Childbirth

Hypnotherapy for childbirth is a useful tool which can help mothers prepare for the birth by addressing any concerns and fears they may have as well as reducing the pain and length of labour and any chances of intervention.

Many studies have also found that babies born to mothers who have used hypnotherapy to prepare and relax them for birth are more likely to sleep and feed better. A hypnotherapist specialising in this area will discuss any anxieties you are feeling with regards to the pregnancy and will create a programme of treatment which is personally tailored to your needs. The programme may include techniques such as deep relaxation, visualisation and self-hypnosis and all are intended to help dispel any negative thoughts and concerns as well as helping you to feel in control, confident and prepared for the birth.

Why is hypnotherapy effective for childbirth?

Unfortunately myths, rumours and the press have portrayed birth as something to be feared, a notion which has been picked up on by many women and only acts to hinder the birthing process. When we feel afraid our nervous system automatically kicks in and starts producing adrenalin which fuels the fight or flight system. In a pregnant women this would generally cause the cervix to tighten in order to prevent the baby from being born into what our body and our minds see as an unsafe environment. Heightened levels of adrenalin would then react with other hormones needed for birth causing the body to slow down and even put a stop to the process. The fight and flight preparation is hugely draining for a women in labour and this is why relaxation is such an important factor.

Feeling relaxed during labour ensures a high level of oxygen is entering the body which is not only good for the baby but also good for the production of endorphins which are the body's natural pain reliever.

Expert facts and stats

According to figures from the American HypnoBirthing® Institute only 15% of pregnant women who received hypnotherapy for childbirth required pain relief compared to 70% needing pain relief in the non hypnosis group. The evidence continues to support the idea that hypnotherapy for childbirth is highly beneficial with only 20% of mums who received hypnotherapy requiring an epidural compared to 70% in the group that received no hypnosis. Further evidence continues to highlight the merits of hypnosis by showing that pregnant women who had received hypnotherapy stood a 20% reduced risk of experiencing an induction and a 16.5% reduced risk of experiencing a C-section.

In a different study British researchers found a significant reduction in the length of labour for first and second time mothers, with the 70 hypnosis patients spending an average of 6 h 21 m in labour compared to 70 participants that received no hypnosis who took an average of 9 h 45 m.

Benefits of hypnotherapy for childbirth

Hypnotherapy for childbirth has a plethora of benefits which could help any women during and after her pregnancy. Listed below are a few examples of issues hypnotherapy can help to address:

• can reduce labour time
• can reduce fatigue in the mother during and after birth
• can reduce postnatal recovery time
• can reduce the risk of intervention
• increases the chances of children feeding and sleeping better
• can help aches and discomforts during pregnancy
• can help morning sickness
• assists the natural birth process
• can speed up post birth recovery
• can improve oxygen levels in mother and baby.

All content displayed on Hypnotherapy Directory is provided for general information purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for advice given by your GP or any other healthcare professional.

Whilst we endeavor to ensure all information is accurate, Hypnotherapy Directory make no representations or warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information included within the website. Any dependence you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.