Frequently Asked Questions.
What is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a science-based birthing method that allows you and your birth partner to see birth as a Positive, Empowering and Calm event to look forward to.
How does it do that?
Well, for starters you will understand how well connected your mind & your body really are. One of my favourite positive affirmations for birth is “Where the mind leads, the body follows” and this is exactly what the core of hypnobirthing really is! You will learn how to keep your mind focused and calm thanks to relaxation scripts and recorded MP3s, breathing techniques and the purposeful stimulation of your five senses, so that your body and your uterus can welcome the surge (contraction) and allow your body to naturally open and birth your baby.
The “Hypno” bit of the word Hypnobirthing refers to the practice of deep relaxation and self hypnosis, nothing to be scared about, being it a natural state of the mind.
The regular practice of the coping skills you’ll learn, the daily use of the relaxation triggers you will create and the dedicated practice of the breathing techniques you will master in time, will then be paired with a complete research based antenatal education to give you the power, the knowledge and the bravery to question everything and make informed decisions every step of the way.
In conclusion, we can say that Hypnobirthing arms you with all the knowledge about the physiology of birth and all the latest scientific based practices to give the best and gentlest start to life to your newborn baby. It prepares you to face any possible scenario to make sure you will NOT feel dishempowered even if your birth should take a different path.
Hypnobirthing is for everyone and every type of birth: it’s a lifelong tool that will allow you to birth with confidence and reclaim your birth right to a positive experience surrounded by love and support.
Is Hypnobirthing for me even if I am planning a Cesarean birth or an Induction?
Yes! Absolutely Yes! Hypnobirthing is for every birth no matter the How or the Where.
The techniques you will learn in my courses will be even more precious if you happen to labour and deliver in a more medicalised setting where you’re more likely to be subject to stress and anxiety.
Moreover, many women do not realise that even if they choose or happen to have a c section or an induction there are still so many choices and decisions to make! Knowing this and being familiar with your options (+ the right questions to ask) could make a huge difference in the way you’ll feel about your birth and avoid birth related trauma.
Does my birth partner need to attend all the classes?
Yes, I really encourage this! It is so important that the birth partner participates in the sessions to understand the needs of the birthing person, the stages of labour and when to expect what, to be familiar and believe in the partner’s birth preference so to advocate for her if necessary. The role he/she has is so important and crucial to the positive outcome of the birthing experience!
It’s not just holding hands and hoping for it to be over soon: the partner’s role is a hands on and active role. He/She’ll be the supporter, the anchor, the cheer leader, the protector of the environment, the advocate and the rock of the labouring mother. I always encourage their participation to the classes and I assure you, partners always enjoy the course, learn a lot, feel prepared & excited to meet the baby, completely in awe of the birthing woman, her body, her power and strength!
When is a good time to start the classes?
The short answer is: as soon as possible or as soon as you feel ready.
There are so many negative feelings/ideas/concepts related to birth stored in our subconscious: they come from the movies, the media, all the stories we have heard throughout our life of traumatic, horrific and painful births. These negative imageries and associations must be overwritten, reframed, changed to more positive ones, so the sooner we can start working on this the better!
The key to a successful Hypnobirthing course lays in 2 major shifts in your approach to birth:
1 - Surrounding yourself with positivity and birth related positivity only. Avoiding stressors, anxiety, doubts and negativity as much as possible during pregnancy will avoid your subconscious to be overloaded with fear, which will lead to your body to shut down during labour. All things we do not want to happen.
2 - The dedicated practice of the techniques you will learn so to build effortless, strong and instinctive connections between visualisations & inner calm, strong sensations & tranquillity, breathing & relaxation. The more you practice this state of being, the more easily accessible it will be once labour begin, almost like a second nature. Our birthing mind resides in our subconscious mind so only with practice we can then automatically respond with relaxation and softess to the intensity of a surge (contraction).