Giving birth can be scary, especially for first-time mothers. You are not sure how it will feel like or how your body will react to the process. Perhaps, this explains why there is a major focus on pain.
In recent years, the demand for pain-relieving medication during childbirth has been on the rise, and the trend won’t change any time soon. In fact, more than 60% of expectant mothers opt for an epidural during their delivery.
However, there is also a boon in the use of natural pain relief techniques such as HypnoBirthing © The Mongan Method. Research shows that there has been a significant surge in the demand of hypnosis over the last few years as more women look for natural ways of managing pain during childbirth.
But, the big question is, does HypnoBirthing work? Read on to find out everything you need to know about this labor pain relief technique.
What Is HypnoBirthing?
In simple terms, HypnoBirthing is a technique that aims to ease pain and anxiety associated with delivery by use of a wide range of techniques such as deep breathing, hypnosis, meditation, visualization, and other techniques.
Hypnosis is the most commonly used technique, and it refers to a state of deep physical and mental relaxation that helps the expectant mother to focus intensely on a feeling or thought. The primary objective of hypnosis is to block external distractions andopen up your mind to resist some beliefs and behavior.
When you prepare for childbirth with hypnosis, your mind is trained to replace feelings of fear, anxiety, and pain with expectations of a safe and comfortable birthing process.
Getting hypnotized is quite a simple process that is achieved naturally. Expectant mothers use techniques such as affirmations, deep breathing, and visualization to hypnotize themselves.
How Does Hypnobirthing Work?
The working principle of HypnoBirthing is based on science. Typically, when you feel fearful and anxious, your body produces significant amounts of stress hormones that trigger a “fight and flight” response. This causes your body muscles to tighten, which interferes with the birthing process.
However, by training your subconscious mind to expect a safe and comfortable delivery, you can avoid going into the “fight-or-flight” state.
When trained properly, your body can easily respond to hypnotic suggestions/affirmations so well that it releases the “feel good” hormones such as serotonin and endorphins. These hormones cause your body muscles to relax to a point where you don’t feel pain at all.
Is HypnoBirthing Effective?
HypnoBirthing dates back to the 1950s, but it was popularized in the late 80s and early 90s. Various studies conducted to establish the effectiveness of this method show that a significant number of women practicing it during labor are less likely to request any form of medication for pain relief.
Research has also linked Hypnobirthing with a lower perception of pain during childbirth, shorter & less painful labors, and better bonding between newborn babies and their mothers.
Although HypnoBirthing doesn’t promise a 100% pain-free childbirth, you can expect a much more comfortable delivery. There are thousands of success stories from mothers who had completely pain-free births using this method.You can become one of them!