~ Prenatal / Childbirth Education to help you birth normally, more comfortably and with confidence ~

“My dream is that every woman everywhere will know the joy of a truly safe, comfortable and satisfying birth for her baby.”

~ Marie F. Mongan ~ Founder of HypnoBirthing ~

I became interested in HypnoBirthing when one of my maternity patients used this method to birth. I was struck by how relaxed and peaceful she was through her short birthing. Her baby was “bright eyed and bushy tailed” as we say in the UK! Her postpartum path was smooth and relaxed as well. The following evening she and her husband told me about their HypnoBirthing preparation and how it had really helped with the pregnancy and birth. They had both felt very relaxed and closer as a couple as well as feeling calm and confident about the birthing process. The pregnancy had gone smoothly and comfortably. I began reading up on HypnoBirthing and found studies which showed the effectiveness of this childbirth method. Now I am ready and eager to teach these techniques to you. 

 What is HypnoBirthing?

HypnoBirthing - The Mongan Method, is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education enhanced by hypnosis techniques. HypnoBirthing allows you to use your natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing in a way that most mirrors nature. You will learn the techniques required to remain happy and tranquil during your pregnancy and to orchestrate a joyous, positive birth, making a huge difference to the emotional and physical health of your child¹.

When you have your baby with HypnoBirthing, you will be fully aware, in control and free to move about. What you will experience is a state of highly focussed attention similar to the feeling of being absorbed in a good book or gazing out at the ocean. In this calm state your body's natural relaxant, endorphins, will eliminate or greatly reduce the need for chemical painkillers, a distinct plus for your baby.

One study of women having their first babies found that hypnotherapy shortened birth on average by over 3 hours². Less fatigue will leave you fresh and alert for enhanced bonding with your baby and birthing companion. The best start possible for your baby and you!

1 Dr Thomas Verney, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child

2 Jenkins MW, Pritchard MH. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1993 Mar;100(3):221-6

So How Does Hypnosis help?

Fear stimulates the production of stress hormones in the body and body responds by preparing to fight, flee or freeze by moving blood to the extremities. The uterus and baby are now receiving less oxygen. The uterus responds by working ineffectively and baby’s heart rate may show signs of stress. There is often intense pain. Fear is the enemy of the birthing place and one of the ways we remove the fear is through the use of hypnosis. In this calm state your body's natural relaxant and pain killer, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones and you will be more comfortable. Hypnosis is nothing more than a deep feeling of relaxation (much like daydreaming), and is a very natural state to be in. In fact we all experience this state several times every day! Hypnosis is now being used in collaboration with many medical procedures and treatments, such as relieving pre-surgery anxiety, post surgery pain and discomfort, relief from the effect of chemotherapy, irritable bowel syndrome, trichilomania, infertility, etc. In HypnoBirthing you will be taught to experience a powerful “surge” rather than a painful contraction. You will be taught how to work with your body, not against it, in a calm and fearless state of mind. You will be conversant and in good spirits, totally relaxed, but fully in control. Awake throughout your birth, you will be aware of your body's surges; but because you will have trained yourself to reach complete relaxation, you will be able to determine the degree to which you will feel the surges. You will experience birthing in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to.

Can Anybody do It?

Yes! With time and daily practice HypnoBirthing will work for anyone. Some may find they are more susceptible and may find the effects much stronger for them, but HypnoBirthing can benefit anyone.

Will I Still Be In Control?

Absolutly! Many people worry that HypnoBirthing will be similar to stage hypnosis. All hypnosis is self hypnosis. It is not something that is done to you, and nobody can make you do anything you do not want to do whilst in hypnosis. You will be very aware and very, very calm throughout your birth experience.

Can Christians Use HypnoBirthing?

Yes! Hypnosis is a natural state. In fact worship services, meditation and prayer often result in people entering the Alpha and Theta brain wave states which is when hypnosis takes place. In HypnoBirthing you learn to release the negative images and thoughts concerning birthing from your subconscious mind and replace them with healthy ones. It can be likened to birthing in a meditative prayer state. There are many Biblical passages encouraging us to think on the good things and not to be filled with fear. Romans 12:2 talks about us being changed by the transformation of our minds. In 1956 the Vatican approves of the appropriate use of hypnosis in the medical field, including childbirth.

I’m Having a Caesarean Birth - Will It Still Benefit Me?

Yes! HypnoBirthing isn’t just about a natural, drug-free vaginal birth; it can be used for any type of birth experience. It is wonderful at helping you prepare for the birth itself, but the benefits don’t end there. HypnoBirthing techniques can help you experience a happier, more relaxed pregnancy, a quicker and more comfortable recovery; will help you bond with your baby, with breastfeeding and parenting.

I’ve Seen Hypnosis for Birth CDs and Books for Sale on the Internet, Why Can’t I Just Use These?

HypnoBirthing is a registered trademark, used only for the official HypnoBirthing – Mongan Method. Anything else is NOT HypnoBirthing.

HypnoBirthing concentrates on helping to eradicate what is known as the “Fear –Tension – Pain Cycle” through a series of techniques including interactive class discussions, practical demonstrations, special breathing techniques, massage techniques, watching at least 20 different positive birth stories in class and actively involving your birthing partner. At no point do we teach you any methods of pain control, like many other hypnosis for childbirth programmes do.

A CD or a book could help you to relax and may be of small benefit, but in order to experience the full benefits of HypnoBirthing it is strongly recommended that you attend classes with an officially recognised HypnoBirthing instructor. We do give you 2 CDs and a book as PART of the programme but these are only a small part of the programme – as you can imagine we cover a whole lot more than just listening to a CD and it is for this reason that HypnoBirthing is the longest established and most widely respected hypnosis for birth programme in the world.

A list of official practitioners can be obtained from here:

http://www.hypnobirthing.com/canada.htm

If a practitioner is not on this list, then they are NOT official HypnoBirthing practitioners!

When Should I Start?

Ideally you should start as soon as possible, often 28 weeks is the recommended start time, but you can start sooner or later. The sooner you start though, the longer you have to practice! Is your baby due really soon? No problem, I offer flexible times and schedules to meet your needs.

Does My Partner Have to Come Too?

Ideally your partner will come with you. HypnoBirthing is designed to be taught to couples and this is one of the keys of its success, this could also be a female friend or relative though.  Many single moms, of moms who’s partner is away have found that it’s still perfectly possible to follow the program alone. You are welcome to bring your doula or other extra support person with you.

What Are People Saying About Their HypnoBirthing Experience?

Reading and hearing about positive birth stories and testimonials can help to boost you confidence. The HypnoBirthing Q & A Forum is another place that you can pose questions and chat with other parents.

In February 2007 PregTASTIC aired two podcasts on HypnoBirthing. 

In the first of two HypnoBirthing podcasts. Alice gives her first hand experience delivering baby Alpha using HypnoBirthing combined with a Waterbirth. Alice shares how she stayed so calm. http://pregTASTIC.com/podcasts.php#38

In the second show HypnoBirthing founder and developer, Marie Mongan talks about how HypnoBirthing can release the fears and anxiety associated with birth and minimise the pain during labour.  http://pregTASTIC.com/podcasts.php#39

What are the Advantages of HypnoBirthing?

• Eliminates the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during and after birthing.
• Eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers, episiotomy, and other interventions.
• Lessens fatigue in labour, leaving the mother fresh, awake, and energised as she brings her baby into the world.
• Shortens the thinning and opening phase of labour by several hours and allows the birthing mother to utilise the natural pulsations of her body to breath her baby down to the crowning stage, rather than pushing for long, exhausting periods of time. Reduces the risk of pelvic floor damage.
• Eliminates the risk of hyperventilating from shallow breathing
• Promotes special bonding of mother, baby and birthing companion.
• The birthing companion is an integral part of the birthing, not an onlooker.
• More rapid postnatal recovery.
• Babies are better adjusted and happier, resulting in better eating and sleeping routines.
• Birthing is returned to the safe, beautiful, peaceful experience that Nature intended.

There is a bonus class on your newborn, breastfeeding and family adjustment which is not part of the HypnoBirthing curriculum.

What is included?

• 6 - 2½ hour classes (including the bonus class)
• book,
• 2 CDs,
• numerous handouts,
• a CDH tour
• ongoing support and class reunions.

What’s the price?

• $395 A discount is given depending on the number enrolled for a group class.

As I am Registered Nurse the fees are a medical deduction on you income tax.

Scholarships and a payment plan are available.

When are the classes?

Monday evenings 7:00 to 9:30

March 17^{th to April 26th}

^{May 26th to June 30th}

Individual classes can be arranged to work with your schedule / needs.

Where are they held?

Classes are in my home which is 10 minutes west of Duncan. I can do a group or individual classes in your nonsmoking home too.

Please register early.

I look forward to talking with you - call me, or e-mail now.

Mary Hebden (250) 748-8493

“The HypnoBirthing childbirth class not only taught us how to have a calm birth but more importantly it brought us closer together as a couple and has given us skills for life.”

Kate, Ladysmith

“I wanted to make my birthing look easy and I did!”

Leah, Ladysmith

“This is the way most births should be—simple, calm, and undisturbed.” Maria Williamson, Midwife in the UK