Hypnobirthing Explained: How it Works and can Benefit You.

Joy
Apr 26, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Jun 28, 2024

Hypnobirthing is suitable for all types of birth including c-section

What Exactly is Hypnobirthing and How Does it Work?

You might be wondering, "What is hypnobirthing and how does it work?" Maybe you're skeptical and don't want any of that 'hippy-dippy' stuff in your birthing room. Let's clear up some common misconceptions.

When you think of hypnosis, do you imagine stage hypnotism where people cluck like chickens or swinging pendulums putting people into a deep trance? That’s not what happens when you bring hypnosis into the labour room. You are not under a spell, and no one is controlling your thoughts and actions. Let me explain what is involved.

Hypnobirthing Explained

Hypnobirthing is a collection of taught techniques for pain relief and relaxation that will increase your self-confidence and belief in your body's ability to give birth. As I always say, 'your birth, your choice,' but experience has shown that most labouring women prefer not to take strong pain relief in the early part of their labour. Learning how to cope with contractions in different ways will help you last longer before resorting to stronger drugs if that’s your choice. Some women choose to use hypnobirthing strategies entirely to cope with labour, and that is doable too.

Think about how you might cope with labour in the early stages at home or if you're having a hospital birth and are in your car on the way. Hypnobirthing techniques can also help calm anxiety during unexpected situations, such as an unplanned caesarean birth. Research has shown that skills learned during a hypnobirthing course have wide-ranging positive benefits for labour:

Naturally manage pain
May reduce the length of your labour
May lessen the need for interventions, including c-sections
Give mums a sense of control and lessen anxiety
May lead to higher APGAR scores for baby (assessment of baby wellbeing after birth)

Hypnobirthing Techniques

So, if you're not clicking your fingers or swinging pendulums to send me to sleep, what is going on? Hypnobirthing involves a range of techniques to keep you calm and relaxed during labour.

Let's talk hormones. Humans are mammals with a built-in natural 'fight or flight' response to danger. When you feel anxious, your heart might race, you might sweat, and you feel an urge to escape or confront the perceived threat. This response produces hormones that shut down non-essential processes and direct blood to our extremities for strength.

Physiologically, women have not changed for thousands of years, and our bodies still react this way. No mammal would want to give birth if there was danger around. Modern-day mums don't face saber-toothed tigers, but our bodies still react to threats similarly.

The Role of Hormones in Labour

During labour, your body responds to your environment. If you feel fearful or out of control, it can spike adrenaline levels, which is counterproductive. Adrenaline stamps out oxytocin, the principal hormone needed for labour to progress. Oxytocin makes contractions longer and stronger, helping the cervix dilate and the uterus muscles push the baby down. It's also the 'love hormone' that promotes bonding after birth.

If you're scared during labour, adrenaline rises, making labour longer. Staying calm and relaxed helps oxytocin do its job effectively.

Learning Hypnobirthing

Surely, staying calm is easier said than done, right? Labour and birth are full of distractions: midwives checking your blood pressure, noises on the ward, beeping machinery, and staff popping in and out. Even during a home birth, there can be distractions.

A hypnobirthing course will give you the tools to take yourself into deep relaxation and create a calm environment for birth. Birth partners can also learn how to provide effective support so mum can concentrate on labouring with positive labour hormones.

Will Hypnobirthing Make My Birth Pain-Free?

The simple answer is no. Hypnobirthing does not promise you a pain-free birth, but many mums who use hypnobirthing techniques say it makes contractions more bearable. Hypnobirthing techniques can be used alongside other pain management techniques. It’s not an either/or situation.

Why Attend a Hypnobirthing Course?

Hypnobirthing techniques need to be learned and practiced before the big day. You need to be able to return to a state of deep relaxation after every interruption or distraction, which takes time to learn. Hypnobirthing is included as part of The Complete Birth Prep Package or you can do an online workshop and learn the essentials.

Is Hypnobirthing Only for Drug-Free Births?

Absolutely not! Hypnobirthing is for anyone looking to add self-help skills to their labour and birth toolkit. Techniques can be used alongside any type of labour, regardless of what happens on the day.