When I became pregnant my sister asked me how I wanted to give birth. At the time I was so overwhelmed with the idea of being pregnant – I was going to HAVE A BABY!! – whilst wrestling with food aversions and mood swings, that I hadn’t even thought about how this baby would eventually come into the world.
I knew I wanted as natural a birth as possible but, beyond that, I knew very little.
As I started with an OB and began the journey that would have eventually ended in a HOAG hospital birth, I began to feel uncomfortable about how clinical everything was. Everyone was nice enough at my check-ups – but, for me, it just didn’t feel right. It was so medical and yet I wasn’t sick. I was going to have a baby – the most natural thing in the world.
That was when I took matters into my own hands and started researching other options. I stumbled upon (and quickly fell in love with) the South Coast Midwifery Center, and everything about my pregnancy changed when I switched my care over to them. Suddenly my impending birth was this wonderful event to look forward to, and no longer the risk-filled, dangerous event that would require doctors and surgical gowns in order to happen “safely”.
I felt like I’d taken my power back into my own hands, and it felt wonderful.
Choosing HOW I was going to give birth was another adventure. I explored a few options for birthing classes, and eventually became intrigued with the HypnoBirthing option. I was intrigued, and yet HIGHLY skeptical. Was I going to be hypnotized into a trance? Would I do strange things I wasn’t aware of? Would Paul McKenna’s voice be guiding my birth?
I think the name can put people off – or at least confuse some people. We associate Hypnosis with stage shows and people walking around thinking they’re chickens. Of course it’s going to seem weird. I don’t think many of us understand what the true meaning of the word Hypnosis means.
Anyway, so off I went to our first class, with all these reservations brimming in my already full belly, and tried to keep an open mind.
Within an hour I was sold.
There was nothing weird or voodoo about it. In fact it was all completely in-line with what I knew from biology and physiology – and that really appealed to me. I have always believed in the power of the mind over our bodies – this just explained the science behind it. Suddenly it all made sense and I was ready to jump in.
I went on to learn how the body responds to fear, how the birthing muscles work in conjunction with our hormonal releases, and how much more in control than we think we, as birthing mothers, are. How, when we learn to deeply relax, our muscles soften naturally, and this is no different with our birthing muscles.
In this state, birth can happen peacefully, with no resistance, and can actually be comfortable.
I had always been taught that birth was EXTREMELY painful. Even though my mom and sisters all had natural births, they still recounted stories of horrific pain and extreme difficulty. Nevermind all the other people who told me their awful birthing stories. I’d say 99% of stories I heard sounded horrible. Thankfully, they mostly ended with “but it’s all worth it cos I now have a wonderful, healthy baby”, but that didn’t do much to allay the fear of “getting through” the birth itself.
After our first HypnoBirthing class I walked out of it feeling like a huge load had been lifted off my shoulders. Suddenly I felt the possibility that birth might not be something to “dread” and “get through” – but it could actually be an experience I would treasure. This completely changed my outlook on the remainder of my pregnancy.
I became excited about my upcoming birth. I used the techniques we learned in class to enjoy beautifully relaxing moments each day, bonding with my unborn baby and allowing my body to bathe in all those calming thoughts that are so healthy for both mama and baby. The breathing exercises and relaxation techniques were amazing – helping me to relax and sleep when I needed rest. And it was so special practicing these with my husband. I felt like we were bonding so deeply as a family, and that this birth would be a family experience, and not just me and some doctor “fighting through it”.
I loved that the course doesn’t push any “right” way to give birth. Obviously it allows women who wish to give birth naturally a way to do so comfortably, but it also allows for the options to make other choices, if those feel right. I cannot think of any woman (or couple) who would not benefit from what we learnt.
So, cut to my birth.
I will write a more detailed post later, but for now, suffice it to say – I had the birth of my dreams. Everything happened just how I envisioned it would – right down to the exact length of my labor (a short 5 ½ hours) . Our beautiful daughter was born in water in the most loving, peaceful, beautiful way possible. I am certain that her calm, cheerful demeanor, and vibrant health are a testament to the way in which she was born.
This experience made me passionate about sharing this with other women.
I felt so sad that so many women feel powerless, and that their births end up so out of their control. I wanted more women to be able to go into their births feeling strong, unafraid and able to enjoy the experience as much as I did.
So now, I am a certified HypnoBirthing Instructor and my dream of being able to teach this to others has come true.
Hopefully I have managed to “demystify” some of the misconceptions around HypnoBirthing and, at least, given you a little nudge to explore this wonderful option further.
If you are pregnant and would like to know more about these classes, email me or drop me a line. I would love to chat with you!
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