Hypnobabies students have unique “hypno-needs”!
It is wonderful to have a doula (professional birth assistant) during your Birthing Time (especially if you’re having a hospital birth) to help you with your Birth Preferences and to be a nurturing presence; one that knows so many ways to help your Birthing Time progress and remain more comfortable if needed, etc. Many Hypnobabies students are choosing this wonderful option now, and here are a few helpful thoughts:
As a Hypnobabies student, it’s important that the doula you choose is familiar with the Hypnobabies philosophy, techniques, cue words, and materials. Our hypnosis scripts and audio tracks use very specific language and suggestions that gently retrain the inner mind to support a calmer, more comfortable birth.
These Hypnobabies “hypno-tools” are designed to be learned, practiced, and used consistently, and they work best when everyone on your birth team understands and supports them. This helps protect the relaxed, focused mindset you’ve been preparing for and supports the best possible birth experience.
Many doulas who are not Hypno-Doulas may simply be unfamiliar with hypnosis and how powerful it can be when learned, practiced, and used as designed. They may also be unfamiliar with Hypnobabies’ unique hypno-tools, specialized language, practice structure, and the way hypnosis supports a calmer, more comfortable natural birth.
Hypnobabies is quite different from most traditional natural childbirth approaches. While many comfort techniques are taught with the belief that unmedicated birth is always very painful and requires continuous physical effort, Hypnobabies focuses on deep inner awareness. Our approach uses specific mental, emotional, and physical cues that are gently trained into the subconscious ahead of time, allowing many birthing people to remain deeply relaxed, focused, much more comfortable, and confident during childbirth.
Because Hypnobabies students/clients are in a deeply hypnotic state during childbirth, they are especially responsive to suggestions. If traditional doula pain-coping techniques or language are introduced during this time, they can unintentionally disrupt the hypnosis training the client has practiced for months.
For the most comfortable and supportive birth experience, it’s important that only Hypnobabies phrases and techniques are used with a Hypnobabies birthing client. This helps them remain deeply relaxed, focused, and in the exact mindset they need. Introducing traditional pain-management language, techniques, or warnings – even with the best intentions – can work against the hypnosis and may reverse its positive effects. Our goal is to fully protect and support the calm, confident state our hypno-students have carefully prepared for a safer, easier birth.
If you are studying Hypnobabies with our Online Hypnobirthing Course or attending a Hypnobabies live class, your doula can order our Hypno-Doula Training Course which teaches traditionally trained doulas to easily work with our terrific Hypnobabies couples and support them in a much more helpful and effective way. You or your doula can order it in our Hypnobabies Store. You can also find a Hypnobabies trained Hypno-Doula on our Find a Hypno-Doula page.
If you are taking a Hypnobabies live class, you can also bring your doula to your Hypnobabies Class with you; doulas are always welcome and certainly learn a great deal from being there with you in class. She can even participate in your Hypnobabies Class 6 Birthing Rehearsal with you and your birth partner and get in some hands-on cues and techniques practice!
Please note: Unless a Hypno-Doula is also a Certified Hypnobabies Instructor, she cannot teach a Hypnobabies class, course or workshop of any kind. If you’d like to attend a real Hypnobabies class/course, please visit our Find a Hypnobabies Class page to locate a Certified Hypnobabies Instructor near you.
A Trained Hypno-Doula can easily:
- Learn and practice Hypnobabies techniques and hypno-cues ahead of time with the Hypno-couple in a few Birthing Rehearsals, as well as use only Hypnobabies language and techniques at all times. This reinforces your practice and helps form a bond between you and your doula.
- Be a liaison for the couple with hospital staff, explaining that they need darkness, solitude and quiet, keeping distraction to a minimum, etc.
- Learn and use hypnotic Deepening techniques with the Hypno-student, for use in Transformation (transition) stage.
- Help with Fear Clearing and hypno-cues during your Birthing Time (trading off with the Birth Partner when they’re tired, but not replacing the Birth Partner).
- Learn and use Hypnobabies pushing techniques and with the Hypno-client, for use in the pushing stage.
- Help the Hypno-client get up to change positions or go to the bathroom immediately after a birthing wave is over. This and many other Hypno-Doula training techniques help the Hypnobabies birthing client to remain in hypnosis as they change positions, using Birth Prompts and their “Lightswitch” and “Peace” cues.
- Remember that positional changes and upright positions are mainly used for descent and positioning of the baby and not for comfort in a Hypnobabies birth. When using hypnosis for childbirth, physical comfort comes from using hypnosis to flow deeper inside the inner mind, which also creates the deepest physical relaxation possible.
Questions for a Hypnobabies Mom to Ask When Interviewing a Traditionally Trained Doula:
- Where were you trained and how long have you been a birthing assistant?
- How many births have you attended as a doula?
- Are you a Hypnobabies trained Hypno-Doula?
- If not, do you have any experience or knowledge of using hypnosis for childbirth? If so, what?
- If you are not a trained Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula, would you be willing to learn Hypnobabies techniques and read materials that will allow you to birth-assist me in my Birthing Time?
- Are you willing to do at least one Hypnobabies birthing rehearsal with me and my birth partner?
- Are you willing to use only the Hypnobabies course language that I/we have been learning and practicing?
- Describe your role in my birthing: What exactly will you do and what techniques will you use?
- How many times will I see you before the birth?
- When will you come to attend me in my Birthing Time?
More specific questions you may want to ask:
- What other services do you offer? (Breastfeeding support, postpartum for mom and dad, new baby care, etc.)
- Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and in your practice.
- What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through their Birthing Time? 4. What care providers have you worked with in our area?
- What do you think is the most important part of your job?
- Are there any limits to your availability?
- Do you have a back-up Hypno-Doula for times when you are not available; and may we meet with her?
- In what hospitals have you attended births?
- May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
- Do you meet with me (us) after the birth to review our birth and answer questions?
- What is your fee, and what does it include?
- Are there two of your past clients whom I may call?
Hypno-students: Please remember that your decision to learn, practice and use Hypnobabies for your baby’s birth is a very intelligent one that includes some important and unique needs, and if you are choosing to have a doula at your birth, you would do well to choose a trained Hypnobabies Hypno-Doula. Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions by e-mailing us at Info@Hypnobabies.com.
Learn more about becoming a Hypno-doula HERE