A few women will use hypnosis as a one way to help them deal with labour pain, as well as a support strategy to achieve a positive attitude towards their labour. Hypnosis is becoming increasingly popular in its acceptance for use in labour, as a method to achieve mental and physical relaxation.
Hypnosis aims to support an acceptance of labour pain, by introducing word association (for example 'labour pain is purposeful'). This is usually achieved by the woman attending a few hypnosis sessions during her pregnancy, eventually hoping to use learnt self-hypnosis, to 'program' her body into not resisting the contractions. The therapist identifies key words, or 'triggers', for each individual.
Ideally, preparation for the use of hypnotherapy in labour will start early in the pregnancy. You will need to find a registered hypnotherapist to take you through the steps necessary, for use during the labour. Some women who are quite receptive to hypnosis may only need a few sessions to achieve a positive suggestive formula that can be used during their labour.
An example of hypnotic therapy can be:
"You will stay positive and relaxed during the labour. You will use your own innate knowledge and all that you have learnt to deal with the labour. You will express your needs and accept the support and help of others. You will allow each and every contraction to be what it is. As each contraction finishes you let go, knowing that the next one will bring your baby closer to you".
The idea is for the therapist to eventually instruct the woman to be able to use 'auto-hypnosis' (or self-hypnosis) to enter a hypnotic state herself, performing verbal (or other suggestive stimuli) that trigger the positive thought for labour pain, without needing the therapist.
Things to consider- hypnotherapy
If you wish to pursue the method of hypnosis for your pain relief, you may wish to consider the following: