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Hypnosis Helps to:
Baby on the way? How would your baby's birth be different if you could go into labor with calmness and confidence; really knowing you had skills to help reduce the level of sensations you experienced, and work in greater harmony with your body? Hypnosis for Birth (similar techniques include; HypnoBirthing, HypnoBabies, and Calm Birth) offers that and more.
Many people are surprised at the idea of using hypnosis for birth. Actually, it has been used in childbirth for many years. In the 1950’s the American Medical Association (AMA) recognized hypnosis as a valuable tool for health professionals. In recent years, using hypnosis in childbirth has exploded into the mainstream around the world. More and more women, and their healthcare providers, are discovering the tremendous benefits of using hypnosis in birth. This increased started with Marie Mongan's development of "HypnoBirthing The Mongan Method". The popularity grew rapidly in 1999 when Dateline featured a very positive segment on hypnosis for birth. Hypnosis in birth has continued to generate positive media attention. Even more exciting - now scientific research results are proving what Hypnosis for Birth offers. [See the Links and Resources page to read some of these exciting research results.] The statistics and ongoing research are showing that women using hypnosis skills in labor experience more positive birth experiences, with less pain, require less medications, need fewer interventions (such as forceps, C-sections, etc), and have shorter labor times. Certainly good news when you are pregnant and getting closer to giving birth. Why Hypnosis Helps In his book Childbirth Without Fear, Dr. Grantly Dick-Read described the fear-tension-pain cycle that often occurs in birth. Basically how it works is if a laboring woman is afraid or nervous about birth and then tenses up against the contractions -> she creates pain -> which then scares her more -> she tightens up more -> and it hurts more. This turns into a nasty downward spiral that goes nowhere good!
Given
this negative cycle it is easy to see that regardless
of a your plans for birth (medicated
vs. un-medicated, hospital vs. out of hospital, etc.),
your most useful skill, is the ability to remain calm, while relaxing deeply and completely. At the same time, the biggest challenge in birth is to relax deeply and completely. The primary reason for this challenge is your conscious mind! While your body, on a cellular level, knows exactly how to birth your baby, the conscious thinking mind assumes it needs to manage, control, and direct the process. This creates difficulties in relaxing and allowing the birth process to flow as smoothly as it is designed to. The more you can relax and work with birth and stay out of fighting the process the more smoothly it can go. How do you keep your mind on track, and out of the way?? Hypnosis is very effective in creating deep skills for relaxation, staying calm, and controlling your reaction to labor. This then conquers the relaxation challenge, keeps you out of the fear-tension-pain spiral, increases your coping skills, while diminishing your perception of pain. These skills create an opportunity for your body to do what it is designed to do; birth gracefully and smoothly. These skills are important not only for your comfort level, but also to reduce the stress on your baby through the birth process. How you do get to deep relaxation quickly when a contraction begin? There isn't time for progressive relaxation, counting backwards, or any of the other usual relaxation methods! To meet the unique demands and rhythms of childbirth, specialized techniques are taught so you will be able to very quickly access deep relaxation and focus, along with skills to step away from and diminish your awareness of sensations, discomfort, and pain. There are also specific tools for the your partner to use to help you relax deeply and work with the process smoothly. Your partner is also given tools to help them stay calm and relaxed through birth.
There is no right or wrong way here, just skills and tools that are at your command to quickly and deeply relax during contractions, and to choose whether to be present and visiting with others in the room in between contractions, or to stay focused and rest. Many women report that one of their biggest helps the hypnosis gave them in labor, was the ability to manage their response to whatever turns their birth took. The even better news is that these are life tools that go beyond birth, and serve in any stressful situation. To read birth stories and experiences from previous clients Click Here How it is Taught Hypnosis for Birth is taught in 3 sessions (more are available if needed). There are 2 options for your sessions - private sessions or a small group (2-3 couples). Each session is 1.5 - 2 hours long. The time can vary depending on individual needs. Saturday sessions are available. For returning couples, or women who have used hypnosis for birth previously, 1 session is usually sufficient to tune up your skills.
The sessions
are kept in very small groups, or private sessions. This makes the
training more effective and personal. In the sessions ways to
increase closeness and support for you as a The sessions typically begin 2 months before the baby’s due date and are spread out over a 4-6 week window. It is possible to get things done more quickly - if you are closer to your due date and are just looking into hypnosis. Call or email to discuss your particular situation and needs! What Does it Cost? That depends on which option you want to use. Private Sessions: For the 3 session series of Hypnosis for Birth the cost is $375 or $125 each session. This includes the training CD (tapes also available) and all written materials given. Small Group Sessions: This series is an initial group session, a private second session, and finishing up with a final small group session. The cost is $240 or $80 each session. This includes the training CD (tapes also available) and all written materials given. Refresher Sessions: $125 per session as needed. Usually 1 is sufficient for women who have worked with us before. Coming from other techniques such as Mongan's HypnoBirthing®, HypnoBabies®, or LeClaire's HypnoBirthing®, all that is needed is usually 1 or 2 sessions. If there are anxiety/panic issues or previous trauma(s) to clear, additional sessions may be needed and are available. These sessions are at the $125 per session rate. There is a combo package offered to birth doula clients - please contact us for more information on how the package works.
Help is available for:
***Prenatal hypnosis is not a substitute for prenatal care and may be used in combination with other childbirth preparation classes and/or psychotherapy.***
Serving the Seattle Area Since 1995
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Using
all these skills and tools you will have the ability
to use hypnosis in the way that best supports you in labor. The
tools are flexible and adaptable, giving you control of how you use the hypnosis
in labor and to shift what you are doing to best fit your labor. 
