Childbirth no longer needs to be a painful experience.  For many expectant women, hypnosis for childbirth offers a safe and highly effective method of controlling an anticipated painful delivery, without the use of drugs. Many obstetricians are now becoming aware of the use of hypnosis for childbirth as an adjunctive technique, evidenced by the increasing number of reports and studies.  To some, hypnosis is a way to stop smoking, lose weight, release tension and stress, but for many others it's a way to deliver a baby in a very relaxed and pain free manner.

        Hypnosis is a natural state of mind, which can be developed and used

                  as a beneficial tool for pain management during childbirth.

Benefits of hypnosis for Childbirth During Pregnancy:

• Overcoming morning sickness
• Relief from back pain and headaches
• Release of tension and stress
• Ease prenatal physical discomfort
• Learn how to relax

Using Hypnotic Childbirth techniques enables the expectant mother to enjoy relaxation while the physiological changes necessary for giving birth are occurring.  It allows the ‘mom’ to fully participate in the experience of giving birth, while providing a mental escape from the discomfort of labor.  Relaxation is the goal of Hypnotic Childbirth.  With relaxation comes a feeling of self-control, confidence, security, contentment and well-being.  While using hypnosis, the expectant mother remains very relaxed and might only feel a slight bit of discomfort with each contraction, allowing her to be able to work with her body's natural process of giving birth.

This program teaches the expectant mother techniques that will take her and her baby on a journey of peace and enjoyment; showing them a way to move from fear and pain to pleasure and awareness.  More than eighty-five percent of expectant mothers using the techniques of natural Hypnotic Childbirth will go through the birthing process with complete comfort.

Benefits of Hypnotic Childbirth:

• Reduction of fear, tension and anxiety in association with pain.
• Shortens the first stages of labor by approximately 3-4 hours.
• Mom can gain control of painful uterine contractions.
• Speeder recovery is also achieved.
• No possibility of harm will be done to the mother or baby by using Hypnoanesthesia.
• Experience relaxation and imagery as they apply it to pregnancy and delivery.
• Reduction of the amount of pain medication needed.
• Enables bonding between the mother and child to take place with greater depth.                                 
• Mom and Baby will be more alert and aware during and after the birthing process.     

How Many Sessions are Required?  We have set up a 6-session protocol beginning in the third trimester, although many start earlier to ease the experience of pregnancy.  It is suggested that the ‘mom’ is just involved in the first three or four sessions, and the their husband, coach or birthing partner can participate in the last few.  These sessions include techniques of:

• Self-Hypnosis
• Relaxation
• Self-Deepening
• Wakeful Hypnosis
• Anchoring of Suggestions
• Post Hypnotic Suggestions
• Communication and Team Work between Mom and Baby
• Visualization
• Guided Imagery Tape
• Hospital Protocol and Mom’s Choices
• Suggested Words
• Teaching Dad, Partner or Birthing Coach How to Work with this Program

What Is Hypnosis?  The word hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypno, meaning sleep, used to describe a very relaxed, wondrous calm state of mind and body.  Hypnosis may be defined as an altered state of consciousness characterized by a heightened state of suggestibility, increased physical relaxation and a focusing of attention and concentration on a specific thought or idea.  It allows one to bypass the critical part of the mind and communicate directly with the uncritical subconscious mind. 

The hypnotized ‘mom’ is fully aware of everything around her.  She will hear the doctor's voice and respond appropriately as she will be fully aware of her surroundings. Learning how to utilize self-hypnosis on her own will allow the expectant mother to relax with each contraction.  At all times ‘mom’ will be in complete control; and can choose to remain relaxed with her eyes closed or be in a wakeful hypnotic state and still remains relaxed, while working with her body in the way it was intended for natural childbirth.  Hypnosis allows us to minimize the effort and maximize the results.

Medical technology came to realize the benefits of hypnosis in 1958 when the AMA approved hypnosis for a safe therapeutic approach to medical and psychological problems.  The AMA is now recognizing the benefits of using hypnosis for patient's recovery and healing. 

Marla Brucker has implemented one of the most effective and successful programs on natural Hypnotic Childbirth. She has developed an effective natural Hypnotic Childbirth program for expectant mothers from the early months of pregnancy, through delivery. This unique and uplifting series of sessions offers information, exercises and tools that can make the difference between a painful, drug induced delivery, or a relaxed and natural birth.  The program also helps the mom during her pregnancy in helping her to understand, and better work with her bodily changes.