So, you have just found out you are pregnant, congratulations! I hope it’s going well and the sickness isn’t too rough. Or maybe you are on the baby making journey and want to know what lies ahead. Or maybe you are just here because you have seen all my posts pop up and you’re just here to be nosey, whatever your reason for being here, hello, welcome, take a seat, grab a drink and let’s dive in.
When people ask me what I do and I explain that I am a Hypnobirthing teacher, I get mixed responses and reactions. It’s either, “wow, that’s amazing, I have heard such amazing things about Hypnobirthing, we did hypnobirthing and loved it, it was the best experience ever”, or “Hypnowhat?”
For those who aren’t familiar with Hypnobirthing, to put it simply, Hypnobirthing is designed to empower you as expectant parents to have positive birth experiences. Hypnobirthing courses will provide you with the knowledge and tools to help you have the best possible birth for you. Hypnobirthing can enable you to become confident, calm and feel more in control as you approach birth and through the birth process. It can help to alleviate any fears or anxieties you might have around birth with an increased understanding of the physiology of the body and pregnancy.
There are lots of myths and misconceptions around Hypnobirthing and so I am here to bust some of these Hypnobirthing myths and share some of the reality around what a course looks like.
1. Hypnobirthing is just for water births -NOT TRUE!
This has been a misconception from a lot of parents to be who enquire about a course with me. It definitely is a myth. I usually receive a message to say they are interested in learning more but they aren’t planning a water birth so it’s not for them. This is absolutely not the case. The reality is, if a water birth is your ideal birth, yes hypnobirthing will really help, but if it’s not for you, then you can absolutely still attend a course and implement all the tools and techniques we learn for any kind of birth.
2. Hypnobirthing is just for natural births -FALSE!
Hypnobirthing is for all births. This is one key message I always try to get across. Whether you are planning a natural birth or a caesarean birth, you can use all of the techniques we cover in any situation. There are also specially designed Hypnobirthing for Caesarean courses for those who have opted for an elective caesarean so that you feel fully equipped and prepared before the day arrives.
3. Hypnobirthing means I can't accept any form of intervention - INCORRECT!
Hypnobirthing provides you with the tools and techniques to help you make informed decisions when it comes to examinations, interventions and procedures – this is where I like to share the B.R.A.I N tool. You may be offered vaginal examinations to see how far you are dilated and you may also be offered a sweep which aims to separate the sac surrounding your baby from the cervix and trigger labour. You may also be offered induction from your midwife which may entail a pessary, a foley balloon or syntocinon which aims to start contractions. If you are unsure or want to understand more, you are able to and have the right to ask questions. You can use the below to help you make an informed decision.
Benefits - What are the benefits of this intervention, examination or procedure? How does it benefit me? How does it benefit baby?
Risks - What are the risks of this intervention, examination or procedure? Are there any risks to me? Are there any risks to baby? Can you show me the evidence and statistics?
Alternatives - Are there other alternatives to this intervention, examination or procedure? How do they compare to any other options that are available?
Instinct - How do how you personally feel about the situation? What does your momma gut say? What does your partner say? Ask for some time to think about it.
Nothing - What happens if we do nothing? Is it safe? Is it possible things can change? What happens if we wait a little bit? How long is it reasonable to wait for me to decide? Can we monitor me and baby and see what happens?
You can also access https://www.birthrights.org.uk/ for more information and also visit https://www.sarawickham.com/ for more information on induction.
4. You can’t have pain relief if you have done a Hypnobirthing course
Of course you can!
You may have written your birth plan and it might say you don’t want any pain relief and want to use breathing techniques to help birth your baby and manage pain. But you may get to a point in your labour where you decide to go off plan and ask for some sort of relief. The key thing with a Hypnobirthing course is that is gives you the tools and techniques to make informed decisions and understand what might be best for you. But what is super important to remember is that asking for pain relief doesn’t mean you have “failed”. Read up on the different methods of pain relief and use the B.R.A.I.N tool to make your own decisions on what’s right for you at that moment.
5. Hypnobirthing is only for mums – don’t be silly!
It’s for everyone who wants to be involved. I recently shared a blog all about the benefits of hypnobirthing for birth partners and how they should 100% be involved in it all! https://www.littlerosebuds.co.uk/post/wonderfulwaysyoucanbethebestbirthpartnerever. All of the tools and techniques covered in a course are beneficial for both mum and partner! Knowledge is power and when you both understand the process, the benefits of relaxation and how to work as a team, the whole process will run much smoother. The role of birth partner is the 'keeper of the cave'. The one who protects the space and the flow of hormones. They help create the optimal birthing environment, support mum to listen to their body and help them remain comfortable and calm.
There is even evidence to support that having a birth partner who provides continuous, one-to-one support, may help mums to cope better with labour and be happier with the birth experience. Hypnobirthing is for everyone!
6. If you do a Hypnobirthing course, you won’t remember the birth – of course you will!
We’re not putting you to sleep! I Understand where this conception comes from as when most people think of hypnosis, they think of that time they watched someone on Saturday night tele being hypnotised to do a chicken dance, totally humiliating themselves and then not remembering it when they wake up. Well, I can promise you, there is no mind control involved and you certainly will be aware of what is going on. Being in a state of hypnosis is actually a really natural state of consciousness that we are all in at least once a day. You know that moment you’re just about to drift off to sleep, you can just about here some background noise, but you’re not fully aware of what it is? Well, this is state of hypnosis, you’re zoned out and able to disconnect from distractions.
7. Hypnobirthing is only for home births – this is definitely untrue!
Hypnobirthing tools and techniques can be used for home births, birth centres and hospital births! It doesn’t discriminate against environments! What we do discuss in Hypnobirthing is how to create your perfect birth environment but that can be wherever you wish!
8. Hypnobirthing is just a way of breathing your baby out – if only it was that simple hey?
One deep breath in, one deep breath out and baby is here. Yes of course we cover breathing techniques, calm breathing, visualisation and birth breathing but it’s so much more than that. It’s understanding the benefits of relaxation, why practice is important, why a positive mindset can lead to a better birth. It’s a full birth preparation course and breathing is just a small part.
9. Midwifes don’t agree with Hypnobirthing – this is not true at all.
As hypnobirthing practitioners, we want to work with midwives and health care providers to ensure a positive experience is had by all. Most will encourage the attendance of antenatal classes and want you to feel as prepared and informed as possible. From past experience with couples who have joined me, their midwives have been fully supportive of Hypnobirthing and have really encouraged my couples to use their techniques. Remember you can ask to change midwives at any point and so if they don’t share your views and you can’t build a relationship, you have the right to request another.
10. Hypnobirthing isn’t for everyone – whilst it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is important to know that Hypnobirthing is for ALL BIRTHS!
Home Birth
Hospital Birth
Birth Centre Birth
Natural Birth
Caesarean Birth
Induced Birth
ALL BIRTHS ALL PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD
I hope you found this helpful and informative and if you are curious to explore Hypnobirthing in more detail, you can contact me littlerosebudswellbeing@hotmail.com.
My next group course will run on Saturday 29th July and Saturday 5th August at my home in Doncaster. Please visit the link below to book your place.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/littlerosebudsparentandbabywellbeing/948526
Love always,
Hannah x
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