IN TOUCH Psychotherapy. Counselling. Clinical Hypnotherapy.
Marisa Harding BA (hons), Dip CP, MNCS (Acc), Dip Hyp, MHS
07903 202740
info@intouch-therapy.org.uk
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1
In the News
2
A True Story
3
The Power of Words
4
Useful Information
www.intouch-therapy.org.uk
In the News Colchester University Hospital NHS Trust has developed a comprehensive HypnoBirth course which they offer as an additional, charged for, service. Their statistics show that 79% of women experienced a natural birth, 59% of women needed NO pain relief in labour after using Hypnosis and 55% of women experienced a labour of 6 hours or less. The NHS launched clinical trials researched by Professor Soo Downe at Central Lancashire University to study Hypnobirthing to try to cut the use of epidurals and other painkillers during childbirth – six out of 10 mothers in some hospitals rely on expensive drugs and there have been claims they could be harmful to mother and baby. Epidurals have been found to increase the length of childbirth, making it more likely that a woman will need a caesarean. It has been suggested that having an epidural may hinder a mother’s ability to breastfeed – although this has never been substantiated – and there are also fears it is linked to post-natal depression. This has resurrected an old debate. Is intense pain unavoidable, or is it triggered by fear and tension? The idea that pain is the result of anxiety, and can be eliminated through relaxation techniques was first aired in the 1930s by Dr Grantly Dick-Read Braving the wrath of mothers everywhere, he wrote: ‘In no other animal species is the process of birth apparently associated with any suffering, pain or agony, except where pathology exists or in an unnatural state, such as captivity.’ Dr Dick-Read went on to conclude that fear and tension was responsible for 95 per cent of labour pain, which could be eliminated through relaxation techniques.
"To those who say it is just not possible to birth naturally and without pain, I say "But what if we're right? Wouldn't it be wonderful?" — Lorne R. Campbell, M.D.
The new study, at Central Lancashire University and involving more than 800 women, will investigate self-hypnosis techniques which induce a deep sense of relaxation. “The women will have a 90-minute training session and are given a CD they can listen to,” says Professor Soo Downe, a midwifery specialist who is leading the trial. Professor Downe said: There is good evidence that hypnosis works well in other areas of health management. The idea is to give women the capacity to manage their labour themselves. If the results are promising we will do further trials. Please pass on my details to any Mums-to-be who might be interested in Hypnobirth or who have any worries or concerns relating to pregnancy, childbirth or motherhood.
A True Story *
Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.
"I can’t imagine how anyone gives birth without it!” “The technique kept me feeling calm and in control throughout labour so that the contractions were no problem.” — Hypnobirthing UK website
Antonia came to see me. She was 35 years old and 32 weeks pregnant with her second child and had not bonded at all with her unborn baby, indeed any thought of the baby or the birth resulted in tears. Antonia believed that she had a phobia of giving birth and was very keen to have an elected caesarean, her Consultant, however, had vetoed the idea. Antonia was very distressed and panicky at the prospect of a vaginal birth. We thoroughly investigated her previous birth experience and unearthed no issues which resulted in a strong response. We spent two sessions searching for the core of her fear and towards the end of the second session I decided to use my intuition and experience. I told Antonia that my feeling was that it wasn’t the birth that was at the centre of her fears. This comment did result in an abreaction and she admitted that she was worried about going “mad”. Upon further investigation it turned out that she had had mild postnatal depression after her first child and her own mother and sister had suffered severe postnatal depression. Getting this fear out in the open was hugely cathartic for Antonia who said that she had no idea that this was the root cause of her issue. Having found the source of her upset we continued with the HypnoBirth programme. Antonia later reported that she had a “fantastic, pleasurable birth experience” she felt in control, calm and confident throughout the 5 hours and 23 minutes that her labour took. Antonia received no pain relief and gave birth in a birthing pool at home with two midwives present but no intervention. She has gone on to bond well with Luca, her baby boy. So far there has been no sign of postnatal depression but Antonia knows that there is support for her if she does need it.
The Power of Words “I’m sorry love, but this is really going to hurt.” Frankly, I was astounded when I heard these words coming from the mouth of a midwife on One Born Every Minute. Immediately you could see the fear in the poor Mum-to-be’s eyes and, obviously her immediate expectation was for what she had been told would happen – great pain, the natural result of this is to tense and be fearful in preparation for the predicted pain and we all know that calm, relaxed Mums give birth more easily. A well intentioned comment produces a counterproductive result.
“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change” Marie Mongan
During our HypnoBirthing course we discuss the importance of language. The term labour suggests that labour will be laborious, we change the meaning to a labour of love. Contraction gives the suggestion that the muscles are constricting and tightening, in fact they are opening and thinning. We use the following language to replace the conventionally used language. Contraction becomes Ripple Pain becomes Pressure Think of the example above, if the midwife had said “you are going to feel some pressure now” it is highly unlikely that Mum’s reaction would have been the same, resulting in a faster, more relaxed labour, the result we all want. Using our Hypnobirth program to help with labour has been shown to reduce the length of the first stage of labour by hours and the second stage from an average of 50 minutes to 37 minutes. For more information on our HypnoBirthing program see fertility2birth.com. Marisa Harding has been a certified Fertility2Birth practitioner for 5 years.
Useful Information Our HypnoBirth course ideally takes place at 30, 32 and 34 weeks, but this is not set in stone. I run group and individual classes. Each session lasts for approximately 2 hours and birth partners are encouraged to attend but this is not essential. The cost of the HypnoBirth course is £200, including free CD’s and scripts for home practice. So, if you would like to help your Mum’s-to-be have happier, calmer and more fulfilling birth experiences get IN TOUCH with Marisa Harding. For further information please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone on 07903 202740, or email on info@intouch-therapy.org.uk or via my website www.intouchtherapy.org.uk. Do you feel... anxious... stressed... sad... alone... confused... overwhelmed..?
IN TOUCH offers Counselling and Psychotherapy for a wide variety of ailments from Anxiety to Zoophobia. £40 per session.
I can help you... get IN TOUCH Finding it difficult to get pregnant?
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I can support you through this emotional time. I can remove any subconscious blocks and facilitate some of the deeper work that may be necessary to achieve natural or medically assisted fertility. We use powerful techniques to reinforce the mind body connection. Let us help you increase the chances of getting pregnant with IVF to over 50%. FertilityHypnosis £50 per session. Those early days at home with baby should be joyous but too often they become a daunting experience and many new parents find self doubt creeping in. We believe that happy, calm and confident parents are more likely to result in happy, calm and confident babies - who wouldn't want that? Ideally attended at 38 weeks gestation this class covers everything Mum’s-to-be need to know about caring for baby. This Baby Care Masterclass class is run by a midwife with over 25 years experience. Cost £50.
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Marisa Harding has volunteered for Eating Disorders Support, Oxford Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre and the Samaritans. She is a member of the National Counselling Society and the National Hypnotherapy Society and is accredited by the Royal College of Nursing. She has offices in Banbury and Bletchingdon.
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