HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method
HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method is both a philosophy and a tool for natural childbirth. Developed in the late 1980’s by Marie Mongan, a hypnotherapist and mother of three, HypnoBirthing provides tools for deep relaxation that counter fears around childbirth. Fear causes pain in childbirth. Realizing this simple fact can change everything for you as you approach your birthing.
Self- Hypnosis
The main tool you learn in a HypnoBirthing class is self-hypnosis. Self-hypnosis is accomplished by listening to a CD every night before falling asleep, or at another time convenient to you during the day. It doesn’t matter what time you listen to the CD; consistency is what is important. It is so easy to take this step, yet so effective in creating change and increasing confidence and calm. Confidence and calm are the conquerors of fear.
Benefits of using self-hypnosis for childbirth:
- Labors tend to be shorter and therefore more manageable.
- Mother’s fatigue is reduced as a result of shortened labor.
- The need for medication is greatly reduced or unnecessary, as calmness encourages the body’s endorphins to kick in.
- Birth is gentler for the baby.
- Babies are calmer as they enjoy their mother’s calm demeanor under self-hypnosis.
- Non-medicated mothers and babies bond more easily after birth.
- The healing process is quicker after a natural birth than after a C-section.
- Birth companions feel like a significant part of the birthing process as they understand their role.
Natural Childbirth
Along with self-hypnosis, HypnoBirthing teaches ways to encourage a natural childbirth. One way is by learning different birthing positions. By walking or sitting upright, you encourage your body to move the baby down using gravity. It’s also helpful to learn natural methods of encouraging labor to start, as opposed to resorting to chemical inductions from the beginning of the birthing process. With knowledge of all of your options, you can make the wisest choices for yourself and your baby.
It is a wonderful feeling to trust your caregiver, your support people and yourself to know what to do during childbirth. Through the skills you learn in a HypnoBirthing class, you can approach your birth with confidence and know that you have done all you can to encourage a gentle and natural birth.