Hi Cheryl I work with HypnoBirthing (a method that a woman uses to put herself into self hypnosis while she is in labour). I have been a part of many births with couples and I know that the mind definitely has control of the sensation the body will feel. Many of my mums feel only pressure and they are awake and in control of their birthing. I have not had one negative birth story since I started practicing 3 years ago even when medical intervention was needed. The relaxation and breathing still continues even if medical intevention is required, although that doesn't happen anywhere near as often.
I did have one that didn't have as much success. It was a mum who had her own business at home and WORKED long hours right up until she went into labour. I had my doubts when she was in her classes that she would have all the necessary rest her body and baby needed and that she would practice so that the relaxation process it would become automatic. The concept of HypnoBirthing came from an English Obstetricial, Grantly Dick Read who back in the 1912-14 wanted to know why some women went into labour and gave birth with no fuss while others suffered excruciating pain. His research showed that the ones who trusted in the natural function of their body and relaxed would give birth with no fuss and they did. Mind you he was nearly thrown out of his profession because of his "outrageous ideas". Are they so outrageous? I know they aren't. I've seen that they aren't. He wrote the book "Childbirth Without Fear" that was first published in 1944 and reading it today it is still totally relevant althought the old fashioned languaging makes me smile. The program is trained here in Australia by Peter Jackson, in Bowral NSW, who is himself a midwife and last week in his training he had 14 midwives amongst the participants! They had seen HypnoBirthing in practice and wanted to be able to use it to help women in labour. Even for women haven't gone through the program, the breathing and relaxation can help tremendously. The US site where it originated is www.hypnobirthing.com. Many stories up there of the successes. You have to ask why in China, Africa, India and other 3rd world countries, do mothers give birth so easily and without the excruciating pain? They trust in the natural process and they believe that it doesn't hurt and it doesn't. They are also part of a supporting community, something which is missing in our culture today with so many women focused on working rather than being at home and their mothers, aunties etc. who are out there working as well. Many young mothers have no one to turn to except their maternal health nurses. When I've attended a birth and wittness a woman giving birth gently and a midwife in tears because she hasn't wittnessed a natural birth for such a long time, I know that I'm on the right track. Mind you I have had the gruff midwives who tutt, tutt and try their bullying tactics but my couples stand their ground and often a midwife has stomped out of the room because she doesn't have the control over a situation that didn't need controlling. There are more midwives out there who care than ones who want the control factor. It's the medical training and I certainly don't blame them for following what they have been taught. A couple I am working with at the moment, the dad is an obstetrician so this program has been a real eye opener for him. His wife is relaxed and confident about her coming birth (2 weeks away). He said something the other day that really made me smile. He said that obstericians should only be there for the high risk pregnancies and that midwives should deliver all babies. YEA! Wish they all thought like that huh? I did an interview last week for Today Tonight which I hope will go to air this week sometime. It interviews one of my couples and myself about their birth and HypnoBirthing. The couple videoed their birth and boy do I wish I could show that birth to the world. A baby gently emerging into the world and a mother so calm and confident, no screaming and toally in control of her birthing. It so saddened me to read Sonia's story of Nataniel's birth and that the only problem was that he was breech. What are we doing? I just love reading you guys on this site, so passionate about birth too. You really care about the way birth is going and it gives me the confidence to know that what I am teaching is giving women back their power over their bodies and their birthings. OK I'll step off the soapbox now and say thankyou to all of you out there who want birth back to the way nature intended and for the wonderful job you all do. Sorry this is so lengthy, I just get so passionate about this subject (as if you couldn't guess) but boy it IS time we had a say in how OUR birthings go. It doesn't HAVE to be that medical incident. regards Diane Gardner -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
