Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to read our Course Outline which details what we cover in our Hypnobirthing Australia course.

What is hypnobirthing?

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, visualisation, 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 does hypnobirthing differ from other childbirth preparation methods?

Other childbirth methods tend to teach you how to ‘cope with and manage pain’, hypnobirthing is based on the premise that a healthy woman, with an uncomplicated healthy pregnancy and healthy baby, should be able to birth in a more comfortable manner and without unnecessary interventions. We focus on the joy of birth and positively anticipate our birthing day. When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones (created by fear), they learn to release fear and create endorphins instead. Endorphins are the ‘feel good hormones’ that we naturally produce when we are calm and happy. We also change our perceptions. Instead of thinking of a ‘long, painful labour’ – we replace this thought 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 us to work in harmony with our body and baby. This allows us to achieve an often shorter and more comfortable labour for mum and baby.

Click here for more information on our program.

Click here to find out how the Hypnobirthing Australia™ Program differs from other childbirth education programs.

When should I start classes?

You can begin hypnobirthing any time, but we recommend that the optimal time to start your course is between 20 and 30 weeks. This will give you time to practise the self-hypnosis, relaxation and other effective techniques for gentle, easy birthing but also ensures that the course is still fresh in your mind. If you are outside of that range please don’t worry, you can definitely still attend the classes and achieve a beautiful, calm birth. Melissa actually learnt hypnobirthing only 3 weeks before the birth of her first child and went on to use it successfully for all three children! Please contact us directly about options if you are further along in your pregnancy.

Should I still attend hospital antenatal classes?

The choice is yours. The Hypnobirthing Australia Course is a very comprehensive course in natural childbirth education. Hospital antenatal courses often cover a lot of information about interventions and medical procedures during birth. In hypnobirthing we learn all about the birth process, what to expect during pregnancy/the onset of labour/birthing, how to release any fears associated with birthing and we learn techniques (relaxation, breathing, visualisations and deepening exercises) to use during labour. Having said that, we are of the belief that ‘knowledge is power’ and the knowledge that you will gain through antenatal classes, along with your hypnobirthing classes, can help you to make informed decisions. So ultimately, the choice is yours whether you choose to attend just our course, or both.

Who do I bring to classes?

Bring yourself and your birth partner/companion. Your birth partner can be your partner, doula, sister, friend, mother – whoever you feel will best support you throughout your pregnancy and birth. However, you are also welcome to come solo if you prefer.

How is the birth partner involved?

The birth partner of the mother’s choice can be an integral part of the hypnobirthing experience. He or she practices with the mother in helping to prepare for deep relaxation. During labour the partner guides the labouring mother through hypnosis prompts, relaxation techniques, deepening methods, and visualisations, provides comfort measures, and joins in welcoming the new baby.

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 labour 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 experience time distortion and 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 caesarean birth?

Absolutely. The things you will learn in your hypnobirthing classes will help you to learn relaxation skills 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 caesareans 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.

Can hypnobirthing be beneficial to someone who has special circumstances, VBAC or who must have a C-section?

Hypnobirthing is very beneficial to Mums who have special circumstances. Many obstetricians, midwives and doctors are now requesting that mothers take a hypnobirthing course or similar before VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean).

In fact, we even have special tracks and an alternative program designed for caesarean birth. We want you to experience a positive and empowering birth; regardless of how your precious baby comes into the world. That’s what we are all about… positive birthing and parenting.

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 have prepared for their birth differently.

Melissa can speak from personal experience (having used hypnobirthing techniques for her own 3 births) and says, “I can honestly tell you that when I worked with my body (in a relaxed state), I felt strong sensations, tightening, pressure, but not directly what could be described as ‘pain’. It was no ‘walk in the park’, it was at times very hard work, but there was no screaming or distress. I was calm, focused and working with my body to birth my children. My hypnobirths were beautiful, positive, calm and very joyful births and I believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to experience birth that way!”

What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with hypnobirthing?

More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of hypnobirthing. 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 plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and preferences to your doctor or midwife.

If I enrol in the Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course and I have a question, can I call or email for a response?

You have several avenues to contact us with any questions you have if you have enrolled in the Hypnobubs™ Hypnobirthing Online Course option.

If you have a question – it is very likely that there are other mothers doing the course who have the very same question! So you if are ok with posting your question publicly, then other hypno-mamas can also benefit from seeing that there are others like them, and being able to read the response.

So if you are happy to post your question publicly you can:

1) Post your question as a ‘comment’ in the lesson of the hypnobubs online course.

2) If you have joined our Hypnobubs™ Facebook Parents Support Group (this is a Facebook group that we have created that is only open to hypnobubs parents) – then you can post your question there. This way you will also have the benefit of support from the hypnobubs team of practitioners and hundreds of hypnobubs parents.

However, I do understand that sometimes you may have a question that is more of a sensitive nature and you would prefer not to post it publicly. In this case you have a couple of other options. You can:

3) Email us directly at support@hypnobubs.com and we will get back to you within 48 hours.

4) If you have purchased the hypnobubs online course you have the option of upgrading to include a private session with a hypnobubs practitioner at the special price of $150 for a one-on-one 90 minute session (either in person or online via Web Conference/Zoom/Skype), depending on your location). Click here to find your closest practitioner. This one on one session can be absolutely invaluable in building your confidence leading up to birth.

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