Today’s guest post on hypnobirthing is by Janie Herron, HBCE, CPES, RYT-200 of Breathe by Janie.
What is the Importance of Deep Relaxation in Birth?
There is a strong connection between the mind and the body. Our thoughts influence our bodies far more than we often realize. Our thoughts often create feelings that lead to chemical and physiological responses in the body.
Have you ever had a thought, and your body immediately and automatically responded? Think about it.
Flinching at a surprising noise. Butterflies in your stomach if you’re nervous about an interview or a date. Your cheeks warming when you are embarrassed.
The body follows the mind.
The mind body connection can influence and affect childbirth in many ways. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an obstetrician from the early 1900’s, created a theory called the fear-tension-pain syndrome theory.
According to the fear-tension-pain theory, when there is fear present in a laboring mother, that fear causes tension in her body, specifically in the uterus.
Tension results in pain.
We hold that tension from fear in the lower, circular muscles fibers of the uterus and in the cervix.
Instead of relaxing and allowing the cervix to open, fear and tension can cause our bodies to hold tight. When we are tense with fear, we are resisting the work that the body is trying to do.
This is where deep relaxation comes in. If we are able to quiet the mind and eliminate the fear, the body becomes more relaxed. When the body is relaxed it helps to eliminate the tension and greatly reduce the pain of birth.
We are no longer resisting the body because we are working with it. We are allowing the cervix to relax and open as we breathe with each surge of the uterus.
What is HypnoBirthing?
HypnoBirthing is a complete childbirth education class with an emphasis on relaxation.
HypnoBirthing was inspired by the fear-tension-pain syndrome theory. The goal of this class is to teach you about birth, and to teach you how to use the mind-body connection to help you have a more comfortable birthing experience.
In class, you will learn about birth and the way the body works during labor, but we also spend a lot of time learning to relax. We go over different breathing techniques, guided relaxations, self-relaxation techniques, as well as ways your birth companion can support you during labor.
What if I’m not into ‘hypnosis’?
I often think that hypnosis is a poor name for the relaxation techniques that we use.
Hypnosis is really just deep relaxation. In hypnosis, you are fully in control of both your mind and your body. The feeling of hypnosis is similar to that of meditation, deep prayer, zoning out while doing a monotonous task, or even that lulling feeling you get while staring into a fire.
I used HypnoBirthing for the births of both of my children. My first child was born 5 weeks early. I had been planning a to birth at home, but because he was early we had to go to the hospital.
Despite our change in plans, I used the relaxation techniques I had learned in class to sleep between surges (contractions) until I was dilated to 10 cm!
Then, I breathed my baby out, as opposed to utilizing forced pushing.
HypnoBirthing can help you learn to use the mind body connection to help you have a more comfortable, positive birth experience.
Would you consider Hypnobirthing for your birth experience?
If you have any questions about this birthing tool please do not hesitate to reach out to Janie!
You can email Janie, reach out to her through social media or visit her website.
