As you discovered in our previous articles with hypnotherapist Ingrid Regorsek, hypnosis supports every stage of motherhood , from the desire for a child to the months following birth. By working on confidence and emotional management, it helps expectant mothers experience their pregnancy with maximum serenity. Far from being a simple relaxation tool, it allows you to mobilize your conscious and unconscious energies to navigate this period with greater confidence and well-being.
But it's especially during childbirth that hypnosis becomes a true inner lifeline. Thanks to hypno-anesthesia and hypnoanalgesia techniques, it helps modulate pain perception and promote a smoother labor . By preparing your mind for this pivotal moment through visualization or breathing exercises , you can approach childbirth with greater ease and recover more effectively afterward.
And because a peaceful birth experience influences postnatal well-being, perinatal hypnosis can also play a role in preventing postpartum depression.
SUMMARY :
- Childbirth under hypnosis: three possibilities
- Hypnosis in the delivery room: a 100% winning combination
- Is it really possible to give birth without suffering?
- A self-hypnosis exercise to practice throughout pregnancy to be ready for the big day
Childbirth under hypnosis: three possibilities
In the world, some countries like the United States have democratized the use of perinatal hypnosis, notably through two well-known programs: HypnoBirthing from the Morgan method for a natural and more comfortable birth, and Calm Birth, for a conscious and peaceful birth .
The United Kingdom, where hypnosis is also well-established, and Belgium, where it is regularly offered as an alternative to epidurals, like the Scandinavian countries, favor natural methods. For this reason, and because of its benefits, more and more midwives are training in hypnosis to support mothers throughout their pregnancy and during childbirth, using various techniques.
Self-hypnosis requires some preparation
Learning and mastering self-hypnosis takes some time, at least a few sessions . You should therefore prepare during your pregnancy , before giving birth. Ideally, you should follow the teachings of an experienced professional.
Ingrid Regorsek, Master Practitioner in Humanistic Hypnosis and Practitioner in Ericksonian Hypnosis, has guided you through the world of perinatal hypnosis in these five articles. Both a guide and a reassuring presence, she can support you in adopting this approach and your journey towards autonomy through self-hypnosis.
In addition to or as a complement to this, there are books and audio resources available to explore the subject further. Lise Bartoli, whom we mentioned in a previous article, offers her HypnoNatal method ; a combination of appointments, a booklet, and audio materials for you to practice alone or as a couple, at home.
Virginie Meirhaeghe , for her part, offers hypnosis sessions to select and listen to according to the theme that concerns you: fertility, ART, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and perinatal bereavement.
Self-hypnosis audios
Did you know? Many self-hypnosis programs are available in audio format, and you're generally allowed to wear headphones in the delivery room. (However, don't hesitate to ask your medical team beforehand and opt for wireless models on the day.)
So, if this technique interests you and makes you feel comfortable, discover the application created by one of the best representatives of hypnosis in France: Kévin Finel, former student of IFHE and Founder of L'Arche, a hypnosis training center .
Named Psychonaute , the application, dedicated to personal growth and therapeutic hypnosis, offers guided hypnosis sessions, a therapeutic approach based on hypnosis, mindfulness techniques and audio content to support you on your journey to mental well-being.
Moreover, psychonaut; the term combines "psyche" (mind) and "naut" (navigator), literally suggesting the idea of a "navigator of the mind" or an "explorer of consciousness".
Involving a third party requires trust.
Hypnotherapist, doula , partner, midwife… All of them, in addition to their individual areas of expertise, can support you in the practice of hypnosis for childbirth , provided you trust them and their presence brings you comfort. Their involvement will vary depending on their knowledge and your specific needs.
- A hypnotherapist or a midwife trained in hypnosis can conduct the session by offering you tailored suggestions and helping you to release tension and experience pain differently.
- A doula or the person who shares your life , even without specific training, can support you by reminding you of the techniques practiced in session or at home, by repeating reassuring phrases, or simply by ensuring that a gentle and caring atmosphere is maintained.
The key is for this person to adapt, encourage you, and facilitate your immersion in this altered state of consciousness that is self-hypnosis. Their role is primarily to reassure you and help you remain fully connected to your body, your sensations, and the experience you are having.
Hypnosis in the delivery room: a 100% winning combination
Hypnosis reveals sometimes unsuspected strengths that you should not deprive yourself of, especially in the delivery room.
Did you know, for example, that you can visualize your baby's journey ? Because what is familiar is reassuring, help your brain focus on the baby's path to the outside world rather than on the pain.
In hospital settings, when hypnosis is used to complement classic analgesia techniques, it is common to use distraction to a loved place or a pleasant memory .
Another hypnosis technique involves doing the opposite exercise: focus your attention on the pain to acknowledge it and then explore your sensations to guide them . You can then move them to another part of the body, reduce them, contain them in a specific area, or conversely, dilute them until they are almost imperceptible.
More hypnosis and fewer painkillers
One of the great advantages of hypnosis and self-hypnosis during childbirth is their ability to support the reduction of maternal stress with a direct impact on the perception of pain .
By promoting a state of deep relaxation and modulating the way the brain interprets sensations , hypnosis often makes it possible to reduce the use of anesthetics or epidurals .
By activating the body's natural resources, such as the production of endorphins , it helps you better tolerate contractions and maintain some control over your labor . Generally, this means a smoother labor, fewer medical interventions, and a deeper recovery after birth.
While it does not replace epidural anesthesia when the latter is desired or necessary, hypnosis stands out as an effective complement, allowing for better management of discomfort and a more serene experience of childbirth.
Greater maternal satisfaction
Using hypnosis, and even more so self-hypnosis, helps boost self-esteem. You managed the pain of childbirth on your own? No doubt you're proud of that! Furthermore, the WHO states on page 25 of its " Recommendations on Intrapartum Care for a Positive Childbirth Experience " that " women appreciate respectful maternal care and consistently value it ."
Respectful maternal care is defined as "the absence of harm and mistreatment, preserved privacy and confidentiality, dignified care, receipt of information and support in the informed consent process, continuous access to family and community support, high-quality physical environment and resources, equitable maternal care, effective communication, the opportunity to make choices and decisions, the provision of competent and motivated human resources, and the provision of effective and continuous care. "
Thus, by regaining control of your delivery, you reduce emotional and physical exhaustion , and promote a good postpartum recovery .
Hypnosis and self-hypnosis are powerful tools, but their effectiveness depends in part on practice. The more you practice before giving birth, the easier it will be to quickly enter an altered state of consciousness on the big day. Visualizations, breathing exercises, positive suggestions… Each session strengthens your ability to access your natural resources to understand pain and remain calm.
Is it really possible to give birth without suffering?
In Western societies, epidurals are an integral part of childbirth and are routinely offered. While this option remains valuable, it is not the only possibility. Giving birth doesn't always unfold in the same way, and yes, giving birth without pain or while managing pain is possible, thanks to hypnosis .
Zooming in on the state of hyper-focus
In extreme situations, your brain can activate an impressive survival mode : hyperfocus. Whether it's saving yourself or helping a loved one, this state momentarily grants you exceptional strength and endurance. How? Through an automatic and unconscious shift in your perceptions, allowing you to think and feel as if everything else fades away . All that matters then is the moment, the right action, the life you are about to give.
Moreover, this adaptive capacity of the brain is not limited to emergency situations. It can also be activated voluntarily , notably through hypnosis and self-hypnosis. By focusing your attention, you can transform an intense moment, such as childbirth, into a more serene experience.
This approach is gaining increasing popularity in the medical community, where childbirth without an epidural is becoming not only conceivable but potentially bearable. With self-hypnosis, hyper-focus is used to facilitate childbirth , allowing you to interpret pain differently, thanks to the unsuspected strength that lies dormant within you.
The role of hormones in pain management
Pain, childbirth, and hormonal mechanisms are closely linked to directed attention techniques.
Throughout pregnancy, steroid hormone levels in your body can be 20 to 150 times higher than normal. Also, during childbirth, you naturally produce oxytocin , which promotes uterine contractions and helps reduce perceived pain by stimulating relaxation and well-being mechanisms.
In parallel, the higher centers of the central nervous system (such as the brain) play a key role, notably by diverting or focusing your attention. Various strategies, such as continuous support during labor, yoga, relaxation, visualization, breathing exercises, self-hypnosis, and cognitive restructuring, have proven effective in activating these control mechanisms and approaching a pain-free childbirth.
Non-pharmacological approaches that optimize the woman's neurophysiological and endocrine resources , for a more serene childbirth and a reduction in the frequency or extent of medical interventions.
Inducing a state of hypnosis through speech
By your side, the father-to-be is there. He wants to do everything he can to help ensure the birth goes as smoothly as possible. You are therefore particularly sensitive to his words, gestures, and expressions. A word, a look, a shared memory can give you tenfold strength and courage to face the challenge of childbirth.
Beforehand, and if he wishes, he can also learn to relay positive and encouraging suggestions by taking advantage of a hypnosis session specifically designed for this purpose. Of course, hypnosis can be performed directly for him if he's feeling apprehensive. A boost of serenity that you will also benefit from.
Although self-hypnosis is recognized for its effectiveness in managing the emotional aspects of pain and stress, it remains underutilized in the delivery room. Yet, this natural technique allows women to approach childbirth with greater confidence and calm. An awareness and support campaign for this practice could offer expectant mothers a valuable alternative to medicalized methods. However, neither hypnosis nor self-hypnosis is a substitute for the intervention of a healthcare professional, such as a midwife, gynecologist, or anesthesiologist.
A self-hypnosis exercise to practice throughout pregnancy to be ready for the big day
The wave exercise in hypnosis , and more specifically in perinatal hypnosis, originates from the HypnoBirthing® (Mongan method) and HypnoNatal® (Lise Bartoli method) methods that we have already mentioned.
The image of the wave is inspired by meditation and sophrology practices. It is based on the idea that uterine contractions can be perceived as waves that rise, reach a peak, and then gently subside. By focusing on this image, you can:
- to accompany the contraction rather than endure it
- Better manage pain by visualizing it as a natural movement.
- Relax between each "wave" to conserve your energy.
- create a positive mental anchor that replaces fear with a feeling of fluidity.
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🌊 The wave of relaxation in practice Settle comfortably in a quiet place. Close your eyes and take the time to feel your body, its warmth, its pulse, its energy, its points of contact with the armchair, the bed, the floor… Connect with your breathing by taking long breaths in, but especially by exhaling slowly and deeply through your mouth. Now, imagine a calm, peaceful sea, a sea of glass in a pleasant setting. Then visualize or feel the change. A wave begins to form on the horizon. Associate this wave with a contraction that gradually increases in intensity. Accompany the rise of this wave and this contraction by focusing on your breathing. Inhale slowly, saying to yourself: " I welcome the wave ." Feel the moment when it reaches its maximum intensity and follow its gradual descent. Imagine the wave receding into the horizon and dissolving into the tranquility of the sea, which becomes placid once more. Take a deep breath, saying, " I let the wave go, I release ." And feel your body, limb by limb, cell by cell, relaxing as the wave disappears. Focus on the quiet time between waves and take the time to think about something that makes you feel good (a magical landscape, the sunrise from your window, your body immersed in calm water, a happy memory…). As the next contraction approaches, repeat the exercise. |
Ideally, it is advisable to practice this exercise throughout the pregnancy to better control it on the day of delivery, promote acceptance of pain, regulate breathing and avoid a panic attack by maintaining a regular heart rate.
Perinatal hypnosis, whether used to better understand motherhood, to promote serenity during pregnancy, or to support a gentle and conscious birth, proves to be a valuable ally for every expectant mother. Through these five articles, we have explored how this approach can not only transform the birth experience , but also guide women toward a more serene and fulfilling postpartum period.
Hypnosis allows you to rediscover a profound connection to yourself and your body, cultivating inner kindness and unwavering self-confidence. It offers a path toward a more conscious motherhood, where each step becomes an opportunity to reclaim your personal power. By adopting this practice, you can become an active participant in your maternal journey and open yourself to a new vision of motherhood, imbued with love, serenity, and greater alignment.
Throughout this series, Ingrid Regorsek has guided you through the world of perinatal hypnosis . If you feel the desire to explore this topic further or need support on your personal and/or maternal journey, she welcomes you via videoconference or at her office in La Valette du Var. To schedule an appointment, please visit the Resalib website .
