NPR has been doing a series on chilbirth around the world and different options/information for women. On July 18, 2011 they had a segment on HypnoBirthing (a variety of hypnosis for childbirth technique). You may read the whole story by clicking on this link .
It is exciting to see more and more positive media on using hypnosis for birth! Hypnosis covers a wide range of techniques and uses. This is also very true in childbirth as well.
I have been teaching Hypnosis for Birth since 1995 and have studied several of the techniques available. Initially I was certified in Mongan's HypnoBirthing, but allowed my certification to drop in 2000 as I had customized and altered the program to fit my practice and clients. Some of those differences included not using the "rainbow relaxation" that is mentioned in this story, nor do I suggest women use a visualization that takes them away from their birth. I prefer to teach visualizations that support what the woman's body is doing while diminishing her perception of sensation and assisting her to go into deep relaxation and focus. This serves to help her stay calm and peace while working with her contractions.
Using the power of mind and consciously accessing more with the mind-body connection is a powerful for birth and in many other aspects of life. I'd love to hear other's experiences using hypnosis for their pregnancies and birth.
Here is a place to learn more about how to approach pregnancy and birth with skills to truly help you have a calmer more peaceful birth for you and your baby.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Homebirths on the Rise
Articles and news items hitting the airwaves this week around the increase in homebirths - up 20% from 2004 to 2008 according to an article in Huffington Post. You can read the full article here Home Births Up 20% or at The Washington Times article here More Women Stay Home to Birth
The good news is the research is showing homebirths have the same low mortality for mothers as hospital births, and that on average 88% of women choosing to birth at home do so successfully without complications or medications. Pretty impressive stats!
The sad news is, as we experience this flurry of media attention on homebirths, what we will hear about is the women with the more extreme reasons/circumstances (previous c-section, health issues, unattended births, etc.). While this helps to support the medical establishment's view that homebirth really isn't safe, and smart people don't choose it, the reality is actually the opposite!
My request is, as you read or hear these articles, use your critical brain and look at how they are presenting the "facts" and what their agenda might be. The results might surprise you.
The good news is the research is showing homebirths have the same low mortality for mothers as hospital births, and that on average 88% of women choosing to birth at home do so successfully without complications or medications. Pretty impressive stats!
The sad news is, as we experience this flurry of media attention on homebirths, what we will hear about is the women with the more extreme reasons/circumstances (previous c-section, health issues, unattended births, etc.). While this helps to support the medical establishment's view that homebirth really isn't safe, and smart people don't choose it, the reality is actually the opposite!
My request is, as you read or hear these articles, use your critical brain and look at how they are presenting the "facts" and what their agenda might be. The results might surprise you.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Healthier Eating for 2011
Happy New Year!
This first blog of the year is a departure from hypnosis for birth or even pregnancy. However it is a topic that can be very important to families. I've heard about GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods but until a few months ago I really didn't understand what the fuss was about (beyond general principal). Now the more I learn the more it concerns me.
The biggest thing that caught my attention was the basics of "why" GMO and how it worked in soybeans and corn. Basically what the companies are doing are genetically modifying the food product so that "Roundup" won't impact or kill the growing food plant, but will kill the weeds around it. Guess where the residual pesticides end up when we eat GMO foods? Yup - we are now eating "Roundup"!
Does this horrify/scare you as much as it does me? I keep thinking about the warnings on the "Roundup" containers about impact on people and other living things you don't want to injure/kill. And now we are getting it directly in our food.
YIKES! Thanks to Facebook I got some good resources for information and shopping guides on how and why to feed yourself, and your family, non-GMO foods. Here are some links to get more information:
Non-GMO Project
Non-GMO Shopping Guides
As a healthcare provider, I look at this as an unknown risk we are all subjected to, without our consent or knowledge. This has very high potential to impact our health, our ability to get pregnant, birth healthy babies, and raise healthy children. I figure it doesn't get any more important than that.
Educate yourself and bon ape'tit!
This first blog of the year is a departure from hypnosis for birth or even pregnancy. However it is a topic that can be very important to families. I've heard about GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods but until a few months ago I really didn't understand what the fuss was about (beyond general principal). Now the more I learn the more it concerns me.
The biggest thing that caught my attention was the basics of "why" GMO and how it worked in soybeans and corn. Basically what the companies are doing are genetically modifying the food product so that "Roundup" won't impact or kill the growing food plant, but will kill the weeds around it. Guess where the residual pesticides end up when we eat GMO foods? Yup - we are now eating "Roundup"!
Does this horrify/scare you as much as it does me? I keep thinking about the warnings on the "Roundup" containers about impact on people and other living things you don't want to injure/kill. And now we are getting it directly in our food.
YIKES! Thanks to Facebook I got some good resources for information and shopping guides on how and why to feed yourself, and your family, non-GMO foods. Here are some links to get more information:
Non-GMO Project
Non-GMO Shopping Guides
As a healthcare provider, I look at this as an unknown risk we are all subjected to, without our consent or knowledge. This has very high potential to impact our health, our ability to get pregnant, birth healthy babies, and raise healthy children. I figure it doesn't get any more important than that.
Educate yourself and bon ape'tit!
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