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HypnoBirthing® FAQ

What is HypnoBirthing®?
How does HypnoBirthing® differ from other childbirth preparation methods?
Will I experience a pain-free birth with HypnoBirthing®?
How is the birth companion involved?
What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with HypnoBirthing®? Can I still use this method and how can they help me to achieve my HypnoBirthing® goals?
Will HypnoBirthing® be useful to me if I don’t opt for a natural childbirth or if I need medical intervention or a C-section?
Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience?

What is HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® is a comprehensive birthing class that fully prepares you for birth with the knowledge and confidence you need to birth calmly and gently. It focuses on deep relaxation, working with the body, working with the birthing instincts, releasing fear, and replacing it with confidence and trust in the birth process. With HypnoBirthing® you’ll have the knowledge to make confident decisions with your labor options, for a safer, faster, healthier labor for you and your baby.

HypnoBirthing® – The Mongan Method is as much a philosophy as it is a technique. The concept of HypnoBirthing® is not new, but rather a “rebirth” of the philosophy of birthing as it existed thousands of years ago and as it was recaptured in the work of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English obstetrician, who, in the 1920s, was one of the first to forward the concept of natural birthing. The method teaches you that, in the absence of fear and tension, or special medical circumstances, severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labor.

HypnoBirthing® is based on the philosophy that when a woman is properly prepared for childbirth free from fear and stress, she can allow her body to function in the same well-designed manner that it does in nature.

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.”
– Marie F. Mongan

How does HypnoBirthing® differ from other childbirth preparation methods?

HypnoBirthing® prepares the mother with the knowledge to birth confidently and comfortably.

While other methods teach the woman how to cope with and manage pain; HypnoBirthing® provides women with the information needed to feel relaxed, free of society’s expectation of pain, and ready to allow her body to birth in the manner in which it was designed.

When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear, they learn, instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel good hormones.

They are then able to change their expectations of long, painful labor and are able to replace them with expectations of a more comfortable birthing.

Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical “prepared childbirth” programs, HypnoBirthing® parents learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation, enabling the laboring mother to work in harmony with her body and her baby. This allows her to achieve a shorter and more comfortable labor for herself and baby.

“Move over, Lamaze. HypnoBirthers say their form of deep relaxation takes the panting and pain out of labor.”
– Time Magazine

Will I experience a pain-free birth with HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® does not promise painless birthing, though many HypnoBirthing® mothers do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily.

When the cause of pain – fear that constricts the birthing muscles – is eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period and much more comfortably.

A relaxed mother’s body will produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants. HypnoBirthing mothers may still experience sensations of tightening or pressure; but most describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is frequently spoken of by women who choose other methods of preparation for birthing.

“HypnoBirthing® gave me a most priceless gift – that of a fearless childbirth.”
– Sally Plyler, HypnoBirthing® mother (twice)

How is the birth companion involved?

The birth companion is an integral part of the HypnoBirthing® experience.

He or she practices with the mother in helping to prepare for deep relaxation. During labor the birth companion guides the laboring mother through hypnosis prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualizations, provides comfort measures, and joins in welcoming the new baby, often by receiving the baby as he emerges.

“My husband reassured me, “We have time, lets listen to rainbow relaxation.” I then soon calmed down.”
– Lisa and Preston Hawkes

What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with HypnoBirthing®? Can I still use this method and how can they help me to achieve my HypnoBirthing® goals?

More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of HypnoBirthing®. Many hospitals offer HypnoBirthing® as an option in their childbirth education programs, and HypnoBirthing® is now taught in some schools of medicine to student doctors.

If your care giver is not knowledgeable about HypnoBirthing®, take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment that you desire.

In class, you will learn how to create a plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your doctor or midwife. Also, your HypnoBirthing® instructor will contact your provider with information on HypnoBirthing®. Many doctors and midwives love HypnoBirthing®. Educated, confident, deeply relaxed mothers, who feel empowered to birth naturally and have much fewer complications; That’s what attendants at HypnoBirthings® have seen and love!

“I have made the transition to HypnoBirthing®. I now believe that birthing involves no pain. I have attended over 200 births that have used the techniques and philosophy of HypnoBirthing® – “The Mongan Method”. I realize that I no longer perform deliveries; I attend births and observe the birthing companion receive the baby. It is as if my new role is to be present to witness the miracle of HypnoBirthing®.”
– Lorne R. Campbell Sr. M.D.

Will HypnoBirthing® be useful to me if I don’t opt for a natural childbirth or if I need medical intervention or a C-section?

Absolutely. HypnoBirthing® classes will help you to learn relaxation skills that will be useful to both you and your baby, regardless of your birth experience.

In the event that medical intervention of any sort is needed, you will find yourself better able to remain calm and in control.

Mothers who have needed scheduled cesareans report that they were totally relaxed before, during and after the procedure. Many report that they needed little or no medication following the birth, and they were able to return to normal functioning in a very short period of time.

C-Section HypnoBirthing® “I was a lot calmer…” -Testimonial:
I ended up having to have a c-section because I went to 42 weeks and my baby was in distress, but I went into the entire situation with quite a bit of knowledge about what was going to happen, what my choices were.

In the end I didn’t have very many choice because of my baby’s vitals…but I was a lot calmer about not having a vaginal birth because the entire hospital staff was aware of my wishes and knew I was hoping for little to no intervention.

I did use the HypnoBirthing® techniques to get through a lot of the painful procedures leading up to the birth: epidural, cervical check. In the end I didn’t need any pain killers stronger than Motrin in the days after my surgery, and was up and walking and back to running 2 miles a day 3 weeks after my delivery.
– J.S., OR

Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience?

You are definitely conscious during self-hypnosis. The HypnoBirthing® mother is deeply relaxed, but she is also an active participant in the labor process. Though she is deeply relaxed, she is totally aware and may return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile whenever she desires. HypnoBirthing® mothers often find that they experience time distortion and are not distracted by other people or their birthing environment, while they focus on their birthing and their baby.

Hypnosis is a natural state of relaxed concentration and focus. What you experience with HypnoBirthing® is similar to the daydreaming or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book, staring at a fire, or are driving a car. You will be fully in control and able to carry on normal conversation. You can remain in touch with the instruction, encouragement and support of your birthing companion. You will be aware of your surges (contractions), but you will feel relaxed and calm.

With HypnoBirthing® you will be:

  • Alert and aware
  • Interactive and conversant
  • Fully in control
  • Relaxed and calm
  • More rested, during and after the birth