Affirmations – Birthing Zone

Affirmations are a great way for your Birth Companion to support you during childbirth.  While you are doing any techniques you like to get you relaxed, your Birth Companion can simply read your favorite affirmations to you to provide additional support.  Check out post, “Affirmations” for more information on affirmations and creating your own affirmations. 
In [...]

Relaxation Techniques

I don’t always see a clear-cut line between relaxation, deepening and visualization techniques, but to simplify things while you’re learning we’re going to categorize the techniques.  Here’s a list of the relaxation techniques you’ll be learning through the HypnoBirthing book and/or your NC HypnoBirthing class:

Progressive Relaxation
Disappearing Letters
Light Touch Massage
Anchors

Shoulder Anchor
Verbal Anchor

Affirmations
Eye Fixation – Hypnotic Induction
Double Hypnotic [...]

Why all the Fuss about Releasing Fears?

Have you ever heard that something can go wrong during pregnancy and birthing?  There’s no doubt that these kinds of things have been shared with you by concerned friends and family members, co-workers and even strangers.  It is amazing how total strangers will approach a pregnant woman and share the most horrific birthing story they know with her.  [...]

Facial Relaxation

Facial relaxation is simply a technique of relaxing the muscles in the face and often in the rest of the head.  Many progressive relaxation techniques begin with facial relaxation.  Relaxing your face and head is a powerful way to relax your entire mind and body and prepare for birthing, especially if you you give yourself additional [...]

Double Hypnotic Induction

A double hypnotic induction is when two sets of instructions are given at one time.  Hypnotherapists accomplish this several ways:

Two hypnotherapists work together giving suggestion one at a time and building off of each other

Two hypnotherapists each speak into one ear and give suggestions at the same time

One hypnotherapist uses one tone of voice for one set of suggestions [...]

Fear Release: Step 1 – Worry List

As identified by Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, MD, breaking the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome is an important part of preparing for a calm birthing experience.  Thinking about your fears related to birthing and being a parent isn’t necessarily high on anyone’s list of things to do.  But if you don’t do it now, chances are that you’ll spend even more [...]

Fear Release: Step 2 – Conscious Fear Resolution

After you’ve completed your Worry List or the Emotion Release Worksheet (see “Fear Release: Step 1 – Worry List“), you’re ready to start consciously resolving your fears.  We’ll also be supporting your fear resolution unconsciously both in class and through your bonus Birthing Zone CD.  We can also work on unconscious fear resolution on a one-on-one basis.
To [...]

Practice With and Without Movement

When you first begin your relaxation practice, you’ll want to find a comfortable position and you’ll likely stay in that position for the entire practice session.  When you don’t move around much, it makes it easier to get deeply relaxed, especially when you’re still new to hypnosis.  
In addition to adding distractions when you get more skilled at getting [...]

Practice With and Without Distractions

When you first begin your relaxation practice, you’ll want to create a supportive environment.  Dim the lights, create a quiet environment, get into a comfortable position and you may even want to turn off the phone.  As you become skilled in getting deeply relaxed, it’s good to start including some distractions into your practice sessions.  The purpose [...]

Birthing Goals

Clearly defined goals are a great way to guide your life.  When faced with new information or unexpected road blocks, it may be necessary to adjust your goals.  However, it’s not possible to foresee every possible obstacle, nor is it helpful to spend a lot of time dwelling on what can go wrong.  The best strategy [...]