanding how to work with your body, you will greatly reduce tension. A calm state also increases hormone production, including your natural painkillers (endorphins), making contractions more effective and so often reducing the need for intervention.

You can learn these skills by attending a Natal Hypnotherapy course or by listening to a CD.

Tips for feeling more relaxed in labour:

• Breathe! Effective breathing is the most essential tool for working with your body during a contraction. It increases the flow of oxygen, keeps up the production of positive birth hormones, keeps your heart rate steady and your blood pressure down.
• Create a comfy and relaxing environment. If you are going into hospital or a birthing centre, take in your duvet, ear plugs and an eye mask, dim the lighting, burn essential oils and listen to familiar music, such as Relaxing Birth Music from Natal Hypnotherapy.
• Make sure your birthing partner knows what you want from the birth: tell them what relaxation techniques you will be using so that they can help you.