How does Visualisation Work?

In our Positive Birth Program, ‘visualisation’ is one of the important tools that we teach in preparation for a positive birth. But… let’s face it, the word ‘visualisation’ can sound a bit ‘woo-woo’.

How does it actually work and is there any science backing up its effectiveness?

According to research using brain imagery, visualisation works because neurons in our brains (those electrically excitable cells that transmit information) interpret imagery as equivalent to a real-life action. So this means that when we visualise doing or achieving something, the brain actually tells our brain neurons to “perform” the movement. This creates a new neural pathway and primes our body to act in a way consistent with what we imagined.

All of this occurs without actually performing the physical activity, yet it achieves a similar result.

So if we ‘see’ it, we can ‘believe’ it and ultimately ‘achieve’ it. Cool huh?

And if you’d like to check out some great visualisations for birth – then CLICK HERE to visit the Visualizing Birth website which hosts a great collection of images to inspire you.

Visualise what you want… and let your brain help you to achieve your goals! It ain’t ‘woo-hoo’ – it’s science!

You can read more about the power of visualisation in this Huffington Post article – How to Use Visualization to Achieve Your Goals. The article doesn’t directly reference childbirth – but the information is definitely applicable to pregnancy, birth and beyond.

If you’d like to learn more about the power of visualisation and other evidence based complementary tools that we cover in our Hypnobirthing Australia classes – just CLICK HERE to find your nearest class or CLICK HERE for the online course.