Many
therapists are aware of the use of hypnosis for childbirth and
for the removal of pain along with the production of analgesia/anaesthesia
by stimulation of Endorphins, but this is mostly unreliable, in
most cases only gaining a heightened pain threshold. Not
many have heard of the use of Clinical Sophrology in childbirth,
which is has been used throughout Europe privately and in hospitals,
Sophrology is also commonly used in Japan and South America by
many doctors.
It
is a known fact that the more a client practices self relaxation
the greater the depth achieved, thus over a period of time even
clients who can only achieve light states will soon allay their
fears of the relaxed state and will easily enter the deeper states
needed for the production of analgesia/anaesthesia and or pain
relief.
First
trimester 0 to 13 weeks.
There
are many advantages to the use of self relaxation in early pregnancy,
by early I mean as soon as confirmation is obtained, normally
around 3 to 4 weeks gestation, this will not only in most cases
guarantee a good outcome at birth but will allay most of the normal
aches, discomforts and anxieties experienced during pregnancy
itself.
One
of the first and I feel the worst problem during pregnancy, is
the onset of morning sickness, though known as morning sickness,
this in some cases does not just happen in the morning but can
last all day and well into the evening and throughout the night.
Morning sickness is believed to be due to hormonal imbalances,
the first hormone to appear is HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin)
which stimulates the production of the pregnancy hormones, Oestrogen
and Progesterone.
It
is our personal belief that during this early stage of pregnancy,
though further research is needed, that there is also an imbalance
between the pregnancy hormones and another hormone called Cortisol.
Cortisol is a hormone associated with Stress & Anxiety, there
is extensive scientific data available to explain that during
times of stress, Cortisol levels in the body increase, could this
be the cause of sickness & nausea during early pregnancy.?
Hormonal imbalance is also to blame for unusual tiredness and
emotional highs & lows during this early stage of pregnancy.
When
using self relaxation in early pregnancy in most cases within
one or two sessions, feelings of nausea and sickness subside on
their own without suggestion being given other than to relax and
to release any stresses and tensions, the relaxation through Sophrology
also removes the tiredness.
The
emotional highs & lows however, need further investigation
using analysis, to allay any endogenous anxieties, tensions or
depression, relating to prior life traumas and experiences. For
a successful outcome in childbirth, I feel that analysis is essential
and should be carried out on every client, as early into the pregnancy
as possible, once this has been carried out and all fears, anxieties
and tensions have been allayed, pregnancy can become a wonderful
and pleasant experience.
It
is normal for midwives during ante-natal clinic attendance's during
this trimester of pregnancy, to expect all sorts of moans and
groans plus fluctuating blood pressure and so on, they are pleasantly
surprised to see a mum-to-be relaxed and in control, this is also
evident when the baby is monitored, midwives immediately comment
on how relaxed the baby is, even at this early stage.
Second
trimester 14 to 26 weeks.
The
next trimester of the pregnancy, is relatively uneventful, this
gives the therapist plenty of time, to increase depth of relaxation
and to teach the client several forms of self relaxation and the
ability to stimulate Endorphins to produce analgesia & anaesthesia
in preparation for the 3rd trimester and imminent birth.
Third
trimester 27 to 34 weeks.
The
3rd trimester can be quite daunting, with many minor ailments
but to the mum-to-be these ailments can be the most troublesome,
with heartburn, flatulence, hemorrhoids, backache, swollen feet
& legs, blood pressure, headaches, fluctuations in temperature,
aching joints & aching of the breasts, all most all of these
ailments are due to the increased weight as baby grows. All of
these ailments can be controlled by deep relaxation and in most
cases removed completely, where the practice of Sophrology has
been used in early pregnancy, by now the mum-to-be is quite adapt
to achieving very deep states of relaxation and is a wonderful
practitioner of self relaxation with the ability to produce self
analgesia if needed (with restrictions).
The
last few weeks of the pregnancy can be frustrating particularly
with first time mums, It's now a waiting game, this is the time
for the therapist to keep the clients mind occupied using visualization
of the birth without Pain, ensuring to cover all eventualities
(complication) and to give suggestions to alter the clients perception
of the contractions, from that of painful and prolonged to enjoyable
tingling sensations, at this point the therapist can involve their
birthing partners, by teaching them how to help their partner
into the deep relaxed state and how to reinforce positive suggestions,
throughout the labor.
The
Birth.
If
everything to this point has gone well, there is now no reason
not to expect a successful outcome, the only reasons for failure
at this point are that the client has not been practising their
self relaxation or that there are still some unresolved anxieties.
Again
the birth itself is a waiting game, slow labor (unestablished
labor) can last from 1 hour to 72 hours and in some cases even
longer, therefore during this time there is no point in inducing
the trance state, until such time that labor has been fully established,
the clients self relaxation will work well during this waiting
period. You will note, if the client has practised self relaxation
successfully during pregnancy, that their breathing into each
contraction is exceptional and natural as well as enjoyable, this
should now continue throughout their labor It is essential during
early labor that the midwife should check the client at regular
intervals as the client could be more advanced in labor than the
midwife realizes, It is common for midwives to believe that the
client is not in established labor because of the belief that
they should feel pain.
As
soon as the midwife has confirmed established labor, the deep
relaxed state should now be induced. this is where hypnotherapeutic
techniques, I feel take away the experience of birth, the Sophrologic
state however allows the client to see, hear and participate in
the birth by being able to converse, drink if needed and enjoy
the experience in a wakeful state with eyes open and with full
memory of all events.
Once
labor is fully underway, constant positive suggestions should
be given of no aching or discomfort, no stresses or tensions and
to breath into each and every contraction, as well as to follow
all instructions given by the medical team. It is essential to
keep the client in the deep relaxed state until well after the
placenta has been born.
Waking
up.
Once
the placenta has been born, the client can self suggest the stimulation
of lactation (if breast feeding) by simply suggesting to them
selves a tingling sensation in the breasts, should repair be required
after an episiotomy (a small cut at the entrance of the vagina)
analgesia can now be self suggested in that area.
Once
all is complete then the client can give then selves suggestions
of well-being and energy, with wonderful results, the client will
be up and about straight after the birth with no tiredness or
fatigue, self suggestions for control of bleeding can also be
given.
After
all suggestions are completed and the client has confirmed this
to their birthing partner, the client can slowly bring themselves
out of this deep relaxed state.
Most
clients adapt easily to the use of these advanced relaxation techniques
during pregnancy and birth, as the goal is not just in achieving
the relaxed state but in achieving a painfree natural childbirth,
even though "natural childbirth" has many definitions.
About
The Author
Dr.
Martyn P. Williams. Is the founder of 'The Serene Clinics UK'
and the 'Natural Childbirth Program' and is also a registered
IBS therapist. Martyn was honoured in October 1999 with an 'Honorary
Doctor' degree for his work and his contribution to research in
to Pain control & Painless Childbirth, by SIPEC, based in
Athens, Greece. he is an International Instructor of Meditation
and the co-founder of Sophrology in the UK.
For
further information visit his website:
serene.clinics.uk-therapists.net
or
sophrology.therapies-uk.com
or E-mail:
serene.clinics@uk-therapists.net