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HYPNOSIS IN CHILDBIRTH

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF HYPNOSIS IN CHILDBIRTH
Using hypnosis for childbirth focuses on encouraging a calm, peaceful and natural pregnancy culminating in a gentle comfortable birth and family bonding experience.  Women could choose some form of hypnosis to create a state of awareness to help them manage labor. Training may include self-hypnosis techniques, a specific course such as Hypnobirthing, or some other form such as traditional hypnosis with post-hypnotic suggestion.
 
What is it used for?
CONDITIONS CHILDBIRTH HYPNOSIS MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
Utilizing hypnosis to prepare for childbirth can:
 
·        Help control nausea and vomiting
·        Help adjust blood pressure
·        May reduce the risk of premature delivery
·        May reduce the need for episiotomies
·        Helps prevent postpartum depression.
·        Help put the mother in charge of labor
·        Teach the mother to quickly & deeply relax
·        Reduce pain
·        Increase calm and confidence
·        Reduce fears and anxiety
·        Assist in eliminating phobias associated with birth
·        Reduce or eliminate the need for medication in labor
·        Reduce or reduce the need for interventions (C-Section, Forceps, etc.)
·        Help clear trauma from previous difficult births
·        Smooth the transition into parenthood
 
Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF HYPNOSIS IN CHILDBIRTH
Witnessing a poor rural patient give birth easily and without drugs in the '20s was the catalyst for English obstetrician Dr. Grantly Dick-Read to study, observe and write about birth as a natural process in a manuscript titled "Natural Childbirth." His findings brought personal and professional ridicule as European OBs of the era routinely, and it wasn't until the late 1940s that his teachings found a receptive audience in the U.S.  Persevering, Dick-Read published his landmark book "Childbirth Without Fear" in 1933. He soon gained a following in England.
 
In 1955, as the public and professional consciousness about natural childbirth continued to rise, the British Medical Association (BMA) approved the use of hypnosis for pain management in childbirth and surgery. The BMA also strongly urged all medical care providers to undertake basic training in hypnosis.  In 1956, Pope Pius XII granted approval of hypnosis in childbirth by health care professionals. And in 1958, the American Medical Association (AMA) approved a report on the medical uses of hypnosis, encouraging further research on the topic. Since the 1980's a range of different hypnotic techniques for childbirth have sprung up around the world, all of which offer a very similar approach.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF HYPNOSIS IN CHILDBIRTH
Hypnosis has proven itself a highly effective and increasingly popular tool to create the skills needed by women to remain in a relaxed, calm, and positive state before and during the birth process. Used during pregnancy and birth, hypnosis can significantly shorten labor and reduce the need for drugs or medical intervention. Babies born to mothers who have used hypnosis are also said to sleep and feed better.

In his seminal book "Childbirth Without Fear," Dr. Grantly Dick-Read described the fear-tension-pain cycle that often occurs during birth.  He noted that if a laboring woman is afraid or anxious, she tenses up against the contractions, which intensifies her pain.  More pain increases her fear level, which causes her muscles to tighten even more, which hurts more. Given this negative cycle, regardless of the plans for birth (medicated vs. un-medicated, hospital vs. out of hospital, etc.), the ability to relax deeply and completely is the most useful skill a mother can bring to the delivery room.

"Hypnosis" refers to an altered state of consciousness characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction.  The state is a natural, daily occurrence almost universally experienced by all people. Mothers and their partners are taught to call upon this state during the physical and emotional stress of labor. It is believed that the main key to success is the elimination of the fear, stress, anticipation and anxiety that create negative physical changes in the body. Methods of teaching these techniques vary, from one-on-one sessions, to listening to special self-hypnosis CDs, to attending classes.
 
A birthing mother using hypnosis during labor will most likely not be in a trance or asleep, but experience a state similar to that of a daydream, becoming engrossed in a movie or staring into a fire. She would remain completely aware of what is going on around her yet focused and completely relaxed. The mother’s contractions may even be utilized as a hypnosis cue to enter a state of progressively deeper relaxation. It empowers the mother to eliminate fear, tension, and anxiety, allowing relaxation of the muscles of the uterus. A part of the mind may be enjoying a relaxing scene such as floating in a tropical sea on a beautiful day, while the other part of the mind can hear every word and direction during the process while participating in harmony and comfort.  Time could seem like it passes quickly. With each contraction she could relax even deeper into the rich color of her choice. Staying in this place of relaxation, she could remember only the pleasant things about labor and delivery. The mother would remember the delivery as a very positive experience and her labor as short.
 
Hypnosis training typically begins in the sixth month of pregnancy for both mother and partner, who becomes the mother's coach.  Once learned, the mother may adapt the hypnosis skills however best supports her labor.  Many women report that one of their biggest helps the hypnosis gave them in labor was the ability to adapt their response to whatever turns their birth took.  The women were able to utilize these skills in other life situations, allowing them to adaptively handle stressful or negative events.

How is it done?
WHAT SESSIONS OF HYPNOSIS FOR CHILDBIRTH ARE LIKE
Many practitioners teach hypnosis one-on-one in person with the mother or both parents, and may also have CDs or audiotapes for the parents to listen to at home.
 
Practitioners who specialize in hypnosis for childbirth usually offer private sessions for parents to create the space for more effective and personalized learning.  Each session is approximately 1 - 2 hours; the time can vary depending on individual needs.  Sessions typically begins in the seventh month of pregnancy and occur weekly until two weeks before the due date.

Who does it?
CHILDBIRTH HYPNOSIS PRACTITIONERS
Many hypnotists and hypnotherapists offer childbirth hypnosis and work with the expectant mother to craft a system that will best serve her. This may be especially important if additional phobias or fears associated with childbirth are present. These fears may range from fear of hospitals and physicians to fear of needles to excessive worry over the pregnancy and delivery.
 
Generally, "hypnotists" have specialized training in hypnosis techniques but may not have additional medical training.  On the other hand, a “hypnotherapist” is a licensed mental health therapist or counselors or medical professionals, such as doctors or nurses who have completed an educational program in hypnotherapy.