8 Surprising Things I Learned From Hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing? Hypnosis for Birth? Hyp-NO-WAY-did-she-really-do-that-birthing? However you say it, I’m here to share some things I learned from my experience.

I first heard about hypno-birthing because both of my sisters used the method during their pregnancies and deliveries. They both remember their experience fondly, years later, and I am grateful to them for encouraging me to look into it. I am a first time mom and this was my first pregnancy. I read the Mongan Method book and I took a “Hypnosis for Birth” class at Wellspring Hypnotherapy in Essex Junction with instructor Carolyn Lewis.

Before I dive in, I want you to know that my story has a happy ending. I was able to use this method to deliver my daughter safely and naturally, without the use of pain medication. The healthcare professionals at UVM Medical Center (formerly Fletcher Allen) were so respectful and supportive of my choice to use the hypnobirthing method and I specifically want to thank my midwife Cory Simon-Nobes, as well as the attending OB-GYN Dr. Kevin Marques.

1. It might seem silly at first

   When you hear the word “hypnobirth” and roll your eyes/giggle, you’re not alone. It sounded a little kooky to me at first and brought to mind silly carnival hypnotist performances. Pretty quickly I realized it was more related to deep relaxation and meditation. Not once did I feel compelled to dance around and act like a chicken, nor could I collapse or fall asleep on command. Once I got past the initial giggles, I just leaned in, started taking it seriously and found success.

2. Find a class

   After I purchased the “official” book (HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method), I devoured it in just a few days. My husband did, too. I almost thought I didn’t need to take a class but I’m so glad we signed up. While the Mongan Method book was a good introduction, I started to truly understand and believe in the method (and believe in myself!) during the in-person class at Wellspring.

3. Do your homework

   Just like anything, practice is key. In class we learned about the foundations of self-hypnosis and different tools used to guide yourself into a deeply relaxed state. We downloaded recordings of our instructor Carolyn talking us through different visualizations and affirmations. Once I started listening to the recordings almost every day, sometimes more than once a day, my confidence grew and grew. I hoped I’d be rewarded for my diligence during labor, but I also received an instant benefit most days (see #4.)

4. There are immediate benefits

   After listening to a guided recording or practicing deep relaxation on my own with music, I felt refreshed. Like I had just left a spa. And what pregnant woman doesn’t need a trip to the spa? While some days I was able to go deeper into relaxation than others, I always felt the practice was worth it because it helped me stay calm and positive. Pregnancy can me mentally and physically stressful and soon I realized that this “homework” was beneficial to my pregnancy in addition to helping me prepare for labor and delivery.

5. Make it your own

   In class we were encouraged to come up with our own set of steps to guide ourselves into deep relaxation and “natural anesthesia.” Eventually I found a combination of tools that worked for me. I used music, breathing and counting, and calming yet confidence-boosting visualizations and affirmations. I listened to all of the recordings we were given at least once and always attempted the techniques covered in class, but I tried not to force it. I didn’t really go back to anything that didn’t click right away. It’s okay if not everything works for you. You will definitely find something that feels right. It was fun talking to my husband after class because while we often aligned, many times he had “aha!” moments or good experiences with techniques that I just …didn’t.

6. The main event isn’t like practice

   It won’t be a surprise to anyone that actual labor wasn’t like practice! However, I definitely felt prepared. I had a variety of hypnosis for birth tools memorized, and several recordings and music tracks loaded onto my iPhone. I was surprised that during my labor and delivery, I found myself honing in on one or two of the most simple techniques and a few simple affirmations to stay focused, relaxed and confident. I listened to the same (30-minute) music track on repeat for 12 hours. I did the same breathing technique and visualization over and over … and over and over again. I am glad that I over-prepared with such a diverse collection of tactics. Part of my confidence during labor may have come from knowing that I had so much more in my back pocket to pull out if I needed it.

7. “Official” or “Certified” may not be the best fit

   While we were happy to have read the Mongan Method book, we’re grateful that our class instructor blended that more rigid method with other hypnosis for birth techniques. Carolyn seemed to take a gentle and realistic approach. For example, instead of recommending we submit a long list of birth plan demands to our birth team as is suggested in the book, she taught us how to prepare a thoughtful, helpful and simple “birth preferences” sheet. She taught us how to approach potentially receiving medically necessary interventions with positivity and calm instead of fear. When I was given a pitocin drip to increase my contraction intensity and was given an oxygen mask, I had my husband read off some positive affirmations specifically geared towards those things and it instantly helped me to re-enter deep relaxation. When I learned I may need to have a cesarean section to safely deliver my daughter, I was able to stay calm, push aside any anxiety and focus on my excitement to meet my baby, however it happened.

8. I learned to be confident on a whole new level

   One of the most valuable and surprising things I took away from hypnobirthing is hard to describe. Basically, I was able to build tremendous confidence and trust in myself, my body and my baby to follow the natural process of birth. I thought I was a confident person going in, but through the process of learning the hypnobirthing method, I learned to believe in myself in a way I never have before. During labor, I think I called on this immense, all-permeating trust in myself more than anything else.

9. I’m still using the techniques today … Yes, really.

   Becoming a new parent is one of the most fun, amazing, wonderful and yes, confusing and exhausting things a person can ever experience. I use a few of the quick relaxation techniques daily to help keep myself calm in the face of any number of stress-inducing new baby situations. Several times since my daughter was born I’ve had trouble going to sleep (despite my exhaustion), and I’ve been so grateful to be able to send myself into a deep relaxation.

While I was familiar with hypnobirthing thanks to my sisters, I still did a lot of research to figure out what method to use and reading birth stories and other “reviews” helped me decide. Maybe this post will help someone wondering about hypnobirthing, or maybe this will just help entertain someone while they’re browsing the internet. Either way, I know you know, dear reader, that I’m not saying this is the best way to have a baby.

I loved the class taught by Carolyn Lewis at Wellspring, but I know there are other hypnosis for birth and other natural birth classes in the Burlington, VT area. My recommendation is to ask questions via phone or even in person about their approach and decide whether it seems like the right fit for you.

Want to know more details? I’m happy to answer any questions in the comments!