Hypnobirthing

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HypnoBirthing consists of a series of relaxation techniques used to help laboring mothers decrease pain and emotional stress during childbirth, without the use of drugs. HypnoBirthing is a form of self-hypnosis used primarily during an unmedicated vaginal birth.

1 History
2 Preparation
3 Benefits
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

The practice of HypnoBirthing has its roots in the 1944 work of Grantly Dick-Read, M.D., an English obstetrician. His book, Childbirth Without Fear, advocates HypnoBirthing as a way for women to overcome what he refers to as "Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome," a combination of psychological factors that arise during labor. Dick-Read hypothesized that this syndrome caused a decrease in blood flow from non-essential organs, including the uterus, as the body rerouted its resources toward the extremities in preparation for a fight-or-flight response.

Currently, the most prevalent source of information about HypnoBirthing is the HypnoBirthing Institute, founded in New Hampshire by Marie Mongan in 1989. In Australia a break-away method has been developed called Calmbirth.

[edit] Preparation

HypnoBirthing, its advocates believe, allows the mother to access a deeply relaxed state, enabling the body to work naturally through childbirth. Supporters are quick to point out that HypnoBirthing does not involve the deep-sleep trances many see at comedy clubs or holiday parties. Instead, the practice is founded in relaxation techniques and simple cues which are used to bring the mother into a deeper state of calm. The use of guided relaxation methods or special tapes is also suggested.

[edit] Benefits

While few studies have been conducted on HypnoBirthing specifically, several university trials show a link between hypnosis therapies and a reduction in complications during childbirth. [1] A 1990 study conducted by the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and Waukesha Memorial Hospital suggested that hypnotically prepared births showed higher Apgar scores, fewer incidents of postpartum depression, and shorter labors. The Journal of Family Practice published a study in 2001 that showed similar benefits it its specific study of adolescent pregnancies [2].