Breakthroughs in the field of mind-body research over the past decade suggest that the physical, emotional, and mental states are inter-related and interdependent. Feelings and thoughts trigger physiological responses in the body that can affect the chemical and neurological balances of the hormonal system involved in reproduction. (For example, one part of you may be ready to have a baby, while subconsciously you are ambivalent because of some unresolved memories from your past.) The biochemical effect of suppressed emotions can confuse the hormonal system, which can in turn impact your baby.

Many hypnosis experts believe that lifelong beliefs and experiences about sexuality, conception, pregnancy, birth, children, parenthood and family relationships can all be repatterned for a healthier pregnancy and birth. In fact, new research contends that prenatal life and the birth experience are often profound determinants of human personality and aptitude. Hundreds of university and hospital studies show that unborn children can see, hear and feel in the womb. Hypnosis can work to reduce stress and anxiety while increasing feelings of calm and confidence in order to better support the health of the baby both during pregnancy and birth.

Hypnosis training often eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers, a distinct plus for your baby. In addition, a shorter labor and less fatigue leave you fresh and alert for enhanced bonding with your baby and birthing companion.

Because your stress is reduced, your baby will not have to experience the negative consequences of your fear and panic, such as the rush of adrenaline that puts the body into survival mode. You don't have to put your baby through that. And when your baby is born, you don't have to experience the separation from your child that can be caused by fear, fatigue or painkillers. After all, what matters most is what you can give your child right from the start. Agpar score show the highest (measurement of the baby's well being at the birth) while using hypnosis for childbirth (see research/study).

Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. (1995), Researcher Biologist, in an article on Maternal Emotions and Human Development wrote: "Baby are affected by the parent’s perception of the environment, which is chemically communicated to the fetus through the placenta, the cellular barrier between the maternal and fetal blood. The mother’s blood-borne emotional chemicals cross the placenta and effect the same target cells in the fetus as those in the parent. Though the developing child is "unaware" of the details (i.e., the stories) evoking the mother’s emotional response, they are aware of the emotion’s physiological consequences and sensations.

In this new perspective, parental nurturing is obviously more than just providing metabolites and a safe haven for development. Nurturing is profoundly more inclusive in that the parent’s attitudes and perceptions help prepare the baby in learning to deal with its new environment. The survival advantage offered by prenatal "programming" is quite obvious. Unfortunately, most parents are completely unaware that their emotions and behaviors are being passed on to their children during pregnancy. Consequently, sustained parental anger and fear compromise the child’s development and health, as the emotional stresses chemically impact the fetus. In utero, the child acquires "attitudes" about life as it decodes the "behavioral" signals relayed in the blood. We are all clearly aware that emotional chemistry obviously affects our strengths and our weaknesses. When relayed to the developing child, the same chemistry will similarly impact the fetus."

In conscious parenting, the concept of a "family" becomes a reality from the moment of conception. Parents must be consciously aware that from the idea of conceiving a baby and all the way through its pre- and postnatal development, their thoughts, attitudes and behaviors will profoundly influence their child’s development and health." Read full article

Excerpt from Maternal Emotions and Human Development
- Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D. (1995)

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