What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a heightened state of mental and physical relaxation. Contrary to the depiction of hypnosis in mainstream media, surrendering yourself to hypnosis will not put you under someone’s spell. When hypnotized, you are totally conscious of your surroundings and have complete control of your actions.
What are the benefits?
Supporters of this process claim there are numerous benefits to hypnosis during childbirth. They include:
- reduced fear during labour, which creates a calmer atmosphere
- less pain, which reduces or sometimes eliminates the use of drugs
- shorter labour because the mother is more relaxed
- fewer complications as breech or posterior babies can often be turned around using hypnosis
- babies that feed and sleep better because they have fewer drugs in their system
What are the risks?
Women with epilepsy or significant mental illnesses (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) are advised not to use hypnosis during childbirth.
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