What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a state of focused concentration where the body and mind relax together; It is NOT a state of unconsciousness or sleep.  It is very simply: a natural state of mind in which the body and mind are extremely relaxed and yet the mind is also highly aware and focused.  We are all in states of hypnosis many times a day automatically (i.e., driving a car, watching a movie, daydreaming...).  Hypnosis is a very normal state of being that along with it's ability to provide emotional and physical healing, has been widely and successfully used within the medical community for pain relief and hypno-anesthesia.  ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis... you can enter and exit a state of hypnosis at will.  You are NOT under any type of "mind control" and can never be made to do anything, or even accept any suggestions, that you do not want to.

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What is Hypnobabies?

Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education course that incorporates hypnotic techniques, imagery, and visualization to re-program the mind in a very positive way.  By doing this we can eliminate the fear and pain that are associated with childbirth.  Most hypno-moms have faster, easier, and more comfortable birthing experiences than women who do no utilize the tools gained through our Hypnobabies course.  We have the best success rate in the childbirth hypnosis field.  Hypnobabies is a highly successful program of hypnosis for childbirth, based on the work of Gerald Klein and his Painless Childbirth program.  We have also had some wonderful input from Richard Widmeier's New Concepts on Painless Childbirth, and some excellent visualizations from Dr. Gayle Petersen and Shelley Stockwell, PhD.  We are grateful to them for their generous contributions.  We also have resources in our program from many other talented and gracious authors, which gives Hypnobabies a well-rounded approach to childbirth education.  In a Hypnobabies course you will learn all you need to know about pregnancy and the birth process AS WELL AS hypnotic techniques to help you achieve a drug-free, pain-free birth!

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Will it be painless?

Although our success rate is the best that exists in the childbirth hypnosis field, I cannot promise you a completely pain-free birth experience.  There are many things that will affect your success, especially your choices in childbirth and your commitment level.  However, if you take your Hypnobabies training seriously, practice your hypnosis cues and continue to do your maintenance work until baby comes, you will be amazed and thrilled with your birthing and create fascination and happy surprise all around you as you use your Hypnobabies techniques.  One of the best aspects of this class is that you will be able to eliminate the fear that causes tension and pain in birthing, a necessary step for any woman soon to give birth.  Most Hypnobabies Moms only experience pressure or tightening sensations as they give birth!  Around 70% of moms who use Hypnobabies report painless / very comfortable births.

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Will I be disconnected from my childbirth experience if I choose to use Hypnobabies?

NO!  You will be in a heightened state of awareness while using Hypnobabies.  You will feel more in tune with yourself and more connected with your baby.  You will not be passive.  You will feel all the sensations of childbirth WITHOUT experiencing pain.  Your mind and body will work together so well that you will instinctively know what you need to do.  Onlookers might very well assume that our moms are disconnected from the experience because our moms tend to be so relaxed... they may even look like they are sleeping!  However, this is not the case!  Because

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When is the best time in my pregnancy to start Hypnobabies?

Some women take classes early in their pregnancy, and practicing Hypnobabies helps them to be relaxed, comfortable and confident for the rest of their pregnancies.  Others start later, at 6 or 7 months, when they know they can devote 30-40 minutes daily to practicing.  Keep in mind that our classes meet once a week for SIX weeks, therefore it's best to start the program with enough time to complete the entire course.  If you choose to take the course early in your pregnancy, realize that you still must commit to practicing every day until the baby comes.

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Will Hypnobabies work for someone who is analytical?

Absolutely!  Hypnobabies is effective for all types of thinkers, learners, and personality types.  How can this be?  Because ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis.  If it is your desire to reach a state of hypnosis, you will.  Hypnobabies will work if you PRACTICE the techniques, TRUST in the program, and BELIEVE in your mind and body!

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Will Hypnobabies work for someone with a low pain tolerance?

Absolutely!  In our Hypnobabies classes you will learn and practice deep relaxation and hypno-anesthesia techniques.  You will also learn how to create and control your body's anesthesia so that you will minimize or even eliminate pain while giving birth.  So, YES, even those with a low pain tolerance can experience a beautiful, amazing natural childbirth!

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Will Hypnobabies work for someone who tends to have fast labors?

Absolutely!  Hypnobabies teaches you how to instantly relax and direct your anesthesia to wherever you may need it most.  Utilizing the tools gained in Hypnobabies will help a woman work through the intensity she may feel when her labor is progressing very quickly.

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Will Hypnobabies work for someone who has a long labor?

Absolutely!  There are many reasons why a woman's labor may progress more slowly than others.  The baby's position, who your caregiver is, where you've chosen to labor, and your belief system/fears surrounding birth are a few of these reasons.  The mind is a powerful tool and it can either encourage or discourage a woman's progress in labor without her even knowing it.   Hypnobabies encourages mom to examine her beliefs about birth and identify AND release any fears she may have.  After releasing those fears a woman's mind and body are able to work in unison and thus mom is likely to progress more quickly and actually ENJOY her birthing time!  Hypnobabies also teaches moms how to relax and utilize hypno-anesthesia during their labors so that they remain comfortable and don't expend unnecessary energy.

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Will Hypnobabies work for first-time moms?

Absolutely!  As a first time mom you have not created expectations from prior birth experiences.  You don't have to release fears that may have been gained through prior childbirth experiences.  You will adopt a positive belief system about childbirth more readily.  I encourage you to read through our Birth Stories section as there are many stories of first time moms, including myself!

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Should I take Hypnobabies if I plan on having pain medication or a cesarean birth?

Epidurals and other forms of medication commonly used in childbirth are TOOLS.  Hypnosis for childbirth is also a TOOL.  While I encourage you to research all of your options please know that committing yourself to the Hypnobabies program and philosophy will greatly improve your chances of having a drug-free, pain-free birth.

Hypnobabies has developed a Cesarean Birth Preparation program so that moms can prepare to have a calm, confident, and joyous birthing experience and a quick healing time.  This set can be ordered directly from Hypnobabies.

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Why should I take the Hypnobabies childbirth course INSTEAD of a hospital or other independent childbirth class?

Most independent childbirth classes, even those striving for natural, unmedicated births, teach pain "coping" techniques.  This impresses upon a mom that she MUST and WILL feel pain during her birthing time.  At Hypnobabies we strive for our moms to be pain-free!  Our philosophy is so much different.  Our entire program, right down to the words we use, are aimed to support our philosophy that moms do NOT have to experience pain in childbirth.  We set POSITIVE expectations for childbirth and give moms various tools to achieve a drug-free, pain-free birth.  If you take a hospital class you will likely be exposed to expectations of pain and discomfort.  You may walk away from a hospital childbirth class prepared to give birth the way THEY expect you to and not necessarily how YOU want to.  We encourage moms to understand the risks and benefits of ALL of their options so that they can better create their own birth experience.  Hypnobabies helps moms visualize and create a positive expectation of birth, teaches them how to create and use hypno-anesthesia, and helps eliminate fear and pain from the birth process.  In the end it is up to each mom to decided which philosophy is best for her: pain-coping OR pain-free!

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Do I need a partner?

No. Hypnobabies can be done successfully with OR without a birth partner. Remember, ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis!

However, if you feel like you would be more successful with the help of a birth partner you may consider hiring a doula or other support person.  If this is the case it is so important that your support person be on board with your goals 110%.  Your doula or other support person is always welcome  (and highly encouraged) to attend classes with you.

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Questions and Answers provided by www.Hypnobabies.com