Hypnobirthing for Planned C Section
Preparing for C Section
The ability of giving birth is life’s greatest gift to women. However, having a baby is not as easy as it may sound. It is a painful process, and it’s absolutely normal to have anxious thoughts and fear of pain. While there are drugs available to help you with the pain, there’s a natural way to alleviate the pain during both vaginal delivery and caesarean delivery.
Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is a gentle view of childbirth. This method uses practiced breathing, visualization, labor comfort, and support from partners to train the mother to elicit deep relaxation during the process of birthing. Instead of pain, mothers who experienced hypnobirthing describe the whole experience as internalizing pressure. This method is basically ‘mind over matter’.
This birthing method is created by Marie Mongan, M.Ed., a highly awarded hypnotherapist from Harvard University Ford Foundation. Hypnobirthing is based on the works of Grantly Dick-Read, M.D., from his book Childbirth Without Fear. According to Dick-Read, the use of hypnosis helps women during labor get through the ‘Fear-Tension-Pain syndrome’. He believed that this syndrome causes the blood to flow away from organs such as the uterus to large muscles in the legs, and that relaxation through hypnosis prevents this from happening.
Hypnobirthing for Planned C Section
Vaginal delivery is promoted by many doctors, but caesarean delivery remains to be a major option for many birthing cases. In most cases, if the mother is at risk of complications such as placenta abruption, placenta previa, uterine rupture, and preeclampsia, doctors will most likely suggest a caesarean delivery.
A caesarean delivery may cause the mother to be more anxious since she most likely expects and prefers normal delivery. Hypnobirthing for a planned c section can improve your caesarean delivery in many different ways. Here are some benefits of hypnobirthing for planned c section:
Promotes Relaxation
Medical problems may arise if you are too worried or excited about the delivery. Hypnobirthing teaches you how to keep yourself calm and relaxed. The relaxation techniques taught in hypnobirthing will also remove all kinds of tension in your body, helping you ease the whole experience.
Releases Fear
C section involves surgery, and hypnobirthing for planned c section can help you release your fears of surgeries. This therapy encourages better communication about being open to having a caesarean delivery when necessary. This way, you can talk to your partner or family and help you release fear and tension.
Fosters Prenatal Bonding
Hypnobirthing encourages mother and infant bond even before the delivery of the child. The internalization techniques taught in hypnobirthing helps form a deep connection between the mother and the unborn child.
Promotes Fast Recovery
C section requires the mother to rest after the surgery. Hypnobirthing helps speed up your recovery by helping you keep calm and reduce the pain during the healing process so that you can care for your baby as soon as possible.
Summary
A caesarean delivery may be unavoidable in some cases, but with an empowered mind, you can remain calm and relaxed throughout the process. Make sure to consult your doctor before you decide to go for hypnobirthing for planned c section.
Sources:
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/pain-relief/hypnobirthing