The American Society of Clinical Hypnosis reports that
for about two-thirds of women who use hypnosis, it is their sole pain reliever during labor. Stress during pregnancy can affect you and your baby associating
it with many complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Hypnosis has been used successfully to prolong pregnancy and prevent
premature delivery. Through the use and practice of guided imagery and hypnosis you can keep feeling balanced, at ease, and pleasantly in control. You can
gain and maintain a mindset of childbirth as a wonderful, natural process which your body can handle comfortably, and naturally. The benefits of using
hypnosis and guided imagery are numerous. Here are a few areas where it can help you...
Eliminate Morning Sickness � Many women have been hypnotized to completely control and eliminate nausea during pregnancy.
Enhance Relaxation � Hypnosis can help provide you with physical and emotional relaxation which releases normal stress and helps you to remain
calm throughout your pregnancy, during labor, as well as during the postpartum phase. It can help to induce better sleep and visualize a positive,
safe birth experience. Many women find that listening to hypnosis at home, especially during times disrupted or uncomfortable sleep, can help them to
fall asleep quicker and awaken more refreshed.
Learn Effective Breathing Techniques � Hypnosis is an excellent adjunct to the Lamaze or Bradley method. It helps you to develop effective breathing
and relaxation techniques for a more manageable childbirth experience.
Reduce or Eliminate Fear - Your attitude plays a tremendous role in the ease or difficulty of your pregnancy, as well as the length and severity of
your labor. Through hypnosis, you can address any negativity or fears you have and program your mind for a positive, successful pregnancy and birth
experience.
Reduce Pain � Fewer drugs or no drugs at all means less risk of side effects on mother and baby! A recent study showed only 5.5% of a group who used hypnosis group required anaesthesia compared to 75% of the control group. Hypnosis
was successful as the sole anesthetic in 61% of deliveries, while only 2.7% of the control group did not require any anesthetic. The hypnosis group also
had a significantly shorter hospital stay (4.39 days compared with 5.17 days.)
Shorten Pre-Term Labor - In studies reported by Dr. Donald C. Brown, and Dr. Mary Murphy in June 1996. Medical Hypnosis in Preterm Labor, A
Randomized Clinical Trial Report of two Pilot Projects, pregnancy was prolonged in 70.1% of subjects using hypnosis as opposed to 19.9% of the control
subjects. Opposite to this, during acutal labor, hypnosis can assist easing resistance of the birthing muscles minimizing or eliminating pain.
Hypnosis Can Help Baby, Too! - Breech and posterior babies can be turned using hypnosis. Babies who are born naturally are often better sleepers and
nursers due to fewer drugs in their systems. In another study, by Dr. Donald C. Brown there was a significant difference in Apgar scores of babies born to
mothers who received hypnotic childbirth training compared with matched controls who delivered the same day without hypnosis training.
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