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Hypnotherapy for childbirth, pregnancy and conception Hypnotherapy uses the natural state of hypnosis, deep relaxation and the power of suggestion to enhance your pregnancy and birth experience. Using hypnosis, you tap into the subconscious (the part of your mind that is responsible for all your bodily functions including your heart rate, hormone production and elimination system, as well as the part which stores your emotions, fears and anxiety) to deal with, and overcome fear and anxiety associated with pregnancy and labour, and to increase self confidence and trust in your bodies natural ability to give birth. Using and applying hypnosis techniques can therefore greatly reduce, if not eliminate the fear and tension which leads to severe pain during the birthing process
The subconscious mind does not know the difference between reality and imagination (ever had deja vu or a dream that felt as if it was real?) So through hypnosis you have the opportunity to experience your perfect birth over and over again in your mind. Therefore once the actual birth begins, your body is familiar and comfortable with the rehearsed responses and as a result reacts accordingly. This all contributes to you remaining relaxed, involved, in control, conversant and aware of the experience. You will be aware of your body's contractions and will flow through the sensations using deep relaxation, breathing and your natural ability to tap into your bodies own pain killers (endorphins).
Being able to enjoy the experience in a calm and relaxed way leaves no room for tension and fear which are the main causes of pain. Fear activates the nervous system to produce adrenaline (danger hormone), which gives you the power to prepare to fight or to run away (fight of flight syndrome). The fear which causes the increased level of adrenaline neutralises the oxytocin (the hormone responsible for stimulating your uterus to contract) and endorphins (pain killing hormone), so that the body naturally slows down or even stops the birthing. Experiencing fear during labour leads to your heart rate increasing, your breathing becoming shallow and faster (so reducing the amount of oxygen in your body and to your baby) and your heart pumping blood faster around your body so raising your blood pressure. When there is fear in childbirth, your birthing body will not be allowed to flow easily through the natural progression of labour.
So how does hypnotherapy make a difference?
Hypnotherapy teaches you the tools you will need to remain calm and relaxed during your labour, which makes your body respond in a very positive way. When you are relaxed, your breathing is even and rhythmical; ensuring a high level of oxygen is entering your body. This oxygen goes through to your baby, ensuring that your baby remains calm and stable. Increased oxygen stimulates the production of oxytocin (hormone responsible for contraction) and endorphins. Your blood pressure remains at a healthy level, and as your body is relaxed you conserve your energy, with all excess energy being channelled through to the muscle that is really working hard, namely your uterus. As the uterus has no resistance or tension from surrounding muscles, the contractions are more effective and more comfortable. As the labour progresses unhindered by artificial hormones, other natural hormones kick in including relaxin which allows the cells of the birth canal to relax, soften and stretch, so making the babies descent easier and more comfortable.
Hypnosis is a natural state, which we all experience many times a day. It is a time when your conscious, (analytical, rational mind) takes a step back and your subconscious (feelings, memories, emotions) comes more to the forefront. With intended Hypnosis, you purposefully take yourself into a daydream like state using soothing music, comforting images and positive visualisation. Once the critical and analytical part of your mind has been bypassed, you become more receptive to positive suggestions and affirmations. As the mind does not know the difference between imagination and reality, the more times you give yourself positive suggestions, the more real they become.
So in summary, the key to a comfortable birth is to keep the levels of anxiety and adrenaline to an absolute minimum by staying relaxed and focused and by keeping your breathing steady and rhythmical. This will give your body the best chance of producing the right birthing hormones to enable you to birth your baby unhindered by chemicals or drugs.
Hypnotherapy - helping couples plan for a healthy pregnancy.
You and your partner may have decided to start a family and want to increase the chances of a healthy conception and pregnancy. You may have been trying for a while, or about to start IVF and want to prepare yourselves, both emotionally and physically, to optimize conditions for success.
How is hypnotherapy able to support you and your partner? Your body and mind is intrinsically linked and your endocrine system, which controls your hormones, is intimately connected and influenced by every thought you think and every emotion you feel. Everything that has ever happened to you is stored in your memory bank. These thoughts, beliefs and feelings lead to chemical and hormonal changes which can disturb the delicate balance of hormones that is needed to conceive. Hypnotherapy is a powerful, natural and safe state of directed awareness. It is a state of profound relaxation that you allow yourself to enter. In this state you are able to release conscious and unconscious thoughts, beliefs or feelings that may be preventing conception. You remain in complete control and you can choose to come out of hypnosis at any time.
Hypnosis doubles rate of IVF success
A recent study by Professor Eliahu Levitas on 185 women showed hypnosis DOUBLED the rate of IVF success from 14% to 28%. A 1992 study found that women who participated in mind/body therapy experienced a 34% conception rate as compared to 20% with InVitro Fertilisation alone. Decreased levels of depression, anxiety and anger were also noted. Mind-body techniques increase conception rate from 20% to 42-55%. Studies show that "infertile" women using mind/body techniques have a 42-55% conception rate compared to 20% for those not following the protocol. Gravitz (1995) found a 100% success rate in a limited study using hypnosis on 'functional' infertility
A study by Poehl et al showed 56.4% of women who received psychological therapies (hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and relaxation) conceived. The study concluded that psychological therapy should be "an essential aspect of IVF". According to a leading Fertility Journal, women who undergo hypnosis during IVF have an increased likelihood of conception. The research shows "rates of clinical pregnancy and implantation were both significantly higher in the women who underwent hypnosis...than in those who had regular IVF-ET cycles". According to researchers "hypnosis relieves stress, and thereby reduces uterine activity and improves the interaction of the embryo with the uterus, while increasing the chances of implantation." (source: Fertility and Sterility 2006: 85: 1404-8)
The results of studies comparing hypnotherapy with other psychological techniques:
38% of clients reported recovery from their conditions after 600 sessions.
Behavioural Therapy (psychoanalasys)
72% of clients reported recovery from their conditions after 22 sessions.
Hypnotherapy
93% of clients reported success after only 6 sessions!
Benefits of receiving hypnotherapy for relaxation throughout your pregnancy:
* Maintain a feeling of calm and relaxation * Increase your energy and feelings of well being
* Improved sleep
* Maintain a healthy blood pressure
* Reduce, even eliminate aches and pains
* Increase communication with your baby
* Learn techniques that will help with giving birth
* Deal effectively with stressful situations
| Ella McCrystal. Tel: 07917 888327 | |
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