HypnoBirthing® Myths & Realities
HypnoBirthing® is a widely-recognized, yet sometimes misunderstood, childbirth preparation program. Let’s address 7 of the most common myths/misconceptions, and the truths behind them!
Myth #1: HypnoBirthing® mothers are not supposed to make noise in labor. They should be still and quiet.
The Truth: I am genuinely a bit confused by where this myth came from! If you turn to the HypnoBirthing® book, as well as the full course curriculum, nowhere does it state that women are to “remain silent.” In our text, as well as in the videos we show in class (particularly those released in recent years), you will hear about and see women vocalizing and using all kinds of movement/positions.
Sometimes words like “hypno, calm, relaxed, and confident” can create a picture of women laboring as quietly and as still as can be. However, just like all birthing women, some HypnoBirthing® mothers are quiet… some are louder … You can be relaxed, calm, in a state of hypnosis, and make sounds – they are not mutually exclusive. Some women use many different positions and forms of movement, while others do not. We want mothers to do whatever comes naturally to them!
Making instinctual sounds can help women feel empowered, in control, and as though they were able to express themselves in labor. Moving around can bring comfort and aid in baby’s positioning for birth. HypnoBirthing® mothers are free to make any and all noises, and choose any and all positions, that make them feel good. In the end, it is most important that women feel like they are the ones directing their labor.
Myth #2: HypnoBirthing® doesn’t “work” for everyone (especially first-time moms)!
The Truth: Marie Mongan, the creator of HypnoBirthing®, has a wonderful saying:
“It’s not if the program works for you… It’s how you work the program.”
I have found a two-fold meaning to Marie’s statement:
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First, I believe it signifies that HypnoBirthing® is indeed a program that takes practice and repetition – Just like using hypnosis or other techniques to create positive change in your life. This is why we emphasize the importance of taking the full course versus just reading the book.
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Second, I believe it means that it’s all about perspective — I have had numerous students tell me over the years that “Even though I had X intervention (or had a cesarean birth), I never felt out of control. I still felt calm and confident. I still used X technique(s) that we learned in class to help me through.” — And that is awesome!
HypnoBirthing® cannot promise that you will have a certain type of birth. We do encourage you to practice, practice, practice, and go into your birth with skills that will help you regardless of what turn your birthing may take!
To address first-time versus repeat moms in particular – I have seen (and heard reports from) just as many first-time moms as repeat moms who have had beautiful “HypnoBirthing® births.” You can check out my class web page as well as the Flutterby Blog for testimonials and birth stories from some of these women. It does a disservice to first-time birthers to insist that their birth will automatically be more difficult… or longer… or more painful… or more “impossible.”
Fun fact: Some of my quickest doula client births have been first-timers! When it comes to birth, all bets are off.
Regardless of how many babies one has given birth to, when the body is relaxed, the woman is calm and confident, and the environment is supportive, beautiful births happen.
Myth #3: HypnoBirthing® guarantees a pain-free birth/women won’t feel anything.
The Truth: The key word in this myth is “GUARANTEE.” In reality, HypnoBirthing® does nothing of the kind. Do we encourage women to birth instinctually, which may lead to experiencing less pain in labor? Absolutely. Do we teach breathing, relaxation, self-hypnosis, and visualization tools that may lead to a decrease in pain/pain perception? You bet! Do we reframe how we think of/talk about the pain and sensations that may be experienced in birth? Yup. And, do we protect ourselves from the messages we see everywhere that suffering must be a part of birth? Of course.
Do some HypnoBirthing® students report having zero pain during their birth – YES!
We explain and explore the Fear-Tension-Pain Cycle, a phenomenon first observed and noted by obstetrician Dr. Grantly Dick-Read: In the absence of fear (which produces tension in the body and releases hormones that trigger fight-flight-freeze/inhibits pain-blocking hormones), women are less likely to experience unbearable pain in labor, and their labors are more likely to move forward with fewer interventions.
We start out in Class One explaining exactly how the body (the uterus in particular) works in labor. Once we start dispelling myths about what is really going on there, as well as breaking through the negative messages that society gives us about birth, we almost instantly start to change our view and perceptions of extreme pain and its necessity in labor! Now, if a woman perceives pain during her labor, does that mean she has somehow “failed” at HypnoBirthing®? Absolutely not. There is not such thing as a “failed” HypnoBirth.
Myth #4: HypnoBirthing® only teaches ‘comfort techniques’ for birth.
The Truth: HypnoBirthing® is a fully-comprehensive childbirth preparation class. At 12.5 hours of class instruction and practice + out of class reading/practice/ “homework,” we are equal or greater in length to other time-tested programs such as Lamaze. We walk through the entire process of what occurs, both physically and mentally/emotionally, during labor. We discuss the phases of labor, what they look like, and how we can move through them using self-hypnosis and other tools.
One concept that Marie Mongan is clear about it this (and this is what makes us unique): If students come to class looking for lengthy discussions about medical interventions in birth, they won’t find it. This is purposeful and by design. We use our time together wisely to focus on how the mind and body work when free from medical intervention. Our classes are a safe space to explore what undisturbed, instinc-tual birth can look like… And I, for one, think this is wonderful and much-needed!
Do we explore several common interventions when we discuss making informed decisions in labor? Yes, of course – “Here are some of the options that may come up for you, here are the times these may be medically necessary, and here are ways you can advocate for yourself/your partner/your baby to feel more empowered in your care.”
The focus of HypnoBirthing® is on chipping away at the fear that many students come to class with. It is NOT about building up a sense of doom and “worst-case scenarios.” Of course, if students request more information about specific interventions, we are happy to discuss and point them in the right direction for additional evidence-based information.
Myth #5: HypnoBirths are not possible in a hospital setting.
The Truth: HypnoBirthing® happens in all settings – in hospitals, in freestanding birth centers, and at home. The majority of my own HypnoBirthing® students and doula clients are hospital birthers, but I get a beautiful mix of all choices. What does help someone have a better birth is to find a truly supportive medical provider, choose a location for their birth that doesn’t make them feel as though they are surrounded by peril, and to advocate well for themselves and their baby. We teach our students to be smart consumers of their health care – And to make a change in birthing location/providers if they do not feel fully understood and supported.
Oh, and we highly recommend hiring a HypnoBirthing®-trained/certified doula — They are experts at guiding families through the process and techniques, and provide such important perspective!
Myth #6: HypnoBirthing® doesn’t give students “enough” hypnosis audio tracks.
The Truth: This comes down to the root of our program and why Marie designed it in the way she did (it is the original childbirth hypnosis program). Having read through the previous five myths, you have seen me mention the terms “instinctual” and “undisturbed” several times. Another term to add to this discussion is “non-contrived.” Marie designed and produced just the right number of self-hypnosis audio tracks to help parents prepare for and make their way through birth, including the cornerstone Rainbow Relaxation. She kept things simple to help parents prepare for their births without feeling pressured to use dozens of tracks, one for each part/phase of labor. Additionally, each birth partner receives several hypnosis scripts to provide additional guidance for their partner.
The beauty is in the program’s simplicity and its encouragement to use your own natural birthing instincts with *just* the right amount of guidance and reinforcement. It has been a beautifully successful program for nearly 30 years.
Myth 7: HypnoBirthing® teaches that your baby will simply “float” out of your body with the use of special breathing… and HypnoBirthing® mothers don’t push.
The Truth: HypnoBirthing® does indeed teach a unique breathing technique that mothers learn how to use during the birthing phase of their labor. This technique harnesses the power of the breath to gently, but powerfully, nudge/move baby down and into the world, following mom’s instincts and what is called the “natural expulsive reflex.” It allows more oxygen to reach both mother and baby, and keeps one’s pelvic floor and tissues more relaxed throughout the process.
Marie designed this technique to assist versus resist what the mother’s body is naturally doing – moving baby down (as baby helps in the process). She had witnessed way too much of what is called “purple-faced” or “coached” pushing in the birthing room, with women holding their breath and being instructed to push as hard as they can, even when not medically necessary. She wanted to help women understand that their bodies were made to do this – And “Birth Breathing” simply helps in that process. It’s a powerful technique! In the absence of special circumstances, and under the care of a good and patient provider, the birthing phase can be so much more gentle and empowering. It looks just a little bit different for everyone (see answer to Myth #1). When you see its power before your very eyes, as I have, it is simply magical.
What other myths/concerns have you heard about HypnoBirthing®?
Leave a note in the comments, and I will do my best to address them!
Erin Stertz-Follett
HypnoBirthing® Educator, Certified Consulting Hypnotist
On a related note: I have addressed the basics of what hypnosis is (and what it’s not) HERE, so please feel free to explore that related topic as well.
Special thanks to Danica Donnelly Photography for the beautiful pics contained in this post, from a Flutterby HypnoBirthing® student/doula family’s birthing!
