Labor of Love

A pregnant woman anticipates few things more than bringing her baby into the world. Unfortunately, entertainment media largely portrays this process as traumatic – a tense, painful ordeal that must be suffered through.

But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Hypnobirthing is a technique that can help moms-to-be feel confident and prepared for the birth experience. It reinforces birth as a natural, normal process.

“Birth is something that women are meant to do,” explains Terry Engelman, a certified nurse midwife at Sanford Health. “It’s a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be painful.”

The five pillars of hypnobirthing are breathing techniques, relaxation techniques, visualization, self-hypnosis and affirmations. The relaxation techniques are aimed at helping the moms-to-be overcome any feelings of fear, tension and pain associated with childbirth.

“In a world full of stress, hypnobirthing encourages moms to take time each day to relax and work on their breathing techniques,” Engelman explains.

Practicing hypnobirthing techniques throughout pregnancy helps mentally prepare moms-to-be and their partners for labor. Tarah Nolan worked with a midwife at Sanford Health and used hypnobirthing for both of her pregnancies.

“It’s a lot of breathing and re-directing your thoughts,” Nolan explains. “You work on viewing anything you would typically call pain as progress toward meeting your baby.”

Nolan credits hypnobirthing with making her excited to give birth.

“It just made the journey a lot more peaceful,” Nolan says. “When I had my first surge I was at home, it was in the middle of the night and I didn’t even wake up my husband. I just had a moment of peacefulness knowing my daughter was going to be here soon.”

As she progressed through labor, Nolan used hypnobirthing to stay calm and focused.

“I don’t remember in those moments feeling like I needed to scream out in pain,” Nolan says. “It was just exciting that she’d be there for us to meet.”

Now raising two daughters, Nolan still uses the relaxation techniques of hypnobirthing in chaotic moments. She’s grateful for the skills she feels many women before her have called upon in labor and in life.

“It’s empowering to think of all the women throughout history who have had babies without any medical intervention and to be able to tap into that,” Nolan says. “I think there’s a bond all women who have given birth share.”