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Hypnosis is a voluntary state of focused attention in which the individual is receptive to suggestions. The suggestions are given by a hypnotist or other medium, such as a recording, image etc.  Hypnosis allows the individual to more easily access the subconscious mind while still maintaining a degree of conscious awareness.All hypnosis is self-hypnosis, meaning the individual has to want to be hypnotized. Individuals in the hypnotic state can still be aware of their surroundings and make decisions about what they allow themselves to do or accept.

 

The brain normally produces various electrical brain wave patterns throughout the day: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

 

Beta waves (14 – 30 Hz) occur while we are alert and conscious.  We produce beta waves while we are working, actively thinking and problem solving – under stress.

 

Alpha waves (9 – 13 Hz) occur while we are calm, perhaps relaxed, but still lucid. We produce alpha waves when resting after completing a task, when taking a “mental break”, while taking a deep breath when we realize we’ve been a beta state for a long time.  Simple breathing exercises can produce an alpha state.

 

Theta waves (4 – 8 Hz) occur during deep relaxation, meditation and focused visualization. We produce theta waves while daydreaming in class or during a meeting. Long distance runners are often in a theta state when they feel they are “in the zone” or experience a “runner’s high”.  Even driving on long stretches of highway often produces theta brain waves; this explains the experience of being unable to recall driving during the last few kilometers.

 

Delta waves (1-3 Hz) occur during sleep and dreaming.

 

The hypnosis state goes between the alpha and theta states.  The brain feels relaxed but is still consciously alert when it needs to be.  Therefore, most of the general population has experienced being in a hypnotic state at some time or another. However, because modern life is very stress inducing, many people spend a lot of time in a Beta state (which increases the stress response) and have a hard time producing their own alpha and theta states.

 

In a clinical setting, hypnosis creates the alpha and theta states in individuals and use them to their advantage: to make positive changes. Furthermore, during sessions with the hypnotherapist, the individual learns how to self-hypnotize and control their own beta, alpha and theta states – thus improving their overall health.

 

 Why Use Hypnosis?

 

Our conscious mind is responsible for things like thinking critically, planning, solving problems, remembering things short-term, having intellect and reason. Our subconscious mind is responsible for our emotions, feelings, fears, “gut reactions” and long term memory. Our subconscious is automatic.

 

Our subconscious mind drives our conscious mind.

 

Our subconscious mind influences how we perceive and response to experience.

 

Our subconscious mind controls our habits.

 

This is why you may have 100 different reactions from 100 different people all watching the same movie, or looking at the same painting, or listening to the same song.

 

Hypnosis can help us access the subconscious mind to find solutions to problems like the following:

 

Why do I keep eating fattening foods even though I need to lose 20 lbs and lower my high cholesterol?

Why do I do poorly on an exam even though I know the subject matter very well?

Why do I fear spiders even though I know they can’t actually harm me?

Why can’t I learn to just sit back and relax?

Why can’t I quit smoking even though I know it’s bad for me?

 

So, if we truly are our own worst enemy or our own biggest obstacle, hypnosis can help change that.

Many doctors, family members and friends can get hung up on your baby’s “due date”. And perhaps you too are worried about the baby coming early or late. But keep in mind that your “due date” at best is really an (guess)estimated time of arrival of your baby. During your pregnancy your doctor and the results of your tests may give you more than one due date.  In fact, less than 5% of all babies are born on their dute date and no one even knows for sure how labour is triggered or how your baby knows when to be born.

 

A friend of a pregnant friend provided the following thoughts that I think is a nice way of comtemplating your baby’s ETA:

 

“In some spiritual beliefs when a baby is born early it means the child/soul is excited beyond itself to be born and begin its life lessons and purpose ahead of time and planning.

 

A child born around the time he/she is due means the soul is very balanced in its energy and understanding of life purpose.

 

Children born past their due dates are thought that the incarnating soul is finishing up some last minute plans in his/her charting of its entire incarnation… making things absolutely perfect so their life path and purposes fulfills its destiny and true purpose without ever going off track..”

Recommended reading list by EeVon Ling ND CH HBCE

 

The following is an on-going list of books about conception, pregnancy, birth and babies that I have personally read and reviewed that you may find interesting and informative:

 

Conception:

Taking Charge of Your Fertility Naturally by Toni Weschler

 

Pregnancy:

The Midwifery Option: A Canadian Guide to the Birth Experience by Miranda Hawkins & Sarah Knox

 

Birth:

The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Better Birth by Henci Goer

Birthing From Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam Fngland

The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas and all Other Labor Companions

 

Babies:

The Science of Parenting By Margot Sunderland

Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding (Revised Edition) by Dr. Jack Newman

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley

The 90 Minute Baby Sleep Program: Follow Your Baby’s Natural Sleep Rhythms for Better Nights and Naps by Polly Moore

Diaper Free: The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Bauer Ingrid

Hypnosis is Helpful for Childbirth

Research studies have shown that the use of hypnosis for childbirth may help:

Shorten time in labour

Reduce the use of pain medications (epidurals)

Increase APGAR scores (the measurement of the baby’s well-being at birth)

Reduce post-partum depression

Improve latching and breastfeeding

 

In fact, for a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, hypnosis is the safest way to have a baby.

 

 

Hypnosis helps you control your pain response.  The perception of pain is not fixed.  There may have been times in your life where you injured yourself (such as cut your finger) while busy doing something, but you didn’t realize you injured yourself, and you didn’t feel any pain until you stopped what you were doing and paid attention to your injury – at which point you started to feel pain.  Hypnosis can help with decreasing the intensity of pain and decreasing your sensitivity and awareness of pain while increasing the amount of endorphins your body produces.

 

Hypnosis will help you let go of fear and anxiety.  As a protective mechanism, we learn to fear pain. Unfortunately childbirth is strongly associated with pain – this association is further compounded by educational videos, movies and TV shows as well as our growing acceptance and normalization of the use epidurals and Cesareans. This fear of pain causes resistance to the working muscles of the uterus which increases tension. High tension in the very strong muscles of the uterus and cervix will increase pain.  Hypnosis can help you relax and release the tension in these muscles.

 

Hypnosis will help you (and your baby) relax.  As your muscles relax, there is less resistance, less stress and tension, but more endorphins produced. You and your baby will benefit from these endorphins. With more relaxation there is also more oxygen available to your working muscles as well as to the baby. With more relaxation your cervix can dilate properly and completely. Even your baby will be more relaxed during the childbirth process.

 

 

Will Hypnosis Give Me a Pain-Free Childbirth?

 

A totally pain-free childbirth is possible for a small percentage of the population among those with prior experience with hypnosis and self-hypnosis.  Otherwise the goal of hypnosis is to create a less painful and more comfortable, easier and natural childbirth.