One of the biggest tools for HypnoBirthing® moms are the hypnosis scripts given to us in classes. I want to talk a little bit about scripts and how to choose one that is right for 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.
Hello Fiona,
So, my 20 year old juvenile diabetic daughter is reading the hypnobirthing book, listened to the CD that accompanied the book and is convinced that this is the way she wants to deliver her child. She does not have a doula, I AM OFFICIALLY HER DOULA. I want to help her as much as possible to help her deliver her daughter as naturally as possible. I do not have a script and would like to see what one of your scripts looks like.
Thank you in advance,
Evelyn Gomez
Evelyn,
Best wishes to you and your daughter for this birth! There are scripts in the HypnoBirthing book that you can read. Each time you see the heading “Technique” in the book, it is followed by a script. The scripts found in the book are the depthometer, glove relaxation, and sensory gate valve. I cannot give out the other scripts except to those who pay for and take my class, however there is a waterfall script that I really like on my resources page. It’s not part of the HypnoBirthing curriculum, but I used it for my births and love it. You can find it at http://www.iHypnoBirth.com/resources. There is also a progressive relaxation script there that can be used on its own or as a lead-in to another script. Hope this helps!
Fiona