Relaxation techniques for pregnant mothers

Apr 11 2009

Having an easy birth is all in the mind, according to some hypnotherapy experts. Eight months pregnant ZOE CHAMBERLAIN tries out the relaxation technique as part of our Happy Families series, which is supported by Wonderkids and Legal and General.

‘‘CLOSE your eyes, relax your jaw and your hands...”

I was at a Mindful Mamma session in Kings Norton, Birmingham, a day-long ‘deep relaxation’ workshop to help expectant mums enjoy their pregnancies and prepare for a ‘comfortable birth.’

Bring it on, I thought.

Having suffered pelvic and hip problems throughout my pregnancy, resulting in only a couple of hours sleep a night at times, I was ready to try anything.

“The NHS caters for the physical side of birth but little is done to help mums-to-be to prepare for the emotional side,” says Sheila Barratt-Smith, the hypnotherapist running the course.

“This is really important because if you visualise a good birth, it’s more likely to happen.

“Michel Odent, the author of Childbirth Without Fear, described the oxytocin released during labour as a ‘cocktail of love hormones’ which I think is a lovely description.

“But he said they are shy hormones and the mum in labour has to feel safe for them to be released.

“She has to be with someone she trusts and loves.

“Fear equates to tension which equates to pain.

“Endorphins are 200 times more powerful than morphine and when you get them, your baby gets them too and loves them.

“The more you relax, the more you release endorphins, the more you release endorphins, the more you relax.

“And a calm birth leads to a naturally calmer baby.”

The Mindful Mamma session is all about changing expectant couples’ preconceptions before the arrival of their baby.