Does Hypnobirthing Work?

The NHS have set out plans to train more midwives in hypnobirthing. I think this is amazing. As a midwife myself who trained in hypnobirthing, I really do welcome more midwives doing the same. So – with this in mind, along with the fact that countless celebs preach about hypnobirthing – does it work?

If you want some more info first on what hypnobirthing actually is, check out my blog What is Hypnobirthing?

Does hypnobirthing work?

I often say to people – you wouldn’t run a marathon with no training. Birth should be viewed the same. It is such a monumentous day in your life, and lays the foundation for the very beginning of your journey into parenthood. Here are the reasons I believe hypnobirthing and antenatal education is SO important.

It reduces fear

Everything I am going to talk about below first and foremost reduces fear. I have spoken to so many women who were petrified to give birth, and following hypnobirthing they overcome this fear and some even feel excitement over birth. This is so empowering in your pregnancy – I want all pregnant people to spend the final weeks of their pregnancy excited, not nervous and anxious over the thought of labour.

One part of hypnobirthing is affirmations. You know the little mantras we tell ourselves to hype ourselves up before things like an exam or job interview? Well we have these for birth! So much research shows that the more you tell yourself something (positive or negative) the more likely your brain is to believe it. It’s called the Self Fulfilling Prophecy.

My contractions aren’t bigger than me, they are me

I breathe calm and exhale tension

I can do anything for 60 seconds

My partner is my biggest source of oxytocin

So let’s really get into why I think the answer is “yes” to does hypnobirthing work?

You understand physically what is happening to your body

Understanding what is happening with your body during the stages of labour can help so much with maintaining a feeling of control during birth. Knowing how contractions work; the fact that their purpose is to help dilate the cervix and push baby down the birth canal. Every contraction is bringing you one step closer to meeting your baby. And also understanding how contractions change during labour. All of this can help reduce fear.

It covers coping strategies to stack the odds in your favour

There are so many practical things you can do to stack the odds in your favour for a smoother birth. And these begin in pregnancy. In The Birth Chapter we cover really simple things like how to support your uterus in labour or how to get baby in an optimum position for birth. All of these things are simple but can make a huge difference to how your birth goes.

Breathing techniques are another tool that are raved about by our graduates. We teach breathing techniques for the different stages of labour to cope with contractions and as a pain management technique.

We also cover ways to make your birthing environment optimum for you. Being relaxed and having the hormone oxytocin flowing, rather than adrenalin, untenses your body and signals to your body that you are safe to give birth. This alone can have a huge impact on how your birth goes.

You learn why certain interventions may be suggested

Birth doesn’t always go to plan. Sometimes our bodies or our babies have a mind of their own and things can deviate from the “plan”. Having knowledge of things like inductions, episiotomy, caesareans etc can help you not only understand their process but also give you the information to make choices should these be suggested. Also reading up on positive birth stories where birth has deviated from the plan can also make your “worst nightmare scenario” actually become less daunting should it become your reality in birth.

We teach how to make informed choices

EBRAN is a tool to use throughout pregnancy and birth.

E – Firstly ask yourself, is it an emergency?

B – Next; what are the benefits of the intervention that is being recommended?

R – What are the risks associated with the intervention?

A – What are the alternatives? Are there any other options that could be considered?

N – What happens if you do nothing?

We encourage people to use this when any intervention or change is suggested. Remember that during birth you have choices. You never have to accept an intervention if you do not want to. Asking questions and going through the stages above can help you to make an informed choice and maintain a feeling of control when things are deviating from the plan.

So, does hypnobirthing work?

We I am obviously a huge fan. But why don’t you see for yourself? The Birth Chapter is just £39 because I wanted to make it as accessible as possible. It covers everything you need to stack the odds in your favour for a smoother birth.