What is Hypnotherapy for Pregnancy and Childbirth?
I am a certified clinical hypnotherapist, which means what I offer is different to hypnobirthing classes. I offer bespoke packages combining hypnosis and hypnotherapy techniques, all tailored to your needs and specific concerns. What is offered in these sessions is personal to you and is geared towards specific hypnotherapy and birthing techniques which you will feel comfortable using yourself while gearing up to giving birth.
We work together through various techniques to help the body and mind work together to prepare for the birth of your baby. Techniques include Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique and many more which I won’t list here but which can be found in my bio on the homepage.
At its core, hypnotherapy for pregnancy and childbirth can help a woman process any fears or anxieties she may have around birth, after birth or the later stages of pregnancy. It can help her deal with any pain she may be experiencing and support her in developing techniques to keep her body and mind calm.
During the session and in your guided self hypnosis, you will always be lucid and in control. Please do go back to the homepage to read in the FAQs about hypnotherapy.
How could it help me?
Hypnotherapy can help you manage stress hormones, such as adrenaline, and significantly reduce anxiety in the lead up to birth. During labour, your body will produce oxytocin which helps the progress of labour. Stress hormones negatively affect the production of oxytocin and make labour longer. Managing stress reduces some of the fear and pain experienced during labour. Hypnotherapy has also been proven in some cases to reduce the need for pain management, such as epidurals. It can also reduce the risk of medical interventions such as C-sections. Hypnotherapy may benefit you after birth, with some evidence showing that it can lower the chance of postnatal depression. Lastly, hypnobirthing can help your birth partner to play a more active role in your labour - creating more of a connection and thus stimulating oxytocin. - (Tommy’s 2022)
Please do remember that pain relief is always an option- there will never be any push towards a pain relief free birth during our sessions together.
When should I ideally start my sessions and does it matter?
There is no right or wrong answer here. You can start hypnotherapy sessions whenever you like, however usually I see clients from around their 20 week scan so that they can have plenty of time to prepare and get into a routine of practicing at home.
What if I’ve had a traumatic birth?
If you have had a difficult birth in the past, it may be worthwhile looking into starting sessions before your 20 week scan so that you can give yourself scope to process any painful memories and to prepare for a calmer experience.
It is important to note that seeking psychological support alongside wellbeing tools may be beneficial. Hypnotherapy is not a therapy for birth trauma and is wholly focused on your path forwards, it is a toolkit you can use to feel empowered and confident. There is psychological support available through your GP, I would encourage you to seek this support if you feel you need it.
What’s the role of my birth partner?
A birth partner is someone who is present during labour to help support you with what you need at the time. Birth partners may play an important role in helping you prepare for giving birth by supporting your choices for your birth and helping you with your birth plan. Research has shown that having a supportive birthing partner with you continuously through labour can help give you an added sense of control and comfort.
What are the advantages of hypnotherapy and is it safe?
Hypnotherapy is safe. You will not be asleep. You will be aware of everything happening around you and will be totally relaxed and in control. Some of the other benefits you get from hypnotherapy for childbirth are that it can also shorten the first stage of labour, when your cervix starts to gradually open up, and the second stage, when the cervix is fully dilated. Hypnotherapy can also reduce the risks of postnatal depression. Furthermore, hypnotherapy can help your baby experience a calm and gentle birth. This reduces the likelihood of your baby becoming distressed. Hypnotherapy also creates a more integral role for your partner, which can enrich and deepen your relationship and make your partner feel more included.
How frequently will I need to see you?
Sessions are usually once a week, it is important to stick to a routine. There is then practice outside of our sessions that should be done to compliment this - it can be built up gradually, allowing optimum time for confidence to build. I offer packages of 8 sessions. The cost of these sessions are on the prices page. Sessions are between myself and the expectant mother, or birth partner, over Zoom. All that is needed is a comfortable space and some quiet. Recordings will then be sent to you at the end of sessions to encourage practice. Regarding practice at home, all will be made clear in our sessions. With labour being an intense experience, the more preparation you put into it, the less anxiety you will feel and and more comfortable you will be.
Hopefully these questions have been informative and have put at rest any fears you have. If you have any more questions or would like to go ahead and book a free 20 minute consultation or a session, then please do get in touch at hello@theonlinehypno.com
I look forward to working with you and helping you and others around you to prepare for the birth of your baby!
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