By Kiersten Konikowski, RN, MSN, HCHI

Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis is a complete childbirth education program that eliminates the fear of giving birth, and instills confidence in its mothers and their birth partners. The Hypnobabies program teaches expectant women how to naturally reduce or eliminate any pregnancy discomforts, and how to give birth comfortably while remaining awake, mobile and in control using eyes-open childbirth hypnosis techniques.

Hypnobabies is a revolutionary method of preparing for natural birth based on master hypnotist, Gerald Kein’s highly effective “Painless Childbirth” program. Mothers learn easy self-hypnosis techniques to automatically produce a natural anesthesia throughout their bodies, using only the power of their own minds. These are the same medical hypnosis techniques that some dentists and doctors use to create natural anesthesia for pain-free dental work and surgeries, for their patients who cannot tolerate drugs!

What Options Do Hypnobabies Mothers Have to Prepare for That Joyful Day?

Hypnobabies mothers, fondly referred to as Hypno-moms, may choose to attend classes taught by a certified Hypnobabies Instructor, or may opt to do the Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Home Study Course on their own.  The Hypnobabies class consists of one 3-hour class per week that meets for 6 weeks.  The classroom experience gives couples the wonderful opportunity to meet other moms that are expecting around the same time and to create a community where birthing naturally is valued.  Birth partners attend classes with Hypno-moms so that they can become involved with the pregnancy and in the preparations for childbirth.

How Does Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Work?

Hypnosis is not being asleep or under anyone else’s spell or control, as many would mistakenly believe, rather it is a state of hyper-awareness and focus. Hypnobabies childbirth hypnosis is “eyes-open” or waking hypnosis. Moms learn to enter deeply into relaxation and hypnosis, and create hypnotic anesthesia, with the “drop of her finger”, literally. She then learns to “center” and strengthen that anesthesia in the middle, birthing part of her body. Then with practice, mom is able to open her eyes, and walk and talk and change positions as her baby’s birth process dictates, all while remaining completely comfortable, and still deeply in hypnosis.

It is very easy, and actually quite pleasant to practice the Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis method. Mom simply listens and follows suggestions during a deeply relaxing thirty-minute script on CD, or while listening to the scripts that her birth partner reads to her. She alternates one or the other each day until baby comes. Mom also practices entering deeply into “eyes-open childbirth hypnosis”, and creates a natural anesthesia and profound relaxation with the “drop of her finger” 5 times each day for just 30-60 seconds at a time. Hypnobabies mothers still experience all the powerful, guiding sensations of childbirth, but they experience them as “pressure” sensations and not “discomfort” because they are actively producing a powerful natural hypno-anesthesia throughout their bodies during their babies’ births.

Can Hypnobabies Be Used Effectively by Single Mothers?

Single mothers or those whose partners will not be participating in the birth process can also, very successfully, use the Hypnobabies program. All of the hypno-anesthesia techniques can be easily learned, practiced and used alone, or with a birth partner. The birth partner can be the father, partner, doula, friend or a family member. A birth partner is not necessary to learning or practicing the program, but is a welcome participant if the mother chooses.

Childbirth Education

Along with all of the hypnosis techniques couples will learn to use, they will also learn everything they need to know about having a healthy pregnancy, the physiology of birth, newborn care, and the postpartum period.  The Hypnobabies program covers topics such as:

• Creating Positive Expectations of Childbirth
• Staying Healthy & Low Risk – nutrition and exercise for pregnancy & birth
• Your Choices/Planning for Your Beautiful Birth – information about the risks and benefits of common procedures, and other consumer issues
• Your Birthing Time Begins, Late First Stage & Birth – explains the entire birthing process
• In-Depth Birth Rehearsal – practice as if this was baby’s birth day, also postpartum recovery, new baby care & breastfeeding information

Helping Mothers Make Informed Choices in Childbirth

I discovered the Hypnobabies program when I was pregnant with my second child.  I had previously given birth in a very medical-focused labor and delivery unit via an induction and an epidural.  With this second pregnancy I wanted a different experience for my baby and myself.  The result was a very fast birth using Hypnobabies that was intervention free and completely comfortable with only some manageable discomfort at the very end.  I was so impressed that I became a certified Hypnobabies instructor so that I could teach other expecting moms how to have a comfortable and easy birth.

Kiersten Konikowski has been a labor and delivery nurse since 2002.  She currently practices at Boulder Community Foothills Hospital and teaches Hypnobabies classes at the Boulder Birth Community Classroom.  You can find out more information about Hypnobabies and Kiersten’s upcoming classes by going to http://www.coloradobeautifulbirth.com or by calling 720-440-BABY.