As you begin to experiment with different scripts, look for ones that appeal to your learning type.  If you can’t seem to find one, ask your instructor–they have many scripts available and usually just pick a few to give to the class.  You could even write your own scripts, using words and images that appeal most to your learning type.

Visual learners will want to look for scripts containing words and phrases that describe how things look.  Colors, textures, and words like “see,” “look,” and “notice” will appeal most to you.  The rainbow relaxation script is excellent for visual learners because it describes all the colors of the rainbow.  Visual learners will be able to paint a vivid picture in their minds, allowing their body to sink deeply into relaxation while their mind takes a colorful journey.

Auditory learners should look for scripts that use words and phrases describing how things sound.  Look for scrips that talk about the sounds of nature–birds, rushing water, the sound of grass underneath your feet, etc.  Also, try to find scripts (or write your own) that suggest sounds that are relaxing to you, such as waves on the sand.  Auditory learners will also find that music greatly increases their ability to achieve deep relaxation.  Choose your music wisely.  You may also want to find someone who has a particularly soothing voice (such as your mother or partner) to record the scripts for you, rather than listening to them on the CD’s given to you in your class.

Kinesthetic learners (I am in this category) need to choose scripts that make references to feeling and movement.  Look for phrases that describe you walking, rocking, or dipping into a pool of water.  Your own movements during labor will increase the power of these types of scripts and help you achieve deep relaxation.  Kinesthetic learners also find their partner or doula very helpful when using techniques such as light touch massage or hip presses.  You will most likely be in an out of many different positions during your labor, and this is good because it will work for your kinesthetic mind.

If you have any experiences that relate to any of these categories, please post in a comment!

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.