By NIKKI TODD
AS THE eyes of the world turn to St Mary’s Hospital in London to await the birth of a new royal heir, the buzzword on everyone’s lips is hypnobirthing.
The Princess of Cambridge – or Kate as she is affectionately known – is believed to be considering using the natural birthing technique when delivering her first child, who will become third in line to the British throne.
Kate will join other stars such as Jessica Alba if she uses the technique, which teaches women how to relax during labour using breathing and visualisation.
The practice is said to make childbirth easier and more comfortable, creating a positive, less painful and hopefully drug-free experience.
Banora Point hypnobirthing specialist Michelle Walker, herself a mother of five who has been a birthing and lactation educator for more than five years, said the technique was a great way to give birth.
“It is just really natural birthing,’’ Ms Walker said.
“There is no hypnosis, scary ‘we are going to make you give birth like a chicken’ stuff like that. That is what people think when they hear about hypnosis, but it is really about giving mums and dads the tools to just really relax.’’
Ms Walker, who used the technique herself during the birth of her youngest child Jed, 5, said hypnobirthing taught women to trust their bodies to know what to do during birth so as to break down any fears and tensions they might have.
“We talk about trusting that our bodies know what to do,’’ Ms Walker said.
“This really helps women to tap into all their natural hormones and just let go of everything outside of them and just focus inside of their bodies rather than just focusing on the sensation of pain.
“It also helps mums to break down the fear cycle that we have.
“There is a thing called the fear-tension-pain cycle so when you go into something, even if it is just a needle for a vaccination, if you go in fearing it, then you hold a lot of tension in your body and it is going to hurt. It is much more painful than if you are going into it relaxed.’’
A focus on using positive language, like describing labour in terms of ‘waves or surges’ instead of contractions, is also used in hypnobirthing.
“We focus a lot on putting a real positive spin on something that women have been doing for thousands of years,’’ she said.
Ms Walker will hold a four-week course in hypnobirthing at Pottsville Neighbourhood Centre during August. The course will be held on Saturdays from 9am to 12pm starting from August 3.
For bookings phone 0438 269 889 or email blissfulbirthing@internode.on.net or via Facebook. For more information visit www.hypnobirthingaustralia.com.au/whatishypnobirthing
