Hypnobirthing Explained

We caught up with the incredible gal behind Kiwi Birth Tales, Jordyn. Jordyn’s spoken to 100’s of mamas, has heaps of experience in this area and has just started her newest project called ‘Your Birth Project’. We wanted to know more about hypnobirthing, what it is exactly and how we could use some hypnobirthing techniques to find our calm in the lead up to birth. We wanted to know how we shape our birth mindset, and we wanted to know how best to reflect on our birth experiences! Read on to hear Jordyn’s expert thoughts and ideas on all of these things and more…

JORDYN, FIRST TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY YOU STARTED YOUR BIRTH PROJECT? DID KIWI BIRTH TALES AND LISTENING TO 100S OF BIRTH STORIES HELP INSPIRE YOU TO START THIS PROJECT?

Your Birth Project has been a goal of mine for a few years now, I have always been interested in birthing techniques and comfort methods and the podcast definitely opened my eyes to the need for more accessible educational resources. Hearing stories from Mums or Dads who could have had totally different experiences if they had the right information was more than enough inspiration for me.

WHAT EXACTLY IS HYPNOBIRTHING? I KNOW IT’S NOT BEING HYPNOTISED BUT WHAT IS IT? WHAT ARE A FEW HYPNOBIRTHING TECHNIQUES I CAN TRY TODAY TO HELP BRING ME A SENSE OF CALM?

Great question! I think hypnobirthing means something different to everyone but my spin on it is a group of techniques to assist in feeling empowered in your birthing experience. You aren't hypnotised, there are things like meditations (it's also okay if this isn't your thing there are other techniques) to help you relax and find a state of calm both during your pregnancy and into your labour and birth. My favourite hypnobirthing technique that you can use right now, and at any stage of labour is the 4 | 7 breathing technique - breathe slowly in for 4 counts, and slowly out for 7 counts. Try to continue doing this until you feel calmer - game changer if you are stressed!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS YOU’VE FOUND TO HELP NEW MAMAS COPE WITH THE FEAR OF BIRTH? WHAT IF I’M OVERDUE…?

Our due dates are estimates for a reason and your body knows what it is doing. Trust the process, take the information offered by your healthcare professionals and make informed decisions that feel right for you. Surround yourself with positive birth stories! That is my number 1 tip for anxiety around birth - listen to stories where Mums have felt empowered and loved their birth experiences.

HOW CAN WE WORK TO SHIFT OUR MINDSET AROUND FEAR AND HAVING A POSITIVE AND EMPOWERING BIRTH EXPERIENCE - NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BIRTH - AS WE GET CLOSER TO BIRTH?

Again I think listening to or watching positive birth stories can be so helpful for this. Another way is to check your internal monologue - what are you telling yourself about labour and birth? What are your perceptions that you've come to have over the years of how birth is going to go? If these are negative your body is going to feel more anxious about what is coming, try to reframe the way you think about labour and birth to help your body feel at peace.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP NEW MAMAS GET EXCITED?

Your baby is going to be here soon!!! If that isn't exciting enough then I love to suggest mamas think about the way they want their environment set up for their birth - planning these types of things always gets us excited.

OK, I’VE DONE IT, I’VE HAD MY BABY! HOW DO I REFLECT ON MY BIRTH EXPERIENCE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY SO I CAN LOOK BACK ON IT AND FEEL EMPOWERED AND WORK THROUGH ANY TRAUMA?

Congratulations! If you have any feelings of trauma associated with your birth I recommend speaking to your midwife firstly about what happened and why, when you feel ready speak to a professional trauma counsellor about your experience and how you feel now. It's so important to work through the way we feel about our births because it can have such an impact on our mental health. If you had an empowering birth experience and you want to reflect, I encourage you to write your story down - sharing it with friends and family or keeping it for your children to read one day is a special way to keep that memory.

ANY OTHER THOUGHTS, WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR WISDOM FOR ALL THE MAMAS TO BE OUT THERE?

I believe in the power of education! Surround yourself with books, podcasts, youtube videos (and Your Birth Project of course) to help you make informed choices about your birth experience. You're going to be amazing!!

Where do we find out more about your birth project? You can find the course atwww.yourbirthproject.com or send me a message on Instagram @ yourbirthproject