Many mothers who have tried hypnobirthing swear by it as a powerful and transformative experience, but does it actually work?
The idea that childbirth is an intensely painful, exhausting and nightmarish experience is a fairly commonly held view in our society.
Pregnant women are often terrified in the lead-up to the birth.
They shudder at the thought of hours of labour with painful contractions, pushing the baby and the possibility of body tissue tearing. It’s partly why many willingly choose pain relief at the onset of labour.
However, for a growing number of women, hypnosis is transforming the birth experience. Women choosing to have a hypnobirth say their experience of childbirth is not only less painful, it’s also an empowering event that helps to set a positive mark to the start of motherhood.
How does it work?
There are no pocket watches swinging from side to side during a hypnobirth.
Nor is the birth mother hypnotised before birth, so that when she hears the word ‘push’ she becomes a pain-free island of calm.
It’s more a form of deep meditation, which encourages women to use their minds to manage the pain and unpredictability of childbirth. Advocates say because of this altered state of consciousness, the pain experienced in labour can become a controlled sensation for the woman.
There is not one definitive way to have a hypnotherapy-assisted birth, and in most cases the birth mother learns techniques to apply in the birthing room herself, without a therapist present.
Top Comments
Thanks for picking up this article! Especially with the piece that was printed in one of NSW's papers today reporting that all women must go into labour fearful. It's very disappointing that Women & Midwifes are not given more credit. They must be feeling quite let down by this opinion piece. I am.
If you look back to the 1960s, hypnosis for management of pain and anxiety in labour and dentistry was common and considered cutting edge. When safer and more effective drugs were developed, hypnosis fell by the wayside.