The positive birth program

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When I supported a first time mother during labour who had learnt the Hypnobirthing Australia program as her birth preparation - I was simply amazed . This is the story of the mother who inspired me to teach hypnobirthing..

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I was working late at night and a woman called up telling me she was in established labour and ready to come to hospital. By the sound of her voice, how calm she sounded, I actually tried to convince her to stay home a little longer. It happens quite often that a first time mother presents to the labour ward in the very early stages of labour. This increases her risk of medical interventions.
However she was adamant it was time to come in. She arrived to the maternity ward and I showed her to a room. Her partner set the tone with dim lighting, aromatherapy and relaxing music. The woman was at the centre, she was calm, confident, primal and breathed her way through each surge.  I was very impressed! Her partner knew what to do to support her, stroking her back, encouraging and supporting her so lovingly. I observed quietly in the room, witnessing this beautiful birth unfolding.  In less than an hour, her breathing style changed and she instinctively beared down on all fours and birthed her peaceful hypnobub straight into her loving arms...

I now have empowering stories of many other couples that have learnt the Positive Birth Program.  It brings me so much joy to be sharing this wisdom that has such a profound effect for birthing women and their partners.
You can find them in the testimonials :)

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Course Outline

Unit 1: Creating & maintaining a positive mindset
 

• Introduction to the positive mindset of hypnobirthing

• How our brain is wired to birth

• The role of our caregivers

• Mind/body connection

• What is self-hypnosis and how will we use it for birthing?

• Our hormones are our friends

• My amazing uterus – understanding the physiology behind birthing

• Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome

• Causes of Fear (including history) and how it affects our labour

• Re-programming the Subconscious

• The language for empowered birthing

• The power of affirmations

• Birthing environment
   

Unit 2: Our toolkit for birth
 

• Self-hypnosis tracks

• Birth music

• Conditioning with scent

• Hypnotic anchors and triggers

• Releasing endorphins through massage and touch

• Acupressure techniques for pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding

• Visualisations for pregnancy, labour & birthing

• The importance of facial relaxation

• Relaxation Breathing – a skill for life

• Surge Breathing – the best tool ever!

• Techniques to help make your surges more comfortable

• The ‘urge’ to push/bear down – Breathing/Bearing down
   

Unit 3: Preparation & choices for empowered birthing

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• Bonding with baby

• Choices in maternity care

• Birth Preferences – having open communication with your caregivers

• Knowledge is power – researching common interventions and procedures

• Questions to ask, to assist in making informed decisions

• Birth partner as advocate

• ‘Guess date’ – a normal range of pregnancy

• Inductions – things you’re not always told

• Achieving a natural start to labour

• Maintaining a healthy diet

• Preparing the body – staying active

• Optimising baby’s position

• Breech or Posterior – options & positions

• Instant relaxation techniques

• Self-hypnosis, meditation and deep relaxation techniques & scripts
   

Unit 4: Birth – bringing it all together
 

• What to expect in the weeks and days leading up to birth

• Signs that labour is starting

• What to expect through labour (membranes releasing etc)

• When to call the midwife/go to the hospital

• Accidental home/car birth – what to do!

• Birth partner’s role

• Common procedures

• Using water during labour and birth

• Upright positioning, movement and birth positions

• Special circumstances (including caesarean birth)

• Fear release

• Vocalisation

• Cord clamping & placenta delivery

• Undisturbed bonding & breastfeeding time – skin to skin

• What to expect afterwards

• Self-hypnosis – Rehearsal for Birth

• A practice routine – preparation for birth!
  
  
  This is a 12 hour course run over 2 days for women and their birth companion. I teach this course in small relaxed groups and privately for couples in Mollymook and Kiama Downs in southern NSW. I also teach privately at clients homes.  It is ideal to start between 20-33 weeks to best prepare for a positive birth experience.  

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