Is Hypnobirthing Effective When It Comes to Easy Delivering?
“Is hypnobirthing effective when it comes to childbirth?” This is the question I asked myself over and over again. Here’s a quick story about my journey experiencing the power of hypnosis.
It was a beautiful Tuesday afternoon. Stephen and I were running last-minute errands. We went to the post office, then we were supposed to go to Costco, but the early contractions began so we decided to skip Costco and go to Panda Express to get a nice BIG meal. That’s when I knew I officially was going into labor. While we were eating, I had to stand up and lean over the table. The guy next to us said, “Yup, you probably need to get ready to head to the hospital.”
We headed home and that’s when the surges (contractions) really started. Stephen got out the mini whiteboard and started taking notes of all my surges and how far apart they were, well, most of them. He skipped a few. I was on the floor on hands and knees, leaning on the side of the couch while he gathered our hospital bags. I just kept using my hypnobirthing techniques, and about two hours later I felt the need to call my mom to come to pick us up and take us to the hospital. She zoomed on over and swept us up and we sped down the freeway. (Stephen didn’t have his license yet)
We arrived at the hospital at about 7 pm and sure enough, I was about 6cm dilated, officially in “active labor.” They sent us straight up to the room where I began my instant self hypnosis techniques. My water broke on my Mom’s yoga mat in the cat/cow position. The jazz and piano music playlist I created beforehand helped me relax and Stephen and my Mom were amazing at helping me focus on my breath.
Quick Navigation
How To Have A Natural Birth In A Hospital
Stephen ended up holding my right leg in the air, and my Mom held my hands and the laughing gas mask up to my face. Yes, I asked for laughing gas. And remember feeling like, “Oh man, I didn’t do the ALL NATURAL birth I was planning for.” However, the nurses were like, “Umm yes you did honey, laughing gas doesn’t count as a medical intervention when it comes to natural labor.” They explained to me that the gas literally goes in just as fast as it goes out and does NOT reach the baby.
I felt relieved to know this and was very grateful for being able to use the mask to help me focus on my breath. The kind of funny thing was, originally they gave me the mask and then forgot to actually turn on the gas. So for 30 minutes, I used the mask with no gas. Then they checked everything and were like, “Ooops, so sorry we didn’t have it on.” They then turned it on.
Honestly, I didn’t even feel much of a difference. I definitely recommend the mask whether you use gas or not because it really helped me focus on just my breath. The loud sound of breathing in and out of the mask really kept me centered and less distracted. For my second child, I will request the mask again. If you are interested in this for your birthing experience, be sure the hospital you are birthing at provides this service because not all hospitals do. So yes, It’s totally possible to have an All Natural Birth at a hospital. You’ll just need to make sure you communicate clearly with your provider about what you want and follow through with it, as long as it’s safe for you and the baby, of course.
Read more on how to gain more information about How To Have a Natural Birth in a Hospital
How To Push A Baby Out Fast
After a few hours and only three big pushes later, Jakayla Nuamah was born at 11:45 pm. I’ll never forget that very moment. I could feel her head, shoulders, and body, sliding out of my birthing canal. I really recommend waiting until you have the urge to push before pushing, and then when you do, just straight up, go for it. I truly believe that I probably wouldn’t have torn if I waited and did one more big gentle push. Listen to your body.
Once she was born they immediately put her directly on my chest while I delivered the placenta and stitched me up. She was so soft and beautiful. Skin-to-skin with my baby girl is the best thing ever. The amount of love I felt was incredible and has grown more and more each day. I remember I couldn’t even cry because I was so overwhelmed with the love that my eyes literally wouldn’t tear up. It was bizarre because if you happen to know me personally, you know that I am not one to hold back tears. But, literally, they just wouldn’t flow out. I felt all the emotions but I swear it was like my tear ducts just stopped working.
So…
Is Hypnobirthing Effective?
A while later, Stephen cut the cord and we loved on her together. Best day of my life by far. We did it! We birthed our baby girl using hypnobirthing techniques, laughing gas, and lots of love. I am so blessed to have had such a smooth first labor and delivery experience. Hypnobirthing is definitely effective! I must say if you are looking to use hypnobirthing as a tool to help you have a natural delivery, I would also recommend taking the actual 5-week course they offer, and a PERSONAL one on one session with a professional hypnotist. Lucky me, Stephen is a hypnotherapist who owns Effective Hypnosis Center in Gilbert, Arizona and gave me an hour and a half session the night before I went into labor. I really feel that that one on one private time of tapping into my subconscious mind with a professional helped initiate the labor process.
Check out his website if you’re interested in booking a one on one session. He’s amazing, and I’m not just saying that because he’s my husband, 😉 he’s got plenty of raving reviews that you can see for yourself online at http://www.effectivehypnosiscenter.com
Ways To Go Into Labor Over Night
On Monday the day before I gave birth, I had my doctor’s appointment and was pressured to schedule an induction date since I was still only 2 cm dilated at the beginning of my 40 weeks. I was a persistent and confident baby girl would come before the end of the week and I knew I had to do whatever I could to help the dilation process begin sooner than later if I wanted to avoid conflict with my doctor. So, again, I want to reiterate that that same night Stephen gave me the private one on one session and then the very next day I went into labor. I remember my doctor seemed quite surprised. I was so happy and ready to experience the birthing process. I definitely recommend if you are on the fence of trying an all-natural birth or using medical intervention, you might as well give the all-natural route a shot. At very least you could always change your mind and request what you want or need once labor is actually happening.
Birth Plan For First Time Moms
You’d probably be shocked to hear even with a hypnotist as a husband, I was still very fearful of the pain of delivering a baby. I had always told him, “I don’t want a birth plan, I just want to see how it goes since I have no idea what to expect as a first time mom. If I want an epidural I’ll get one. If not, I won’t, but I’ll likely get one because it’s going to hurt.” It wasn’t until around the 6-month mark of my pregnancy and doing more research, that I decided, heck with it, why not just go for the all-natural route? I have nothing to lose. If it works great, if it doesn’t then there luckily is a medical intervention that can help me. This mentality really helped me DECIDE to go ahead with what I prefer and give it a real shot. You are in control Momma and have the power to at least DECIDE what you want and go for it. If it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. But if it does, then great!
Listen To Your Mommas Intuition
I hope my story of my natural birth helps you decide what it is you desire to go for when it comes to birthing your baby. Every person’s desires are unique and different for what will work best for them. Go with your gut and follow your intuition. After all, it is the strongest thing you’ll depend on when it comes to any decision making, especially regarding your child.
If you are interested in hypnobirthing, be sure to click on this link.
If you’re not in Arizona he can also do them remotely using Skype. https://effectivehypnosiscenter.com/
The 3 Common Misconceptions People Have About HypnoBirthing
1: You Can’t Feel Anything
This couldn’t be further than the truth. You can definitely feel all kinds of sensations, but due to your new belief system, your body doesn’t register it as “pain.” This allows your body and mind to allow its natural ability to birth a baby without it being a horrible experience. If anything, you feel the love, and the hormonal connection with the process of birthing your baby and that outweighs any “pain” you might be having.
2. You’re Not Conscious
Many believe that if you’re in a state of trance or hypnosis that you aren’t conscious, more like you are sleeping or something. On the contrary, you are rather super conscious. Your consciousness is more attentive and your brain’s ability to process information is heightened, allowing your body and mind to work together rather than against each other.
3. It Doesn’t Work
Like anything in life, it won’t work if you don’t believe it will work. If your consciousness beliefs are strong enough that it won’t work, then you won’t allow it to work. There must be a willingness to do anything in life before making anything possible, right? The same goes for hypnosis. The more you fight the idea of the power of your mind the more you disallow the greatness it has to work with you. It works if you let it. And sometimes (depending on the level of professional you are working with) they can help make it work for you, even if you don’t think it can. You might consciously believe it won’t work but subconsciously you may really believe that there’s a chance. And that slightest chance might just be enough for you to benefit from the amazing power you have within yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hypnobirthing
What is a hypnobirth?
A hypnobirth is a type of birthing method created by Marie Mongan. The Mongan Method was established in the United States, and Marie’s Mongan book “HypnoBirthing: A Celebration of LIfe” was published in 1989. This method includes meditative practice, visualization, breathing and relaxation techniques. Nutrition and body toning are also included in this method of birthing. A hypnobirth is the body’s natural way of birthing a baby as nature intended it to.
What are hypnobirthing techniques?
Hypnobirthing techniques include: a variety of different breathing patterns, a self hypnosis process of creating new beneficial beliefs around the topic of birthing a baby naturally, and guided visual imagery that help women see this process as something they can do more comfortably.
What are the benefits of hypnobirthing?
- A natural, more calm delivery for the baby and mother.
- Overall, a shortened labor experience.
- Super conscious and alert, allowing the bond between the mother and the baby to be stronger immediately after delivery.
- A toolbox of breathing and self hypnosis techniques that women can use not only for the laboring process, but for the rest of their lives during any situation that may bring about any fear or anxiety.
- A closer bond between partners during the laboring process, because the father is more hands on, involved, and equipped to help the mother implement the hypnobirthing techniques.
- Gives women a sense of control over how they want to and can deliver their newborn babies into this world.
When should you start hypnobirthing?
The recommended time to start hypnobirthing classes is between 25 – 29 weeks of pregnancy. It’s best to finish all classes before giving birth.
Is hypnobirthing covered by insurance?
It depends on your insurance provider. Be sure to give them a call and find out if the classes are covered under your plan. Note: many birth classes are not covered, but some are.
How much are hypnobirthing classes?
If they are not covered by your insurance plan, the cost of a package of hypnobirthing classes ranges between 200 – 300 dollars.
