Can Hypnobirthing guarantee a pain free birth? + other questions
Does a Hypnobirthing course involve being hypnotised?
If I had a pound for every time someone asked me this question, then I wouldn’t be working ha!
The answer in its simplest form is yes but… not in the way that you’re probably thinking. It’s not like you see on holiday in Magaluf, where people are hypnotised and run around the stage clucking like a chicken. No, no. It’s basically just deep relaxation. There are a number of hypnosis tracks which are written specifically for pregnant people. By listening to these regularly during your pregnancy, you can get yourself in a state of deep relaxation, which is a wonderful tool for birth. But hypnosis is only a very small part of the course – there is a LOT more to it!
Is a Hypnobirthing course the same as NCT?
Yes and no. NCT does cover some of the same things as a Hypnobirthing course. However there is quite a lot of focus on practical stuff like how to change a nappy, which I don’t cover. There’s probably a million YouTube videos you can find for that and to be honest, you would figure it out pretty fast. But if you sign up to a Hypnobirthing course, there is no reason to do NCT as well.
My courses also have a focus on how to make decisions, how to advocate for yourself, and how to make sure that you are receiving quality, evidence based information from your care providers. Check out my lesson content page so you can see all the topics we cover.
Why do I need a course – people have given birth for centuries without taking one!
This is a very good point, and in many ways you don’t need a hypnobirthing course, because your body knows exactly what to do. Your body was designed to give birth, and if you knew absolutely nothing about birth, then your body would birth your baby regardless! The trouble is more to do with our brains which have been filled up with negative birth stories, and awful depictions of birth on TV and in films.
One of the key differences between us and other mammals (who seem to give birth swiftly and easily) is that we have a big ole neocortex which is the thinking part of our brain. We doubt our bodies, we hold fear and tension, we believe that birth is awful and scary. And that is the main thing which can make birth difficult. A hypnobirthing course can help you turn this fear into knowledge, power and confidence, so you feel prepared to birth and to meet your baby. The aim is to get rid of all that fear and negativity that lives in our brain, and replace it with joy and excitement!
Can Hypnobirthing guarantee a pain free birth?
No, and if anyone tells you their Hypnobirthing course can guarantee a pain free birth… run!
But instead of focussing on the goal of a pain free birth, instead we can reframe the way we think about the pain of child birth. The pain of contractions is something that we can welcome, as it is a sign of our body doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, to birth our baby. We are so strong and so powerful, particularly in birth, and we do best when we lean into the pain instead of resisting it.
What if I want an epidural, and a hospital birth. Is there any point in a Hypnobirthing course for?
Absolutely yes! Hypnobirthing is for ALL births, and I would argue that if you choose to have an epidural or any other kind of intervention (such as a caesarean section or an induction) then it’s even more important to be informed. There is no such thing as a “hypno birth”. Rather, the course is designed to teach you about the physiology of birth, to help you understand your options, and to guide you in your research so you are equipped to make choices with confidence.
Got any more burning questions? Let me know in an email, or come over to Instagram and chat with me there!