Natural childbirth pioneers

Back in the 1930s one of the pioneers of natural childbirth, Dr Grantly Dick Read (author of 'Childbirth Without Fear) believed that something as natural as birth should not be painful. He devised a system of relaxation for women after he observed how a labouring woman seemed so calm and comfortable throughout. After the birth he commented on this and her reply was 'was it supposed to hurt Dr?' His methods were very similar to hypnosis but were not solely aimed at pain reduction.

The primary concern was assuring women a psychologically and emotionally satisfying labour experience and at the same time making it safe for mother and child. During the course of three or four hypnotherapy sessions for natural childbirth you will learn a number of 'anchoring' techniques. These are simple techniques that will instantly take you into hypnosis and connect your body and mind with the most empowering feelings of calm reassurance and confidence for the natural childbirth.

During the whole birth process you can remain in this calm and confident state, highly aware but deeply relaxed and focussed on your body's natural rhythms. There will be a closer connection with your baby as well so that in turn your baby will feel more calm and relaxed (baby's pick up on negative rhythms as well which can create distress during childbirth). One of the key experiences that women feel using hypnosis in a natural birth is an ability to completely let go without resisting the birth process. It is when there is tension (typified by tense muscles, clenched teeth and holding of the breath) that fear and resistance grow, increasing the perception of pain. By learning how to instantly relax your muscles and use your breathing in the most empowering way, your perception of the natural birth process changes to one of complete confidence in what is after all the most natural process in the world - natural childbirth!

This then is what hypnotherapy and self hypnosis can offer; preparation and techniques to ensure you have a physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually satisfying natural childbirth experience.