Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
How does Hypnosis for Birth
work with other childbirth preparation techniques?
Hypnosis for Birth works well
with all childbirth preparation techniques, largely due to its design. Due
to the nature of childbirth classes there is limited time to actually learn and
practice deep relaxation. The ability to relax deeply is critical to
staying out of the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle.
My goal in working with clients is for them to learn how to very quickly go into a deeply
relaxed, focused, and aware place to work with their contractions, while
diminishing their perception of sensations and discomfort. These skills amplify
and build on the information and techniques taught by other childbirth classes,
and will work in a variety of birthing positions and situations. I’ve had women
comment after their birth took an unexpected turn [C-section, transfer to
hospital, etc.] that the hypnosis skills were a huge help in staying calm
and flowing with the change.
Are there
particular types of clients for whom hypnosis is most helpful?
Most frequently, the women I
work with are interested in avoiding or minimizing their usage of pain
medication in birth. They are either planning on not using any drugs, or want
to avoid systemic drugs while they consider/plan on using an epidural as needed.
I
often receive referrals from other birth professionals for women with anxiety
around birth, panic attacks, a history of abuse, or previous birth related
traumas. I also see couples with anxious fathers or couples who have difficulty
communicating with each other. Any of these clients and situations may benefit
significantly from the hypnosis process and tools; particularly because I mostly
work in private sessions with women and their partners. Working privately
allows me to more specifically meet the needs of each couple and tailor the
skills and tools I have learned over the years to their particular situation. Extra
sessions are available as needed to address the couple's needs.
Of course Hypnosis
is also very helpful for women, and their partners, who are coming into birth
without any added challenges – providing tools for both partners to navigate
birth more calmly and smoothly.
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What are
the biggest myths/misconceptions about Hypnosis for Birth?
Probably the biggest is that
with hypnosis the person’s mind is going to be put to sleep while the
hypnotherapist does whatever they want. For birth specifically, women are
usually concerned they are going to spend their labor in la la land and not be
present in the room with their partner, or thru the process. Neither of these
could be further from the truth.
All hypnosis is self
hypnosis, and is completely controlled by the individual using it, not the
hypnotherapist. Hypnosis is a natural
state we all go into, and out of regularly. [An example would be pulling into
your driveway and not really remembering the last 10 minutes of driving, or
zoning out during a boring meeting or class.] By practicing hypnosis,
people can develop the mental muscles to focus their minds and hold the focus
where they wish. Actually there are
many similarities between meditation and hypnosis.
You are always in control.
As
with any tool, women can choose how they use hypnosis during the birth process.
The method I teach is for the mother to go very quickly into her deep focused state
at the beginning of a contraction and come back to the room at the end. If
needed, she can also stay in her focused state and catch a cat nap between
contractions. Additionally the hypnosis does work with eyes closed or open.
You are always encouraged to find what works best for you.
What
about claims that hypnosis in birth can make it pain free?
Wouldn’t it be lovely if this
were true for everyone? I truly wish I could say it was. Hypnosis is a proven
method for reducing the perception of pain and increasing relaxation during
birth, and at other times. However, the actual amount of pain reduction is very
individual. Some women report hypnosis allowed them to labor with little
discomfort, while others say it allowed them to cope with the labor sensations,
and discomfort, more effectively.
Hypnosis is very effective at
assisting a woman to maximize her individual ability to achieve her greatest
level of comfort throughout birth, and often shortens the length of labor. More
importantly, it assists women in staying calm and working smoothly with whatever
their birth experience brings. Ultimately I believe that is one of our greatest
powers – to manage our response to life events. These learned skills are really
life tools and are helpful long after the birth is past, for the woman and her
partner.
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How
is this training different from Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies®, or Calm Birth?
Different techniques are like different flavors of ice cream – they reflect
their originator’s background, experiences, and beliefs. There are some basic
ingredients and similarities between methods but they can taste very different.
The techniques I teach have evolved over the years from my original
certification in clinical hypnotherapy in 1993, and in Mongan’s Hypnobirthing®
in 1995. Additionally I’ve studied other methods of hypnosis for childbirth
including; LeClaire’s Hypnobirthing®, Gail Peterson’s, and Chantal DeSoto’s
techniques. Those are some of the layers and flavors, and what I teach is most
strongly flavored by my experiences with birth.
I
am a mother and a grandmother. I first became involved in childbirth after
giving birth to my daughter, at home with a midwife in 1977, and began
apprenticing with a midwife shortly after. In the late 90’s I was a midwife’s
assistant for 2+ years attending numerous births in addition to the births I
have attended as a doula. Of the over 285 births I’ve attended 70% have been
out of hospital births. My techniques are grounded in what I’ve learned by
sitting at the knees of midwives, comforting laboring moms and dads, and
studying the science of the mind-body. I have added a healthy dose of common
sense, and always come back to my belief in the power of the human spirit, and
the elegance and wisdom of birth.
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How can I
learn more?
Contact me at your
convenience. Also once a month I
offer a free introductory session on Hypnosis for Birth.
CLICK HERE for dates and to reserve
your space.
Does hypnosis help in post partum period?
Absolutely! Clearing birth traumas or difficult births can be immensely
helpful. I have also helped moms in increasing their breast milk supply with
hypnosis. Please contact me any time if I can be of assistance with a
particular situation, or if you have questions.
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Serving the Seattle Area Since 1995
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