Natural Child Birth

Having a baby can be traumatic – but it need not be, it can be a wonderful experience Natural Childbirth is becoming very popular among mothers-to-be, it is based on the belief that severe discomfort to the mother and distress to the baby is not a natural during a normal labour.

Natural Childbirth is a method of managing labour, in which the mother learns and practices techniques, to remain conscious and calm during a normal delivery with minimal use of drugs or anaesthetics. Natural Childbirth includes many supportive techniques such as focused breathing and mental imagery.

Followers of natural childbirth note that anaesthetics may increase the likelihood of complications, because labour may be slowed or the woman may not be able to adequately move her body during labour, or work with her body during final delivery.

In a birth using natural childbirth techniques, the body produces its own oxytocin, which stimulates contractions.. The brain responds to the discomfort of these contractions by releasing endorphins. (which are a feel good factor) However, when synthesized oxytocin is administered through an IV, contractions are often longer, more intense and more consistent that the body’s natural endorphins can keep up with.

A baby that is not exposed to the narcotics of labour, drugs that augment labour, or the separation from its mother after a caesarean birth, benefits by not having its liver taxed, lessening the chance of stress from reduced oxygen, and immediate skin-to-skin maternal contact which increases the likelihood of successful breastfeeding, and a quieter happier baby.

Alternatives to anaesthetics during the labour include

Water birth
Hypnotherapy – HypnoBirthing.
Massage
Relaxation therapy
Specialised breathing exercises
Visualisation
Moving around and using a birthing ball
Having one to one labour support

Many women consider natural birth empowering, she and her baby are in control of the birth. A woman who is supported to labour as she instinctively wants to, is a woman who will likely feel positive about her birth and future parenting skills.

So what does Natural Childbirth involve?

One of the best approaches to a natural birth is HypnoBirthing, a course which originated in the US, and is also known as the ‘Mongan Method’ which teaches mothers-to-be how to use their own natural instincts to bring their babies into the world.

They learn the basics of hypnosis for childbirth, which include deep relaxation, visualisation and specialized breathing techniques for each stage of labour. The course includes lots of general antenatal education as well as hypnosis techniques. techniques to release fear and anxiety, how to handle interventions and unexpected occurrences with different techniques. to trust in their bodies , how to avoid the need for episiotomy in most cases, and instinctively know what to do, as they relax and work with their baby.

Most mothers who use natural childbirth in a normal delivery give birth comfortably, easily and naturally. Natural Childbirth allows mothers to enjoy having their babies, instead of it being something they fear.

The benefits of using the techniques in the HypnoBirthing course are many:

Eliminates the fear-tension-pain syndrome before, during and after birthing.
Reduces the need for chemical anaesthesia, espisiotomy, and other interventions.
Lessens fatigue during labour, leaving the mother fresh, awake and energized, as she brings her baby into the world.
Shortens the thinning and opening phase of labour by several hours and allows the birthing mother to utilize the natural pulsations of her body to breathe her baby down to the crowning stage, rather than pushing for long, exhausting periods of time. Reduces the risk of pelvic floor damage.
Brings the mother, the baby and the birthing companion together in a wonderful prenatal, perinatal and postnatal bonding experience.
The birthing companion is part of the birthing, not an onlooker.
Almost entirely eliminates postnatal discomfort and ‘baby blues’
Babies are better adjusted and happier, resulting in better eating and sleeping routines.
Mothers don’t run the risk of hyperventilating from shallow breathing.
Birthing is returned to the safe, peaceful experience that Nature intended.

The HypnoBirthing Course – runs for four sessions – each session is up to three hours long.

You will be given the Marie Mongan Book on HypnoBirthing, and a CD of birthing affirmations, a Music CD, to relax to, and to use during labour, and

CD of session 1 – Breathing Techniques during labour
CD of session 2 - Creating your own endorphins for anaesthesia.
CD of session 3 - Letting go of the Fear-tension-pain syndrome.
CD of session 4 – Bringing it all together for a comfortable birth.

I have been practicing hypnotherapy and stress management techniques for 15 years, and am fully qualified.

For more information, booking a course or help on natural child birth with hypnotherapy:

Call Lyta Humphris on Plymouth 01752 788321 or e-mail lhumphris@aol.com for an appointment now.