The Power of Hypnobirthing Years Later – the benefits of hypnobirthing last well beyond the actual birthing experience. It can be applied to other facets of your life beyond childbirth.
What is Hynobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a form of hypnosis that can be taught to be self-guiding or self-induced. It involves a relaxation process that allows the mind to calmly turn off distractions of pain and discomfort.
The Power of Hypnobirthing Years Later
I first read about hypnobirthing in a news magazine. I found a local therapist to teach me the skill. I was a little reluctant to believe that this deep relaxation could overpower labor pains, which I felt strong and clear during childbirth with my son (also done without pain meds). My son’s birth was so physically painful that I was feeling a great deal of anxiety with the impending arrival of my daughter.
The hypnobirth of my daughter was a successful birth, with very little pain – much different than the birth of my son, which was very painful and a much longer labor. It was a rather easy skill to learn, and even easier to institute. It worked so incredibly, I was asleep through the beginning of labor and finally went to the hospital not knowing if I had even progressed enough to be there because I was experiencing no pain. When they checked me I was already a four and I was admitted. Many staff members were in disbelief when they would enter into my room to see the monitors jumping and escalating as I lay there with my eyes closed and completely relaxed.
Well, it’s been years since I hypnobirthed my daughter and I was wondering if I still had the power of hypnobirthing. Would I still have the learned skill of hypnobirthing if I was in a situation of pain? My challenge came when my doctor ordered an EMG.
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I have not tried the hypnobirthing for a pain-related situation since my daughter’s birth. I did try the deep relaxation skills when I had an MRI done. I am extremely claustrophobic and I could not get into the MRI chamber. Once I did the self-hypnosis, I was able to go through the procedure. It took me 20 minutes to calm down enough to do it, but once I did, even the technician was shocked about the power of hypnobirthing.
So, now I was about to have the EMG and it was my opportunity to test out the skills again in another pain-related situation. It’s a bit tough because you have to be able to feel completely comfortable with your surroundings, and I was a little unsure what the neurologist was going to think and worried that that would make me feel uncomfortable. Finally, I thought to myself, what the heck…it’s my body and I don’t want to feel the pain. I told the doctor what I was going to do, and he was very surprised with how relaxed I was. There were several moments where he asked if I was still with him. I reassured him I was awake and aware. He said so long as I did not stop breathing, he didn’t care what I did. And, here’s the honest truth… I felt absolutely nothing! It was a success!
Hypnobirthing Benefits
According to wikipedia, forms of Hypnotherapy can be effective to help with menopause symptoms, IBS, anxiety, PTSD, and Bulimia… in addition to childbirth.
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The Power of Hypnobirthing Years Later!