Do I Still Need To Take A "Regular" Childbirth Class In Addition To HypnoBirthing?
It is not necessary nor recommended. This IS is your childbirth class. We cover everything from nutrition, prenatal exercise, prenatal bonding, partner support, building your birth team, when to go to the hospital, stages of labor, positions for birth, hospital procedures...The HypnoBirthing advantage is that we also train you to release subconscious fear, effective breathing, deep relaxation, and visualizing you ideal birth.
I have a Low Pain Tolerance, is HypnoBirthing for me?
Who likes pain? Most women profess to having a low pain tolerance. It's no matter. Normal birth doesn't have to be painful. Here's how it works- HypnoBirthing trains your mind to be calm, confident, and positive, and trains your body to be relaxed and tension-free. You also adopt special breathing which makes birthing more comfortable and helps your body to labor more effectively. Moms practice these and other positive responses from day one of the course and they continue to build these skills throughout their pregnancy so that when labor begins these positive responses kick in automatically. So long as a mom maintains a calm mind and body, and breathes effectively, it is possible for her to experience only pressure or tightening and cramping throughout labor and birth, (and not severe pain).
What If I Intend to take an Epidural?
Many women who enroll in HypnoBirthing fully intend to take an epidural for birth. The program still offers significant benefits. The course builds your confidence and develops deep relaxation and focus skills so that labor can be more comfortable. The result is that many moms surprise themselves and discover that they don't feel the need for pain medication. It's also good to know, that in reality, it takes time to receive the epidural. Care providers and hospital staff prefer to delay giving the epidural until the labor is well established. Sometimes the anesthesiologist is not available. Furthermore, the process of administering it requires patience and calm. For moms who do have an epidural, HypnoBirthing helps her to stay calm until she gets the epidural, as well as during the procedure of administering it. HypnoBirthing moms are better able to delay taking the epidural until later in labor. This makes it less likely to slow labor down which can necessitate further medical interventions.
Will I Be/I'm Afraid Of "Losing Control" In Hypnosis...
Myths about hypnosis abound. Hypnosis simply means a state of focused concentration where the person tunes out distractions and focuses deeply on his/her goals. It is similar to the focused attention we experience when we "get lost" in a day-dream or a good book. In HypnoBirthing women train in Self-Hypnosis. They learn to bring themselves into this state of deep focus in order to tune in to their baby and their body during birth. Self-Hypnosis allows mom to create a sense of privacy and intimacy with her baby (and her partner)in any birth setting and regardless of what is going on around her.
I Plan To Hire A Doula, Why Do I Still Need A HypnoBirthing Class?
Ideally moms should take the course AND hire a doula. The HypnoBirthing Course trains moms to release subconscious fear and conditions her mind and body so that she will respond with confidence and calm when her labor begins. A doula is invaluable for helping HypnoBirthing moms to maintain that focused and calm. Doulas also provide comforting touch and massage, translate medical jargon, and empower couples to advocate for the birth they envision.
Are You a Doula? Can You Assist at My Birth?
I do not provide doula services at this time, however I can make a recommendation for gifted doulas in all price ranges and with all levels of experience and expertise, including doulas familiar with HypnoBirthing.
Are Husbands/Partners Welcome?
Husbands and partners are ENCOURAGED to participate. The course fee covers husbands'/partner's attendance or anyone who will be supporting you at your birth. Partners are an important part of HypnoBirthing. It is common for partners to be skeptical at first, but by the end they are just as enthusiastic and excited as the moms. Committing to the course means that you get a dedicated 12.5 hours of partner engagement, and once they are hooked on HypnoBirthing they are much more likely to commit to practicing the techniques with you. This is something that generally doesn’t happen when they don’t attend the course.The other good thing about bringing your partner to the course is that the skills you learn are extremely helpful in everyday life, particularly as a new parent. If your partner tends towards anxiety, stress or negativity, they have even more to gain from taking the course.
How many Couples Are In A Class?
Class sizes are small. Usually up to 8 couples.
When Is The Best Time During My Pregnancy To Take The HypnoBirthing Course?
It is recommended to take the course anytime as soon as mom begins the second trimester and onward. Since our world is replete with negative messages about birth, the sooner the better to begin turning that negativity around to confidence in your ability to birth safely and comfortably. You will begin to adopt positive beliefs and responses about pregnancy and birth from day one of the course and continue to build your skills for the rest of the pregnancy. Most of the practices do not require setting aside time to practice, but rather they fit into your daily routines. Once you complete the course, you are welcome to sit in on any future classes at no charge until your baby comes.
Do You Give a 1 or 2-Session Crash Course?
It's best to attend all 4 sessions for maximum benefit. The 12 hour course completely reprograms mom's minds and condition her body so that when the birth time arrives, these positive responses come forth instinctively. This is best achieved through attending the complete program. However, if it's close to your birth, or you have extenuating circumstances, please contact us to discuss.
What If My Baby Is Coming Soon?
It is never to late to benefit. We will make our best attempt to complete the course. If a mom is unable to because she gave birth, then the prorated fee will be refunded.
What If I Miss A Class?
Classes are continuous throughout the year in Brooklyn Manhattan Queens and Long Island. I always have multiple groups running simultaneously. Usually moms can make up a missed class (at no extra charge) with a concurrent group or in an upcoming series. Private make up sessions are also available for a fee, but rarely necessary.
Do You Accept Insurance?
The course fee is due upon registration. (exceptions can be made for financial difficulty). However, I provide documentation which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Same for flex or health spending benefits.
Does the Course Cover Breastfeeding?
The course briefly touches on breastfeeding. However, it is highly advisable for moms to take a prenatal breastfeeding instruction class and I am happy recommend a class.
Why Should I Take the Course, Why Not Just Read the Book?
Most of the class topics are covered in the book, so if this is the only option available to you, it is definitely a good thing to do. However, reading the book is not a substitute for attending a step-by-step training under the guidance of an experienced instructor.
Some of the additional benefits you get from taking the course:
Hypnosis Sessions– Much like guided meditations, the hypnosis scripts we do in class serve two main purposes. The first is to work to release fears and create positive beliefs about birthing through the power of positive suggestions. The second is to teach your body how to access the deep state of relaxation that you will enter during the birth. As with anything, practice makes perfect. The more often you experience this deeply relaxed state, the more familiar it becomes, and the easier it is to enter it on your birthing day.
Anchoring – This is a term we use to describe linking a specific physical or verbal cue, with a specific state. We have several great ‘anchors’ that help the mother to quickly reach a state of deep relaxation at any time she desires. These anchors are initially set up during a hypnosis session in class, and with repeated practice at home the anchor becomes a really powerful tool for reaching that necessary state of deep relaxation during the birth.
Partner engagement – Partners are an important part of HypnoBirthing*. It is common for partners to be skeptical at first, but by the end they are just as enthusiastic and excited as the moms. Committing to the course means that you get a dedicated 12.5 hours of partner engagement, and once they are hooked on HypnoBirthing they are much more likely to commit to practicing the techniques with you. This is something that generally doesn’t happen when they don’t attend the course.
The other good thing about bringing your partner to the course is that the skills you learn are transferable to all areas of life, particularly as a new parent. If your partner tends towards anxiety, stress or negativity, they have even more to gain from taking the course.
Relaxation – At first it may seem like a five-week course is just another thing to add to a busy schedule but once couples start the course this view quickly changes. Spending 2.5 hours a week focusing on relaxation and immersed in positive messages about the birth of your child soon becomes a highlight of the week. Couples report having the best sleep after the class and find it’s a great way to connect as a couple.
Commitment – We value things that we give our time and money to. We have found that taking the course ensures that moms will practice more which influences her results.
Questions – Learning is so much more effective when you have a chance to ask questions. In class you will be able to contribute to group discussions, try out techniques, and ask questions so that you feel confident and have mastered each technique. I've experienced calm beautiful HypnoBirths myself and can call on the experiences of over 200 past clients to give you a great understanding of HypnoBirthing in practice. We have a world-wide network of doctors, midwives, nurses, doulas, lactation specialists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, homeopaths, physical therapists and all manner of holistic practitioners, for consulting about any special pregnancy or birth related topics.
Extra support – When you succeed, I succeed. Classes are filled largely by word-of-mouth referrals. As your instructor, I want you to have the best birth possible so that you will spread the word. I go above-and-beyond, and am happy to help in any way I can if you need additional support whether it be a listening ear, referrals to birth professionals etc. I also offer extra private sessions for special circumstances like a breech baby or to naturally induce labor.
*It is not essential to have a partner to join you at the classes although it is encouraged and recommended that they come. Your birth partner can also be a friend or family member if you prefer.