stressfreechildbirth.com
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HypnoBirthing® for a calm birth

Daryl Wilkinson

Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner - Melbourne, Australia

Conducted in small group classes or private individual sessions

Hypnotherapists have been using hypnosis to assist in childbirth for decades by employing self hypnosis techniques, guided imagry and visualisation but over the last 20 years 'HypnoBirthing" has been developed into an international program of childbirth education, teaching techniques for safe, stressfree comfortable birthing.

The HypnoBirthing® program was devised in America by Marie Mongan who trainined many HypnoBirthing® Educators that are are spread across the USA. I was amongst the first group of hypnotherapists in Australia to be trained, and certified as HypnoBirthing® Educators. The program promotes the empowerment of the mother incorporating approaches to natural childbirth and self hypnosis.

The philosophy draws heavily on the writings of "The Father of Natural Childbirth" Dr Grantly Dick-Reid (1890 -1959) and in particular his book, Child Birth without Fear. As a young doctor in 1913 Dr Dick-Reid was called to a slum area of London to deliver a baby, where he witnessed a painless child birth. The reply he received when he asked the new mother why she did not require any pain relief was to have a profound effect upon him. "It didn't hurt. It wasn't meant to, was it Doctor?" After witnessing several other similar births, he developed and presented his theory of a "Fear - Tension - Pain Syndrome" in the early 1920's.

The "stressfree childbirth" program :

• Eliminates the 'fear - tension - pain syndrome' before, during and after birthing.
• Shortens the first stage of labour by several hours
• Eliminates fatigue during labour, leaving the mother fresh, awake and with energy for the birthing.
• Promotes bonding of the mother, baby and birthing companion.
• Promotes more rapid postnatal recovery.
• Creates a more integral role for the birthing companion.

My program consists of a series of 4 two hour classes where the mother-to-be and her partner or "birthing companion" have the birthing process explained and demystified, explicit birthing videos shown, fears dispelled and the couple taught exercises, strategies and hypnotic techniques to use during the labour and the preceding weeks. The program is conducted in three optional ways, small group classes, individual sessions and single sessions for 2 or 3 couples. The couple is expected to read the material supplied and practice learned techniques between sessions.

What you will learn.

• Relaxation and self-hypnosis to eliminate the fear and tension that cause a long labour and pain.
• Special breathing techniques to produce a shorter, more comfortable labour.
• That pain need not accompany normal birthing.
• Why women in other cultures have birthings almost entirely free of discomfort.
• How the mother's body is designed to work in harmony with nature throughout labour.
• Techniques of deep relaxation during and between uterine contractions.
• The importance of prenatal and perinatal bonding.

Session one involves "dehypnotising" the fear factor and building a positive expectancy. The "Fear - Tension - Pain Syndrome" is explained and dismantled. The process, physiology and the historical and cultural background of the current western approach to childbirth are explained. Explicit videos of painless childbirth's using relaxation techniques are shown and the idea of hypnosis is introduced.

Session two is primarily involved with teaching the couples hypnosis and "a comfortable self awareness" while session three deals with breathing techniques, relaxation, visualisation and imagery aimed at preparing the body and bonding with the unborn child. The birthing partner reinforces the hypnotic techniques in this session.

By session four confidence and empowerment is increased in both the mother-to-be and the birthing partner, beliefs and techniques are integrated and an individual "Birthing Plan" is developed. The birthing partner perfects the learned hypnotic skills and the couple can demonstrate and rehearse the process.

It has to be emphasised that this is a collaborative method of childbirth, not an alternative. It does not preclude the introduction of medical intervention if it is required. However unnecessary medical intervention proposed for expediency or the convenience of the hospital or staff are not endorsed.

The focus of the program is to return to women their right to call upon their natural birthing instincts and enjoy a calm, serene and memorable birthing experience.

WHEN TO START THE PROGRAM

It is recommended to start between 25 and 30 weeks as this gives plenty of practice time. I have worked successfully with women who have started as late as 36 weeks, but this is not recommended. If you have decided to do this program, phone now to book your session times without delay as I am usually heavily booked, particularly in the after-hours times. I am often booked up for two months ahead. If you need more information to make your decision, feel free to ring me to ask questions and discuss the program in more detail.

What new mothers are saying about this program:

• "I was relaxed and comfortable all the way. It was wonderful!"
• " It was far more than we had even hoped for. Our daughter came into the world so easily and in such a calm atmosphere."
• "I told myself that I would only feel pressure, and it worked! That is all I felt, What a difference from my first labour."
• "I used self hypnosis with our first baby and my active labour was only three hours from start to end, We were thrilled"
• "This is the way all babies should come into the world"

"Just call me Grandpa"

My first grandson weighed in at 9 lbs after having a text book stressfree, pain free, birth.

My daughter, who used these self hypnosis techniques, after the birth declared to the amazed obstetrician that giving birth was " great fun"

A further note on this birth.

At 8 months my daughter fell down some steps, broke her arm and went into labour. She was taken to hospital and preparations were made for an impending premature birth. Her partner arrived armed with my relaxation CDs for use during the birth as was planned. However upon listening to the CD the contractions stopped and she was able to go the full term and birth naturally at 9 months.

"It's a GIRL!"

My grandson's little sister weighed in at 9lb (4.1kg) after another calm and perfect stressfree, pain free birth. My daughter's labour was under 3hrs from start to finish and she describes it as a "wonderful exhilarating experience".

Her obstetrician declared that my daughter was "the most relaxed birthing mother she had ever seen."

Another BOY!

My daughter's third baby and my latest grandson weighed in at 4 kg after another easy stressfree, drug free, painless 4 hour labor and birth.

The doctor who arrived in the final stage looked at my daughter, who was calm and relaxed, and said to the attending midwife, "I see she has already had an epidural".

Left to right: Fiona (midwife), Phillipa, Baby Ella, Garth.

Baby Ella was a breech presentation (usually a mandatory caesarean) but Phillipa was so relaxed that she proceeded to give birth easily and naturally with no drugs and no medical intervention.

GARTH: "We had a very successful birth and I couldn't recommend it more highly."

FIONA: (midwife of 14 years experience) "It was fantastic that it (hypnosis) enabled her to relax and let her body labour naturally and not tense up against the contractions. Often a breech birth is a longer labour, but because she could relax, she had a quick and easy delivery. I would recommend it highly.

Note: Fiona had never before attended a birth where hypnosis was used.

PHILLIPA: It was an amazing, awe inspiring, fabulous experience. Even though it was a breech, I wouldn't change a thing! I wasn't scared. There was no fear. I was really relaxed and felt positive and calm. And having a baby that was breast feeding within 10 minutes, it was worth all the practice. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to put in the time."

The above testimony was transcribed from a video that you will view as part of the "stressfree childbirth" program.

"You have nothing to lose but your fear, tension and pain!"

Phone: Melbourne 9349 3279 or 0419 556 203

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PROGRAM DELIVERY - YOUR CHOICE:

The stressfree childbirth program may be taken in either of three ways. The contact hours (8 hours in total) are exactly the same in all options.

Option 1: SMALL GROUP CLASSES (4 couples max) run on two Saturdays usually a fortnight apart each month - 10.30am to 3.30pm with a one hour lunch break.

(Note that we are only a few steps away from the many great cafes and eateries of Rathdowne Village or bring your own lunch and picnic in Curtain Square Park only 100 meters away.)

or

Option 2: Four x 2 hour PRIVATE SESSIONS for an individual couple (usually weekly)

or

Option 3: Four x 2 hour DISCOUNTED weekly SESSIONS for 2 couples (at same cost as Saturday classes - save $100) Do you have a friend that is pregnant?

TOTAL COST includes home study materials/class notes and 6 practice CD's

Saturday Classes $200 x 2 four hour days = $400 in total

Private Sessions $125 x 4 two hour sessions = $500 in total.

Discounted Sessions $100 x 4 two hour sessions = $400 in total

Next Scheduled Saturday Classes:
Evening weekly private sessions always available

13th & 20th February 2010

6th & 20th March 2010

10th & 24th April 2010

8th & 22nd May 2010

12th & 26th June 2010

BOOK NOW for these Saturday Classes
or for weekly day or evening private sessions

(03) 9349 3279 or 0419 556 203

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Daryl Wilkinson has been trained
and certified as a HypnoBirthing® Practitioner

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Sophie and the birth of Charlie.

A former client, Sophie, gave me the following photos (and permission to display them on this page). She wanted to show me just how relaxed she was during her contractions. Sophies first child's birth (without hypnobirthing) was a real ordeal but Charlie's "HypnoBirth" was a wonderful experience. "As different as white is to black" she said. She also reports that Charlie is a wonderfully placid and happy baby, something that she atributes to his beautiful calm and easy birth.

Sophie and partner Rob with Charlie just minutes after the birth.

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SOME UNSOLICITED RESPONSES TO stressfree childbirth

Click here to read: A LETTER (and Video) FROM LOUISE

Click here to read: A MESSAGE FROM MEG

When things don't go according to plan.....
Click here to read: An E-MAIL FROM VICKI

RELEVANT INTERESTING LINKS

Link to Peter Jackson, midwife and hypnotherapist. Bowral NSW. Peter was Australia's first authorised trainer of HypnoBirthing® Educators (he trained me!). Peter has left the HypnoBirthing team and now runs his own program:"calmbirth"- http://www.calmbirth.com.au

Link to the HypnoBirthing® Institute USA - http://www.hypnobirthing.com

Hypnobabies.Calm! http://www.hypnobabies.com

Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond - http://www.pregnancy.com.au An information rich resource site of independant midwife Jane Palmer in Sydney.

A list of HypnoBirthing practitioners in Victoria and other states: http://www.bubhub.com.au/serviceshypnobirthing.shtml

An informative website of a Canadian doctor who has developed a program of Hypnosis for Childbirth in Montreal Canada: http://www.hypno-beginning.com

Link to "Birthrite" a site devoted to the promotion of upright birthing and holistic midwifery http://www.birthrite.com.au

Birthing Sense - Making sense of your pregnancy, birth and early parenting experience: http://www.BirthingSense.com

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This is a copy of a page from the Discussion Forum on www.essentialbaby.com.au

Discussion Topic: Hypnobirthing in Melbourne

AmyS 07 Jun 04 @ 12:35 PM

Hi all,

I'm expecting my first baby in September and am very interested in trying hypnobirthing. I wondered if anyone living in Melb has tried it and if so, can you reccommend a good practitioner? I have emailed Peter Jackson and he's given me a list of practitioners in Melbourne, I just wanted to know if any of you ladies can personally reccommend someone? I'm in the SE suburbs up in the Dandenongs. Thanks, Amy

PattyC 08 Jun 04 @ 3:28 PM                         

I am going through the hypnobirthing classes now with one more to go (due in July). I am really enjoying the program. I highly recommend Daryl Wilkinson. The sessions are private for couples which my husband and I have found very useful. Here is a link to his website: http://www.stressfree.com.au

Good Luck. I think you'll enjoy the experience.

jje 08 Jun 04 @ 4:40 PM                          

Hi Amy,

I attended Hynobirthing with Daryl Wilkinson after hours privately with my HB.

I gave birth in April. I practiced what is suggested and Daryl has fantastic CD's. I had a wonderful painless birth experience.

Daryl is just fantastic....

Best Wishes

AmyS 09 Jun 04 @ 1:24 PM                          

Thank you very much. Will give him a ring

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DID YOU KNOW?

According to published results of clinical studies (American Journal of Clinnical Hypnosis. 2004 April), the use of hypnosis facilitates a more uncomplicated birth process.  In a separate research study done by University of Florida counseling psychologist Paul Schauble, it was also found that women who learn hypnosis before delivering babies suffer fewer complications, need less medication and are more likely to have healthier babies than are women without hypnosis.  Schauble's first study involved adolescents getting prenatal care at a public health clinic. A group of 20 patients who received hypnosis preparation were compared with 20 who were given supportive counseling and 20 patients in a control group who received only the standard prenatal care. None of the women who received hypnosis required surgical intervention in their deliveries, compared with 12 in the supportive counseling group and eight in the control group, he said. "Patients who are prepared for labor and delivery in hypnosis are more likely to absorb and benefit from information because they are in a relaxed, highly focused state," he said.