Birth is Beautiful

Hypnobabies classes are back in Wake County!

After taking some time off to have my own *wonderful* Hypnobabies birth (see Hypnobaby Elliott), classes are back in Wake County. I can now say, first-hand, that Hypnobabies is absolutely amazing at preparing couples for birth.

I had the unique experience of being a Hypnobabies instructor and Hypno-doula for several years before using Hypnobabies myself. I first became interested in teaching Hypnobabies when I saw some amazing Hypnobabies births early in my doula career. These births really changed my perception of what birth could be. I was also very interested in staying as comfortable as I could for my own births while not using pain medication. During my pregnancy, I practiced my techniques as much as I could and used my hypnosis tools to block out anything negative surrounding birth. My birth was amazing, comfortable, and joyous. The day I birthed my son was the happiest day of my life, thanks to Hypnobabies. Even now, my husband and I are still discovering ways that Hypnobabies helped me to have a positive pregnancy and birth experience. I'm so blessed that I have been able to gain experience first as a Hypno-doula, an instructor, and finally, a Hypno-mom!

The Wake County classes are held in Cary at Whole Family Chiropractic on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Maynard Road. Contact Jamie if you have questions about the Cary class schedule.

Hypnobabies® is a six-week series taught by certified Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructors (HCHI). Each class is 3 hours in length. Students receive a workbook, Birth Partner guide/Quick Reference booklet, six hypnosis scripts on paper, nine hypnosis scripts on CD, handouts including instructions on the Belly Lift technique, a perineal massage booklet, and a new mother/new baby care booklet. The cost of the series is $300 for group classes and $450 for private classes.

Please contact Jamie for information on how to register for a Hypnobabies® class series and for any questions you have about the class. Please let me know if you do not see a class series that works with your schedule.

Class 1: Introduction to Hypnobabies: Introduction to Hypnobabies' Philosophies and Positive Mindset; Pregnancy Anatomy and Physiology; Belief Systems; The Power of Words and How They Affect Us; How Your Mind Works - The Conscious and Subconscious; The Mind/Body Connection; What Hypnosis is and is NOT; Demonstrations of Hypnosis; How Fear Affects Comfort and Length of Labor; Fear Clearing for Childbirth; The Importance of Daily Birthing Affirmations; The Gifts Your Body Gives You - Your Beautiful Uterus and How it Works; Creating Your "Mental Lightswitch". Partner Communication Exercise and the "Contract of Trust".

Class 2: Staying Healthy and Low Risk: Importance of Diet in Pregnancy; Nutritional Guidelines; The High Protein Advantage; Eggs, Salt and Calcium in Pregnancy; Drinking Water for Two; Avoidance of Harmful Substances; Safe and Comfortable Prenatal Sleeping and Resting Positions; Natural Comfort Measures for Pregnancy; Introduction of the Stages of Labor including the "Baby-Kindness" Stage; New Baby Sensitivity Through Bonding; Using Hypnosis for Pregnancy Discomforts and Health; Prenatal Exercises for Birth; Birth Partner Assistance.

Class 3: Your Options in Birthing: Birth Partner's "Relax and Feel Confident" CD; The Importance of Making Excellent Birthing Decisions; the "Big Secrets". Detailed Childbirth Choices - Risks, Benefits and Alternatives for Common Procedures; Getting Informed Consent, Hospital Forms and Your Rights; Questions for Caregivers - Consumer Issues and Positive Communication; Creating the Birth Plan of your Dreams; "Big" Babies; Packing Your Birth Bag; Touring Your Place of Birth; Benefits of a Professional Labor Assistant; "Hypno-Doulas"; Introduction of the book "Back Labor NO More".

Class 4: The Onset of Labor: Your "Guess Date" and Normal Length of Pregnancy; Preparing for your Birthing Day; Signs of Birthing Beginning; Amniotic Membranes Breaking - Your Safe Choices; True vs. "False" Labor; How to Time Your Birthing Waves (contractions); Your Birth Log; When to go to the Birth Place; Automatic Comfort and Relaxation on "The Drive" and Arrival at Your Place of Birth (if out of your home; Hypno-Guardians; Nurses - the Unsung Heroes; Using Hypnosis for Comfort During Internal Exams; Dilation, Effacement, Position and Station of Baby; The Beautiful Progress of Labor, Including Fast , Average and Slow or Stalled Labor; Artificial Induction and Natural Induction Techniques; Creating a Safe and Serene Birthing Environment; Nausea Elimination; Optimum Fetal Positioning.

Class 5: Birth Partners, Transformation and Birth: Birth Partners Training: Your Role During Pregnancy and Birthing Reviewed; How a Labor Assistant Can Help the Hypno-Partner; 4 Pages of Verbal Birthing Cues; Physical Comfort Techniques; the Change of Plans Hypnosis Script. Late First Stage Labor - Transition…or "Transformation"; Hypnosis Deepening techniques; Trusting in Your Body, Your Mind and your Baby; Protecting the Hypno-Mom!; Effective Positions for Birthing; Benefits and Use of the Birth Ball; Exhale Pushing and Avoiding the "Ring of Fire" with Hypnosis; Safe Birthing of the Placenta; Cord Traction, Pitocin, Post-Partum Choices. Review: Membranes Releasing, Hypnobabies Tools, Using Your Mental Lightswitch, Fear Clearing for Childbirth; Avoiding a Cesarean Section.

Class 6: Birthing Your Baby and Beyond: In-depth Birthing Rehearsal using all Hypnobabies Techniques, Birth Balls, Walking, Positional Changes and Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis where our Hypno-Moms and Birth Partners practice their Hypnobabies cues and techniques together, in hypnosis, culminating with "giving birth" using Hypno-Anesthesia. New Baby Care: Baby Kindness, Apgar Scores, Normal Newborn Appearance, and Choices for Baby's Care including Hospital and Homebirth Newborn Procedures, Bathing..or Not?, Vaccinations, Circumcision and Rooming In. A Good Start with Breastfeeding, Latching, Non-Schedules, BF Resources, Attachment Parenting Information, Slings and Carriers, and much more!