Getting pregnant is a huge change in a woman's physical, emotional and spiritual life. For some reason, other women want to touch your tummy, and share all of the horror stories they know of horrendous, painful and freakishly long labors. I can't tell you why they feel compelled to share this information, but I can tell you not to let those stories into your world.
Sometimes, a woman that is pregnant with her second or third child (or more) is more tired and fragile than the first time mothers. They are stressed from caring for their existing children, and may be worried about parts of their previous labors that were challenging.
First time mothers are the most vulnerable to "hypnotizing" themselves with negative information. They don't know that they are programming themselves, or allowing others to do that. Maybe you have a set of beliefs from when you were a child and your mother talked about the process of having a baby, or your aunts or grandmother shared their stories of fear and pain. Unfortunately, women that had children in the few generations before us were taught to be highly medicated and frightened. My mother's generation was put deeply asleep and then stayed in the hospital for a week after childbirth. They were also kept alone, without visitors until after the baby was ready to be presented during visiting hours.
Thankfully, we have come a very long way in the current generation. Babies are commonly born with one or more supportive family members in a birthing room at the hospital. Midwives or Doulas are often attending at a low-risk birth instead of a physician. This allows the mothers to have more personalized attention in a more relaxed atmosphere. Many women choose to have less chemical anesthesia during their labor, and the babies are born more alert and healthy.
In order to facilitate less chemicals during the birth, many women choose to take HypnoBirthing classes. These classes bring the mother and a partner into a relaxed and healthy state of mind, and teach them to prepare for the actual childbirth. During the 4-5 weeks of classes, they practice techniques of self-hypnosis and directed hypnosis to bring the mother into a wonderful relaxed state of body and mind. When the body and mind are relaxed, the birth goes more quickly and the way that the body was designed to have a baby.
In a HypnoBirthing class you will experience:
1. Videotapes of a variety of mothers having their babies using hypnosis. Some are first time mothers, others are having their second or third babies.
2. You will learn to "un-hypnotize" yourself from negative beliefs and fears that you have been building up over the years.
3. Hypnosis sessions with your teacher that will help you to relax, and to feel positive about the upcoming experience.
4. You will learn how to work with your body instead of fighting with it as it prepares to deliver your baby.
5. You will learn how to feel comfortable as you prepare for the actual birth with massage techniques and many other options.
6. You will have the opportunity to release fears and worries to have a clear and easy mind as you welcome your baby to your family.
Many OB-GYN practices, Midwives and Doulas are starting to recommend HypnoBirthing classes as an alternative to Lamaze for relaxed childbirth. There are many options now for expectant mothers, and I encourage you to protect yourself from negative information and worry. Your attitude will carry through to you baby emotionally and physically, and a great attitude is best for everyone concerned. If you can prepare and plan to have a relaxed and happy birthing experience, then the chances are excellent that you will have just that experience.
Dr. Sally Witt is the author of "Your Mind Holds the Key to Health, Happiness and Prosperity".