Magic of Motherhood: Pregnancy Counseling and Perinatal Development

Hypnotherapy in pregnancy and birth

Hypnosis is very simply: Focused concentration. It is a natural state of mind in which the body and mind are very relaxed and yet the mind is also highly aware and focused. The pregnant woman can choose to enter, stay in, or come out of hypnosis at will. She is totally conscious of what is going on and is in control at all times. Using hypnosis for pregnancy, labor and birth enables the laboring mother to have a shorter labor with fewer complications.

Hypnosis is a long-used method of directly speaking to the subconscious mind, bypassing our very active and critical conscious mind, so that we can learn new attitudes and responses more quickly and easily. Hypnosis allows the deepest relaxation possible, along with suggestions for pain and fear elimination, thus affecting a quicker and easier birth process for both mother and child, with less bleeding, fewer complications, and quicker recovery.

Breech babies and posterior babies can also be turned with hypnosis, and discomforts of pregnancy like insomnia and back pain can be alleviated as well.

Why use Hypnosis for childbirth?

* Relaxed Mom and Dad throughout pregnancy, labor and birth. Both parents participate in the Hypnosis and Fear Release sessions, providing them with a sense of calm and confidence.

* Shorter labors due to lack of resistance in the birthing muscles. Many mothers are laboring an average of 6 hours!

* Fewer complications and interventions, as the body and mind stay completely relaxed during labor. Posterior and Breech babies can be turned with hypnosis as well.

* Fewer drugs or no drugs at all, means less risk of harmful side effects for mother and baby.

Hypnosis to eliminate pain and fear from childbirth has been in existence for many years, and is now taught by qualified hypnotherapists and in formalized classes.

Discomfort in childbirth can be the result of the Fear/Tension/Pain Cycle (Syndrome). This begins with Fear, which produces tension in the body, which creates tightness (Tension) and constriction of the uterine muscles, which results in Pain.

During Pregnancy, hypnotherapy sessions prepare a mother for the birth process and her new life as a parent.

Is this hypnobirthing? In the media the term HypnoBirthing has become a generic term for using hypnosis for birth, however the registered HypnoBirthing approach is based on attending a face to face course using material created by Marie Mongan.

Hypnosis for birth is actually much older of a practice, utilized by Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, the father of Natural Childbirth, as well as native midwives all over the world. Dr. Chasse is a certified advanced clinical hypnotherapist who is also trained in developmental and family psychology, childbirth, maternal/perinatal wellness, public health, midwifery and health administration. She utilizes these teaching, education and information in her Magic of Motherhood perinatal hypnotherapy.

Credits: Kerry T. from hypnobabies.com, Jill Chasse, and Maggie H. (natalhypnotherapy)

Prebirth Bonding

Pre-birth bonding helps the mother recognize and experience fully the connection between herself and her baby, while creating a comforting, loving, and positive atmosphere and aura for the child.

The womb is a nurturing environment itself, but the emotions of the mother, both negative and positive, reflect directly on the baby's state of mind and being.

After delivery, an "invisible umbilical cord" still exists between the mother and newborn child. It is important and tremendously rewarding on both ends, to keep up this magical connection. It may take weeks for the baby to even acknowledge itself and it's mother as separate entities.

During this period, every sense is attuned to the mother as he or she looks upon her with complete love and fascination.

What can I expect as a patient??

As in any therapy, confidential one-on-one sessions are the most common. These sessions help to provide the mother with a safe, non-stressed environment where she could ask questions, talk freely, and gain advice and support. Many counselors use hypnotherapy/ autosuggestion for relaxation, anti-stress/anti-pain, self-esteem, and other various therapeutic reasons, as well as communication with the unborn baby and stimulating a mystical and spiritual energy level. A hypnotic state is a natural relaxed state of the human mind. Hypnosis can be tremendously helpful to a counselor as a catalyst for reaching the subconscious. Discovering any hidden fears or reasons behind anxieties or problems plays an important role in lessening the physical and emotional turmoil that sometimes accompanies pregnancy in all of its stages.

Counseling can also be done in group sessions, which is especially good for the less "general" pregnancies, such as adolescent mothers, high risk mothers, and even nursing mothers (although the percentage of nursing mothers is rapidly increasing into the general population). Support groups help women discuss common problems and relate to each other on personal issues where they had previously felt alone, while still under the supervision of a counselor, ready to answer any question, comment on the conversation, or bring up issues to discuss.

Blessingway/Shower Celebration guidance

In many nature-based religions, going from Maiden to Mother is an important and highly symbolic stage, which dates back to a significant and celebrated event since before medieval times. The "Mother" stage carries the responsibility of teaching and caring for a child, as well as providing and receiving love and happiness, as a powerful bond is created between mother and child.

A Blessingway can help to celebrate this rite of passage into motherhood.

Magic of Motherhood can help you prepare your Blessingway Celebration from invites to rituals to activities!

see Jill's own Blessingway

How does this help me?

You have a doctor or midwife for your physical care, but what about emotional support and education? Having a child is one of the most significant events in a person’s life. It can be quite stressful and demanding, and can hinder healthy bonding/ attachment with baby, as well as career and relationships.

Psychological support and education during pregnancy reduces the risk of birth trauma, Caesarean delivery, medical intervention, and postpartum depression. Additionally, this support reduces stress and increases the strength of the couple relationship.

Women who have had previous trauma, abuse, baby loss, or depression may find a very considerable benefit.

Bonding and interacting with baby before birth helps both mother and father form a strong and healthy relationship with their child, encouraging more effective parenting and an easier transition into parenthood.

How does this help my baby?

Early stimulation, while your baby’s brain is forming, increases mental and cognitive health and development.

Interaction supports psychosocial health and amplifies baby’s communication and language acquisition skills.

Attention and acknowledgement while in the womb builds the ground for the trust and security he or she will need for a healthy future.

Preparing baby for birth reduces the stress and traumatic experience, which could have long lasting psychological effects.