Fathers in the birthing room? Natal Hypnotherapy helps dads be more confident, prepared and useful

• Thursday, 26 November 2009

---

According to Michel Odent, men should not be in the birthing room. Strange comment seeing he has attended over 15,000 births and, um, he is a man.

Having trained with Odent, Maggie Howell, founder of Natal Hypnotherapy is aware of his views and can see that in certain cases it may not be appropriate for the father not to be present. However, this is more due to the fact that fathers are given very little support or advice on what they can do to have a positive influence on the woman’s birth experience.

Natal Hypnotherapy have helped over 30,000 couples prepare for birth through the use of award winning self hypnosis CDs and tailored workshops. The workshops which are held across the UK have a focus on providing the father or birth partner with practical, effective and easy tools and techniques to ensure both he and the mother stay calm, relaxed and focused.

Equipped with these tools and techniques fathers often go from feeling like a spare part or feeling quite nervous about the birth, to feeling prepared, confident and often looking forward to the experience (see below for Maggie's top tips for birth partners).

“I was slightly skeptical prior to the workshop - but it was brilliant. I look forward to using skills and knowledge gained.” Jamie Ramsey

“The course was real eye opener – I know realize I have an important role to play and that I am not just a spectator” Colin Revie

“I did not think it would be of any use (being a typical man!) but the course really helped me put my fears aside and has given me a greater knowledge and confidence to deal with the birth” Duncan O’ Farrell


The benefits to mother, father and baby are significant as a positive, calm birth creates the perfect start to a new family’s life together.

The Natal Hypnotherapy workshops are held around the UK and are £95 per couple. The self hypnosis CDs retail at £11.99 and can be bought via the NCT, all good bookshops and directly from www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk

For a sample / review copy of the CDs please contact maggie@natalhypnotherapy.co.uk or call 01428 712615

Maggie is available for interview or comment.

Recent case stuties:

Natal Hypnotherapy receives dozens of emails each month saying how much the techniques have helped them. Here are three recent stories in which mums felt the calm presance of their partners made all the difference:-

1. Rachel felt the preparation her and her husband did together gave them both the confidence to have a wonderful home birth experience.

“The support from my husband was amazing - I think that was the main benefit of the Natal Hypnotherapy during the actual birth. He had been lacking in confidence before we attended the course. I couldn't have gone through the intense contractions without him - he was there the whole time, breathing with me and telling me how great I was doing and that we'd be meeting our son soon. The second stage was really quick and fairly painless - such a relief after the contractions. It was a really positive experience for us birth.”

2. Skeptical mum finds NH help both her and her birth partner

Claire had been very sceptical about using hypnotherapy but felt that she had to do something to help her relax and prepare for birth. On the day of her birth she was surprisingly laid back and felt her husband was able to support her all the way through

“My husband repeated the words "3,2,1 relax" and although I don't remember it, both my husband and my midwife recall seeing my body "deflate" and relax. Immediately afterwards my honest reaction was that I didn't think the labour hurt that much. Since the birth my daughter has been a happy and content baby. My husband is convinced the Natal Hypnotherapy was a great help and should I have further children I would use it again”.

3. With the support of her husband and hypnosis techniques, Miriam was able to have a birth that she could never have dreamed of.

“I very quickly entered the serious stage and my husband breathed through the contractions with me, the rest of the time we were silent. Later on I became a bit panicky (which I now know was just the self doubt phase) the midwife asked me what pain relief I wanted, but my husband told her I could cope. The mw said she would check me again in 2 hours, which panicked me as I knew I couldn’t cope for another 2 hours. A few minutes later I needed to go to the toilet, I was just about to sit down when the midwife realized the head was right there - I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy 4 mins later, standing up, in the bathroom.

My first labour was nothing like this, I am not someone who is naturally able to cope with pain, my previous labour was long, I stayed in the bed because I didn't want to move, I had an epidural in the end, I honestly thought I would die! I am so glad I did the course and I will continue to have more children, something that I possibly wouldn't have done if I had another experience like my first labour. Between the CDS and a brilliant mw and husband I had the perfect birth. My family and Friends all knew how scared I was of labour and how negative I felt, they are all amazed at my experience.”

Top tips for fathers / birth partners

• Agree in advance what she would like you to do (and NOT do) during the labour.

• Go through her birth plan so you can fully understand what she does and does not want in terms of intervention and pain relief.

• Talk through any fears or concerns you have about the birth either with your partner or with a friend. By addressing your concerns now, you will be more able to support her during the birth.

• During the more serious part of labour keep all "extra sensory stimulation" to a minimum e.g. bright lights, people, noise, talking. The less stimulation she has, the more she can relax, focus and stay in control

• Avoid her feeling "observed" - extra people in the room, fetal monitoring, cameras, and videos. When she is feeling observed, she can not fully relax and “let go” – imagine how you would feel having someone watch you doing your morning ****!

• Encourage her to breath quietly and rhythmically through each contraction. By mastering her breathing, she will stay on top of the sensations and be more in control

• Help her visualize during contractions by saying one word phrases connected to past holidays, happy memories or places you have visited. It is useful to discuss a few of these in advance.

• Encourage her to move around and find different positions

• If she likes it, massage the lower part of her back, her feet and her head – if she asks you to stop, do not be offended!

• Do not ask her lots of questions – anticipate what she might want and then offer it e.g. offer her sips of water rather than ask her if she wants a drink

• Be totally there for her, listen to her and love her – do not judge her or take anything personally. She may act out of character, or say things she would not normally say – what ever happens, just go with it.

• Be confident and assertive with the medical staff - you are her spokesperson - if they begin suggesting intervention ask, "Is my wife or baby in danger?" If the answer is no, then ask for another 30 minutes on your own to think and come to a decision.

• If she begins to doubt herself, continue to encourage her even more - it is a sign that you are close to meeting your baby – this is a stage called transition.

• Bring in something to keep her warm, specially after the baby is born e.g. her duvet, dressing gown or a blanket – hospital ones are not that great!

• Eat and drink plenty of fluids so you keep up your own strength.

This press release was distributed via Response Source, a service from Daryl Willcox Publishing, on behalf of Natal Hypnotherapy. For more information visit http://www.dwpub.com/pressreleasewires