5 things you will learn in our hypnobirthing classes
We know that navigating the growing world of hypnobirthing can be tricky – so here are the 5 top things you will learn on our courses to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.
It’s the big one! People have probably told you have painful birth can be and of course, that is what we see in films and on TV most of the time so of course, that is what your unconscious mind believes.
In our hypnobirthing classes we introduce the idea of the Fear – Tension – Pain cycle which you might have heard about. This is the concept that fear in the body creates tension and this leads to muscles being tight and painful. Muscles in the uterus are the powerful mechanism that supports the birth of your baby, the more we can relax these muscles, the more efficient they will be at their job!
So in each class we learn breathing techniques and fear release relaxation sessions to get you used to self-hypnosis and allowing your body to RELAX. The mind is also very powerful and through hypnobirthing techniques and the words we use to describe labour and birth, we can change the narrative and BREAK THE CYCLE!
The environment in which you give birth can be so important. In class we talk about other mammals who seek out dark and private places to give birth, never in a million years would they choose a brightly lit, busy environment. Those types of environments tend not to work well with our lovely birth hormones, oxytocin and endorphins.
So if you are choosing to give birth in a hospital setting then it’s a good idea to be prepared to make the room a little more ‘homely’. Ask for lights to be dimmed, ask for people coming in and out to be as quiet as possible, have your favourite playlist playing, have your favourite scent on a hanky or bring a pillow spray. Everything that can help keep you relaxed and calm and make an unfamiliar setting be more familiar. In our courses we will come up with a list between you and your birth partner of what you think you might need when the time arrives!
Sometimes it’s not that easy being a birth partner! And so often in the media we see useless birth partners not being very helpful to the situation at hand! Now we believe that birth partners actually play a huge role in childbirth. They are the person who needs to be ‘the keeper of the cave’ – they are the protector of the birthing woman’s space. Perhaps you can set up the candles and put on the playlist. You could also be the best voice to speak to the midwives or medical team and relay any messages back and forth – allow the woman to stay in her peaceful zone.
So often when you are pregnant you can get swept up in the medical ‘chat’ and forget that you are allowed to make your own choices about your own body and baby! You want to do the best for your baby, of course, and so often women then get led down paths that they might not have considered or wanted initially.
But in our classes you will learn that you have the right to ask questions and you also (in most circumstances) have TIME to make any big decisions surrounding your next steps. So if induction of the baby is suggested, you are allowed to question why and then go away and do your own research to make sure you make the best decision for you.
Hypnobirthing techniques and the full birth preparation our courses provide is all there to help you let go of fear and head in to birth more confident and empowered. You don’t need to be fearful of birth – your body was designed to give birth – you can do this! We cannot guarantee a pain free birth but a fear free birth can be more efficient, better for your mindset and your unconscious mind believes what you tell it. If you tell yourself that your birth will be an empowering experience and you practice your techniques and affirmations you can make it so!
Often birth goes completely sideways from the ways you think it will take. Our courses are designed to provide you a full understanding of birth choices and outcomes to let you have a ‘plan’ for all eventualities. Doing this can so often make you feel less fearful – it’s all in the prep!
So why not join the club and get your birth story off to a great start?