Questions:
Question: What is HypnoBirthing®?
Answer: HypnoBirthing® is self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques to be
used for pain relief during labour and childbirth. Please see What Is HypnoBirthing®? for more details.
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Question: Who is HypnoBirthing® suitable for?
Answer: HypnoBirthing® is suitable for first time mums and mums who've
had kids before.
We help women who are scared of birth because they've never done it before, who are anxious
because of a bad experience last time, or who just want a calmer, easier, more natural birth
experience.
If you're pregnant, and looking for an alternative to the over-medicalised, pain-is-inevitable,
"gimme all the drugs" mindset, then HypnoBirthing® is for you.
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Question: Will I be 'out of it' if I use HypnoBirthing®?
Answer: No, absolutely not. With HypnoBirthing® (in fact, virtually all
hypnosis), you are aware of what is going on around you but you can just 'tune out' the
distractions. See my page Frequently asked questions about Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.
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Question: I'm scared of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Is HypnoBirthing® safe?
Answer: Hypnosis is absolutely safe and nothing to be scared of.
Unfortunately, TV, film and stage portrayal of hypnosis has left a lot of people with a mistaken
view of what hypnosis is, and what it can (and can't) do.
Because this is such a common problem, I’ve got a page Frequently asked
questions about Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.
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Question: Can you guarantee a completely pain-free labour and birth?
Answer: No. There are many factors that can affect a birth, some of
which are outside our control.
Also, like any childbirth preparation class, the success of the techniques is related to
the amount of practice you put in.
However, as a guide, we find that around 65-70% of HypnoBirthing® mums don't need
any form of pain relief. Nearly all the mums in this category simply don't
experience any pain - just pressure.
Around a further 20-25% only require something mild, like gas and air.
The remaining 5-10% usually fall into what we call 'special circumstances', where medical
intervention is required. However, the HypnoBirthing® mums still tell us that HypnoBirthing®
really helped - even if they were induced, or ended up with a caesarean.
Remember - the aim of HypnoBirthing® is not a completely pain-free and
picture-perfect 'natural' birth (although that is possible).
It is to have a calmer, easier, more comfortable birth- where you
are in control - and in a way that most mirrors Nature.
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Question: Is there a HypnoBirthing® home-study course,
or CDs, tapes and/or videos I could buy?
Answer: No. There are no authorised HypnoBirthing® home-study courses.
Although the book and CD are available separately from Amazon and The HypnoBirthing® Institute, they are designed
to be used as part of an practitioner-led course.
HypnoBirthing® is only taught through a series of classes as described on this site.
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Question: Where can I buy the book?
Answer: If you cannot attend the HypnoBirthing® classes you can buy the
book. Although the book and CD are available separately from Amazon
and The HypnoBirthing® Institute, they are really designed to be
used as part of an practitioner-led course.
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Question: When should I start the classes?
Answer: Somewhere between 25-30 weeks is ideal, as the success of the
course is strongly linked to how much practice you do. However, provided you can finish the course
before you give birth, it's still going to help.
(In fact, we've just had a lady give birth half-way through the course and it
still helped).
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Question: Does my birth partner/husband have to attend the classes?
Answer: Yes - birthing companions are a very important part of HypnoBirthing® success.
However, if your partner/husband cannot attend all the classes and/or help you practice or attend the birth,
your mother, sister or friend can also be your birthing companion.
Whoever you choose (and we strongly recommend it's the father if at all possible, as it helps build a strong
relationship with the child), they must attend all the classes and the birth.
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Question: Can I use it for a home birth?
Answer: Yes, most definitely. Whatever position you plan to birth your baby, or whether you choose to have a water birth the techniques you will learn will help you. Talk it through with your midwife and give her as much information as you can so she/he can support you!
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Question: Can I use it in Hospital?
Answer: Yes, again most definitely. Whatever your surroundings even if they are
not ideal you can access a relaxed state for birthing your baby. Many HypnoBirthing® mums use it at home
long before they feel the need to get to hospital for the birth, and so are often further along than they
thought so they will spend less time in the hospital environment anyway. They also tend to go home
as soon as possible after the birth as exhaustion is not such a factor.
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Question: What if I’ve had a caesarian for previous births but now want
to attempt a vaginal birth (VBAC)?
Answer: HypnoBirthing® is especially appropriate here because the fears around
attempting a natural birth after caesarian are even more profound. Medical advice should be taken of course,
but if everything is progressing normally on all fronts then there is no reason not to have a different birth
experience this time around!
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Question: I did not enjoy the experience of birth the first time around,
can this help me change that for this birth?
Answer: Again, as fear is naturally bound to be present if past experience was not
good, then the techniques of letting go of fear and empowering the woman to birth without fear will enhance
your birthing experience whatever the medical issues.
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Question: Are midwives aware of HypnoBirthing®?
Answer: Yes many of them are and the word is spreading fast! The Royal College of
Midwives Magazine recently had a full page centre spread article on HypnoBirthing® so this is sure to have
been read by many. Midwives make up a very
substantial portion of qualified HypnoBirthing® practioners too!
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Question: Where is the scientific evidence for its effectiveness?
Answer: There is a great deal of anecdotal
evidence for the effectiveness of
HypnoBirthing® and the scientific establishment are taking notice.
Much of the current data comes from the U.S.A. because of its larger population profile and because the
programme originated there many years ago. In the UK less data has been gathered but this should change
very soon and we’ll keep you posted.
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Question: I am a journalist/researcher - who do I contact for
interviews, media appearances, etc.?
Answer: Email me at enquiries@hjwood.co.uk
to discuss this further.
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Question: I have a question not answered above or elsewhere on the site.
Answer: Email me at
enquiries@hjwood.co.uk for an answer
to your question.
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