When preparing for my first birth, I practiced hypnosis using a script nearly every day from the time I took my class (about 32 weeks).  Whether listening to the pre-recorded CDs or my husband’s reading, I became very good at getting deeply relaxed using scripts.  After a couple of weeks, I was able to achieve deep relaxation with just music and my own memory of the scripts combined with images I created in my mind.  I felt that during my birth, I would both listen to scripts and relax on my own as I did when I practiced.

Scripts are wonderful for teaching hypnosis, but I found them not as useful during birthing.  During early labor of my first birth, I did listen to 1 or 2 scripts to focus my relaxation.  However, when late first stage surges became stronger and stronger, I found that listening to a script did not help me get through each surge very effectively.  I don’t think I listened to one script after being admitted to the hospital!  Instead, I used some of the different relaxation techniques we learned in class, combined with my husband’s counter pressure and the jetted tub.  These techniques were more effective in the “short run” to get through each surge.  I found that I went deep within myself, losing awareness of the outside world and any sense of time.  Those hours at the hospital seem like minutes when I look back.

For my second birth, it was a very similar experience.  I listened to one script during early labor while in my own tub at home.  This helped me regain focus and relaxation.  However, when at the hospital the surges were too strong for me to focus on long readings and I relied solely on those same techniques I had used before.  Short verbal cues from my husband and the midwife and nurse also really helped me to fully relax my body through each surge.  Again, the tub was a great help to me.  I highly recommend finding a hospital that has jetted tubs in their birthing rooms.

One difference between my first birth and second was that I felt a lot more aware of my surroundings during the second birth.  I knew exactly what I wanted from my husband during each surge, and I was able to let him know.  I was much more conversational with everyone between surges.  I think this is because I had trained myself to go into instant relaxation whenever I needed to and didn’t have to stay in a trance state through the whole process.  It was actually quite liberating; I felt that I had my own personal drug that I could administer during each surge when it was needed.

I do know of cases where women went through their entire birth listening to script after script, but I don’t think that is the norm.  Make sure to practice ALL of your hypnosis techniques, as well as physical comfort techniques taught in class, and be ready to use any of the tools that have been given you.

A script is basically a 1-4 page relaxation guide.  It can have several parts which usually consist of an opening relaxation tool such as progressive relaxation, a “deepening” exercise using vivid imagery, and a closing sequence to bring you slowly out of hypnosis.  Two of the scripts I have used most in Hypnobirthing are “Rainbow Relaxation” and “The Waterfall.”

When deciding which script(s) to use in your Hypnobirth, take into consideration what kind of learner you are…Auditory, Visual, or Kinesthetic.  If you are auditory, use scripts that talk about sounds (hear the wind blowing through the trees, the babble of the brook, etc.).  If you are Visual, choose scripts that talk about colors, light, or other things you see (Rainbow Relaxation is great for visuals).  If you are kinesthetic, like me, you will want to use scripts that talk about movement and feeling.  The Waterfall script is great for me because it talks about getting into a pool of healing water and feeling its effects on your body.

If you don’t have access to pre-written scripts (usually received in a Hypnobirthing class), you can write your own.  Think of a place that you have been, or wish you could go, or create in your mind, that is relaxing to you.  It needs to be somewhere you can find peace, joy, and calm.  Write about it in simple, descriptive terms.  Have your birthing partner read it back to you and clean it up grammatically and otherwise so that it flows well.  Then, tack a relaxation technique onto the front and add a countdown onto the back (i.e. working backwards from 5, slowly bring yourself out of hypnosis….5…..4….becoming more alert….3…..2…..fingers & arms starting to move….1…fully alert and awake, ready to continue your day).

I’ll try to write some original scripts and post them for those who would like to try them for free.  I can’t use what I have been given because it would break copyright rules, I’m sure.  I’ll write more about scripts, and specifically how to use them to prepare for and use in birthing, in future posts.

The final chapter in the book is all about creating your own personal hypnosis exercise.  I really like that he included this, because as I was reading I kept thinking how simple it would be to do what he was doing for patients.  Sure enough, he lays it all out for you so that you don’t even need to go see a hypnotherapist.  His exercises are shorter than the “scripts” we use in Hypnobirthing, only 90 seconds (though he does say that you can do it longer if you like) but he recommends doing the exercises several times a day.  Basically, this is how you come up with your exercise (my personal exercise is in italics):

Think of what it is in your life you want to change.  Negative thoughts about birth, having a negative birthing experience.

Establish your motivation for changing.  Why do you want to achieve this?  I know that my body is capable of a calm, positive birthing and I want to provide that for myself and my baby.  I want to do what is best for my body and my baby.  I want to look back on my birth with happy memories.  I want to achieve even deeper relaxation during this birth than I did during my first.

Use whatever relaxation technique you prefer to go into a “trance state.”  His involves eye tiring, then picturing yourself floating down through the chair.  I like to use progressive relaxation.  Picture a series of screens in front of you.  On one screen, project any image you think of that relates to your problem.  I am worried I haven’t done enough preparation for this birth, and I see myself losing control.

Place any negative images on a screen to the left.  Place any positive images on a screen to the right.  I take that worry and loss of control and move it to the left screen.  It disappears into the background.  I put the image of me birthing my son on the right screen and watch my birth play out calmly.  I am totally relaxed; my body and my baby work together perfectly to bring him to me.  I see my husband and I embracing our child seconds after he is born, we are all happy and healthy.

You can remain in this trance state as long as you like, until you feel you have worked through everything you need to that day.

I find this to be very effective when I practice my hypnosis.  I like to picture my birth playing out just as I want it, and I feel I am communicating with my body in a very powerful way when I do this.  Those of you who are looking for supplemental reading for your hypnobirth, or just want some good reading on self-hypnosis, should definitely check out “Discovering the Power of Self-Hypnosis.”