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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : July 30, 2014 4:55 PM IST
A lot of women are confused about childbirth, especially if it is their first time. As the months pass by the happiness of having a newborn in the family is mixed with fear of the impending childbirth. What if the baby is born with abnormalities? What if there is a problem while the child is being born? Did I eat all the right things? Will the experience be too painful to bear? These are just some of the questions that can cause stress and fear in an expecting mother.
Experts have claimed that a specific method of hypnosis, supposedly used by the likes of Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian during childbirth, could make labor pain-free. Cynthia Overgard, founder of HypnoBirthing in Connecticut, a prenatal education center, said that pain during labor is caused by fear and tension, Fox News reported.
What is hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a method through which a woman's mind is programmed to be calm and composed during childbirth. This is achieved through breathing and visualization techniques which makes the mother aware of nature's natural process. Many stories have been reported of mothers having a safe child birth after the use of this technique. That said, it is not a technique that can be employed right at the time of childbirth. The woman must learn and practice the techniques months in advance in order to be safe and confident.
Why should women not fear childbirth?
Overgard explained that during labor, oxytocin causes contractions, but if the expecting mother is afraid or anxious then her body stops producing the feel-good hormone and adrenaline starts to rise. Adrenaline redirects blood flow away from the cervix and the uterus, preventing the cervix from dilating and this slows down labor. (Read: Prenatal Yoga 7 asanas to ease your pregnancy)
How does hypnobirthing reduce pain during labour?
Overgard asserted that this is where hypnosis comes in with deep breathing, visualization and relaxation techniques that can help the woman maintain a calm body and mind. During the hypnosis program, women also listen to guided relaxation to condition the mind and body to be calm and relaxed.
According to the HypnoBirthing Institute, mothers who used the method were less likely to have c-sections, interventions and pre-term babies. However, Overgard said that the goal of HypnoBirthing is not natural birth, but to be calm and in control. (Read: Born too soon the dangers of premature birth)
Where can you learn more about hypnobirthing?
HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method, natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing, is one of the most popular books on the subject. You can buy it from here. There are many experts in the field in India too. A Google search should help.
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