What is the Hypnobirthing Australia program?
How can it help me?
The original Hypnobirthing Australia™ program is uniquely designed for Australian mothers and their birth companions. It is the natural approach to childbirth!
Hypnobirthing Australia™ classes prepare you with the knowledge, confidence and tools you need to birth calmly. Birth can and should be, a positive experience – one that you will always want to remember.
Our program is designed for both natural and caesarean birth, which is why it is revolutionising birthing in Australia. Basically – we promote POSITIVE birth and are well prepared for whatever turns our birth may or may not take.
Hypnobirthing is as much a philosophy of birthing as it is techniques. When a mother and her birth partner are able to approach their birth without fear and with knowledge, good support, and tools for the birth – then their birthing can be a positive and empowering experience.
The ‘hypno’ part of ‘hypnobirthing’ refers to the hypnotherapy that we use during the program to release fears and condition ourselves to release endorphins at times during our birth. With the help of self hypnosis, the birth of your baby can be a more calm and relaxed experience; one where you are in the driver’s seat, rather than feeling like a passenger. This is likely to reduce the need for interventions during your birthing.
Hypnobirthing uses a combination of different techniques and philosophies that have existed for many, many years. Ancient wisdom is combined with modern theory – giving you the advantage in your acquisition of knowledge as you prepare for your birth.
With plenty of experience as a midwife in birth suite, I can ensure that these tools and techniques help you through any kind of labour and birth. No matter how your baby enters into this world- this is their story and it matters to be present and have a positive birth experience.
Unit 1: Creating & maintaining a positive mindset
Introduction to the positive mindset of hypnobirthing
How our brain is wired to birth
The role of our caregivers
Mind/body connection
What is self-hypnosis and how will we use it for birthing?
Our hormones are our friends
My amazing uterus – understanding the physiology behind birthing
Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome
Causes of Fear (including history) and how it affects our labour
Re-programming the Subconscious
The language for empowered birthing
The power of affirmations
Birthing environment
Unit 2: Our toolkit for birth
Self-hypnosis tracks
Birth music
Conditioning with scent
Hypnotic anchors and triggers
Releasing endorphins through massage and touch
Acupressure techniques for pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding
Visualisations for pregnancy, labour & birthing
The importance of facial relaxation
Relaxation Breathing – a skill for life
Surge Breathing – the best tool ever!
Techniques to help make your surges more comfortable
The ‘urge’ to push/bear down – Breathing/Bearing down
Unit 3: Preparation & choices for empowered birthing
Bonding with baby
Choices in maternity care
Birth Preferences – having open communication with your caregivers
Knowledge is power – researching common interventions and procedures
Questions to ask, to assist in making informed decisions
Birth partner as advocate
‘Guess date’ – a normal range of pregnancy
Inductions – things you’re not always told
Achieving a natural start to labour
Maintaining a healthy diet
Preparing the body – staying active
Optimising baby’s position
Breech or Posterior – options & positions
Instant relaxation techniques
Self-hypnosis, meditation and deep relaxation techniques & scripts
Unit 4: Birth – bringing it all together
What to expect in the weeks and days leading up to birth
Signs that labour is starting
What to expect through labour (membranes releasing etc)
When to call the midwife/go to the hospital
Accidental home/car birth – what to do!
Birth partner’s role
Common procedures
Using water during labour and birth
Upright positioning, movement and birth positions
Special circumstances (including caesarean birth)
Fear release
Vocalisation
Cord clamping & placenta delivery
Undisturbed bonding & breastfeeding time – skin to skin
What to expect afterwards
Self-hypnosis – Rehearsal for Birth
A practice routine – preparation for birth!
