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Techniques for Hypnobirthing

October 21, 2021

Pregnant woman on hospital bed
Childbirth is a beautiful and natural experience. While every mama-to-be wants to feel safe, comfortable, and positive during labor, everyone approaches the process just a bit differently. One approach for preparing for labor and delivery is called hypnobirthing. Here is an explanation of hypnobirthing, and what you can expect.

What is Hypnobirthing?

The words hypnosis and hypnotism are derived from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep. Hypnosis means a “trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration.” The method of hypnosis used during childbirth is called hypnobirthing.

Influenced by the ideas of the natural childbirth movement, the term hypnobirthing was coined in 1989 by hypnotherapist Marie Mongan. She believed that severe pain during labor can be controlled if the body is relaxed.1

How Hypnobirthing Works

A chaotic delivery room might be the last place you would think you’d be able to achieve a state of calm, but through several different self-hypnosis and other techniques, soon-to-be-moms can learn to relax their bodies before and during labor and birth.

Controlled breathing. A successful hypnobirthing experience begins and ends with proper breathing. It allows your body to relax and sends more oxygen through your uterus. Three different breathing methods used during hypnobirthing include calm or relaxation breathing, surge or up breathing, and birth breathing, also called down or J breathing.

Positive words. Words have power, and replacing negative words with positive ones can create a more soothing, stress-free environment. For example, use the words “wave” or “surge” instead of “contraction.” Instead of asking, “Are you in pain?” ask, “Are you comfortable?”

Visualization. Guided visualization is a relaxation technique that can help reduce stress, anxiety and tension, decrease pain, lower blood pressure, and improve oxygenation by creating a daydream-like state where you float in and out of what’s happening.

The Benefits of Hypnobirthing

At its core, hypnobirthing uses self-hypnosis to help tackle fear and pain during labor and birth. It may also:

  • Shorten the initial stage of labor.
  • Naturally manage pain without the need for meds.
  • Lessen the need for medical interventions.
  • Reduce the fear of labor and birth.
  • Allow you to remain alert and awake.

Hypnobirthing methods involve classes with a set number of instruction hours. There are many certified hypnobirthing instructors around the country. If you’re interested in hypnobirthing, ask your family doctor or obstetrician for a referral to a trained practitioner. You can also contact your hospital or birthing center to ask if they’ve had hypnobirths and if they can provide you with a list of hypnotherapists specializing in childbirth.

 

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This post is brought to you by the Prenate® Vitamin Family, a line of prescription prenatal supplements designed to enhance preconception, prenatal, and postpartum nutrition in women. Talk with your doctor about how taking a daily prescription prenatal or postnatal vitamin could help support a healthy pregnancy and postpartum wellness.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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