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Can Hypnobirthing Help Ease Labor Pain?

Is Hypnobirthing right for you?

“Hypnobirthing is available to anyone, not just to people who are ‘open’ to hypnosis,” says Elliott. “Everyone can teach themselves to deeply relax.”

You can do it with a doctor or a midwife and you don’t have to have a partner. “Single women can do it on their own, although it’s nice to have someone to guide you into relaxation,” says Elliott, who encourages moms-to-be to find someone to be with them at their birth, whether it’s a friend, relative or doula.

If you’re worried about how hospital staff might react, Elliott says most are open to the method. “If you come in and have an amazing way of coping with labor, it just means you will need less intervention and hospital staff are free to help someone else.” And if you do need medical intervention of any kind during labor or delivery, Hypnobirthing can help you remain calm and in control, even in the event of a C-section. 

To find a Hypnobirthing practitioner, visit: hypnobirthing.com

Meet our expert:

Jennifer Elliott is a certified hypnotist, HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, doula, and childbirth educator in Toronto with special certifications in fertility, HypnoBirthing and Hypnosis for Childbirth. She is a trainer for HypnoBirthing instructors and HypnoBirthing support techniques for doulas and is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists, Doula CARE, DONA International and CAPPA. Lifesjourney.ca