Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of hypnobirthing or mind-body awareness during labor and birth?
-Teaches deep levels of relaxation to eliminate the fear that causes tension and, thus, pain
-Greatly reduces and often eliminates the need for chemical painkillers and drugs
-Shortens the first phase of labor
-Leaves mother alert, fresh, awake and with energy
-Helps keep oxygen supplied to baby during birthing
-Reduces the need for an episiotomy
-Reduces and often eliminates fatigue during labor
-Empowers parents with techniques to achieve a gentle, calm birth for themselves and their baby
-Gives the birthing companion an integral role in the birthing
-Embraces the concept of pre-birth parenting
-Teaches breathing techniques that allow a woman to gently breathe her baby into the world
What is hypnosis in childbirth and will I be fully conscious?
Hypnosis in childbirth simply means getting in a relaxed state and able to zoom in on our thoughts and release those that may interfere with a calm, smooth, gentle birth. Self-hypnosis gives us the tools to be able to go into a relaxed state, while being fully conscious and aware of our body and surroundings, just as we are when we are driving, reading, meditating, or practicing yoga.
-Teaches deep levels of relaxation to eliminate the fear that causes tension and, thus, pain
-Greatly reduces and often eliminates the need for chemical painkillers and drugs
-Shortens the first phase of labor
-Leaves mother alert, fresh, awake and with energy
-Helps keep oxygen supplied to baby during birthing
-Reduces the need for an episiotomy
-Reduces and often eliminates fatigue during labor
-Empowers parents with techniques to achieve a gentle, calm birth for themselves and their baby
-Gives the birthing companion an integral role in the birthing
-Embraces the concept of pre-birth parenting
-Teaches breathing techniques that allow a woman to gently breathe her baby into the world
What is hypnosis in childbirth and will I be fully conscious?
Hypnosis in childbirth simply means getting in a relaxed state and able to zoom in on our thoughts and release those that may interfere with a calm, smooth, gentle birth. Self-hypnosis gives us the tools to be able to go into a relaxed state, while being fully conscious and aware of our body and surroundings, just as we are when we are driving, reading, meditating, or practicing yoga.
Will natural (non-pharmacological) childbirth classes help me if I require medical interventions?
Absolutely. Should you require medical interventions, the skills you will learn can help you remain calm, relaxed, and knowledgeable. There is no reason why medical interventions, whether needed or wanted, cannot lead to a positive birth experience that is built on trust within one's self and with one's birth team. Many mothers report having a smoother and quicker recovery as a result.
Absolutely. Should you require medical interventions, the skills you will learn can help you remain calm, relaxed, and knowledgeable. There is no reason why medical interventions, whether needed or wanted, cannot lead to a positive birth experience that is built on trust within one's self and with one's birth team. Many mothers report having a smoother and quicker recovery as a result.
What is the history of natural birthing in modern times? (The short answer: fear-tension-pain cycle)
In 1920s England, a Cambridge-educated obstetrician by the name of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read observed qualitative differences in the way women birthed. At the time, the use of general anesthesia and the combination of hyoscine and morphine to induce "twilight sleep" was becoming increasingly common. Dr. Dick-Read noted that less attention was being paid to the psychological wellbeing of mothers and their babies, observing that many mothers recalled pain, anguish, and terror in the aftermath of their birth experience. His research led to the hypothesis that fear causes physical tension which results in pain, known conceptionally as the "fear-tension-pain cycle". Dr. Dick-Read's premise inspired the authors of numerous methods of natural childbirth including French obstetrician Fernand Lamaze who popularized psychoprophylaxis, Kansas-born obstetrician Robert Bradley (the Bradly Method), Marie Mongan (HypnoBirthing -The Mongan Method), and countless others.
What is the difference between natural childbirth programs?
Hypnobirthing is a childbirth education philosophy that guides expectant mothers and their birthing partners through self-directed relaxation, breathing, and visualization techniques. These techniques help reduce fear, tension, pain, anxiety, or discomfort, helping women to use their natural birthing instincts and to free their birthing muscles of tension for smoother childbirth. Hypnobirthing-inspired programs include the Mongan Method, Katharine Graves' Hypnobirthing (also known as KG Hypnobirthing -UK), Hypnobirthing Australia, Hypnobabies, and the Calm Birth School (UK), among others.
Lamaze also focuses on reducing anxiety and pain by enhancing relaxation primarily through special controlled breathing techniques. The Bradly Method is another popular medication-free method that emphasizes the role of a birth coach, encouraging mothers to trust their body through education, exercise, nutrition, breathing and relaxation.
Which natural childbirth program is best?
We at Boston Births truly believe in meeting mothers where they are at: looking at her needs and those of her family, and respecting her wishes and goals for her birth experience. With this in mind, we feel a flexible approach is always best. There is no single best method out there --research and evidence changes, and so must our knowledge and techniques. Boston Births will provide you with the most up-to-date research out there and verifiable techniques to help you and your birth partner have a gentler, kinder, calmer, and more positive birth experience.
In 1920s England, a Cambridge-educated obstetrician by the name of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read observed qualitative differences in the way women birthed. At the time, the use of general anesthesia and the combination of hyoscine and morphine to induce "twilight sleep" was becoming increasingly common. Dr. Dick-Read noted that less attention was being paid to the psychological wellbeing of mothers and their babies, observing that many mothers recalled pain, anguish, and terror in the aftermath of their birth experience. His research led to the hypothesis that fear causes physical tension which results in pain, known conceptionally as the "fear-tension-pain cycle". Dr. Dick-Read's premise inspired the authors of numerous methods of natural childbirth including French obstetrician Fernand Lamaze who popularized psychoprophylaxis, Kansas-born obstetrician Robert Bradley (the Bradly Method), Marie Mongan (HypnoBirthing -The Mongan Method), and countless others.
What is the difference between natural childbirth programs?
Hypnobirthing is a childbirth education philosophy that guides expectant mothers and their birthing partners through self-directed relaxation, breathing, and visualization techniques. These techniques help reduce fear, tension, pain, anxiety, or discomfort, helping women to use their natural birthing instincts and to free their birthing muscles of tension for smoother childbirth. Hypnobirthing-inspired programs include the Mongan Method, Katharine Graves' Hypnobirthing (also known as KG Hypnobirthing -UK), Hypnobirthing Australia, Hypnobabies, and the Calm Birth School (UK), among others.
Lamaze also focuses on reducing anxiety and pain by enhancing relaxation primarily through special controlled breathing techniques. The Bradly Method is another popular medication-free method that emphasizes the role of a birth coach, encouraging mothers to trust their body through education, exercise, nutrition, breathing and relaxation.
Which natural childbirth program is best?
We at Boston Births truly believe in meeting mothers where they are at: looking at her needs and those of her family, and respecting her wishes and goals for her birth experience. With this in mind, we feel a flexible approach is always best. There is no single best method out there --research and evidence changes, and so must our knowledge and techniques. Boston Births will provide you with the most up-to-date research out there and verifiable techniques to help you and your birth partner have a gentler, kinder, calmer, and more positive birth experience.
Why is prenatal breastfeeding education important?
Knowing what to expect can help make the first breastfeed successful, and to set you on the path toward reaching your breastfeeding goals. We teach you to understand why breast milk is important for your newborn; what a proper latch looks like and how to get your baby to latch properly; how to determine whether your baby is getting enough milk; proper positioning; how to support milk production; how to pump, save and store milk safely; what your rights are if you are a working mother or breastfeeding in public; and what to do if things aren't going well, among many other topics.Mothers are encouraged to attend our breastfeeding class ahead of their baby's birth.
Knowing what to expect can help make the first breastfeed successful, and to set you on the path toward reaching your breastfeeding goals. We teach you to understand why breast milk is important for your newborn; what a proper latch looks like and how to get your baby to latch properly; how to determine whether your baby is getting enough milk; proper positioning; how to support milk production; how to pump, save and store milk safely; what your rights are if you are a working mother or breastfeeding in public; and what to do if things aren't going well, among many other topics.Mothers are encouraged to attend our breastfeeding class ahead of their baby's birth.
