If you are pregnant you need to understand about birth and your birth rights as well as hypnobirthing.
Why?
Well think of it like this:
Would you go to a job interview without finding out all about the company, the role and researching answers.
The same goes for birth.
If you aren't aware of how birth can be and what you would like from YOUR birth experience, then you cant be disappointed by going with the flow?
Essentially, no. Going into labour can be something that people fear, and put their heads in the sand and ignore. (I know I did first time round!) Being informed is so powerful.
So when you and your birth partner attend a little happy humans course, that is what you will be: informed and feeling in control. I cover a range of different tools that you can use in labour and parenthood to help you feel empowered.
This applies to all births. Whether you want an elective caesarean or a water birth like a dolphin, I will cover all the info, in a non airy fairy bs way.
The more you know, the better prepared you will be. Birth does not have to look like it does in the soaps/tv dramas. It is essentially a bodily function and its YOUR body, so you have full autonomy over it.
So let’s now take a look at a few tools you can use. Mp3 relaxation tracks – breathing techniques – affirmations – visualisations (even Oprah uses these!) - massage – mindfulness – and so much more.
The science behind birth
Before hospital births were the norm, home births were the norm.
At home we can feel SAFE PRIVATE and COMFORTABLE.
To be clear, the reason they matter is the love hormone oxytocin is most at ease in these conditions and this is the hormone you want to have flowing!
Staying calm during pregnancy and labour is when, your body releases all the good stuff – oxytocin, endorphins, and melatonin. Here’s how they help:
Oxytocin – The Love Hormone: This helps your uterus contract during labour and promotes bonding between you and your baby. It’s like your body’s built-in labour cheerleader but it is really shy so will only come out when it is feeling safe, loved, undisturbed and calm.
Endorphins: Endorphins are your body’s natural painkillers. The production of this amazing hormone is increased when you release more oxytocin.
Melatonin – The Sleepy Time Hormone: Melatonin is the body’s sleep hormone and likes darkness, privacy and calm spaces and works alongside oxytocin.
Although tin the detail of the course we go into a lot more detail on each hormone, these are the basics you need to know.
Simply put, focus on maximizing the love hormone
If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’re pregnant and thinking possibly hypnobirthing is for hippies. Well its not. Even Giovanna Fletcher
(Tom from Mcfly's beautiful wife!) raves in her book about how amazing hypnobirthing is!
Well, it’s actually rather simple.
Here’s my best advice as someone who’s given birth twice and has spent a lot of time researching and learning all things birth: DO THE WORK. Honestly, find out as much as you can about birth, to whatever level of detail you are comfortable with, and just practise all your relaxation techniques.
Despite all the noise that birth is “scary” or “dangerous”, when you look for positive birth stories you will find them everywhere! (and not on one born every minute!)
If I could go back, and knowing what I know now about hypnobirthing and all things birth, I think I would choose a homebirth. Ill write more about that in my next post.