Being a birth doula, on top of my postpartum support, I have been hearing a lot about women not only aiming for non-medicated labor and delivery but also talking about hypnobirthing. If you’re wondering, what the heck that is, and find yourself skeptical because you think it may be something like hypnotizing, I’m here to tell you that it’s not! It’s something much more beautiful!
This blog includes a 1-on-1 interview I have done with one of my early clients that gives her perspective on her experience with hypnobirthing. Following her inspiring words, I will explain the different ways you can practice it if that is something you are interested in! But first things first:
What Is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a practice where the expecting mother demonstrates a deep level of relaxation, breathing, and visual meditation to ease your mind and body. It helps you focus on staying calm and centered and can effectively distract you as you navigate labor discomfort (aka contractions!).
Is Hypnobirthing Right For Me?
Anyone can learn and be good at hypnobirthing, but it does take time. Like any skill you learn in life, hypnobirthing takes lots of practice and dedication. If you are learning to swim, you can’t just read about it, and then dive into water expecting to swim effortlessly. It’s the same concept. Once you get the how-to on hypnobirthing, you must practice it consistently to reap the benefits during labor.
LeKesha is a mother of two, and an early client of mine who hired me for the birth of her second daughter. She was about eight weeks shy of her due date when I took her on, and one of the first to share her desire to utilize hypnobirthing during labor.
I was so excited, we got to work right away! By practicing and working together, she successfully incorporated her practices during her labor and went unmedicated, just like she had hoped for!
Below is a short 1-on-1 interview where I asked her questions to get her perspective on that beautiful moment.
The Interview
Q1. What got you into hypnobirthing?
LeKesha: I really wanted to go natural, with no medication at all with my firstborn. But I was so anxious the first time around and wasn’t thinking clearly, so I ended up being talked into getting an epidural. I was so sad after that because I had badly wanted to experience childbirth naturally and felt like I was robbed of an experience I knew I could handle, but we didn’t have a doula the first time around to advocate for us. So, I vowed that if I got pregnant again, I was saying no, no, no to all medication.
I am very big on yoga and meditation, so I started researching and looking into hypnobirthing, and thought that it was so beautiful and inspiring! Watching videos of mothers practicing it during labor was so empowering!
Q2. What was the experience like during your laboring in the hospital?
LeKesha: Oh my gosh. It was something I can’t even explain! I had you (Jenny), my husband, and so many encouraging nurses around me who constantly reminded me of how strong I was.
Even though labor was still hard work, hypnobirthing itself came naturally to me because we practiced so much, and I had already been familiar with meditation, and taking my mind elsewhere, so it was second nature.
With each contraction, I’d close my eyes and practice my breathing pattern, visualizing myself being in a beautiful field with lakes and mountains around me, breathing in crisp air. Every exhale I did, I did slowly with a low groan, and for some reason, that made it easier to manage the sharp contractions, because I was too focused on leveling my breath and slowly groaning at the right tone.
Q3. What was your favorite technique?
LeKesha: Closing my eyes and groaning for sure. I think it’s easier to take your mind elsewhere when you close your eyes and groan–ignoring all the other sounds around you and visualizing being somewhere else. I love meditating!
Q4. If you could go back, is there anything you would change about your experience?
LeKesha: Yes! I hadn’t eaten all day–I know. But since I had her at three in the morning, that’s a long time without body fuel! I had no breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks–I’d forgotten to eat since I had a very busy toddler running around all day–so my body doing all that work in labor was completely depleted of energy.
I definitely recommend eating, even if it’s something small, because I think that nourishing not only my mind but my body in that way, would’ve helped my strength during labor.
Q5. What advice would you give to someone considering hypnobirthing for the first time?
LeKesha: Nourish your body with light snacks and drinks to have the energy you need! Also, you have to be dedicated. You have to really want this experience in order to achieve it. I was so passionate and determined to do this the second time around that I felt like nothing could stop me from giving it my all.
You may get people who doubt your strength when it comes to managing labor, but I promise if you ignore that and focus on your power, you can do it! You can do anything you set your mind to, you just have to practice and strengthen your mind along with your body!
Getting Started With Hypnobirthing
- Finding Your Breathing Rhythm:
If you have read my other blog titled Making Labor & Delivery Less Scary, you see that I have listed a few different breathing patterns to try when finding your own breathing rhythm. If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you go check it out (lots of helpful info!). When you have that pattern, continue to practice it until it comes naturally and easily.
- Create A Relaxing Environment:
Think about how you feel the most relaxed. When you’re on your cozy couch, do you have music playing? A warm blanket? Try to bring those feelings into your birth space. Bring some soft music, comforting scents like lavender, and dim lighting if you can. Anything that makes you feel like you, will help create that calm, familiar, and cozy vibe.
- Visualize Your Happy Place:
This can be fun and extremely helpful. Visualizing a peaceful place—like lying on the beach or in a sunlit field—can help keep your mind focused and relaxed. Remember, you’re not completely ignoring the sensations of labor, you’re just giving yourself a different, comforting place to focus your mind on. Consider making a vision board to post in your laboring space.
- Choose Empowering Affirmations
Hypnobirthing is big on positive affirmations, which are just short, powerful phrases you repeat to stay confident. Think of things like, “I am strong,” “My body knows what to do,” or “Each wave brings me closer to my baby.” They sound simple, but in the moment, these affirmations can give you that extra boost of power.
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Again, hypnobirthing is like any skill—the more you practice, the easier it gets. Take a few minutes each day to practice your breathing, repeat a few affirmations, and visualize your happy place. The more you do this, the more natural it will feel when you need it the most.
Consider getting some affirmation cards, and listening to guided meditations to get you started. Then soon enough, you’ll be able to meditate and visualize on your own! Here are some for your partner!
If you’re thinking about hypnobirthing, consider getting to know yourself and practicing it at least three times a week. Start small, try one-minute meditations, increase to five minutes, then ten minutes. Then, try to aim for two practices a week, then increase to three, then four…you get the memo!
Even if you don’t use every technique during your labor, at least you have the tools and the knowledge to feel empowered, and that’s just enough for a super Mama!
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