Hypnotherapy in pregnancy and childbirth

Experiencing fear during labour also increases the heart rate, creates shallow, fast breathing (so reducing oxygen in the body for mum and baby), raises blood pressure and directs blood from the uterus (and the baby) to the limbs, preparing them for action. All this 'fight or flight' preparation uses a great deal of energy and staying in this state for prolonged periods of time is extremely draining for a woman in labour.

You may be asking, 'So what does a woman giving birth in a jungle have to do with me?' This is essentially about fear, fear of pain, fear of dying, fear of tearing, fear of losing control. A woman's nervous system does not know the difference between real or imagined danger and so will respond in the same way to both. Have you ever felt the rush of adrenalin and fear when watching a horror movie? Is the threat real or imagined?

If you go into the birth feeling frightened your system will respond accordingly. This subsequently makes contractions more painful, in the same way that if you tense up when you are in pain, the pain becomes far greater. While there is fear or anxiety in childbirth, a woman's body will not be allowed to flow easily through the natural progression of labour.

In addition, the minute you introduce artificial hormones from induction or augmentation, the body stops producing the right amount of natural hormones, including the wonderfully powerful endorphins or natural painkillers.

How does being relaxed and calm make a difference?

By being relaxed during labour, a woman's body responds in a very different way to the fear scenario described above. When she is relaxed, her breathing is even and rhythmical, ensuring a high level of oxygen is entering her body. This oxygen goes through to her baby, ensuring that it remains calm and stable. Increased oxygen stimulates the production of oxytocin (the hormone responsible for contraction) and endorphins.

Her blood pressure remains at a healthy level, and as her body is soft and relaxed she conserves her energy, with all excess energy being channelled through to the muscles that are really working hard, namely her uterus. As the uterus has no resistance or tension from surrounding muscles, the contractions are more effective and more comfortable.

As the labour progresses unhindered by artificial hormones, other natural hormones kick in which allow the cells of the birth canal to relax, soften and stretch, so making the babies descent easier and more comfortable.

How does Hypnosis work?

Hypnosis is a natural state, which we all experience many times a day. It is a time when your conscious (analytical, rational) mind takes a step back and your subconscious (feelings, memories, emotions) come to the forefront. For example, when you are daydreaming or reading a book and realising you have read the same line over and over again.

With intended hypnosis, you purposefully take yourself into a daydream-like state using music, soothing images or guided visualisation. Once the critical and analytical part of your mind relaxes, you become more receptive to positive suggestions and affirmations. As the mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality, the more times you give yourself positive suggestions, the more real they become.