Earlier this week a local Naturopathic Doctor invited doulas and/or midwives to sit in on her HypnoBabies class. What an opportunity! Birth hypnosis is fairly popular amongst the natural birth crowd, so as a doula/future midwife, it's very helpful for me to be acquainted with it. I've already had two clients use some form of it during their labors.
In my experience, the more relaxed you can get during contractions, the easier your labor will be, both emotionally and physically. I believe you can accomplish this with a number of methods -- yoga, Bradley, hypnosis... really whatever appeals to you is what you should use. My only issue with the hypnosis people is their promise of no pain for the mother. Birth can be pain-free, ecstatic, and easy. It can also be hard as hell. I'm a little wary of anyone who sets moms up for no pain/discomfort in laboring, because I'd hate for a woman to a) feels she's failed if she isn't pain-free, or b) have no resources to deal with discomfort if she does feel it.
But anyway. Tonight was our first class, and I enjoyed it very much. This teacher has a lot of wonderful experience and a great attitude about birth. We learned a lot about instilling positive messages about pregnancy and birth in our subconscious minds, and we practiced deep relaxation and "triggers," such as finger drops. I enjoyed a very nice relaxed state when we did our exercises at the end of class, and I think I'll get a lot out of the next five classes.
It's also really nice to get back in the doula game, just a little. I may not get any clients soon, but I'm grateful for any educational opportunity that comes my way.
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