 1. HypnoBirthing is only for hippies
Have you heard this or even thought this yourself? HypnoBirthing is for every pregnant woman/couple who want to be informed, educated and properly prepared for their birthing day. It is for those who want to learn what happens, physically and hormonally, in their body during labour; how special breathing, relaxation and self-hypnosis/meditation can help them stay fear-free and calm; how to speak up for themselves and ask questions if care providers suggest medical intervention to them; AND SO MUCH MORE!! 2. Women who are HypnoBirthing are not allowed to make any noise. In HypnoBirthing we discuss the role that hormones play in labour, and that women labour best when they feel safe, calm and unobserved. We teach techniques that enable the labouring woman to get into a deeply relaxed state and how to stay there throughout labour. To minimise distraction and to avoid interrupting this state, we recommended that there is minimal noise, and quiet voices, in the room. However, the woman can make whatever noise feels right for her - she may wish to talk, moan, groan, hum, swear, growl. 3. HypnoBirthing is only for water births. In the past week alone I’ve had two people tell me that they thought HypnoBirthing was only for water births. Whilst many women who attend HypnoBirthing classes choose to labour or give birth in the bath/birth pool, not all do. It certainly isn’t ‘mandatory’ that you use water immersion during labour. HypnoBirthing educates and empowers couples to think about their birthing options, and to choose what is best for them and their baby. This might be birthing in water, or it might also be birthing on the bed. As long as couples are informed about their options, and are free to make decisions without coercion, then I’m happy 4. HypnoBirthing International is an American program and not relevant in Australia. Whilst it is true that the original HypnoBirthing program was conceived in the US by Marie Mongan, it is now taught by over 2500 practitioners in 75 countries! It has been rebranded as HypnoBirthing International to reflect this. There is a rumour circulating in Australia that this course isn’t relevant to our birthing women; however this couldn’t be further from the truth. The ‘head’ HypnoBirthing Practitioner in Australia, Anthea Thomas, has made the relevant changes to the program, and our course has been approved by the Australian College of Midwives. This means that you can be reassured that the HypnoBirthing International course will provide you with relevant pregnancy and maternity care information, as well as teaching you specific techniques to use during labour. For more information on HypnoBirthing classes please fill out my online contact form, call me on 0401 619 755 or visit the HypnoBirthing International Australian website on www.au.hypnobirthing.com
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 Last Sunday the 26th of August we woke up around 8am and as I got out of bed I felt a warm trickle run down my leg. I put a pad on for an hour or so to monitor the leakage and sure enough it was my waters. I phoned the midwife and she said I had to come in to the hospital as I tested positive on the strep B test. I was a little taken aback at this stage as I knew I would probably have to be induced and this was not in our birth plan. Regardless of this news I stayed positive and was excited to venture to the hospital. I was getting small niggles here and there on the way. They checked the fluid on my pad and confirmed that it was in fact my waters. A cannula was inserted and I was given antibiotics for precaution. At around 5pm the syntocinon drip was started. My husband Liam had only begun to set up the room with tealight candles and a soothing playlist in the background. Unfortunately we didn't have a chance to use our essential oils, bath or tens machine. I felt intense surges almost immediately and sat on the toilet for 2 hours. I felt safe, comfortable and at ease in this space. The midwife checked me soon after and I was already fully dilated! I owe this to the HypnoBirthing techniques that you taught us. I used both my calm and surge breaths and also the blowing up a balloon visualisation. I was moved to the bed to start pushing and I tried to breathe down my baby. This was more difficult than I had anticipated, so instead I visualised baby moving down. This helped immensely. Positive affirmations filled my head like 'I can work with my body' and 'my body was made to do this'. After 2 hours of pushing, my baby's head crowned. My husband got to pull her out, announce the sex and place her on my chest. Within 5 hours little Indie was here. She was so calm, no crying and grabbed my finger straight away. I feel so empowered and happy thinking about my labour and am so so proud that I birthed my baby without any pain relief. Thanks to our sessions with you, I felt informed, fearless, excited and confident. The strategies that you taught us were invaluable and I have continued to use them on my breastfeeding journey. Thank you to Shari, Liam and Indigo for sharing their story xxx (Photo and story shared with permission) |
AuthorMy name is Jo and I am a mother, midwife and HypnoBirthing childbirth educator. Archives
November 2018
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