Sometimes, hypnosis can be confusing and some folks may become concerned about it being like magic or something. In response to this concern I have called upon Hypnobabies VP, Carole Thorpe, to explain…
This is one of the myths about hypnosis that we get asked about all the time! Hypnosis is a normal state of mind that we all experience every day to lighter and deeper degrees. We call it by many different and socially acceptable names though: ‘auto-pilot’ when we’re driving, ‘engrossed in thought’ when we’re studying, ‘daydreaming’ when we’re bored, etc.
On a conscious level, humans utilize about 12% of the power of their brains, the rest of the brain’s processing, and storing and discerning and creative capabilities are at the subconscious level. When we are in hypnosis, we quiet the conscious processes of the brain by ‘distracting’ them with ‘guided imagery’ or a ‘story’ or as we call them a ‘script’ that’s pleasant, and in this deeply relaxed state we can talk to the subconscious part of the mind and give it the ‘suggestions’ it needs to create a new attitude towards, and a positive belief set with regards to childbirth.
We help to take away women’s fear of birth (through a “Fear Clearing” CD), we help her to instill confidence in her body’s innate ability to birth (through Affirmations), in the Hypnobabies course, we teach her SELF-hypnosis techniques so that she can create physical comfort in her body, and we teach ‘eyes-open’ childbirth hypnosis so that she can remain alert and aware and mobile during her baby’s birth. It’s important for everyone to understand that ALL hypnosis is SELF hypnosis, and that the person’s voice reading the script on the CD recording is merely a guide. The person listening can choose to enter hypnosis or not, can choose to deepen their relaxation and therefore their hypnosis or not, and will choose to accept the suggestions for an easier more comfortable childbirth or not. No one can make anyone do anything against their will or their moral belief system while in hypnosis…and the Hypnobabies tracks only address the needs of birthing women to create comfort and enjoy their baby’s births.
The type of hypnosis we teach moms is not the kind you see in stage shows. It’s medical hypnosis that doctors and dentists teach their patients who are unable to have medical anesthesia for surgeries. They are able to have their procedures with no drugs, no side-effects and no pain! With practice, our moms are capable of re-creating this phenomenon that we call ‘hypno-anesthesia’ with a drop of their index finger! And, they learn to deepen that comforting sensation and to direct it to the parts of their body that need comfort…etc.
Nothing anyone would call ‘new age’. We are purposeful in our language so as not to alienate anyone. We on the Hypnobabies Team are pretty normal, run-of-the-mill moms ourselves who happen to know that hypnosis is a safe and effective means for a mother to achieve natural childbirth in comfort, joy and love. Nothing clandestine about that! Our tracks all come from our hearts and a love for mothers and their babies. Our wish is for every mother to enjoy her babies birthing and for every baby to be born alert and peaceful.
On the Hypnobabies site, we have an article written by one of our instructors who is a devout Christian woman herself. Here’s the link to it:http://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.php?id=4014
Now, IF after reading all about hypnosis, and Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis in particular, you are unable to satisfy fears about hypnosis and to feel 100% comfortable about Hypnobabies…then this might not be the program for you. My explanation here is just that…an attempt to explain and to dispel some of the misconceptions about hypnosis. It’s not my intention to ‘sell’ Hypnobabies to those who are scared of hypnosis because that just wouldn’t be helpful to those women.
