Secrets of learning a breathing technique for labor: how hypnobirthing helps to ease contractions
Why breathing in labor is easier (and harder) than you think
Learning to implement a breathing technique for labor seems simple enough. Most of us have probably seen at least one depiction of someone having a contraction with closed eyes, a relaxed face, and breathing deeply. Maybe even appearing to enjoy their labor! We've pretty much all seen the opposite, too. Depictions of sweaty, screaming mothers in hospital gowns with their knees up to their chest seem to take up the most space in our brains. I think we all know which of these two depictions we would prefer to embody. So let's take a closer look at some of the ways this can be achieved.
Secret #1: You breathe in response to how you feel. So how you feel becomes the thing to address.
Using hypnosis for birth as you prepare for labor gives you a chance to imagine what your labor sensations will be like. When we created our HelloBirth audio library, we decided to strike a balance between detailed descriptions of the birth process and some open-ended language to allow for creative interpretation. Since everyone experiences birth inside their own bodies (duh), each person's experience is unique. In other words, the hypnosis sessions don't tell you what you will feel, but instead invite you to enjoy and absorb descriptions that are both encouraging and realistic! And of course as always with hypnosis, you get to decide what you pay attention to. Think about it like this: when you bump your shin on a piece of furniture (ouch!), what do you do first? Rub it? By rubbing it, your body releases chemicals that helps the sore spot feel a little better. You still might bruise, but it gets the blood flowing and you'll be on the road to recovery. Doing a hypnosis session does the same thing for you by using the power of your mind! If something is bothering you, including any physical sensation, using hypnosis helps you release those chemicals that will help you feel better. And when you feel better, you breathe better. When you breathe better, you feel even better!
Secret #2: The first part of every hypnosis session is the breathing technique for labor!
Yep, you heard that right! A slow, smooth, relaxing breath is the way you will start each of your hypnosis sessions. So with enough repetition, this way of breathing will become more normal for you and therefore accessible to you in labor. Anything you'd like to implement during labor should be practiced as often as possible, ideally every day. And pressing "PLAY" on your HelloBirth track each day will give you that automatic dedication to practicing the slow, steady breathing that will become your go-to during your birthing process.
Secret #3: You don't actually need a technique when it comes to breathing. You already know what to do.
But is it helpful to practice getting a deeper breath? Absolutely. Especially during pregnancy when your entire system is working overtime.
Secret #4: You don't have to breathe "perfectly" to be "good" at labor.
The very idea that some people are "better" at labor than others is very troubling. It's ableist, patriarchal and it's a huge problem in natural birth circles. We put these calm births up on a pedestal as if it's a race we're entering to win. Spoiler alert: Birthing a baby is not a competition. Yes, you can have a water birth with a midwife if that's what feels empowering and is attainable for you in your body. But if your particular needs have you considering a planned Cesarean birth, this is nothing to feel ashamed about. Not even in the least. And deep breathing during hypnosis sessions is useful no matter how you birth! We even include My Cesarean Birth and Change of Course Affirmations in the library for anyone who needs those. A lot of you reading this will likely fall somewhere in the middle of these two scenarios. You might breathe deeply during the majority of your labor sensations and you might feel the need to roar loudly while you are pushing. This is normal. This is fine. This is good! You do what you gotta do! And HelloBirth hypnobirthing techniques and tracks are here to support you and allow your labor to progress in its own time, smoothly and even comfortably.