The popularity of hypnobirthing has increased dramatically over recent years and this is certainly helped as more celebrities jump on the bandwagon and publicly share their experience with the media. In a recent issue of OK! Magazine they investigate it further:
‘Hypnobirthing has become all the rage among celebrity mums and has apparently even been given the royal seal of approval. HRH the Duchess of Cambridge, who displayed the first signs of a baby bump during a reception at Buckingham Palace last week, is thought to have used the technique when she was pregnant with Prince George, listening to meditation recordings to get her into a relaxed frame of mind ahead of his birth.’
OK! continues: ‘Hypnobirthing techniques are a modification of the age-old breathing and relaxation exercises that have helped women give birth in all cultures for many years. Teresa Walsh explains: “Anxiety and fear can increase levels of our stress hormone, adrenaline, and this in turn blocks our labour and pain relieving hormones – oxytocin and endorphins. Hypnobirthing teaches us how to manage our stress and relax appropriately during labour and to mentally prepare your body for this natural process.”
Katharine was delighted to share her knowledge with OK! Magazine:
‘Katharine Graves, director of The Hypnobirthing Association and founder of KGHypnobirthing, says hypnobirthing techniques can make a real difference. She explains: “In order to relieve pain, the pain has to be there in the first place. Hypnobirthing works on the premise that if mind and body are working together in the way nature designed, the pain may not be there at all, so there is no pain to relieve’ Hypnobirthing is all about exercises and visualisations that dispel worries. ‘It’s about releasing the fears, letting go of the misconceptions and assumptions that are prevalent about birth.”
“During hypnobirthing classes, partners learn how to be effective supporters during the labour, which in turn helps them to feel more involved in their baby’s birth.”
Practice Makes Perfect
“The work is done in the practice and it takes around ten to fifteen minutes a day, and a mother will often do them with her partner. This can change her approach to birth and her mindset, so she feels positive and optimistic about the birth of her baby.”
Thank you to OK! for putting the spotlight on hypnobirthing. You can read more about KGHypnobirthing in OK! here:
Coronation star Paula Lane talks about her ‘magical hypnobirth’
Hear’Say star Suzanne Shaw shares her ‘pain-free’ hynobirth story
