Birth Hypnosis is:
Birth Hypnosis is designed to help the birthing mother to achieve an ultimate depth of relaxation, so that her body and birthing muscles are free of tension, thereby allowing her body to perform its natural function. Birth Hypnosis also assists the mother in releasing any fears of birthing or emotions that could be limiting.
Birth Hypnosis feels like:
During your labour you will be able to hear conversations and may or may not wish to join in. Though you will be totally relaxed you will also be fully in control. To the person who is not familiar with self- hypnosis, you may even appear as though you've taken some kind of medication to put you into this profoundly relaxed state. Women in labour who use hypnosis and decide to keep their eyes closed often give the impression that they are sleeping, when in fact they are quite alert but profoundly relaxed.
During your birthing you will be aware of your uterine surges (uterine contractions), but you will experience them with greater ease. You'll be able to interrupt your deep relaxation whenever you wish and resume it whenever you wish. As your labour moves nearer to birth you will most likely choose to go even deeper within.
Hypnosis feels like:
Each person will experience hypnosis differently. Some will have a heightened state of awareness and will hear every sound in the room and will hear every word that is said. For some the sounds fade in and out. The majority of people will feel profoundly or deeply relaxed.
Brain wave activity during Hypnosis:
There are four types of brain waves and each are measured by frequency or Hertz (Hz) per second. Each wave has its own set of characteristics, representing a specific level of brain activity and a unique state of consciousness. The four brain waves are:
- Beta (13- 40 Hz)- represents the normal waking consciousness and mental reasoning, it is associated with the heightened state of alertness, logical and critical reasoning. It can also translate into stress, fear, anxiety and restlessness. You are in Beta brain wave activity right now as you read this.
- Alpha (7- 13 Hz)- these waves are present in deep physical and mental relaxation, during a daydream, light meditation and light hypnosis.
- Theta (4- 7 Hz)- these waves are present during deep hypnosis, deep meditation and light sleep, including the REM dream state.
- Delta (0- 4 Hz)- this is the deep sleep (dreamless) state. This deep sleep wave is important for healing and regeneration.
The Alpha- Theta border (from 7 to 8 Hz) is common during hypnosis. It is when you are conscious of your surroundings, however your body is in deep relaxation.
A Hypnotised person is:
- Totally conscious.
- A consenting participant.
- Fully in control.
- Comfortably relaxed.
- Aware of their surroundings and aware of what is happening.
A Hypnotised person is not:
- Unconscious or asleep.
- Submissive to another's will.
- In an eerie trance state.
- Prone to reveal confidential information.
Hypnosis works for:
Clinical Hypnosis: intended to help people with severe depression, anxiety, emotional distress and traumas.
Therapeutic Hypnosis: intended to assist people to rid themselves of habits, anxiety, phobias, achieving weight reduction, preparation for birth (HypnoBirthing), preparation for fertility, performance enhancement, confidence building, stop smoking, stress management and improve life management skills.
Persuasive Hypnosis: the most common form is advertising and marketing. For example, when you watch your favourite Television show you are usually in a relaxed state which allows you to be more receptive to the messages being advertised. It is important to mention that these advertising messages work best if you already like what is being advertised. If you are not interested in them, it is unlikely you will want to purchase them based on an advertisement. However, advertising organisations are very persuasive.
Medical Hypnosis: used for pre/ post surgical preparation, mental health, obstetrical application, dental, emergency situations and pain management through referrals. Hypnotherapy was recognised in 1958 by the American Medical Association as a beneficial therapy for many physical and emotional needs.
Birth Hypnosis: designed to help the birthing mother to achieve an ultimate depth of relaxation, so that her body and birthing muscles are free of tension and so that her body can perform its natural function. Birth Hypnosis also assists the mother in releasing any fears of birthing or emotions that could be limiting.
- Afraid to get stuck in hypnosis- this does not happen. Should the hypnotherapist stop talking two things will happen: 1) You will be so relaxed that you will fall asleep for a few minutes and then wake up naturally. 2) You will be curious about the absence of the hypnotherapist's voice and open your eyes and come out of deep relaxation when ever you are ready and when ever you wish.
- Fears that financial or family secrets will be revealed- since you will be aware throughout a hypnotherapy session, you will be in control where your thoughts and concerns will not be shared. The hypnotherapy session is not a counselling session.
- Fears that the hypnotherapist will be in control of your mind- you are totally in control and can hear everything that is said. Your body relaxes deeply as if asleep but your mind remains even more alert.
- Fears that I will do something humiliating or embarrassing- since you are fully in control, nothing will occur unless you wish to act in a particular (or peculiar) way. Stage hypnosis has left us with this myth.
- Fears that I will do something against my moral standards- since the hypnotherapist does not control your mind or behaviour there is no likelihood of any betrayal of morals. You will not do something that you are not inclined to do normally.
- Fear that hypnosis will cause a me to enter 'another realm'- since hypnosis is advanced relaxation, you will be profoundly relaxed and not be in 'outer space' or be in a state of 'out of mind or body'.