What hypnobirthing means to me

Sarah Brent - 1 Feb 16

So much talk lately about taking the ‘hypno’ out of hypnobirthing but why?

Hypnosis for birth or hypnobirthing as it is also know means different things to different people.

Its a matter of expectation and perspective held by the person’s own experiences.  For this reason it isn’t something that measurable and no amount of research can prove or disprove its place in birth, it’s like trying to measure happiness.

Obviously I can’t speak for others but I can tell you what hypnobirthing is for me, from my perspective.

Hypnobirthing for me is about that journey into motherhood.  Transitioning in a natural state of positive relaxation.  A place where everything feels just right in your world.  A completely natural, calm, coherent state, where the mind is feeling in-control and the body is doing what it needs to do, alone or assisted.  A place where you can make informed decisions, not based on being in an over emotional state.  A place where no matter what the circumstances are or what changes to plans may take place, you feel emotionally equipped to deal with them.  You understand your emotions and what they mean.  You understand whats happening in your baby’s birth journey, you are informed.

As a hypnomum its important to me that you understand what the ‘hypno’ part is and that you understand that you have full control of your hypnotic state.

The hypnosis part is nothing to be concerned about because it’s YOU being RELAXED.

The ‘hypno’ feeling changes from person to person and from situation to situation.  You can be in hypnosis laying down with your eyes shut and your feet up. You can also be in hypnosis with your eyes open standing up and answering questions if needed.

Hypnos is the Greek word for sleep but when you are in a hypnotic state you are not necessarily asleep, more deeply relaxed.  You go into a natural hypnotic state at least twice daily, between going to sleep and waking up, amongst other times.  Its a natural thing.  Some women hypnobirth their baby’s without even knowing they are hypnobirthing!  They just automatically do what they bodies direct them to do naturally, free from overthinking.

In hypnobirthing we teach you to get yourself into that natural relaxed state and keep yourself there for as long as you feel necessary.  Getting to grips with, practicing, understanding the ‘hypno’ in hypnobirthing will help you to feel in control and allow you visit in that place where everything is just right in your world, in order for you to birth the best way for you and your family.  But for me ‘hypno’ isn’t just about learning to relax.  It’s about understanding your thoughts and emotions and how they affect  you.   Recognising the unhelpful less supportive thoughts and replacing them with ones that will support you.  The easiest and quickest way to do this is by amending the language you use.  Your language whether it be out loud or your inner voice affects your beliefs, thoughts, emotions and actions.

Knowledge and understanding of how your mind and body work together and in some situations against each other will support you through your baby’s birthing journey.  When you understand how you can support yourself, your partner (vice versa) and your baby, you feel empowered to cope with what may or may not come your way.

As for birth there are so many variables we cannot possible say what turn your baby’s birth will take.  If I’m honest, it doesn’t really matter which way you birth.  As all births are amazing and beautiful.  Each and every birth you have will be different and significantly change to your life, birth is a huge life changing event.

What maters to me is that you feel right, that you are in a good place, able to cope and understand whats happening.  Move forward from your experience with confidence and feel capable and at peace with yourself.  Able to care for your little family and yourself after the birth and through your journey into motherhood and beyond.  To me, its your mindset that matters.

What hypnobirthing means to me and what it means to others may differ slightly, some people assume that to have a hypnobirth means you have to have a purely natural birth but for me the natural doesn’t mean intervention free.  It means tapping into your natural mothering instincts and making the right designs for your family. Doing this in a natural state of relaxation, a place of managing your thoughts, emotions and actions well, in order to support yourself, intervention or no intervention.

So that’s what hypnobirthing is to me… a personal journey, a natural progression to motherhood, made in a calm and confident way.  Really no need to take the ‘hypo’ out just to understand it.

Sarah Brent

Mum of two, wife of one, needs tea, wine and chocolate on a regular basis and sometimes all at the same time but not in the same cup! Will do anything to avoid the ironing.

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