Obstetrics
This is the branch of medicine that deals with childbirth and the treatment of women before and after birth. It is becoming increasing popular for women to turn to hypnosis during pregnancy, as relaxation is a huge plus during delivery and naturally forms the basis of any hypnotherapeutic programme.
Learning relaxation techniques and using them in trance ie. self hypnosis, really is invaluable throughout pregnancy as well as enjoyable and beneficial!
The use of hypnotherapy can take what is ultimately described as a horrifically painful, difficult time here in the West (and it often is!) and bring it into alignment with other cultures around the world. In other parts of the world women give birth far more simply and easily despite the lack of medical attention and involvement.
However, it's not surprising that childbirth is so horrendous for many women as we are conditioned from an early age to believe just that:
Labour = Pain - that's the general equation in the West.
Within the therapeutic framework, we'll discuss the mother's expectations of pregnancy and her objectives. We’ll address any fears or concerns and neutralise them with EFT. We’ll also look at how she wishes to deliver her baby. We'll talk about how she expects things to go – if she expects horrific pain, she'll suggest that to herself and she'll get it! We'll do the opposite in hypnosis.
I'll suggest, "deep pressure and discomfort that will soon pass, and with every moment of pressure so you move closer to the arrival of your beloved baby.”
I'll use visual imagery in trance so that the mother can see herself giving birth in a relaxed state, knowing it'll be hard work, but without the piercing screams of labour that we tend to imagine and expect. Once again, addressing any fears that arise with EFT.
I'll also employ pain management and time distortion techniques, which are primarily used during the birth and these can be very effective. If we can distort time, so that every minute between contractions seems like an hour, great! I think most expectant mothers would at least want to try that! Tapping is a wonderful anecdote to pain and the mother can get her birthing partner to tap on her when she needs it. You don’t have to do everything yourself!
We'll create a positive state of mind for the mother throughout her pregnancy, labour and delivery, as well as the after care of the child. We'll aim to remove any associated fears that the mother may have regarding all of the pregnancy and we'll educate her as much as possible concerning the stages of pregnancy and the birthing process. When we know what is happening and what to expect, we are more able to deal with it.
Giving birth is no mean feat, and I do not intend create that impression, but at the same time, it can be made far more ‘do-able' with hypnosis and EFT!