The most common question I get asked as a HypnoBirthing Practitioner is ‘How does HypnoBirthing work?’ The science behind HypnoBirthing is really very simple…so let me explain!
When a birthing woman experiences fear, anxiety or tension, the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response is triggered and a stressor-hormone called catecholamine is released. This causes the arteries that supply the uterus to constrict and the subsequent lack of oxygenated blood supply prevents the birthing muscles from working optimally.
The lack of oxygenated blood causes the birthing muscles to cramp or tighten and therefore when a mother experiences a surge (contraction), baby is pushed against muscles that are tight, resistant and won’t open effectively. This causes more pain for the mother and distress for the baby. As a result of this discomfort, the mother experiences increased tension and anxiety, and so she gets caught up in a cycle of ‘fear-tension-pain’ that can cause labour to become ineffective or to shut down completely.
HypnoBirthing works because it teaches breathing, relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques that effectively stop the ‘fight or flight’ response from being triggered during labour and prevent the release of catecholamine (the nasty stressor-hormone that shuts down the birthing muscles and causes painful labour).
Why are these techniques so effective? Because they allow us to optimise endorphin release within the birthing body. Endorphins are amazing hormones that have the ability to shut-out catecholamine, keep us in a deeply relaxed state…and when released to optimum levels are 200 times stronger than morphine. So pretty powerful stuff!
By conditioning the mind and body for effective birthing, normal, natural, comfortable birth for you and baby is completely achievable. You just need the right birth education, and clear understanding of how your birthing body works and the correct techniques to allow optimum endorphin release. HypnoBirthing classes give you this…its that simple!
Helen Evans at Bloom & Birth delivers private and group HypnoBirthing classes in Bristol, Clevedon, Portishead and North Somerset. Visit www.bloomandbirth.co.uk to find out more or to book your course place.
