Hypnobirthing – It is good enough for royalty

Hypnobirthing – It is good enough for royalty

As the date approaches for the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby, it has been reported that the Duchess is planning to use hypnobirthing.

You may have heard about hypnobirthing, using hypnosis to make childbirth easier. But how does it actually work?

The connection between our minds and bodies is more powerful than you could imagine and you can use this power to your advantage. Even aspects of your physiology which you would consider as being automatic are influenced by our minds.

A good example of mind/body interaction is the way that we blush when we think of something embarrassing. This is an example of a simple thought changing the blood flow in our face.

Within my practice I often create numbness of the right hand. This is to enable clients to use their right hand to alleviate pain. While their right hand is numb the right hand is totally pale, a completely different colour to the left. This is a fascinating example of how the mind can control the body

Hypnobirthing is a fantastic way to give birth. Using hypnosis you can change your perception of pain, you can relax more deeply than normal and you can let go of any anxiety.

Lots of women (and their partners) can understandably feel very worried or anxious about childbirth. The first part of my hypnobirthing program uses relaxation techniques and diminishes anxiety about childbirth.

Relaxation techniques are also incredibly useful during the birth. When you are tense, your muscles tense up and your adrenal glands release adrenaline. All of which can slow down the birth process. If you are relaxed, your muscles are more relaxed and you feel calmer, then birth can be a much easier, quicker experience.

I teach a variety of pain relief techniques to my clients. These techniques work fantastically well and are the most important element of my hypnobirthing programme. Being able to manage pain is such a valuable tool and minimises the need for other interventions such as epidurals and pethidine during childbirth.

I provide my clients with CDs to listen to at home in the last few weeks before the birth and also during labour. This allows you to really master all the techniques before the big day. Please do get in touch if this wonderful method of childbirth appeals to.

Various studies have supported the wonderful benefits of hypnobirthing. Labours are shorter for women who use hypnobirthing compared to those who do not. Women using hypnobirthing also require less drug intervention than those who are not using hypnobirthing. It has also been suggested that an easier birth can lead to a happier baby and better bonding between mum and baby.[1]

If you are expecting a baby and would like to find out more about how hypnobirthing could work for you do get in touch at www.cs-hypnotherapy.co.uk

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[1] Hao TY, Li YH, Yao
SF. Clinical study on shortening the birth process using psychological suggestion therapy. Zhonghua Hu Li Za Zhi. 1997 Oct; 32(10):568-70. (General Military Hospital of Jinan, P.R. China.)

Jenkins, M.W., & Pritchard, M.H.
Hypnosis: Practical applications and theoretical considerations in normal labour. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 100(3), 221-226, 1993.

Harmon, T.M., Hynan, M., & Tyre, T.E.
Improved obstetric outcomes using hypnotic analgesia and skill mastery combined with childbirth education. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 525, 530, 1990.

Doing A Confident Wedding Speech

In theory public speaking should be easy, right? You can speak coherently, can’t you? You can be in a room with your family and friends, right? So why does the idea of public speaking fill some of us with the sort of terror great enough to be willing to sell our soul to the devil in order to avoid it?

If you are a groom, best man or father of the bride, who is currently seeking out the devil’s phone number to avoid the trauma that is your speech, then rest assured that you are not alone. Fear of public speaking is an incredibly common phobia. The good news is that it’s also an easy phobia to deal with.

Firstly, speak to yourself as if you were your own best friend. The way we speak to ourselves, our own inner monologue, has a massive impact on our feelings and behaviour. So every time you notice yourself say something negative such as,

“I’m dreading this speech. I’m going to be crap at it and start shaking and sweating.”

Replace it with a more useful suggestion as if you were talking to your best friend such as,

“I know the people I’m speaking about so well. I have lots of funny and interesting things to say that the guests at the wedding are looking forward to hearing.”

Often people who are afraid of public speaking find that their voice trembles, their heart rate races, their breathing quickens and their face goes red. These are all classic physiological signs of being in a state of high anxiety. As this state has been brought on entirely by the mind, it can also be calmed entirely by the mind.

A good technique to achieve this is to practise getting yourself into a state of deep relaxation in the weeks and months before the wedding. Close your eyes, focus on your breathing and allow yourself to become completely relaxed. When you are in a completely relaxed state imagine yourself doing the speech competently and confidently. If you find yourself getting anxious just focus once again on the relaxation. Repeat this as often as you can and you will find that your mind pairs relaxation with the scenario of public speaking. As it is impossible to be both highly anxious and very relaxed at the same time, this technique removes the anxiety related to the situation.

I am a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner in Dorset, and I have developed my own specialised Public Speaking treatment plan. I have great success with clients who fear public speaking, as well as clients who suffer from other worries and anxieties. I offer a free initial consultation. If this sounds like something you’re interested in then, do get in touch. www.cs-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Lastly, a speech at a big occasion such as a wedding should be an experience to relish. Let’s make sure that it is.
www.cs-hypnotherapy.co.uk