WSET.com - ABC13More Moms Trying Hypnobirthing

More Moms Trying Hypnobirthing

Reporter: Lauren Compton l Videographer: Jemon Haskins

Lynchburg, VA - Childbirth can be intense and painful for many women, and that is why many are turning to hypnosis for help.

Hypnobirthing is a growing trend with moms in our area. Several moms say hypnosis made all the difference during their labor.

"I was calm and relaxed. I was actually comfortable for an entire seven-hour delivery," said Angela Franklin, a mother who used hypnobirthing techniques during labor.

These might not be the words that come to mind when you think of child birth. But a lot of moms say with hypnobirthing, it's possible.

"When I was having some of the pregnancy discomfort I would just go to my relaxed state as opposed to trying to take some medicine," said Francine Muhoro.

Jane Bradshaw teaches the hypnobirthing classes at Best Start Parenting and says this isn't stage hypnosis.

"It's self hypnosis. Nobody is put in a trance. It's each person learning how to get into their natural relaxed state," she said.

The mothers are taught breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques. Bradshaw says a pregnant mother's body reacts more intensely to pain when the mom is stressed or nervous, and this is why she says hypnobirthing works.

"When you get rid of the fear, and help the mother learn how to get into a relaxed state, the birth goes better," said Bradshaw.

Moms say it also helps their babies. Franklin had her first children without hypnotherapy, but did try it with her second child Levi.

"After he was born, he nursed within 15 minutes. It was amazing. I had such a hard time with my first child with nursing," said Franklin.

Hypnobirthing teachers say a lot of women who use it are more likely to have natural births.

Get more information on the hypnobirthing classes taught by the Best Start Parenting Center in Lynchburg.