Frequently asked questions about HypnoBirthing®

• General Questions 24

General Questions

• What is HypnoBirthing® the Mongan method?

  HypnoBirthing® is a childbirth method that focuses on preparing parents for gentle birth.  In HypnoBirthing® classes, you will learn proven techniques in a well-thought-out program of deep relaxation, visualization, and self-hypnosis. All of these are designed to help you achieve a more comfortable birth. HypnoBirthing® encourages a calm, peaceful, and natural pregnancy, birth, and bonding experience for families.

• How old is this method?

  This method has been around for over 30 years. It originated in the U.S. Marie Mongan is the pioneer in this field. There are practitioners that teach HypnoBirthing® in 33 countries. Women all over the world have been experiencing peaceful, fulfilling, calm births with the help of HypnoBirthing.

• What are the benefits of taking this course?

  You and your partner will gain a lot from this course namely:

  • You will gain an understanding of how your pregnant body functions and what to expect at the different stages of birthing
  • You will learn deep relaxation techniques (self-hypnosis) which will not only help during labor and birth but all through your life.
  • Both you and your partner will bond with your baby even before he/she is even born.
  • You will understand your rights as a birthing woman and will be knowledgeable about what to expect when you’re in the hospital.
  • Your partner will know how to help you be as comfortable as possible during labor and birth.
  • You will be clear on what you want and what you don’t want to happen during the birth of your baby.
  • And a lot more…

   

• How does HypnoBirthing® differ from other childbirth preparation methods?

  Unlike other childbirth methods that teach you how to cope with and manage pain, HypnoBirthing® is based on the premise that childbirth does not necessarily need to be painful if the mother is properly prepared and relaxed and supported. When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear they learn, instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel good hormones. They are then able to change their expectations of long, painful labor and are able to replace them with expectations of a more comfortable birthing.  Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing and the distraction techniques of typical “prepared childbirth” programs, HypnoBirthing® parents learn deep abdominal breathing and total relaxation, enabling the laboring mother to work in harmony with her body and her baby. This allows her to achieve a shorter and more comfortable labor for herself and baby.

• What is the teacher’s experience?

  Ilona Fritsch is a Hypnotherapist trained in the U.S. by the best teachers in the field. She is a Health Educator trained at Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida and a HypnoBirthing childbirth educator trained by Marie Mongan the founder. She has been teaching this method since 1997 in French and English.

  She is also on the faculty of the HypnoBirthing® Institute and regularly trains practitioners from all over Canada and Europe.

• How long are the classes?

  Classes are 2h. 30 min. long for 5 consecutive weeks.

• How often do the classes run?

  Classes run continuously all year around.

• Does my partner have to come with me to the classes?

  Yes it is very important that you have your partner with you to learn the techniques that you will use during labor and birth. Should this not be possible, than a friend or family member (ex. mother or sister is advised)You might want to discuss the possibilities with Ilona.
  

• I find it difficult to relax. Can I still do this program?

  Everyone who wants to learn this program can. The only requirement is to do the exercises regularly with your partner. With practice you will succeed.

• Will I be unconscious or will I remember my birth experience?

  Despite misconceptions and misinformation, you are definitely not unconscious during self-hypnosis. The HypnoBirthing® mother is deeply relaxed, but she is also an active participant in the labor process.  Though she is deeply relaxed, she is totally aware and may return to a conversant state or choose to become mobile whenever she desires. HypnoBirthing® mothers often find that they are so relaxed that they are not distracted by other people or their birthing environment, while they focus on their birthing and their baby

• Will HypnoBirthing® be useful to me if I don’t opt for a natural childbirth or if circumstances necessitate medical intervention or a surgical birth?

  Absolutely.  What you will learn in your HypnoBirthing® classes will help you achieve deep relaxation levels that will be useful to both you and your baby, regardless of your birth experience.  In the event that medical intervention of any sort is needed, you will find yourself better able to remain calm and in control.  Mothers who have needed scheduled cesareans for medical reasons report that they were totally relaxed before, during and after the procedure.  Many report that they needed little or no medication following the birth, and they were able to return to normal functioning in a very short period of time.

• Where are the classes held?

  Classes are held at 41 Filion, St-Sauveur, Quebec, J0R 1R0 (In the Laurentians) In Montreal near the Atwater market at 4020 St-Ambroise, Suite 472, Montreal, Quebec and also on Zoom.
  

• When is the best time to register?

  My suggestion is to start the classes when you are about mid-term i.e.  at 21st week of pregnancy. This is because when you start feeling the baby moving you will think : “I better get prepared now” Also, you would benefit from this course even if your due date is very close. However, the more you practice with your partner and listen to the Rainbow relaxation MP3, the better you will be prepared.

• What is the cost for these classes?

  The five weeks of 2h 30 min. every week group classes cost $495.00 CAD. (taxes included).

• What are the payment options?

  Payments may be made by Visa, Interac, MC or Paypal. Full payment is required before or on the day of the first class.
  

• Do you also offer private classes?

  Yes prenatal classes can be taken privately at your convenience. The cost is $795.00 CAD. (taxes included).

• What will we learn during these classes?

  We work on releasing fears that were programmed perhaps since childhood, we will use positive imagery to create the birth you desire.
  We will do a detailed birth plan together so you will know what you want and do not want to happen during labor and birth.
  Numerous techniques will be thought that with practice will become second nature to you and your partner.
  Your partner will understand how important his or her role will be during labor and birth.

• What if I’m close to the end of my pregnancy?

  It would still be recommended that you take the classes. Some parents had their baby after only 3 classes and they still benefited greatly.

• Is it true that I will experience a pain-free birth with HypnoBirthing®?

  HypnoBirthing® does not promise painless birthing, though many HypnoBirthing® mothers do report having a relatively pain-free birth or one that they were able to manage easily.  When the cause of pain–fear that constricts the birthing muscles—is eliminated, birthing can be accomplished in a shorter period and much more comfortably. A relaxed mother’s body will produce more endorphins, nature’s own relaxants.  HypnoBirthing® mothers may still experience sensations of tightening or pressure; but most describe their birth experience as working with their body through the sensations, and thus avoiding the excruciating pain that is frequently spoken of by women who choose other methods of preparation for birthing.

• What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with HypnoBirthing®? Can I still use this method and how can my healthcare providers help me to achieve my HypnoBirthing® goals?

  More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of HypnoBirthing®. Many hospitals offer HypnoBirthing® as an option in their childbirth education programs, and HypnoBirthing® is now taught in some schools of medecine to student doctors.  If your care giver is not knowledgeable about HypnoBirthing®, take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment that you desire.  In class, you will learn how to create a list of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your doctor or midwife.  Also, your HypnoBirthing® instructor can contact your provider with information on HypnoBirthing®.

• I’m scheduled for a Caesarian. Should I still take the course?

  HypnoBirthing® Is Beneficial to Moms Who Must Have A C-section—
  Read the thoughts of Sharon Gourlay (Sharon@sacredbeginning.com) from Lancaster, Ohio, detailing her experience.

  “As a mother who must have C-sections I used the HypnoBirthing® techniques throughout my pregnancies with my two daughters, Samantha and Isabella; and HypnoBirthing® helped me in several different ways:

  Prenatal Bonding – HypnoBirthing® encouraged me to connect with my unborn child. After having several traumatic pregnancies I found it hard to bond with my baby. By singing, talking, and being consciously aware of my child I found a positive connection to my baby. I wasn’t living in the past I was engaging the present through various creative bonding techniques. HypnoBirthing® embraces the idea of prenatal bonding and this is helpful to ALL mothers.

  Breathing Techniques– Why would I need to learn breathing techniques if having a C-section? The point of the breathing techniques for a mother having a C-section is to help slow the body down. Why do you want to do that? Nerves and stress can impact the mother’s ability to take anesthesia and impact her surgery. Using the breathing techniques can help facilitate the body accepting the anesthesia easily. It allows a Mom to relax and use hypnosis effectively. Breathing deeply can be a quick way to calm oneself to be consciously present in the moment without stress. This is an effective tool for parenting, breast feeding, and life.

  Rainbow Relaxation–The Rainbow Relaxation CD is the HypnoBirthing® Program CD and it was created with the primary purpose of helping Mom to relax and be able to use her natural expulsive reflex. However, there are so many more ways in which the Rainbow CD is helpful.  It can be used for prenatal bonding, getting better in tune with your body, and just relaxing. If you are relaxed before, during, and after surgery your recovery will be easier, quicker, and hopefully filled with less pain or no pain at all. Donald Curtis said “Relaxation means releasing all concern and tension and letting the natural order of life flow through one’s being”. The feeling that this CD helps foster is a deep relaxation which is critical post birthing for being an effective parent and again with breast feeding.

  Birth Preferences– You might think, “I am having a Cesarean Section so I have no Birth Preferences, right?” That is not true at all. In HypnoBirthing® we go over all of the various areas that a vaginal birth preference document incorporates. There is no reason that the same principles used to create a vaginal birth plan cannot be used for a C-section birth (Pre-Admission, Admission, Prior to Surgery, Surgery, Recovery, and Baby Options). If you must have a C-section, we encourage you to research your options for anesthesia, surgery, and recovery. There is even a family friendly gentle C-section procedure that was developed in England for OB’s to use that mimics some of the sensations of a vaginal birth for the baby. We can provide you with that information to present to your doctor. Most of all we encourage open communication between you and your care providers. That includes your entire health team to include OB/GYN, Interns, Labor and Birthing Nurses, Anesthesiologist, and post care nurses.

  Fear Release– In HypnoBirthing® we incorporate a fear release session to help mothers to leave their fears behind and feel empowered going into their births. Just because you are having a C-section does not mean you cannot be empowered. Having a baby can cause parents to have some serious fears. If you couple those fears with that of the major surgery of a C-section you have parents who are stressed, worried, and not relaxed to welcome their baby into the world. Doing the HypnoBirthing® fear release exercise can open communication up between couples, allow them an opportunity to resolve concerns, and participate in an exercise that helps them to release their fears. Through releasing these fears we are able to have parents who are calm and confident. This is a solid base to begin their adventure into parenting.

  Education– Through taking the HypnoBirthing® class parents are encouraged to investigate their choices in birthing. They are taught how to ask questions of the birthing team in a respectful manner while being clear that the birthing energy is their own. They are good parents first before being “good patients”. Learning as much as possible is important when presented with a special circumstance or a surgical birth. Parents are exposed to options to help empower and educate them on alternative holistic approaches which can be beneficial. Some of these holistic approaches can include hypnotherapy, acupuncture, herbal remedies, prenatal massage, and even Reiki.

  Hypnotherapy can have a huge impact in helping a mother through a C-section and during recovery. Many HypnoBirthing® practitioners are hypnotherapists themselves or are aware of hypnotherapists in their area to whom they can refer.

  This referral can help a mother in many ways. Parents who use hypnotherapy for pre- and post-surgery preparation find their anxiety is greatly reduced. They are calm, and confident which promotes healing and a speedy recovery. Hypnosis will help to reduce pain and discomfort after surgery. It will help reduce bleeding during and after surgery which is helpful for mothers recovering from birth. Many moms report that it reduces the need for post operative drugs so they can breastfeed without worry of drugs passing through to the baby. “From a recovery perspective, I was able to walk after my C-sections between 3 and 5 hours after surgery. I had very little discomfort, and my incisions healed rapidly.”

  You don’t have to “go it alone” if you are facing a necessary C-section.  HypnoBirthing® techniques will see you through in many ways.

• My baby is breech. What can you do for me?

  I have helped numerous mothers with hypnosis to turn the baby. The success rate is 85% and it is gentle for mother and baby.

• How can I know that I’m taking the course from a professional?

  It is strongly recommended that you attend classes with an officially recognized HypnoBirthing® instructor.

  HypnoBirthing® is the longest established and most widely respected hypnosis for birth program in the world.

  HypnoBirthing® is thought in 33 countries and there are over 3,200 practitioners around the world.

  A list of official practitioners can be obtained from the official HypnoBirthing® website in the US here: HypnoBirthing® instructors If a practitioner is not on this list, then they are NOT official HypnoBirthing® practitioners!

• I’m planning a VBAC – Will HypnoBirthing® help?

  Very definitely! Especially for those who had a caesarean because of “failure to progress” or “failed inductions”. HypnoBirthing® will help you to regain your confidence in natural birth and your own body and will help you to regain control of the birth process.