Having just spent the weekend with some fab trainee
practitioners and a lovely group of expectant couples it has really reminded me
just how special and truly amazing the course is. I have been teaching and
developing Natal Hypnotherapy for 14 years and even though I passionately
believe in everything that I teach, I sometimes forget what it was like to be
an expectant mother who is looking for support, reassurance and truly effective
guidance which leaves them fully prepared rather than scared of giving birth.
It is 15 years since I felt like that myself and at the time I did not get the
kind of reassurance and positivity that I desperately needed. It was only when
I discovered how to use this concept of hypnosis, followed up by my own reading
and research, that I realised what I really needed was already within me - it was just hidden under this heavy blanket of cerebral information laced with tinges of fear and anxiety!.
Since then I have learnt so much about how the mind and the
body works and so much about how women’s fear impacts their thoughts, emotions,
their reactions and the physical functions within her body. Knowing how incredibly
detrimental this fear can to the birthing process, it makes me so sad and angry
that we as a society have somehow allowed so much fear to creep in, in fact in
many ways we have encouraged this to happen.
And yet given the right information, the right support,
really positive, effective and simple tools and techniques and ultimately the
confidence to trust their body, all women and their partners can dramatically
reduce this fear and anxiety. This in turn massively increases their confidence
and ability to work with the body to allow it to do what it was naturally
designed to do. And what is even better news is that all this can be achieved in
such a short period of time. Having spent these two days with these wonderful
couples, it has been a privilege to be part of their journey watching as their
fears begin to dissipate, their trust begins to increase and their confidence
in themselves and each other grow stronger and stronger.
And yet none of this is rocket science - all of this is done
using plain, down to earth language by rekindling a connection back with the
absolute basics of mammalstic birth, connecting back with the power of
breathing, experiencing the sensation of deep relaxation and bit by bit,
building up their confidence and belief in their innate power and ability to trust
their body, accept the sensations within in their body and so give ultimately
flow through the process of giving birth.
The way the Natal Hypnotherapy course has developed and
progressed over the last 10 years has ensured that the teaching style appeals
to all learning types, that so many of the techniques we teach are personalised
so that each couple really owns and connects with the tools, from writing their
own hypnotic suggestions, visualisations, affirmations, to creating their own
personalised birth preparation plan. And this starts before they have even
walked through the door, as each of them complete a detailed questionnaire
prior to attending the course so that the practitioners are able to address their
specific concerns and needs during the two days.
I feel particularly proud about the way the course helps the
birth partners. I have always felt strongly that men are often thrown into the
birthing room a bit like the gladiators to the lions. They are expected to be
there and they are expected to know how to support their partners and yet
without a true understanding of the basics of birth physiology and emotions especially
anxiety and fear, it is so hard for man to support his partner effectively. The
course is so geared towards helping men understand the impact that fear and
anxiety can have on the birthing process, so by knowing why this happens, the
signs to look out for and most importantly, effective ways to easily help her
overcome them and return to a relaxed state he is far more able to provide the
kind of support that will really help her. It is always such a joy to see the
lightbulb moments when fathers really see and experience how effective their
support is going to be on the big day. One of the best moments of the course is
towards the end when mothers write up all the things they would like the
fathers to do to support them and the fathers right up all the things they are
going to do to support her. And what is so lovely is that they now realise they
are both singing from the same hymn sheet and they both have such confidence in
each other.
Unlike most other antenatal courses, the underlying message
and teaching centres around the emotional map of labour – understanding this
enables both the mother and father to understand the different stages, trust
that it is all normal, recognise key signs and use the techniques to overcome
the inevitable blips and challenges along the way.
I know it is not the done thing
to blow your own trumpet, but sometimes it's good to sit back and really
appreciate what you have achieved. I know that the course, the materials and
content that I've developed alongside the amazing practitioners who have helped
teach me along the way, has helped so many thousands of couples. And yet none
of this is rocket science, there is no magic formula, there is no magic key -
this is just about helping couples to get rid of the fear that has been installed
in us through society, media and dare I say it, the medical model of giving
birth, and replacing that with a strong belief, trust and confidence in what is
inherently one of the most natural events in a woman's. It does not make any grand promises, it is
grounded very much in reality as the couples come away knowing that birth can
be unpredictable, birth can be tough, birth can be awesome, but also knowing
that no matter what happens, no matter where their Birth takes them, they have
effective tools and techniques to help them stay calm, in control of their
reactions and congruency with any decisions that they need to make.
How different birth in the NHS
would be if all couples had access to this kind of antenatal course.
1.Breathing
effectively is key – Sounds easy but unless you practice focused breathing, it
can be hard to use your breath well on the big day. Practice taking long slow, deep breathes –
imagine breathing the air right down to your baby, imagine the air going into
and around your baby and then breath out long and slow. Do this at night in
bed, in the bath or even on the train or bus – any time when you have a minute
of two.
2.
Relaxing your muscles – if you are tensing up in any way, the contractions will
be more painful – like if you tense up for an injection. Practice noticing any
tension in your body then actively relaxing those muscles. Focus on your jaw,
your shoulders, your hands and your lower back.
Even sitting at your desk notice and tension and then release it.
3. Visualisation
– the brain is amazing at diverting your attention. By imagining yourself in a wonderful place
- a beach, a garden, on a mountain you
are able to distract yourself from what may be going on in your body. An extra
bonus is we tend to relax more when visualising so double whammy! Think of some
of your favourite places now and write them down so you can refer to them or
your partner can on the big day.
4. Movement – gently swaying or rocking can help to ease any tension in the
muscles, release lactic acid build up, increase blood flow and make space for a
baby to move down. Using a birthing ball in the last few weeks of pregnancy as
well as during the birth is really beneficial as you can do all those things in
a comfortable, safe, and supported way.
This also helps strengthen the muscles in the perineum.
