What if the birth of a baby actually could be easier, more comfortable and potentially pain free rather than something to fear and painful as is often portrayed by the horror stories so frequently told by other mums, family and the media.

With all the negative associations to birth that woman are bombarded with is it any wonder that they expect birth to be a painful, and at times a traumatic experience. Through the use of natural birth classes such as HypnoBirthing more and more mums are discovering that birth doesn’t need to be frightening nor as painful as what popular belief would attempt to convince them of. A recently published book ‘A Modern Woman’s Guide to A Natural Empowering Birth’ to which the author of this article contributed provides a collection of positive natural birth stories and information on preparing mind and body.

As mentioned above one of the ways to prepare mind and body for birth is to take a natural childbirth class, an example of which is HypnoBirthing. HypnoBirthing is a rewarding, relaxing, stress-free method of birthing that is based on the belief that all babies deserve to come into the world in an atmosphere of gentility, calm and joy.

Through the use of deep relaxation, self-hypnosis and education HypnoBirthing allows a woman to follow her natural birthing instincts and to birth her baby in safety and with ease. Some of the advantages of HypnoBirthing include;

• Reduces or Eliminates the effects of the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome
• Decreases and often eliminates the need for chemical anaesthetic, episiotomy, and other interventions.
• Lessens fatigue during labour
• May shorten the length of labour
• Brings mother, baby and support person together in prenatal, perinatal and postnatal bonding
• Babies are often better adjusted, calmer and happier

If experiencing a drug-free, intervention-free birth is something you desire than it is essential you eliminate any fear and preconceived ideas you hold about birth. A HypnoBirthing class will take you through techniques specifically designed to eliminate fear and also teach techniques to achieve deep relaxation during labour through the use of self-hypnosis, breathing and visualization. Other topics covered in HypnoBirthing classes include; bonding with your unborn baby, care providers and birthing environment, nutrition and exercise during pregnancy, birthing and what to expect, positions for labour, natural induction ideas, circumstances requiring attention of caregiver and deciding on birthing preferences amongst other things.

Mums to be (and partner or other support person) are encouraged to start classes between 25-30 weeks gestation so as to allow plenty of time to practice the techniques they learn before the baby’s birth. All certified HypnoBirthing Practitioners are listed on the HypnoBirthing Institutes website at www.hypnobirthing.com

Jo Thomson is a HypnoBirthing Practitioner, Life Coach and Midwife. She is based on the NSW Central Coast where she conducts HypnoBirthing classes and specializes in pregnancy and parenting life coaching. For more information about any of her services she can be contacted via her website at www.destinybychoice.com.au