What is Hypnosis?

What is Hypnosis?

According to the NCH: "Opinions vary on the exact definition of this natural state of mind. First of all, contrary to what many people believe, hypnosis is not always a trance state or a sleep state even though a person in hypnosis may appear to be sleeping. Hypnosis is really natural state of mind and is an important part of everyday life. Whenever our mind wanders, daydreams or is focused on something, such as reading a book, driving a familiar route, watching a film we are in a state of hypnosis."

So many people think of sucking lemons and clucking like a chicken when they think of hypnosis - Hypnosis and Stage Hypnotism is a million miles away from Hypnotherapy.

 

What is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy has been recognized as a therapeutic tool by professionals, it can be powerful for changing patterns of behaviour and rebalancing outdated beliefs. The 'therapy' part of hypnotherapy takes place when the subject is in a 'trance' like state. Once this state is achieved the client becomes open and receptive to suggestion to create a change. I use the word 'trance' with reservation as it can  conjures an image of loss of control - nothing could be further from the truth. In hypnotherapy, the client is in a deeply relaxed state and remains in control at all times - there is no chance that you would do or say anything against your will.

What is Hypnotherapy used for?

Beliefs affect our biology. Hypnotherapy has the potential to help adapt any behaviour, and change any emotional responses that are caused by negative or unpleasant thoughts. The most common uses of hypnotherapy include: Smoking Cessation, Weight Loss, Phobia and Pain Management.

Natal Hypnotherapy ™

Natal Hypnotherapy™ is a program devised by Maggie Howell in 2000. It uses the principles of Hypnotherapy to help women have a positive birth experience. Natal Hypnotherapy™ offers so much more than hypnotherapy alone - for more information on the types of things you will learn on the Natal Hypnotherapy workshops see Calm and Contented Hypnotherapy . Natal Hypnotherapy™ has been described as an antenatal workshop that reaches parts that other antenatal workshops can not reach!

Is Hypnotherapy for me?

Everyone has one issue or another. You could contact a local hypnotherapist to discuss your requirements. Hypnotherapy isn't regulated so there are many practitioners out there. It is recommended that you question their experience and select a professional who is registered with the NCH National Council for Hypnotherapy (Or other recognised body) and has attended more than a two day weekend training course!

There is no right or wrong way to experience hypnosis and truly the best way of understanding it and assessing it's impact is to experience it yourself.

Olympic Water Birth

The Many Benefits of Water

Rebecca Addlington, Olympic and Gold winning freestyle swimming has announced she wants a water birth.


With so many benefits of water its hardly surprising that more and more women are re-considering there options for birth. The warmth and buoyancy of a birthing pool is such a relaxing way to birth and perfectly compliments hypnosis for birth.

As Beverley Turner puts it "Water can do so much for you in labour, taking away gravity so you feel really comfortable, and giving natural pain relief, because as you relax things tend to hurt less. Many women who birth in water also say that it makes them feel safe, protected, and in their own special zone."


To read more about attitudes and benefits of water birth please see:

waters-great-for-swimming-but-would-you-give-birth-in-it

Lazy Daisy Blackpool & Fylde - The more education the better...

Complimentary Classes

As Natal Hypnotherapy™  Practitioners we are frequently asked whether our workshops compliment other antenatal classes - like NCT, Lazy Daisy, Empowering Parents, NHS Parentcraft Classes and so on...

Absolutely, Natal Hypnotherapy™ has been coined as the 'antenatal workshop that other workshops can't reach' - It covers topics such as the emotional pattern of birth, the impact of hormones & of course the in depth use of hypnotherapy as a form of Natural Pain Relief that not all other classes include.

All antenatal education is extremely valuable. You would be amazed at the amount of women who do no birth preparation at all - yet research has shown that antenatal classes result in a smoother birth experience.

Angela Turner-Jones at Lazy Daisy offers weekly birth classes which would ideally compliment Natal Hypnotherapy™. Both workshops offer excellent antenatal education: Calm & Contented Natal Hypnotherapy™ focuses on Mind & Body where as Lazy Daisy focuses on Body & Mind.

Natal Hypnotherapy™

Natal Hypnotherapy is focused upon releasing the fear surrounding birth through in depth hypnosis techniques and primarily encourages the use of instinct movement during birth. Much of Natal Hypnotherapy™ is focused upon achieving a natural birth - appealing to women who want a 'normalised' birth experience. Understanding that nothing is life is guaranteed, the techniques that you learn are designed to help you stay calm and in control - no matter what happens during birth. At Calm & Contented, I focus mainly on One-to-One Workshops which allow a couple to get maximum benefit from Natal Hypnotherapy™ - everything is tailored to the individual couple and is very much a personal experience.

Lazy Daisy

Lazy Daisy teaches wonderful active birthing and pregnancy movements - pregnancy yoga is adapted to all women even those who worry they are not stretchy enough. Gentle flowing movement sequences are designed to support pregnancy, so that the body will simply 'remember' whilst the birthing mum focuses on staying calm and in control.  Lazy Daisy explore 'active birth', but also consider the role of hormones and mind set, so often attract women who know they have to have a more managed or assisted delivery. Lazy Daisy offers weekly classes which is the ideal opportunity to socialise with other pregnant ladies.

Both Natal Hypnotherapy™ and Lazy Daisy help women to feel physically & emotionally, confident & comfortable throughout pregnancy though birth breathing, affirmation and visualisation exercises and offer positive preparation for birth.


For Lazy Daisy Classes: Contact Angela 07966 424046

Guidelines for Home Birth

Welcome Guidelines:

 "Today is a great day for all those midwives, doulas, antenatal teachers and men and women who believe that giving birth is a normal, physiological and emotional event in a woman's life and that it should be treated with the utmost respect, dignity and awe. It is indeed a great day - women will now finally be given a more realistic (evidence based) view of home births.

Giving Birth does not have to be a traumatic and medicalised process during which the woman feels scared, out of control and a cog in the NHS maternity system. The NICE guidelines, which were published today, have recognised that the evidence to date indicates that women who choose to have their babies in the safety and privacy of their own home under the care of a Midwife, or in a Midwifery led birthing unit have less complications and hence intervention.
But we should not forget that this day is the accumulation of years and years of hard work by some unbelievably dedicated and passionate women and men. I remember being at the launch of the Birthplace study in London and the buzz then was amazing - everyone truly felt that the tide was turning, and that was 3 years ago. We need to keep up the momentum, support midwives in the amazing work they do, encourage our friends, sisters, daughters to believe in their bodies and to spread the word that feeling safe, positive and prepared will help all women to have better births."

Maggie Howell Founder of Natal Hypnotherapy

What is a doula and do I need one?

What is a Doula?

Unless you are from a birthing background or you are lucky enough to personally know a doula it is quite likely that you have no idea what one is.

A doula is a non-medical person, usually a mother, who is there to support you throughout pregnancy, labour and/or after your birth. 

Doula's are trained to have a non-judgemental outlook and are there to support and represent your decision. They offer emotional and physical support at a time that women are most vunerable - helping women to get the birth experience they really want.

It's a common misconception that doula's can only employed during birth - actually many also work postnatally, so you could employ a doula for a couple of hours per week until you get back on your feet.

Do I need one?

This really depends on you. On your expectations and your support network. 

During birth you may feel that your birth partner is assertive enough to deal with medical professionals and that he has the neccessary skills to support you throughout labour. (Of course these skills can be polished with increased antenatal education - Natal Hypnotherapy dedicates an entire section about the role of the birth partner!)

Other women may not have a birth partner. Or they may have a partner that is daunted by the protocol and procedure of hospital - even the most confident of people can get 'white coat syndrome' when on unfamiliar medical territory. Or they may have a partner that is extremely squeamish and it is likely he will be in a heap on the floor at the crucial moment!


Even if your partner is a hero-man-midwife type, don't disregard having a doula - a well trained doula knows exactly when to step back. Just having a doula there, as a women who is herself a mother and has gone through the birth process, can really help. Plus a doula also takes care of the birth partner allowing him to have a break/toilet stop/something to eat and so on...

After birth you may be lucky enough to have helpful and supportive family and friends, but as our society becomes more fragmented for many people this isn't a reality and a doula can provide very practical support at this time.

Choosing a Doula

It is wise to chat to a few doula's before you make a decision. You need to feel comfortable with the person that is to partake in such a intimate and special part of your life. If the doula talks about her own experience, sack her. Your birth experience is about you.

Isn't is expensive to hire a Doula

Until you speak to one you won't know - but you may be surprised. Many women who train as a doula, do it because it is fulfilling and rewarding - not for the money. So it is likely that you will be able to find an agreement. There is also a Doula Hardship Fund - for more information see Hardship Fund.

There is lots more information on Doula UK. You are able to select a 'Doula by Postcode' on this site.

Doula's are available for both hospital and home births.

In our area we are extremely lucky to have the open minded, lovely natured and experienced Zoe Walsh. Zoe covers Wyre, Fylde, Preston, and surrounding areas. For an informal chat please call: 07743 299810.

Slightly further a field there is Susan Hannelly (Manchester) 07745380706 or Michelle Bromley (East Lancs) 0793214574 and Aurea Kelvin (Lancaster) 07779232866.




 

#MorningSickness

 

How to alleviate Morning Sickness

Writing this now is reminding me of just how debilitating morning sickness is. As you have probably heard - for most woman that sickly feeling will go away at around 12 weeks, but for some women it can be present throughout pregnancy.

It is a shame that that elation of finding out you are pregnant is overshadowed by feelings of nausea and actually having you head down the toilet!

No one really understands what causes morning sickness or why some women have it and others don't. It is believed to be triggered by hormonal changes that take place when a woman becomes pregnant.

There are several natural ways to help reduce morning sickness including acupuncture, acupressure, sickness bands, taking ginger, peppermint, eating bland foods and grazing rather than eating big meals - and hypnotherapy.

As the Duchess of Cambridge is in the news with her second pregnancy - I wonder whether she will be again using hypnotherapy to alleviate morning sickness again?

It was reported last year that she was benefiting from hypnotherapy:

 'The hypnotherapy is taking away any negative thoughts connected with food from the morning sickness, and replacing them with cravings for healthy, nutritious food”

Stress plays a significant role in the onset of morning sickness. Hypnotherapy teaches us to relax at a level where your body is able to manage stress hormones and become focused on remaining calm. Suggestions help you to release tension and help you to maintain a relaxed mindset and in turn help to reduce morning sickness. 

Hypnotherapy can help you  to reframe thoughts about food and smells which trigger sickness - this will help you to control subconscious physically responses and allow you feel much better.

Additional positive suggestions for overcoming morning sickness would include: better quality sleep; more comfortable digestion; more effective use of energy; feeling/being calmer when dealing with every day issues; and increasing water intake. 

Maggie Howell's 'Overcome morning sickness' CD/MP3 helps pregnant women to deal with nausea and morning sickness through by listening to the CD in their own home.

A survey carried out in conjunction with Pregnancy and Birth Magazine, found that 10 out of 10 mothers would recommend this CD to a friend and 9 out of 10 felt significant benefit from using it.

"After listening to your CD I stopped being sick after meals. The nausea only comes back very occasionally, and my appetite has improved almost back to normal!  I wish I'd known about it for my last pregnancy, as I suffered really badly until about 18 weeks. I'll certainly recommend the CD to my friends."

Available from www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk, www.amazon.co.uk or www.nctshop.co.uk

Hypnobirthing Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire

Susan Walker & Associates

Calm & Contented Natal Hypnotherapy™ One-to-One Workshops are now taking place at Susan Walker & Associates in Poulton-Le-Fylde.

Susan Walker, who is very well known and respected in the local community, has been in private physiotherapy practice for more than 25 years.

Natal Hypnotherapy™ will compliment the range of services already offered by Susan and her team.

Bowen Technique

Susan offers the Baby Bowen technique which helps to reset the body to heal itself. It consists of a series of gentle moves, usually with just the thumb and finger, across muscles or tendons in a very gentle rolling motion. Bowen is ideal for infants as it is extremely gentle yet highly effective - treating colic and reflux.

Bowen Technique 

Natal Hypnotherapy Sessions will run from 7.30pm - 10pm

For more information please see Hypnobirthing Bookings