Childbirth can be a traumatic experience for some women if not done in a proper calm way. Hypnobirthing is a technique that teaches the parents-to-be how to experience childbirth in a calm, relaxed atmosphere, free of fear.

But does hypnobirthing work, and what are the benefits? This article explains all you need to know about the technique.

What Is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method of managing labour pains. The method is used during the labour process and delivery. It majorly involves using visualization mixed with deep breathing and relaxation techniques.

While breathing exercises have always been part of the antenatal classes, hypnobirthing takes this to the next point. It adds mindfulness, relaxation, and visualization techniques helping the mother concentrate more on the baby and the birth process only.

The main focus of hypnobirthing is visualization and connection between the body and the mind. In addition, it looks deep into self-hypnosis and how it can help birthing mothers cope with the labour pains and the experience of labour.

Hypnobirthing Techniques

Hypnobirthing uses many techniques that teach mothers to tap into their instinct for birthing. In addition, it offers a great relaxation assurance making the whole process manageable. Here are the techniques used.

· Visualization

This is when you imagine the baby’s birth process and exactly what you want to happen. You can specify your imagination or generalize the feeling as per what you want to feel. For instance, you could imagine the feeling of holding your child skin to skin after birth. It reassures your mind.

· Controlled Deep Breathing

During labour, breathing is vital; deep, controlled breathing is a great way to help a mother stay calm. It is vital you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth; it will help reduce labour discomfort.

· Meditation

Meditation or deep relaxation is a great way to help you focus on your body and the baby only during the labour process. You have to ignore any extra noise, and anything going on around you and only focus on your baby.

· Affirmations

These are the positive statements about childbirth, labour, and pregnancy. Most of the time, they are printed on cards or recorded on audio files where you can listen to them. Absorbing this positive statement helps create new positive associations with the labour and birth of the baby.

Benefits of Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing does more than just assuring confidence in the birthing process; it also helps with the following;

· Shorten labour period

One of the major hypnobirthing benefits is reducing the labour process, especially the first stage of labour. Then, as the contractions become longer, stronger, and closer, they will help you get through the ordeal.

· Natural pain management

Most people prefer med-free labour, and hypnobirthing is the best way to achieve that. Most women who have used hypnobirthing have reported a pain scale of 5.8 on a scale of 10.

· It gives the feeling of control

While in labour, you need to feel like you are in control of your body. Hypnobirthing helps you feel relaxed and thus in control, giving you less fear about the birthing process and the labour.

· Results in healthy babies

The system that evaluates babies after birth might read higher for babies born using the hypnobirthing processes and techniques. When the mother is relaxed and calm, the baby has less trauma.