Want to read an incredible testimonial? 

More Moms choosing hypnobirthing^(TM) for delivery

Dr. Kroger states: "There is no doubt that the expectation of pain and fear associated with labor can be effectively relieved by suggestion and / or hypnosis."

The benefits and the advantages of hypnosis are.....

1) Reduction or eradication of fear, tension, and pain before and during labor with a consequent rise in the pain threshold.

2) Reduction of chemoanalgesia and anesthesia or their complete elimination in good hypnotic subjects.

3) Complete control of painful uterine contractions; the mother can choose to experience the sensations of childbirth or not, as she sees fit.

4) Decreased shock and speedier recovery.

5) Lessened incidence of operative delivery since the responsive patient cooperates more fully, particularly during the expulsive stage. Relaxation and anesthesia of perineum are produced by autohypnosis or by direct suggestion from the hypnotherapist; this eases delivery, episiotomy, and suturing of the perinuem.

6) Lack of undesirable postoperative effects such as may be encountered with drug anesthesia; hypnoanesthesia is also more readily controlled.

7) Hypnosis shortens the first stage of labor by approximately 3 hours in primiparae and by more than 2 hours in multiparae.

8) Hypnosis raises the resistance to fatigue, thus minimizing maternal exhaustion.

9) Hypnosis can be used in debilitated individuals, in those who have ingested food shortly before delivery, and in those who are allergic to drugs. Also, it is indicated in premature delivery.

10) Hypnotic rapport can be transferred to an associate, an intern or a nurse, or to the husband, any one of whom, without previous training, can readily induce and maintain the hypnotic state by means of a prearranged cue (this can only be accomplished with the patient’s permission).

11) No elaborate education or ritualistic exercises are needed to achieve the strong interpersonal relationship essential to the success of childbirth under hypnosis.

12) There is no possibility that harm will be done to the mother or the baby by hypnoanesthesia. On the other hand, the literature offers a considerable amount of evidence that when drugs are given for pain relief they may decrease the oxygen supply to the fetus. Combined with other asphyxial factors such as trauma or difficult delivery, this may produce fetal anoxia and, it its wake, severe brain damage. With hypnoanesthesia, the danger of fetal anoxia is markedly decreased.

13) Childbirth under hypnoanesthesia is an intensely gratifying emotional experience for well-adjusted mothers. Hearing the baby’s first cry or seeing him or her immediately after birth are thrills that mothers can never feel if they are "knocked out."

14) Hypnosis can be life-saving for mother and baby in obstetrical emergencies. Its successful application has been reported in abruptio placenta with delivery of a live baby.

My wife, sensing my, ahh, apprehension at the prospect of being a first-time father, bought me this book.  The author, Peter Downey is a genius and he is very, very funny.  I just cannot say enough good things about his book.  (by the way, the above book title link to Amazon is NOT an affiliate link.  I state this because I want you to know my recommendation comes from my heart--not my wallet.)

What To Expect When You're Expecting

My wife has really enjoyed this book.  It is well laid out and is highly informative.

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives--A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy and Childbrith

Deepak Chopra has again written a thoughtful and useful book.  It is a surprisingly quick read and yet you will remember a lot of the information because the drawings help to sum up the intent.

This heartwarming collection offers 48 true stories of natural birth, told in the mothers' own voices. As diverse as the women who wrote them, the stories include hospital births, home births, unassisted births, emergency deliveries, births attended by young siblings, outdoor births and more

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