I've been to enough shows in Las Vegas to know what “hypnosis” is – a man or a woman is invited on stage to make a fool out of themselves as they act out silly situations or imitate famous celebrities. That’s why I was so against the idea when my mother-in-law first recommended it to me.
“That’s how I gave birth to Kevin (my husband),” she advised. “I’d never do it any other way.”
Hypnosis… was she serious? I didn’t want to be made into some one-man circus act while I was half naked on a hospital bed and in INTENSE pain! After talking to some other moms in one of my support groups and doing a bit of internet research, however, I realized that my beliefs on what hypnosis was were completely false and silly.
First I had to look at what hypnosis actually is. I have come across a number of varying definitions, but the basic run down is that once you are placed in a hypnotic state, you are more open to suggestion than you would be otherwise. Hypnosis is not like being in a sleep-like state, as many of us have been led to believe; in fact, we are more alert, more open to ideas and some describe themselves as feeling incredibly lucid. Hypnotists are then able to make varying suggestions so that we are not actually feeling pain, which of course helps with our pain management during labor.
I was also very surprised to discover that hypnosis has been used as a practice in medical and dental procedures for a long while now. Those who suffer from life-threatening allergies to anesthetics are coached into a hypnotic state and are able to feel absolutely no pain – with NO DRUGS – during the procedure.
One is not put under hypnosis by a trickster looking for a payout; rather the hypnotist acts as a sort of coach who is only there to help you reach a state which enables you to rise above biological reactions to pain and stress. They won’t make you do your best Celine Dion impression during labor or reveal some deeply buried secret about yourself. Hypnosis is a way for women to reduce – or, for the very fortunate, completely eliminate – pain by changing how your brain thinks about pain. Pain merely becomes pressure, much as it would if you had the epidural. The benefit? No drugs in your system that can adversely affect you and your baby.
Think you can’t be hypnotized? Think again. Anywhere from 90-95% of humanity can be hypnotized, and the stronger willed you are, the better! Some other factors that affect your ability to become hypnotized are:
- Belief in hypnosis
- Motivating thoughts (i.e. “I am not getting that epidural, no matter what!”)
- Willingness to participate (this is most important)
You can leave your hypnotic state when ever you wish, and enter back into it with a bit of coaching from your hypnotist.
Apart from using less or no drugs during labor, “hypnomoms” experience shorter labors, report feeling far more energized than moms who took drugs (as they were able to relax during the process), and those moms with breeched or posterior babies can actually turn their baby around using hypnosis – so say goodbye to that C-Section!
Remember that the ultimate goal here is to do what is best for you and your baby. If hypnosis just isn’t working for you, then you have to make the best decision for your family. Pat yourself on the back for giving it a go, and enjoy that new little cuddle bean in your arms!
photo by Carolyne Robbins-Pagel
