Hypnobirthing- A Book Review

Can natural birth really be easy, relaxed and enjoyable? When I was pregnant with my first baby I wanted to find a way to birth that was peaceful and pleasant. Many people mocked the concept and related their own birthing stories filled with turmoil. However, I was blessed enough to find the book ‘Hypnobirthing – The Mongan Method’ by Marie Mongan. Through her evidence based information and outline of techniques I became convinced that a gentle and calm birth was not only possible, but would be the norm if we were all educated in this way about childbirth.

Contrary to the name, Hypnobirthing is not about hypnosis and the techniques do not put you in a trance. Instead they relax the mind and calm the body whilst you remain fully aware and awake throughout the entire process. I think our state of mind is altered during childbirth anyway and Hypnobirthing helps to explore this shift in consciousness in a positive and profound way. The techniques include positive thinking, affirmations, breathing techniques, visualisations and physical preparation advice and all need to be practiced consistently throughout pregnancy especially in the latter stages.

The HypnoBirthing book is very comprehensive and guides us through all stages of pregnancy, labour and birthing. It includes valuable information on creating a birth plan, choosing your place of birth, physical and mental exercises, nutrition, massage tips for bonding with your unborn baby, guidance for the birth companion and much more. It really is a book packed with resources and if you only read one book in preparing for a natural birth I would suggest this be the one.

The Hypnobirthing book is specifically designed to serve the 95% of women whose pregnancies are considered low or no-risk although much of the information can be applied to the other 5% of women who, whilst not being able to implement all the techniques, will still benefit from the relaxation and calming tools. The book can be used alone as a birthing manual or, if you are lucky enough to live in a place where classes are available, as a supplement to class learning.

One of the most important parts of the book for me was the clear explanation of how the uterus is shaped and how it functions when unencumbered by fear. The 3 layers of the uterus work synergistically to open, relax and flex in order to gradually release the baby. This natural process allows birthing to occur in a smooth and easy way. Mongan then explains how a fearful and tense state of mind stimulates stress hormones that dramatically disrupt the normal functioning of the womb and causes the pains that have been typically associated with birth and have otherwise healthy women crying out for epidurals. I think that this very simple 10 page chapter on ‘How Fear Affects Labour’ could by itself really shift the birthing experience for many women and families.

The mainstream media often chooses to portray birth as an agonising event filled with screaming, purple-faced pushing which necessitates drugs or a caesarean. Yet as I devoured the pages of Hypnobirthing I read so many reports, science and real life examples skimmed from Mongan’s years of experience that transformed my perception of what birthing was like. As she advised, I tuned out of any negative information and found a great selection of videos on You Tube from women who have kindly shared their Hypnobirthing experiences and saw the Hypnobirthing techniques in action.

Incidentally, I recently interviewed a 74 year old woman in Dominica who had 12 children in her lifetime. She recalled her ease of birthing and the norm of being relaxed and at home with other women. She outlined the small size of her room and the close proximity to her neighbours home and explained that even when she gave birth to twins her neighbours were unaware until after the babies were born and began to cry! I expect that this lady and many other women who have birthed in this way naturally around the world have simply been free from fear and tension and thus birth takes place as nature truly intended.

The book comes accompanied with a CD of relaxing affirmations. Unfortunately if you get the 3rd edition of the book the main relaxation session entitled ‘Rainbow Relaxation’ is not featured on the CD. I thought this was very inconvenient and expensive as I then had to order it separately from the main Hypnobirthing site. I do hope the publishers choose include the Rainbow Relaxation in subsequent editions of the book.

The CD’s provide valuable guided audio relaxation, affirmations and visualisations. At first I didn’t really like them, finding the voice ineffective at helping me relax. However, as time for birthing drew closer and I listened to them more and more I really appreciated their ability to help me prepare and ease me through my bouts of third-trimester insomnia! I credit the meditations for keeping me clam as I journeyed to the hospital after the baby’s head was engaged (see my birth story for the full details of this!) I definitely think if I had not been listening to the calming voice and positive words on the CD, I would have panicked and lost focus, but with the headphones in my ear I was able to find a peaceful space within despite the intensity of the situation.

I had a wonderful, fun and memorable birthing experience using the techniques of Hypnobirthing. Now with my second baby on the way I feel so much more relaxed and ready and the only book I have chosen to re-read is Hypnobirthing which I am still finding is important part of preparing myself for the life-altering experience that is giving birth. Ultimately Hypnobirthing is a fascinating read which empowers women and couples to have the courage, commitment and knowledge they need for a natural birth and to trust the amazing, intelligent power of the human body, mind and spirit.