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HypnoBirthing® The Mongan Method : Emma and Gabriel’s
Birth Story
Jean-Claude Zekri CH, HBCE
HypnoBirthing® is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth, enhanced
by hypnosis techniques, that allows women to use their natural instincts to
bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing in a way that most
mirrors nature. The following is an account of a classic HypnoBirthing®
experience.
When Emma happily learned of her pregnancy, she found herself in a
dilemma – should she opt for natural yet painful childbirth, or go the
traditional route of a numbing epidural?
Like most women, she dreamed of giving birth naturally – without
anaesthesia. The idea that such a beautiful process could be less than joyful
and gentle seemed baffling and illogical.
Yet, like most women, she had also heard the multitude of birth stories from
friends, neighbours, co-workers and family, and the verdict was woefully
unanimous – labour hurts!
Spooked and terrorized, Emma decided on an epidural. It wasn’t until six
months into her pregnancy, when tuning into a “Dateline NBC” televised
report on natural childbirth through hypnosis, that Emma lit up.
It seemed after all, that labour did not HAVE to hurt. It could be what she
had always hoped and believed it should be – comfortable, dignified, and
drug-free.
On further research Emma found out just what birthing through hypnosis is.
It is called HypnoBirthing®, and promises an easy and serene labour – just
as nature intended. Indeed, those were the magical words. This was just the
kind of experience she was looking for.
But what kind of experience exactly is HypnoBirthing®?

Contrary to what one might think, a labouring mother is NOT hypnotized
into feeling no pain. Rather, it’s a method of natural childbirth based on the
premise that when a woman is free of the fear and tension which cause pain,
the body is then able to do what it was designed to do: labour quietly and
steadily.
Through a series of pre-natal classes and relaxation tapes, it is prepared to
achieve the deep relaxation needed for smoothly functioning birthing
muscles. As the Dateline report had stated, “it is not something that is done
TO you, but something you learn and get better at with practice”.
What Emma learned was how, in fact, the labouring uterus functions.
The myth and fear of a painful labour were dispelled and she emerged with a
new understanding of what birthing is truly about.
She was also taught how to breathe through her ‘surges’ (The HB term for
contractions), natural methods for triggering late or stalled labour, optimal
birthing positions and, through listening religiously to her relaxation tape,
learned to achieve instant relaxation.
When the big day arrived Emma had no clue that her labour had begun. She
felt fine and busied herself with her normal activities. Every so often she
would feel a slight ‘tightening’ of the uterus but thought nothing of it.
Toward mid-afternoon, Emma began to notice that her tightening sensations
seemed to be coming on rather regularly. Her husband Gabriel decided to
time them ‘just in case’ and found that they came at 3 minute intervals.
Gabriel called the hospital.
Since Emma experienced no pain, the nurse responded that it didn’t sound
like ‘real’ labour, but to come on in anyway. Once there, she inquired again
if Emma was in any pain. Emma was not, and the nurse left the room
assuring our mother-to-be that pain would most definitely happen, and to let
her know when it did.
When three hours later the much-awaited pain had not set in, a trio of nurses
gathered round to discuss the situation. Emma continued to focus on
relaxing and peacefully breathing through her surges, ignoring their loud
references to the “p” word. She felt happy and confident.

Emma asked not to be examined while she focused. Not understanding what
they were dealing with, the nurses backed off as though in the presence of a
rare animal.
Amused, Gabriel explained that his wife was having a calm labour with the
aid of hypnosis. Looking helpless, the women left the room.
When much time had passed and Emma’s labour still had not progressed, the
doctor was called in, told about the no pain situation and surges still at 3
minutes apart.
It was decided to rupture Emma’s membrane, and on terminating the
procedure, the well-meaning doctor bellowed out a resounding and
triumphant, “NOW SHE’LL FEEL THE PAIN!”.
On hearing this, in spite of herself, doubt set in and Emma panicked. Could
it be that she hadn’t yet reached the point when it really hurt? To make
things worse, she suddenly heard screams from another labouring mother
down the hall. It sounded tortured to the point that Emma’s heart rate flew
up.
Gabriel reminded her of all she had learned, calming her down and giving
suggestions for deep relaxation. As Emma tuned out and went inward,
gratefully feeling each new surge tightening and pulling gently, she began to
trust again that all was well.
Labour progressed now at a normal and steady rate. Surges were strong and
sure, and the nurses drifted in and out, beaming at their special patient,
accustomed now to the fact that yes, Emma was in ‘real’ labour and no,
there was no pain.
By 7:48 p.m. Emma began to shiver uncontrollably and felt a strong pressure
in her pelvic area. “Ah!” said the nurse, tossing a hot blanket around her,
“We’re almost there!”
‘Almost there’ was a signal to Emma to take on a squatting position during
surges, as she had learned that when upright, the labouring body is in
harmony with the pull of gravity and the coccyx swivels to widen the pelvis.
Surges continued to be smooth and comfortable.

By 8:28 pm. she felt a pressing need to push. She continued to breathe her
baby down, and finally, at 9:07p.m., roughly one-half-hour later on a balmy
June evening, Michael Jonathan was quietly born.
On thinking back, Emma is thankful and proud of the manner in which she
gave birth.
The nurses went back to their routine, happy for Emma’s easy labour, and
despite their disbelief, wondering if perhaps hypnosis may have had
something to do with it.
Jean-Claude Zekri CH, HBCE.
http://www.hypnoaide.com