Taking the fear out of childbirth

Cathy O'Leary, Medical Editor, The West Australian 

 

June 22, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Alba has used it, the Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly considering it and now a growing number of WA women are embracing the “calming” trend in childbirth known as hypnobirthing.

 

The concept aims to create a peaceful experience for the expectant mother and baby, with less reliance on pain relief.  But, despite its name, there are no swinging pocket watches sending women into a trance.

 

Instead, therapists such as Lisa Brandis train women and their partners in breathing, visualisation and relaxation techniques to help take the fear out of childbirth.

 

Partners are even given a script they can read from during labour, which changes the traditional term(inology of “contraction” to “surge” or “wave” and “push” to “nudge”.

 

Mrs Brandis, one of 19 WA health practitioners trained under the Mongan method, carries out weekly classes at the Conscious Conception and Birth Centre in Armadale, usually when women are between 20 and 30 weeks pregnant.

 

The mother of two said many women had heard horror stories about the pain of childbirth, which made them tense and stressed.

 

“We can’t make the claim that there will be no pain but we use terms like ‘tightening’ and ‘pressure’ rather than ‘pain’ and we try to use the power of the mind to see birthing as something natural that the body is designed for,” she said.

 

“We also involve partners who can often feel useless at the birth, teaching them how to use light hypnosis, which really just helps women go into deep relaxation.”

 

Mrs Brandis said the technique could be used at any birth, from home birth to emergency caesarean and helped women stay calm if labour did not go according to plan.

 

Lee East, who is expecting her first baby in a few weeks, plans to use hypnobirthing with her partner Pete for her hospital birth.

“I’ve done yoga in the past and this seems to fit so well with that and my obstetrician and the hospital are very supportive,” she said.

“I already feel very connected to my baby.

“I’m really looking forward to the birth rather than being worried about it.”