LOVING WOMEN ~ LOVING BABIES ~ LOVING BIRTH

What is HypnoBirthing?

Hypnobirthing - The Mongan Method, is a natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable childbirth. It is empowering, educational and shows parents that when a birth is free from fear, severe pain is not a necessary accompaniment of childbirth. HypnoBirthing is a registered trade mark.

How did it begin?

It is based on the work of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English obstetrician, whose principles are the foundation of the National Childbirth Trust and who pioneered the concept of natural childbirth in the 1920's. HypnoBirthing was developed in the late 1980's by US award winning hypnotherapist, Marie Mongan.

How does it work?

If a woman is afraid of childbirth or something occurs to instill fear within her, her body will release catecholamines, the most well known of which is adrenaline. Adrenaline release during the birthing inhibits the release of oxytocin (our natural anaesthetic), causing the uterus to stop surging effectively, which in turn can cause the birthing to become erratic or to slow down. The effect of adrenaline release also means that the body cannot release endorphins, natures own feel good chemicals. The uterus becomes starved of oxygenated blood, leading to severe pain. The lack of release of natural pain killers results in more distress for the mother and a long arduous birthing experience. With HypnoBirthing you will learn to work with your body in a wonderfully calm, relaxed, fearless state of mind.

When should I start classes?

Ideally sometime between 20 and 30 weeks as it is important to get in lots of practice before the due month. You should have had your first scan and booking early is recommended. It is possible to do the course as late as 36 weeks but special appointments may have to be set up.

HypnoBirthingÒ

A Celebration of Life

YOU WILL LEARN:

ü      Everything you need to know to achieve safer, easier and more comfortable birth

ü      To explode the myth that pain is a necessary accompaniment to labor

ü      What’s wrong with labor as it exists with most other childbirth methods

ü      Techniques of deep relaxation to help you eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome

ü      How your body is naturally designed to conceive, nurture and birth your baby with ease and comfort

ü      To create your body’s own natural relaxant, the only safe labor enhancement

ü      Natural ways to bring your body into labor without artificial chemical induction

ü      How you and your birthing companion can create a birthing environment that is calm, serene and joyful, rather than tense and stressful

ü      Gentle birthing techniques that allow you to breathe your baby into the world without the violence of hard physical pushing

ü      To use your natural birthing instincts to birth your baby in a way that most mirrors the way that nature intended

“My dream is that every woman, everywhere, will know the joy of a safe, satisfying birth for both her baby and herself—one she’ll not need to forget.”

Marie F. Mongan, 1999

Parent Testimonials:

“HypnoBirthingÒ gave me a most priceless gift—a childbirth experience that was free of fear.”

“Nothing can describe the beauty of our birthing experience with HypnoBirthingÒ. I never dreamed after having two children with another method that I could have so easy a labor.”

“Our daughter came into this world so much easier than either of us could have hoped for. With Godspeed, keep up the good work of HypnoBirthingÒ.”

“The nurses said they had never seen a woman so calm, yet so strong. They couldn’t put the HypnoBirthingÒ book down.”

Medical Testimonials:

“This is the way all babies should come into the world. It’s beautiful. Keep up the good work.”

“I’m a labor and delivery nurse. I work in the field of obstetrics every day. I can hardly believe my eyes as I watch HypnoBirthingÒ mothers in labor. It’s amazing!”

“Several of my patients have used HypnoBirthingÒ. The result: little or no medication and yet, a calm and more comfortable mother.”

“I’ve been delivering babies for twenty years, and I’ve never seen anything like this method. It’s incredible.”

Course Content:

UNIT 1: Setting the Stage

Building Positive Expectancy

How the Uterus Works

What’s wrong with Labour

How Fear Affects Labour and Uterine Muscles

History of Women and Birthing

Hypnosis and Deep Relaxation/Creating Positive Birth Outcomes

Psycho-Physical Exercises

HypnoBirthing Stories 1 and 2

UNIT 2: Falling In Love With Your Baby/Preparing Mind and Body

HypnoBirthing Stories 3 and 4

Prebirth, Perinatal and Postnatal Bonding

Selecting Caregivers and Birthing Environment

Preparing Your Mind and Body

Progressive and Instant Relaxation Techniques for Deepening

Hypnotic Relaxation and Visualisations

Releasing Limiting Thoughts Assignment

Preparing Your Body for Healthy Birthing

Toning the Body

UNIT 3: Getting Ready to Welcome your Baby

Birth Stories 5 and 6

Daddy’s Promise (At Harmony we include this in the Bonding Section)

Birth Preferences

Hospital Records and Registration

Breech Presentation

When Baby is Nearly Ready

Looking at Your Due Date

Special Circumstances That Require the Attention of a Caregiver

Avoiding Artificial Induction of Labour

Achieving a Natural Start of Labour

Your Body, Working With You and For You

Releasing Emotions, Fears and Limiting Thoughts

UNIT 4: Overview of Childbirth – A Labour of Love

·        Birth Stories 7 a Homebirth Waterbirth

·        Onset of Labour – Thinning and Opening Phase

·        Arriving at the Hospital

·        As Labour moves along

·        If Labour Slows or Rests

·        As Birthing Advances – Nearing Completion

·        Birth Rehearsal Imagery

UNIT 5: Birthing – Breathing Love, Bringing Life

Hallmarks of Labour

Mother Nears Completion – Thinning and Opening Phase Ends

Positions During Descent and Birthing

Positioning and Repositioning

Birth – The Final Act

Forest Fantasy Metaphor

Further Emotional Release if required

Pelvic Station

Birth Explained Simply

Visualisation for Optimal Birth Positioning

How much does it cost?

At Harmony Hypnosis we provide a program of four, 3 hour sessions for the mother and her birthing companion (partner, mother, sister, friend etc.). The fee includes the official Hypnobirthing book, the Affirmations and Rainbow relaxation official CD, Course Handouts, and Birth Plan. Group sessions will be limited to a maximum of five couples and will usually take place during weekends. Private one to one tuition and private home visits will usually take place Monday to Friday, and 6 - 9pm evenings if required. Special Concessionary Rates can be negotiated if you are a lone parent or are in serious financial difficulties.

Group Sessions €85 for each 3 hour class (Total €340).

***(Send your €100 booking deposit 14 days in advance of classes. ***

Private One to One €110 for each 3 hour class (Total €440).

Private Home Tuition €150 for each 3 hour class (Total €600).