In the 17 years I have been teaching HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Education classes, one of my favorite parts is a little experiment I love to perform. In Class I, after the introductions, I ask each parent to talk about their vision for their baby’s birth. Some of the reactions I get remind me of when we were told in college that we’d have an exam the next day! When the dads sort of relax and sink into the couch thinking this is something the mom is surely meant to answer, I add…”dads too.” I write down all the responses and let them know I will be asking this same question in Class V.
So what do you think we all learn from this experiment? The results, most often, are beyond amazing. Generally, in the first responses there are lots of words about fear, pain, what they don’t want (ie: C-Section), dad’s hoping they won’t pass out, etc. We then continue on a journey of deprogramming and reconditioning the minds for easy relaxation and positive imaging through the many tools and techniques that define the HypnoBirthing program.
Through the hours of education, experiential exercises, deep hypnosis to alleviate fears and even some fun….It is time to once again conjure up that visualization of their upcoming birth to help them see how far they have come.
Fast forward 5 weeks to our last class. Reality has now set in…they’re almost on their own. It will soon be time for them to take the reins and put into action all that has been learned over the past 5 weeks through a practice regimen. Through the hours of education, experiential exercises, deep hypnosis to alleviate fears and even some fun….it is time to once again conjure up that visualization of their upcoming birth to help them see how far they have come. Now the more common words are peaceful, gentle, calm, excitement at meeting our baby, empowerment, etc. The new vision is often inclusive of the baby’s experience. The shift has occurred, the new intention is set and the vision is one of a most empowering experience for mom and dad as they envision gently welcoming their baby into the world, discovering feelings within themselves they could have only imagined before…as their baby’s gaze meets theirs for that first time. The magic of birth!
So, if you’re pregnant…what is your vision?