I know most people have a preconception or misconception about hypnosis.
Just mentioning hypnosis to someone summons the thoughts of people on
stage doing outlandish things, clucking like chickens and pretending to
be someone they are not. But in fact hypnosis is a very normal and
natural state of mind, one that we go in and out of many times a day
without realizing it. Every time we are engaged in an activity and lose
track of time-hypnosis, when we drive home but don't remember how we
got there-hypnosis, daydreaming-hypnosis, zoning out in front of the
TV-yup, you guessed it-hypnosis! A hypnotic state is nothing more than a
certain frequency of brainwaves under which our brain is operating at
the time. And one of the best times hypnosis can be utilized is during
pregnancy and birth.
Our brain is made up of cells called
neurons which communicate with each other by electrical changes or brain
waves. There are four different wavelengths on which our brain
operates:
~Delta waves (below 4 hz) occur during sleep
~Theta waves (4-7 hz) are associated with sleep, deep relaxation (like hypnotic relaxation), and visualization
~Alpha waves (8-13 hz) occur when we are relaxed and calm
~ Beta waves (13-38 hz) occur when we are actively thinking, problem-solving, etc.
(you can read more about brain waves here)
During Theta and Alpha waves our mind is very suggestible, that's why
hypnosis programs for birth such as HypnoBirthing, teach you how to get
your mind to this state and then rely on positive affirmations to
change or enhance how we view birth. For example those affirmations
could be: "My baby is in the perfect position for birth, This is a new
baby and new birth, I remain calm and relaxed through my surges, My body
knows what to do and I trust it completely."
Our
everyday lives reflect our beliefs and same goes for birth. For instance
if one believes that birth is horrible, painful and scary that is
exactly what will materialize when the labor ensues. so why not make
sure that our beliefs about are positive and positively affect our
births.
If you have a
hypnobirth story or another story of how hypnosis helped you, please
share below!
Thanks for reading!
~Did
you know that Bellies to Babies offers Hypnobirthing Classes? Contact
Robin Ross at 630-724-4031for a free phone consultation.
