What is Hypnosis & why is it so affective in helping transform our birth experience?

When it comes to hypnobirthing misconceptions around what hypnosis really is can leave some people feeling very sceptical about enrolling on a hypnobirthing course and the impact it will have. I know I certainly was before doing my first hypnobirthing course. Let me bust some of those myths around hypnosis and help you understand what hypnosis really is and why it can be so powerful at transforming your mind-set on birth.

Many people will be familiar with hypnosis through TV and stage shows where hypnosis is seemingly used to make people do silly things for entertainment purposes or we may think of someone using a necklace as a pendulum swing saying “look into my eyes”. This has led many of us to view hypnosis as a potentially harmful form of mind control. Let me reassure you now no-on else can control your mind, as all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and a person cannot be forced to do something that does not align with their values and beliefs. You and only you are in control when it comes to hypnosis and if you do not want to be hypnotised then you won’t be, as hypnosis requires your full concentration and consent. When you see people doing silly things during a hypnotist stage show they are doing those things because they want to or because what is being asked of them sits with their values and beliefs.

Some people fear becoming stuck in hypnosis. Again this is a misconception and you cannot get stuck in hypnosis in the same way you cannot become stuck in sleep. To recap you are always in control when it comes to hypnosis.

So what is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a form of deep relaxation or an altered state or consciousness that we can drift in and out of whenever we have a narrowed focus of attention. We all experience a hypnotic state on a daily basis as often as 10-12 times a day without even realising it. The times you will be most familiar with are when you are dropping off to sleep or when you are waking up. Let me normalise hypnosis for you now. Here are 3 more every day examples of when you might experience hypnosis:

1.       Daydreaming – defined as pleasant thoughts that distract one’s attention from the present. When we daydream we are imagining things we would like to happen and as a result we can forget our present situation or surroundings and adopt a narrowed focus of attention.

2.       Watching TV – Have you ever been so gripped by something you are watching that you become oblivious to what is happening around you. It could be a sports match for example that you are so engrossed in watching you are not aware of someone else talking to you.

3.       Driving – have you ever been driving a very familiar route and you suddenly find you can’t remember the past 5 minutes.

All of these are examples of entering into a hypnotic state, exercise such as running or yoga and activities such as reading or listening to a story are other great everyday examples.

Why is hypnosis so affective?

When we enter into a state of hypnosis where we are deeply relaxed this allows the analytical logical thinking part of our brain to take a break as it is not needed. What this does is allows access to the subconscious mind and therefore leaves us much more open to suggestibility and storing information. It is this openness to suggestibility and storing information which we capitalise on in hypnobirthing in order to make positive suggestions around birth and ultimately help to alter our internal beliefs and narrative on what birth can be like. Therefore by entering into a hypnotic state and building on this with frequent audio and visual input on what a positive experience birth can be we can help to challenge and change negative beliefs about birth and reduce or remove the fear so many of us hold around birth. I was amazed at the shift in my mind-set and attitudes towards birth once I engaged in hypnobirthing. When we are able to enter into labour with a relaxed mind having let go of fear and therefore tension this enables us to birth more comfortably and effectively.

If you would like to know more about the ways in which hypnobirthing can help you to achieve a more positive mind-set around birth and ultimately prepare you for a joyful journey into parenthood, please consider enrolling in one of my courses or arranging a free courtesy call to discuss in more detail.