10 most common myths about hypnobirthing

Hypnobirthing Caesarean Homebirth

1. It’s only for mums- definitely not!

There are so many things you can both learn on a hypnobirthing course. The tools and techniques that promote relaxation can be used by both parents to be. When you both know what to expect in labour you can spend less time worrying about how you be able to tackle the unknown, and more time focusing on the many ways you can work together and be stronger as a team. Being a great support person includes knowing what suggestions might help when the Mum is focusing so intensely on contractions. Perhaps it is a reminder to change position or to have a drink. Perhaps it is more like coaching and prompting another technique as labour progresses. The unknown is scary for most people so get rid of the fear by understanding what is going to happen and how you can help. Knowledge is power!

2. Its only for women who want a natural birth- not true!

It’s such a shame this myth exists, because those who benefit the most are those who truly fear labour and birth. During hypnobirthing classes you will come to understand how fear alone can have a negative impact on the hormones needed to make birth efficient. Women who wholehearted embrace the prospect of birth are much more likely to have a positive experience. Nature has got our back on birth- our bodies are equipped for continuing the human race, it has been successfully working FOREVER. Hypnobirthing shares the physiology of how this happens AND THEN gives you tools to enhance your experience.

3. Hypnobirthing is only for homebirths- but it’s also for any birth!

Many people aren’t aware of what happens during labour whether at hospital or at home. Many hospital labour’s involve little or no assistance or intervention, it simply happens to be where the care givers are. So in that respect the location is the only difference. Most women experience at least the start of their labour at home. So women planning to have their baby in hospital can have the advantage of hypnobirthing techniques right from the start of their labour and continue to use them in the hospital.

4. It’s only for women who want to avoid any intervention- nooo!

Hypnobirthing helps women to understand the many ways they can help make labour more efficient, with the potential of needing less intervention but more crucially the Hypnobirthing tools can be used to help women reduce feelings of anxiety and stress which is even more important when medical assistance is required in labour. There is never a time when feeling more calm is a negative.

5. It’s unnecessary because I want an epidural- this is not helpful!

This myth is perpetuated by those who clearly don’t understand what hypnobirthing involves. Much of the anxiety about labour does not solely focus on the pain that will be experienced, people describe fear of complications, fear or medical procedures, fear about loss of dignity, the baby’s health and other concerns. When a woman has an epidural these fears don’t miraculously disappear. Hypnobirthing classes discuss how the hormones that are involved in labour are negatively impacted by stress, anxiety, fear and anger. When these emotions are reduced or removed our bodies produce natural chemicals that; induce feelings of calm, facilitate contractions which makes labour quicker, distort our perception of time, give feelings of euphoria. All very desirable effects for creating a positive birth experience even with an epidural.

6. It has no place in a caesarean – so wrong!

Similar to the previous myth. Hypnobirthing has the potential to enable women to use techniques that means they can feel calm in normally stressful situations. Caesareans are surgery and any surgery is stressful. Having a range of hypnobirthing tools at your disposal to reduce stress is empowering. Surgery is one of those times many people feel they have no control. Hypnobirthing utilises various principles that allow people to be in control of their thoughts and their feelings at such an intense time, resulting in the experience being a positive one as opposed to a negative one.

7. Hypnobirth means you won’t remember the birth – uh uh!

Anyone who has experienced hypnotherapy will be aware that hypnosis involves having a level of complete focus on whatever is suggested. Unlike the hypnosis tricks and shows many people have seen for entertainment where people are given the suggestion to ‘SLEEP’. Hypnobirthing gives people suggestions that are empowering. Much of the success of hypnobirthing is in the preparation. When you hear repeated positive suggestions, it is like being your own coach. Having self-belief is incredibly powerful. It helps you to dismiss the negative thoughts, that we all have at times, and focus on the positive.

8. Hypnobirthing is like being in a trance, you won’t have any control- the opposite is true!

Hypnobirthing isn’t about mind control, it’s about being informed, being inspired and being confident in your ability to birth. With the knowledge that you have a whole range of practical skills, as well as valuable tools and techniques to enhance your experience.

9. Obstetricians are against hypnobirthing – most aren’t!

It’s statistically true that people who choose private obstetric care are less likely to use hypnobirthing techniques. But any obstetrician that has had patients who have successfully utilised hypnobirthing techniques will have seen the evidence of how effective it can be. The majority of women who opt for hypnobirthing classes report a more positive birth experience, and that can only reflect well on the obstetrician responsible for your care. None of the principles of hypnobirthing interfere with any aspect of obstetric care, they can all be used to positive influence outcomes.

10. Hypnobirthing is the latest trend it will soon be replaced- we’ll see!

Hypnobirthing has gained popularity in recent years, and it’s no coincidence that it’s in line with the level of pregnancy and birth anxiety reported by expectant mums. The principles utilised have been around for as long as women have been having babies- the difference being that now women commonly believe that labour will be a traumatic experience.

Hypnobirthing is for people who don’t have doubts and fears, that have resulted from the conditioning they have been receiving from years of dramatic depictions and descriptions. Something that wasn’t possible many years ago, women would have a more balanced view of what happens in labour, and would possibly have witnessed firsthand from family and community, how labour is often silent and undramatic.

Hypnobirthing can be thought of as a label that describes ‘what you need to know about labour and what you can do to help your experience’.