Nervous About Giving Birth?

As a first time mum I was very anxious about giving birth. My head was filled with images from the movies where women lay flat on their backs in stirrups, screaming, sweating, surrounded by men in white coats and in one nightmare scenario dying during child birth.

Chats with family members didn’t do much to allay my fears; my Mum recommended that I take as many pain-killing drugs as possible and my mother-in-law suggested an elective caesarean. They had my best interests at heart, but I didn’t feel comfortable handing over the birth of my child to someone else.  I wasn’t particularly anti-intervention or pro-natural birth.  All I wanted was to ‘not be scared of giving birth’ to my baby.

This article relates Mindful Mum’s search for a better way to birth and experience of hypnobirthing in the UK.

Researching a Better Way to Birth

• The first hint of an alternative to an ‘medicalised birth’ came from one of those ‘real life’ stories in a baby magazine. I read about a woman slowly padding the labour ward corridor listening to a self hypnosis relaxation CD. She felt safe, relaxed and in control.
• Reading ‘Stand & Deliver: And Other Brilliant Ways to Give Birth’ by Emma Mahony made me laugh and feel much more positive about giving birth. It covers everything from home births, twin births, caesarean births and even a ‘laughing birth’. Labour and child birth is described  from a Mum’s perspective rather than traditional textbooks geared towards a medical view.
• Searching for ‘natural birth course’ online brought me to Hypnobirthing and ultimately to Clare’s Hypnobirthing Course in Glasgow where I attended classes.

The benefits that attracted me most to hypnobirthing included;

• shorter labour and birthing
• how to stay calm and in control
• reduced surgical intervention
• more contented baby after birth
• Active role for my husband during labour

What Is Hypnobirthing?

Hypnobirthing is an antenatal class that helps expectant Mums and Dads to be more relaxed and feel more in control of labour and the birthing process. Rather than being bamboozled with medical instruments and intervention methods, hypnobirthing teaches methods that encourage a natural birth. Most importantly, it takes away the fear and anxiety felt by Mums as they go into labour and puts Mums back in control of the birthing process.

Of course, there are circumstances when medical intervention is needed. Another positive outcome of Hypnobirthing, is that it helps Mum’s cope with whatever turn their labour may take. The relaxation techniques, a flexible birthing plan that includes ‘in the event of…x’, I’d prefer …a, not b’ and a strong and informed birthing partner and tools to get the best from midwives or doctors attending your baby’s birth are as useful in the event of a natural birth or one requiring intervention.

How does Hypnobirthing Ease Pain During Labour?

During Hypnobirthing you are taught self hypnosis, breathing techniques and relaxation methods to help you have a more relaxed birth. Some people describe it as a heightened state of awareness, which allows you to remain in control whilst blocking out pain.

Marie Mongan, who came up with the concept of Hypnobirthing, based her initial work on the finings of the the English doctor, Dr Grantly Dick-Read.

“There is no physiological function in the body that gives rise to pain in the normal course of health. In no other animal species is the process of birth apparently associated with any suffering, pain or agony, except where pathology exists or in an unnatural state, such as captivity.”  Dr Grantly Dick-Read, Childbirth Without Fear, 1933.

Dr. Dick-Read believed that fear and tension causes the labour pains in birthing women. Fear felt by a woman during childbirth diverts blood and oxygen away from her uterus, and as a result makes it difficult for it to perform its function without pain. He came up with “the fear-tension-pain syndrome of childbirth,” and he believed that by eliminating the fear, women could return the uterus to its normal function, thereby eliminating the pain.

What Happens During Hypnobirthing Classes?

My hypnobirthing course included:

• Four, 2 hour, classes with a group of five other expectant mums and their birthing partners
• The Hypnobirthing – Mongan Method Book, course materials, handouts and a example birth plan
• Relaxation CD to use in preparation for labour and during labour
• Affirmation CD to help you connect with your baby during pregnancy and visualise a positive birthing outcome
• Reference articles and URLs provided by the teacher for further information and reading
• Inspiring videos of women and their partners giving birth naturally with no intervention

What I learned in my hypnobirthing class:

• How women can birth naturally (including the history of birthing, physiology, language for birthing)
• Understanding of the physical aspect of birthing and how a women’s body works during labour and birth
• Breathing techniques for labour and birthing
• Hypnotic relaxation techniques and light touch massage
• Active role of the birthing partner as advocate for mother and child
• Creation of a birth plan or birth preferences
• Preparation of body for labour and birthing (including benefits of perineal massage)
• Positions for a comfortable labour
• Communication tools (BRAIN) for working with medical staff especially useful should labour slow or stall)

Applying Hypnobirthing At Home and In the Labour Ward

I listened to rainbow relaxation on my Ipod every night before sleep, read the relevant chapters prior to each class, practiced the relaxation and breathing techniques with my partner most evenings and read the birthing affirmations out loud in the bathroom as I rubbed massage oil into my tummy every morning.

I treated my pregnancy and preparation for birth like a project and enjoyed how close it brought me to both my baby and my partner – it felt like we were a well prepared team with a positive goal insigh. A remarkable turn around, given my feelings about labour at the outset of my pregnancy – scared, very very scared!

My Hypnobirthing Story

The birth itself was very good. For a first time mum, it was short – lasting just seven hours in total. I used the relaxation techniques, CD and breathing during the first stage at home to great effect. When I arrived at hospital I was already 10 cm dilated. The birth plan was a great tool and empowered by partner to speak confidently as my advocate. So much so, that the midwives really did leave us to get on with it.

As we waited for the birthing pool to fill with water, my midwife went through each point in my birth plan, waiting for each surge to pass. This gave me great confidence in the midwives – I knew I had their support, even when I couldn’t physically tell them what I wanted. The water kept me buoyant and allowed me to move into different positions easily and without effort.

Although I did feel pain, it was bearable and it didn’t occur to me to ask for ‘gas & air’ until about 20 minutes before my son was born. It was of course to late by then. I did need stitches afterwards. I put this down to the final stage of birthing birthing, when I pushed more than breathed – I was just too impatient to see my baby!

Overall it was a wonderful experience. I did not feel scared going to the hospital. I felt excited that I would soon have my baby in my arms. Giving birth to him in the water was amazing. The image I used of holding him in my arms during the hypnobirthing visualisation session became reality and I feel very lucky to have had my dream birthing experience.

For those Mums and Dad’s wanting more information see my guide to writing an effective birth plan and  my hypnobirth plan in word format for easy editing.

Where to now?

The History of Hypnobirthing

References:

• Hypnobirthing UK, The Mongan Method Website (Accessed 2010)
• Hypnobirthing: The Breakthrough to Safer, Easier, More Comfortable Childbirth, Marie Mongan, 2007
• Journal of Family Practice, Effects of Hypnosis on the Labor Processes and Birth Outcomes of Pregnant Adolescents, May 2001
• Stand & Deliver And Other Brilliant Ways to Give Birth, Emma Mahoney, 2005