Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, a British physician, was the
first to propose the “fear-tension-pain”
syndrome in his work Natural Childbirth (1933), and
hypnosis has been found to be an extremely effective
way to eliminate the fear-tension cycle, addressing
it on the subconscious level to allow the physical body
to relax deeply. In fact, research studies have shown
that the effective use of hypnosis for childbirth results
in shorter labors, reduced use of pain medication, higher
Apgar scores (measurement of the baby’s well being
at the birth) and even reduced surgical delivery (Caesarian
delivery and forceps).
For example, several studies have found a statistically
significant reduction of 2-4 hours in the length of
labor of mothers who used hypnosis methods. A British
study also found that 55% of 45 first and second time
mothers who used hypnosis methods required no medication
for pain relief, compared to only 22% of 90 women who
did not use the hypnosis techniques. Other studies have
shown rates as high as 79% for non-medicated births
when hypnosis was used.
Many mothers who have used hypnosis techniques can personally
attest to its effectiveness, with results that include
a more comfortable labor and alert birth experience
with less fatigue, pain and need for painkillers—as
well as shorter labor and more rapid postnatal recovery.
Highland Park mother and teacher Raquel Vargas, 32,
says the experience of using hypnosis techniques during
the birth of her daughter, Juleanna, was “so relaxing
that it was almost like having an epidural, which I
didn’t have… It eliminated the pain and
I just got a wonderful feeling of well-being.”
Raquel was especially appreciative of the hypnosis benefits
because her first childbirth experience was tense and
difficult. “After that birth, I remember thinking
that I never wanted to go through that again,”
she remembers. “This time, I didn’t have
any of those feelings. I just kept thinking it was a
beautiful experience. I was relaxed, rather than tense,
and I was able to appreciate it so much more.
Selina Pang, a first-time mother-to-be, saw a brochure
for hypnotherapist Marie-Paul Baxiu’s Childbirth
Hypnosis Training in Los Angeles and decided to take
the five pre-birth training sessions. “The sessions
included childbirth education, where we discussed what
I could expect, what my body would go through, which
types of procedures are available, etc. In each session,
we discussed my worries and issues. We also focused
a lot on relaxation and visualization techniques that
I could do during the birth. Marie-Paul made an audiotape
that I listened to at home in the evenings. It was a
great way for me to take time out and relax. I loved
it.”
Selina’s active labor at Santa Monica UCLA Hospital
was intense but brief: only 3 1/2 hours, with 18 minutes
of pushing. “It was very smooth and I think that
not being fearful made a big difference. I felt some
pain but I never felt fear. In fact, my nurse didn’t
even recognize I was in active labor because the relaxation
and visualization techniques were working so well. It
was really amazing.”
For Rose Weinstein, 41, childbirth hypnosis training
helped enormously to deliver her twins. She was introduced
to the idea at her prenatal yoga class at the Golden
Bridge in Los Angeles. “I wasn't expected to carry
the babies full term—yet through the hypnosis
training, I developed an ability to relax. I carried
my babies 37 weeks and as a result, they were fully
developed and almost 6 pounds each! My labor went amazingly
fast, and my whole concept of time was suspended. Although
I could feel my contractions, they seemed far off and
not even one fourth as uncomfortable as the contractions
of my first birth.”
Marie-Paul Baxiu, C.C.H., C.H.I., R.P., C.R., birth
doula, and Prenatal YogaCise Instructor; a Clinical
Certified Hypnotherapist and founder of Childbirth Hypnosis
Training in Los Angeles for the last 18 years, explains
that when women use hypnosis training to prepare for
childbirth, their minds and bodies work in harmony with
their natural birthing instincts. “With hypnosis
training, expectant mothers are able to call upon their
own natural endorphin response as a natural anesthesia,”
she says. “Moms are more in control with a heightened
state of awareness and connection to their inner strength.
It can create a much more loving, relaxing, and nurturing
experience.”
Marie-Paul has been a Clinical Certified Hypnotherapist
for the last 19 years. She graduated from the Hypnosis
Motivation Institute, the first nationally accredited
school of hypnosis in the United States. Pregnant mothers
generally see Marie-Paul in her Los Angeles office for
about five 1 ½ to 2 hours sessions prior to birth.
Her sessions are highly individualized for each mother’s
needs. She is also available to provide assistance as
a birth doula to couple, whether the birth is schedule
at home or in a hospital.
If you are considering hypnosis training techniques
for childbirth, Marie-Paul recommends that you find
a qualified hypnotherapist who is experienced at using
hypnosis for childbirth. You should receive at least
five to six training sessions and an audiotape of visualization,
relaxation and specific trigger mechanisms individually
designed to help you learn to achieve the hypnotic state
on your own. Note that childbirth hypnosis can be used
in conjunction with other childbirth preparation training
methods.
While group hypnosis training sessions are available
for mothers-to-be, keep in mind that individual training
sessions with a qualified hypnotherapist are more personalized
and likely to be more effective during childbirth. For
more information, look under “hypnotherapy”
in the phone book, see www.easybirthing.com or call
Marie-Paul Baxiu at 888-218-4614.
Mary Monroe is a freelance writer specializing in women’s
health and fitness.
call 888-218-4614 or 310-901-9440
e-mail mariepaul@easybirthing.com
or see website www.easybirthing.com
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