My dream is that every woman,
everywhere,
will know the joy of a truly safe, comfortable and
satisfying birthing for
herself and her baby
Marie F. Mongan
HypnoBirthing® is a method of childbirth,
which is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a
satisfying, relaxing and stress free birth. The HypnoBirthing® programme
was developed in 1989 by Marie Mongan, a Hypnotherapist, in the USA. It
is based on the work of English obstetrician Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, who
pioneered the return to natural birthing as early as the 1920’s.
In June 1954 Marie was 21 years old fresh out of college with a
teaching degree and newly married. She began teaching in September of that year
and in January 1955, to her shock; Marie discovered that she was pregnant.
After a period of adjustment Marie decided that her pregnancy was not going to
be a “usual pregnancy” complete with aching back, swollen feet or any of the
other complaints common to pregnancy. Her birthing was not going to be one of
drugged compliance with no recollection of the experience.
The premise that birthing by nature, had to be a painful ordeal
was totally unacceptable to her. Most of the literature at that time focused on
the medical view of labour, but Marie remembered reading an article in High
School about a woman who birthed naturally. She tracked this article down which
led her to the work of Dr Grantly Dick-Read and his book “Childbirth without
fear”. Marie knew immediately that this concept was the answer to the drug
free, relaxed and safe birthing she was seeking for herself.
Although Marie was well prepared for a natural childbirth, the
medical profession was not and even though her birth was progressing well, she
found that medical intervention was forced upon her. At that time it was
medically routine for women in childbirth to be restrained and anaesthetised.
Fathers were not allowed at the birth, visiting was restricted and babies were
rushed off to the nursery immediately after birth.
It was not until her third pregnancy and with much perseverance
that Marie was finally able to have the peaceful birth she always knew was
possible. Her doctor was so excited about her stress-free, relaxed birth that
he read everything he had available on Dr Grantly Dick-Read’s theories. But
unfortunately the medical profession was slow to embrace the concept of natural
childbirth. Marie went on to a fourth pregnancy, which was also a joyful event.
In 1987 Marie became a certified Hypnotherapist and being involved
with hypnotherapy made her realise that she had used self hypnosis to achieve
the degree of relaxation that made it possible for her to experience a painless
birth. A year or so later, Marie’s daughter became pregnant and Marie was
determined that her daughter experience only the very best and most satisfying
birth possible. And so HypnoBirthing® “The Mongan Method” was born and it has
grown from a local phenomenon into an international movement. Now hundreds of
babies worldwide are being safely born into the world with this well thought
out program.
What does HypnoBirthing®
involve
The “Mongan Method” of HypnoBirthing® teaches techniques for safe
and more comfortable birthing through guided imagery, visualisation and special
breathing exercises. HypnoBirthing® combines childbirth education with
empowering self-hypnosis, returning to women their right to call upon their
natural birthing instincts, creating one of the most memorable experiences of
their lives.
The self-hypnosis taught will allow you to experience deep
relaxation. You will not be tranced-out or asleep, on the contrary you will be
fully in control, conversant and totally relaxed throughout the birth
experience. In this calm, relaxed state your body’s natural anaesthesia
(endorphins) is released, replacing the stress hormones that cause muscle
tension and pain.
The special techniques taught ensure that the mother-to-be is both
psychologically and physically prepared for the birth experience. The birth
companion plays a vitally important role in the birthing and is totally
involved in the process throughout, allowing the mother-to-be to feel totally
supported before, during and after the birth experience.
As well as experiencing a stress free, relaxed birth experience,
many mothers also report experiencing a shorter pain free labour.
The Advantages of
HypnoBirthing ®
v
Eliminates
the fear - tension – pain syndrome before, during and after birthing
v
Eliminates
fatigue, leaving the mother fresh, awake and with energy for the actual
birthing
v
Shortens
the first stage of labour
v
Reduces
or eliminates the need for drugs to control pain
v
Creates
an integral role for the birthing companion
v
Promotes
a special bonding between mother, baby and birthing companion
v
More
rapid post natal recovery
v
Reduces
the likelihood of post natal depression
v
Babies
are often calmer, feed and sleep better
v
Suitable
for both home births or in hospital, in conjunction with the medical profession
and other therapies
v
Returns
birthing to the beautiful, peaceful experience nature intended