Like most fathers-to-be, my husband was slightly skeptical about going to a class that would teach us how to do self-hypnosis that would benefit me through labour. Jonathan had only seen women labouring on television, which mainly consisted of women screaming and sweating for hours on end. He was slightly scared about the "event" and wasn't too sure whether being in a class with a complete stranger would help.
Hubby had a complete change of opinion after the first class. He enjoyed learning the relaxation techniques and even uses them now when he can't get to sleep! The benefits really came when we watched women birthing using the Hypnobirthing techniques we were learning and acknowledging that it didn't have to be a painful like we had heard from so many others. Jonathan also benefited from knowing what goes on through the birthing process and I think many other Dad's and birthing partners will find this beneficial too.
Often Dads will feel as though they are a spare part to woman labouring and feel unable to participate in any way with the situation happening right in front of them. However HypnoBirthing gives you a central role in the birth of your child, helping to achieve a calm, relaxed birth and further strengthening the bond between you, mum and your baby.
Like my husband, you can transfer these self-hypnosis techniques to everyday living and benefit from the relaxation and confidence you will aquire.
Hypnosis techniques can be used for all kinds of conditions and situations; interviews; driving test nerves; fear of flying and other phobias.
Jonathan says:
"In truth, I went to Hypnobirthing because my wife wanted to and I wanted to support her. Over the course of 5 weeks I began to understand what it was about - giving my wife control and a relaxed birthing experience that she could look back on with happiness. 2 Hypno babies later I have seen for my own eyes how well the course works. My wife has experienced the birth she wanted twice and that is all that I could ever have asked for."