Hypnosis for Childbirth: What Is It and Does It Work?

by Kerry Tuschhoff
Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner

Mention labor and delivery to an expectant mom in her last trimester, and chances are good that her heart will begin to race, her mind floods with concern and in some cases, panic. She knows that the day is coming when a force much bigger than herself will take over and her body will govern itself completely. For some women, this is a very fearful event, but for HypnoMoms, it is merely a challenge.

You can use hypnosis to eliminate pain and fear from the birthing experience. In the past, the word "hypnosis" conjured up images of stage hypnotists re-creating Elvis, or mesmerizing others into embarrassing situations. Now it is common for hypnosis to be used therapeutically in many areas of medicine, dental anesthesia and personal therapy sessions. Even so, there are many misconceptions regarding hypnosis that can dissuade those contemplating this powerful tool. Here are a few FACTS:

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, the hypnotherapist is only the guide. A person chooses to enter into a hypnotic state, stay in and come out at will.

Approximately 90-95% of the population can be hypnotized. Willingness, belief and motivation have great influence over hypnotizability.

During hypnosis you are neither asleep nor unconscious, and will always "come out" when you wish.

Stronger-minded and stronger-willed people are easier to hypnotize; not the other way around as is usually assumed.

You cannot be made to divulge information or do anything against your will while in hypnosis.

What about Hypnosis for Childbirth?

We teach an understanding of how the birthing muscles work in perfect harmony, as they were designed to do, when the body is sufficiently relaxed. The depth of relaxation necessary can easily be achieved with hypnosis, and couples learn these skills in class, and practice them at home every day until the baby arrives. The Birth Companion, as the partners are called, have a very integral role in the preparation process: Listening to the audio tapes, reading the handouts and guiding the mother into deep relaxation with hypnosis scripts. They are also an invaluable part of the labor and birthing process as they help the mother to focus and concentrate, as well as supporting her physically. All aspects of Labor and Birth are covered in these classes, as well as information on Nutrition, Exercise, Avoiding Complications, Fear Release Sessions, Birth Plans and Consumer Issues.

Fear and Expectation

In other cultures, childbirth is regarded as a natural, normal event in a woman's life. The birthing women are given support from other women, and children are often present to witness the event. In this way, birth is celebrated and honored. Young girls then grow up with the belief system that birth is a positive event and their expectations of childbirth reflect this attitude. As a result, their births are similar to their predecessors; without pain and fear. They have a positive expectation of childbirth. In our culture, it is very much the opposite. For many generations we have been told that delivering a baby is many hours of painfully agonizing work, to be faced with fear and trepidation. We have heard stories from well-meaning friends and family that send shivers up our spines, and so the legacy continues. We experience pain in childbirth, in part because we very much expect to!

In hypnosis for childbirth classes, the expectant couple is taught to surround themselves with only positive people and messages, to create a positive view of childbirth and the expectation that their birthing with be the beautiful, peaceful experience that nature intended. Fear Release Sessions are integral to this process, as they allow each person to address fears they have, work through possible solutions and then release them. Fear in labor can create tension, which creates pain, then more fear, and the cycle continues. Fear and anxiety can also create adrenoline production in the body, causing the labor to become dysfunctional, a common reason for Cesarean Section surgery. Freedom from fear can make a huge difference in the birthing experience.

Hypnosis for chidbirth teaches a woman how to go into self-hypnosis instantly, and create her own natural anesthesia whenever and wherever she needs it. This is important as any drugs taken by a laboring woman can be dangerous for her, and especially her baby. She has total control over her body, and is an active participant in her birth process. As labor progresses, she goes deeper inside herself, trusting in her body's natural ability to give birth with ease and comfort. Her mind is programmed to give her exactly what she needs.

Too good to be true?

Can women give birth without experiencing pain? They can, but there are many variables in labor and birth that can affect the outcome, and couples need to have a positive but realistic view of hypnosis for childbirth. Without a doubt, all HypnoMoms are much calmer and more relaxed during labor, which automatically creates more comfort, as well as having powerful post-hypnotic suggestions to actually eliminate pain and fear. How effective is this? Statistics vary for each class, depending on the length of classes and the skill of the teacher. Instructors can have backgrounds in hypnotherapy, nursing, massage therapy, labor assistance or childbirth education.

Statistics: The following are statistics for my class only: (I teach a 5 week course, 15 total hours of instruction)

1) Pain-free births - 60-65%. Women who report that they felt nothing but pressure.

2) Pain-free until transition - 20%. Pressure only, until the 10-60 minute transitional period, with mild to intense degrees of sensation thereafter. "Very manageable."

3) Pain-free until active labor - 15-20%, with mild to intense degrees of sensation thereafter This group can have any number of things that affect their birth experiences; posterior or asynclitic presentations that do not resolve, other labor complications, emotional issues, lack of support, or they just plain did not do their homework! (20 - 30 minutes a day) HypnoBirthing® classes won't help a couple that is not willing to do the work involved in preparing for their baby's birth.

All women reported that the Relaxation and Fear Release were invaluable to them during their labors.

Benefits of using Hypnosis for Childbirth:

Fewer drugs or no drugs at all means less risk of side effects on mother and baby.

Shorter labors - resistance of the birthing muscles as a response to pain is minimized.

An awake, energized mother, due to total relaxation.

A calm, peaceful birthing environment.

Breech and posterior babies can be turned using hypnosis.

Fewer interventions and complications during labor.

Babies who are better sleepers and nursers due to fewer drugs in their systems.

It is well worth the time to look into hypnosis for childbirth as an option, both for yourself and for your baby. It is important to remember that all drugs given to a woman in labor reach the baby in less than 5 minutes, in an adult dose, so using hypnosis techniques can help avoid them. The deep relaxation has even helped many a nervous dad to cope, as they experience hypnosis in class as well! In addition, the skills you will learn for relaxation and hypnosis will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Kerry Tuschhoff is a Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner (January 2000) and former 10-year Bradley Instructor. She is in training to become a certfied Hypnotherapist with the Hypnotism Training Institute of Los Angeles. Kerry is a HypnoBirthing Labor Assistant, a Breastfeeding Success Class Instructor, a Pregnancy Nutrition Counselor and Lecture Speaker.

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