By Sharon Gourlay C.Ht, HBCE, HBIMI, RMT, BA
Be sure to download the special offer flyer by clicking here!
There is no
question that the things we think have a tremendous effect upon our bodies. If
we can change our thinking, the body frequently heals itself.” ~C. Everett Koop,
M.D.
When you hear
the words hypnosis what do you think? If
you are like most of the world’s population your mind goes to “clucking like a
chicken, doing something silly, or even an eerie trance”. Unfortunately, that is the power of the media
distorting the truth and power of hypnosis.
Hypnosis can be as simple as driving from point A to B and not realizing
how you got there. The natural state of
hypnosis happens to everyone. You could
be simply watching a movie or reading a book and then lose track of time. Simply said, our brains power down to this
state every single day. And this is
where we can make changes to transform our lives. Hypnosis is a very valuable tool during the
birth year ~ from fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and the
postpartum period. Hypnosis is a tool
that you can use to help lower stress, fear, pain, and so much more.
During pregnancy and the birthing year our culture has become
fearful. The contributing factors
causing fear range from language, media portrayal, stories we tell one another
that are not uplifting, the birthing room, to unsupportive Care Givers. Somewhere we have lost the ability to believe
in our bodies and our babies. Women in
our culture seek Care Providers who do not trust the body’s ability to get
pregnant, birth, and nourish our babies.
Often the information presented is fear driven and lacks one central
concept; listening to women. Think about
just the language of birth ~ “bloody show, ruptured bag of waters, or mucus
plug”. This language is medical in
nature and not words women would traditionally use to describe birth. These fearful words and concepts have seeped
into our culture, seeped into our minds, and impacted our bodies.
Fear impacts us so that our bodies are not
working efficiently. This is especially
true when fertility issues crop up or even pregnancy/postpartum issues
happen. When humans enter into a fearful
state this is called flight or fight. It
causes only our key organs and essential body parts to get the blood needed for
survival. Our reproductive organs are
not a part of this system. Fear and
stress have been shown to repeatedly impact our reproductive system negatively.
If you can remove the fear, educate the woman,
and lower her stress she can begin to connect with her body to overcome
challenges that are posed. The same can
be said of men. So how does this
work? Concepts heard repeatedly become
our personal truth. In a relaxed state a
woman hears positive suggestions for relaxation, stress relief, visual imagery,
or whatever she specifically needs. This
allows the information to sink into the mind.
What the mind accepts as real the body will respond to. This is called The Law of Psycho-Physical
Response. This is truly the beauty of
hypnosis. We (hypnotherapist and client)
can guide the mind to visualize conception to the point that body believes
it. So when fertilization takes place
the body is willing and in the proper state to achieve conception. We can help a mother on bed-rest relax get
out of the negative thinking loop. That
in turn can impact her body, baby, and lend itself to a healthier situation. With a mother who is having a cesarean
section we can help her remove the fear associated with surgery, have an easier
surgery experience and a faster recovery period. During the postpartum period we can help a
mother who is stressed or tired relax and allow her milk to come down. The benefits are truly endless with hypnosis.
As a
hypnotherapist, I truly enjoy working with women on a wide variety of issues
because transformation is a continued component of our lives. I came to this work through grief and loss
and that is where I have learned the benefits of caring, holding space, and
helping people. This summer I am
offering this special to help women of all socio-economic backgrounds; “Love Offering” (pay what you can if you the
package pricing doesn’t work for you). The summer package pricing is as follows: A 45 minute session is JUST~ $50, Three
Sessions ~ $135, Five Sessions ~ $210! This
allows everyone the opportunity to experience hypnosis and learn more about
what I offer to families. All sessions
will be held via Skype. Women do not
need to leave their homes for sessions.
This is especially beneficial to bed rest mothers who truly can benefit
from the relaxation that hypnosis can provide.
I am able to offer alternate hours for sessions so that family schedules
will not interfere with sessions. All
that is needed is a computer, microphone/speakers, a quiet location where you will
not be disturbed, and a camera (optional).
The time needed for most sessions is 45 minutes and you will need to
fill out an intake form prior to our session.
We will discuss your needs and create a custom plan of action. This is all done prior to your first session. Payment can be made through PayPal or a
check. I am only offering these specials
during the summer from June 11 through July 31, 2012. It is my goal to help many women and their
families in a thoughtful way. For more
information you can contact me at my home office 740-687-5506 or
Sharon@SacredBeginning.com.
Below are just a
few of the studies substantiating the benefits of hypnosis for the birthing
year:
ü
Women facing
fertility challenges utilizing mind/body techniques such as hypnosis have a 42
– 55% conception rate as compared to 20% with in vitro fertilization (IVF).The
Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association 1999 and The Journal of
Fertility and Sterility 2000. (Studies conducted by Alice Domar, PhD, director
of the Beth Israel Deaconess Behavioural Medicine Program for Infertility in
Boston
ü
Hypnosis
based on imagery and a relaxation strategy was successful in facilitating
pregnancy. The treatment was considered to have resulted in beneficial
modification of attitude, optimism, and mind-body interaction. The American Journal of Clinical
Hypnosis. (Volume 38, Issue 1, 1995, 22-26): Hypnosis in the Treatment of
Functional Infertility.
ü
Hypnosis was
used to effectively overcome an acute phobia of needles and other invasive
medical procedures that were associated with a high level of anticipatory pain
with a client who was slightly over eight months pregnant. Australian
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. (Vol. 29, No. 2, 2001, 107-115):
Brief Hypnosis for Needle Phobia.
ü
With the use of
hypnosis 80% of hypertensive patients lowered blood pressure and decreased
medications. 16% were able to discontinue all of their medication. The
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation 1989.
ü
Hypnotherapy
was successfully utilized in the treatment of Postpartum Depression by
attending to the specific problems presented by the client and developing
client skills to resolve existing problems and prevent their recurrence. American Journal of Clinical
Hypnosis (493, January 2007): Treating Postpartum Depression with Hypnosis:
Addressing Specific Symptoms Presented by the Client.©2007 American Society of
Clinical Hypnosis.
ü
Women
with depression, when treated showed a 60% viable pregnancy rate within six
months, contrasting with 24% when depression went untreated. Journal of American Medical Women’s
Association, 1999, vol. 54.
ü
A meta-analysis of studies conducted involving hypnosis with
pregnant women was compared to non-hypnosis intervention, no treatment, and
placebo. Primary measurements in the meta-analysis included analgesia used
during labor and also pain scores during labor. The meta-analysis included 8395
women who had used hypnosis during pregnancy or labor. The analysis concluded
that fewer women needed to use a form of analgesia during labor. Women who
received hypnosis reported less severe pain than those in the control groups. From
Natural News.com – Steve G. Jones, Ed.S
ü
In another study, 60 pregnant women participated. The participants
were divided into two groups based on their suggestibility; all received
childbirth education and tips on pain control. These two groups were then
subdivided with half receiving a hypnotic induction and the other half learning
breathing and relaxation exercises. Women in the hypnosis group and in the high
suggestibility group reported less pain. Those who used hypnosis reported using
less medication and had a shorter stage 1 labor. From Natural News.com –
Steve G. Jones, Ed.S
ü
Another meta-analysis looking at various studies performed using
hypnosis with pregnant women showed that hypnosis reduced the level of medical
intervention during labor and reduced risk to women and newborn babies. One
study showed that women who were trained to use hypnosis during childbirth very
rarely experienced postpartum depression. Hypnosis can help manage both
depression and anxiety related to pregnancy, labor, and becoming a new mom.
This shows that hypnosis can have many benefits on both women and their newborn
babies. From Natural News.com – Steve G. Jones, Ed.S
ü
One study found that women in their second and third trimester of
pregnancy were more suggestible. The study showed that as women became further
along in their pregnancy, their suggestibility increased according to the
Harvard Hypnotizability Scale. Pregnant women also scored higher on the
Creative Imagination Scale. This study researched women at two time periods,
when they were pregnant and not pregnant. The research shows that if women are
more suggestible during pregnancy, there is more of a reason to use hypnosis
for pregnancy and childbirth. From Natural News.com – Steve G. Jones,
Ed.S
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