Instinctual Approach to Pregnancy, Birth, & Parenting: Call or Text 602-705-7995
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
What is Hypnosis and will my mind be under someone else's control? No. Hypnosis is NOT mind control! All hypnosis is self-hypnosis...that means no one can make you do things that you wouldn't normally do. Hypnosis is a safe, natural state of selective, focused attention. When we enter into this absorbed state of hypnosis, we can use our thoughts, talents, and experiences in ways not usually available to us. Once in a state of hypnosis, no one can tell you act in a way contrary to your core values or cause you to believe something that goes against your core beliefs. It's up to you to choose which suggestions you will accept and which suggestions you will reject. If someone tried to manipulate you into doing something that you didn't want to do, you would come out of hypnosis instantly. You are always in control! Typically, people in hypnosis feel fully present and are very focused, while feeling thoroughly relaxed.
What is the difference between Hypnosis and Meditation? Sometimes these terms are used synonymously. However, they are different. With hypnosis you can access your subconscious where deeply rooted fears or limiting thoughts are often tightly held. In HypnoBirthing, we work toward the goal of releasing fear and limiting thoughts, that could potentially prevent you from experiencing birth as you wish it. You then, using specific techniques to replace negative thoughts with your vision of a beautiful birth. Mindful meditation turns your attention inward in an effort to clear your mind of thoughts. As such, you are completely focused on the present to "empty your mind", and let go of thoughts. Through meditation, one can develop concentration, clarity, emotional positivity, and calm that can have a transformative effect. Meditation, although very powerful, has a much more broader focus than Hypnosis. Hypnosis is often used as behavior modification tool directed at achieving a specific goal through concentrated focus.
Will I be in a trance or disconnected from the experience? No, Think about a time when you were lying in bed, not quite awake and not quite asleep, either. It's a very peaceful, relaxed state. You're aware of things going on around you (such as music playing, the wind blowing, traffic outside, etc.), but you are so thoroughly relaxed you just don't care. You could wake up if you wanted to or if you needed to, or you could go to sleep. This is the place HypnoBirthing teaches you to reach during your birthing. You will always be aware of what's going on around you; you will just be intensely focused on staying relaxed that you will choose to ignore anything that isn't important. You are always in control. While using HypnoBirthing®, you will be in a heightened state of awareness. You will feel more in tune with yourself and more connected with your baby. You will not be passive. You will simply have learned how to get out of the way of your body and let it do what it was designed to do. You will be in tune with your instincts and your body, therefore you will do what your body naturally tells you that you need to do to gently birth your baby!
Why should I take HypnoBirthing - the Mongan Method instead of another hypnosis for childbirth course? HypnoBirthing® - the Mongan Method is the original hypnosis for childbirth program developed in 1989. Since then thousands of women all over the world have experienced safer, easier, more comfortable births using the techniques taught in this course. HypnoBirthing is only taught by HypnoBirthing Practitioners certified through the HypnoBirthing Institute, ensuring the quality and consistency of instruction. By choosing a class, rather than doing a self-study course, you will have access to a HypnoBirthing® expert who will serve as your personal guide to learning the techniques and answering your questions. You will get to practice the techniques and get feedback on what you're experiencing. Your birth companion will also benefit from the instruction and observation of how to help you utilize your HypnoBirthing® skills. In a group class you will also get to connect with other expecting couples. The depth of the class experience simply cannot be duplicated by a do-it-yourself home study course.
How much does it cost? HypnoBirthing® Group classes with Phoenix HypnoBirthing require a total investment of $300. There is a non-refundable $100 required to register and secure your (pregnant mom and birth companion) place in class. After class one, if you decided to continue with the program, the remaining $200 balance is due. However, cost should never be a reason to NOT take the classes. Payment arrangements can be made. Private, in-home classes are also available on a limited basis; total investment is $475 ($200 deposit to secure your chosen day & time for class; the remaining $275 is due after the first class. We offer a 10% discount for military, fire, and law enforcement families.
Do you take insurance or Health Saving Account/ Flexible Spend Account cards as a form of payment? ABSOLUTELY!!! We accept HSA and FSA cards! Many insurance providers are now covering childbirth education classes. Call your provider to find out what their coverage is! I will gladly provide you with the necessary documentation that you can submit to your provider for a reimbursement!
Where are the classes held? Group classes are held in Mari's home in Ahwatukee (crossroads are 48th Street and Warner). She used to teach in a local community room at a medical center but found that the stiff chairs were very uncomfortable for expectant parents, especially moms further along in pregnancy. Moreover, the in-home setting is more aligned with the HypnoBirthing philosophy of being in a safe, comfortable, quiet, private space with dimmed lighting; without the intrusion of unexpected interruptions and unnecessary equipment.
Is HypnoBirthing® different from other childbirth education programs? Yes! Unlike other childbirth methods that teach how to "cope" with and "manage" pain, HypnoBirthing is teaches that childbirth does not need to be painful. If the mother and baby are healthy and mamma is properly prepared and relaxed she can easily birth in a calm, gentle, euphoric way . When women understand that pain is caused by constrictor hormones, created by fear, they learn, instead, to release fear thus creating endorphins—the feel good hormones. They are then able to change negative expectations of a long, painful birth to positive expectations of a comfortable, peaceful birth. Rather than exhausting, shallow breathing, and distraction techniques typical of other childbirth programs, HypnoBirthing parents learn effective breathing techniques as well as, total relaxation. This in turn, enables a birthing mother to work in harmony with her body and her baby, just as nature intended. Here are the top six reasons of how we are different:
Moms (and dads) learn to release fear of childbirth and parenting
Dads are fully involved as a advocate for mom and baby
We teach relaxation and visualization techniques that help release your body's natural relaxant hormones
You will learn three key breathing techniques to help you comfortably and confidently birth your baby organically
We limit our class sizes to five couple to ensure personalized attention. Classes are taught over five, 2.5 hour classes.
Your practitioner is also available to you after the five classes for any additional sessions you feel you may need, up until the time your baby is born!
HypnoBirthing, the Mongan Method® has been around for over 25 years. It is the original program for hypnosis for birth. HypnoBirthing is an excellent program that provides easy and practical techniques to help you birth your baby organically and instinctualy. It is the gold standard for hypnosis for birth! Check out our page "HypnoBirthing News" for popular and peer review journal articles that support the benefits of HypnoBirthing.
Why should I take HypnoBirthing® instead of a hospital prepared childbirth or other independent class? HypnoBirthing® is a very comprehensive curriculum and teaches you everything you need to have a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. HypnoBirthing differs from other childbirth classes in a few key ways: Most childbirth classes teach that pain--excruciating pain, even--during childbirth is inevitable. They give you ways to cope with the pain. HypnoBirthing® teaches that pain during childbirth is not inevitable. While all childbirth classes teach that the more relaxed you are, the less pain you will have, HypnoBirthing teaches you how to actually relax enough to reduce or even eliminate pain while birthing. We do not promise pain-free birthing, but many women using HypnoBirthing report pain-free births.
HypnoBirthing® teaches you how to have the birth you want, not the birth that someone else might expect you to have. We teach you to remember that this is your experience and your baby's one and only chance to be born. If you keep these things in mind, it will help guide you to make better decisions regarding your birth preferences.
Birth is normal and can be experienced without any complications. Therefore, we don't focus on what could go wrong, we focus on what likely will go right! If you are healthy and baby is healthy, you can absolutely birth naturally! Parents who take typical childbirth classes that teach about complications often end up afraid that those things will happen during their babies' birth. Focusing on negativity will often bring negativity about. Learning about what could go wrong can replace previous fears about childbirth with new ones about complications. So we don't even go there! HypnoBirthing® focuses on the positivity, on eliminating fears so that you can be truly relaxed during your birth experience. The more relaxed you are the more easily your body can do what it is naturally designed to do. If you have carefully chosen your care provider, you will be able to trust him or her to guide you if your birth should take an unforeseen turn. If that happens, HypnoBirthing techniques will help you to stay focused on your baby, which will help you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
HypnoBirthing® works wonderfully with a partner (we call them birth companions) or alone. Other methods rely more heavily on the "coach's" involvement, which removes much of the power and focus from the birthing mother and the baby.
As an independent HypnoBirthing® Practitioner, Mari is not employed by a hospital; therefore she teaches facts that may or may not be in line with hospital policy. The hospital can't fire her as a childbirth educator because she is hired by you, not them.
Why can't I just read the HypnoBirthing book and skip the classes? You can absolutely read the book on your own and it will indeed be helpful. However, when you take advantage of the classes, you get the opportunity to work through any questions that may arise as you are planning for your birth with an expert childbirth educator and other expectant parents. You will also have the benefit of an experienced practitioner. Mari, will lead you through several hypnosis scripts, not included in the book, such an invaluable "fear release", which will help you let go of any limiting thoughts that might emerge as blocks to developing the image of your ideal birth. Moreover, you will practice breathing techniques, as well as optimal positions for relaxation and birth. Additionally, your practitioner is available to you through the time you birth, should you wish to do more sessions (beyond the five in the course) for FREE! How does it work? Will I be using mind distraction or tricks? HypnoBirthing® teaches you to understand "how the birthing muscles work in perfect harmony"--as they were designed to--when your body is sufficiently relaxed. You will learn how to achieve this kind of relaxation, free of the resistance that fear creates, and you will learn to use your natural birthing instincts for a calm, serene and comfortable birthing. HypnoBirthing does not teach you to use mind tricks to trick yourself into thinking that you're not feeling pain when your body is experiencing pain (although hypnosis can be used to achieve this). HypnoBirthing teaches you that extreme pain is not a necessary component to birthing and will simply will not be present when you are free of all tension and fear, totally relaxed. Awake throughout, you will be aware of your body's surges; but because you will have trained yourself to reach complete relaxation, you will be able to determine the degree to which you will feel the surges. You will experience birthing in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to. In this calm state your body's natural anesthesia, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones that constrict and cause pain. Do I need a partner? No. HypnoBirthing® teaches you how to use self-hypnosis in order to achieve that wonderful, deep state of relaxation that allows you to birth your baby more comfortably, easily, and with confidence. However, if you are going to have a support person as you birth, it's best if he or she knows how to help so that he or she doesn't unintentionally hinder your efforts. This is why partners (or another support person) are encouraged to attend the classes as well. If you do not have a support person, you may consider choosing doula (professional birth companion). Mari can share recommendations.
Will it be painless? HypnoBirthing® does not promise painless birthing. What it does promise is that by changing your beliefs and perceptions about birth, releasing fear and limiting thoughts, and practicing the techniques, you will have a safer, easier, more comfortable, and joyful birthing than you would have otherwise. Completely painless birthing is certainly possible using the HypnoBirthing® techniques, but pain perception is an individual thing and there are many contributing factors that cause childbirth to be perceived as painful. Pain is the body's way of telling you to do something different. In childbirth this could mean relax more, change positions, or whatever else you body tells you to do. HypnoBirthing teaches that in the absence of fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be a part of the birthing experience. HypnoBirthing mothers will experience sensations of tightening and/or pressure, which are normal and positive indicators that she is successfully progressing in birthing her baby because her body is freely opening to make room for baby to be born!
Does my Birth have to be exactly like the quiet, serene births in HypnoBirthing videos to be successful? No. Some women labor quietly, others are more vocal. The important thing is to listen to your body and do what your body is telling you to do. Women who labor quietly often become vocal during the birthing phase as the baby is descending and moms are breathing their baby down. There are three good reasons it's good to hear noise at this time:
It shows you are not holding your breath
Vocalizations can indicate the progress of baby's decent
Making a low noise helps to channel your energy downward, which helps to move your baby down and out!
Should I take HypnoBirthing® if I plan on having a C-section? Yes. The goal of HypnoBirthing® is to teach you how to be in control of your perception of your birth experience from start to finish. Whatever turn your birth takes, you want to be in the moment with your baby. However your baby comes into this world you want to make that experience as calm and comfortable as possible for yourself and your baby. HypnoBirthing teaches you how to do this. HypnoBirthing moms who have cesareans report recoveries that are faster, easier, and more comfortable because they were relaxed during the experience. What if my doctor/midwife is not familiar with HypnoBirthing? How can my providers help me to achieve my HypnoBirthing goals? More and more care providers are becoming aware of the benefits of HypnoBirthing. Many hospitals offer HypnoBirthing as an option in their childbirth education programs. HypnoBirthing is also taught in some schools of medicine to student doctors. If your caregiver is not knowledgeable about HypnoBirthing, take the opportunity early in your pregnancy to discuss the techniques you will be using and the type of calm birthing environment you wish. In class, you will learn how to create a plan of Birth Preferences, which will help you to communicate your birthing goals and desires to your doctor or midwife. Your HypnoBirthing Practitioner will also gladly meet with your provider to share helpful information about the HypnoBirthing philosophy, techniques, and birthing outcomes!
I'm a first-time mom. Will HypnoBirthing® work for me? Yes. HypnoBirthing® works wonderfully for first-time mothers. The great thing about the first time giving birth is that you don't have past experience to create certain expectations. You can adopt positive beliefs about birth more easily and can make good decisions to create a positive birth experience without having to go through a negative experience first.
I've had a baby before and I had a lot of pain. Will HypnoBirthing® work for me? Yes. HypnoBirthing® works well for women who have given birth before. The great thing about having given birth before is that you have a good sense of what you liked and what you didn't, which helps you make more focused decisions the next time around. HypnoBirthing helps you release your fears, anxieties, and limiting thoughts about birth which in turn gives you the ability to relax deeply--a skill you probably didn't have when giving birth before. With your new HypnoBirthing skills your future birth experiences will be profoundly different from past birth experiences. If you feel that circumstances occurring during your previous birth experience(s) will have a negative impact on future births, consider doing a session with Mari on releasing negative birth experiences.
Should I take HypnoBirthing® classes if I'm planning on using medication? HypnoBirthing® is a tool. Medications are other tools available for you to use. You make the choice that is right for you. Some women take HypnoBirthing classes so that they will be more comfortable prior to receiving planned medications. Others, take HypnoBirthing to reduce their fears surrounding pregnancy, birth, and parenting. HypnoBirthing is for all women, not just those planning natural childbirth.
I am a Christian, is HypnoBirthing against my religion? No. The level of hypnosis, or relaxation, that HypnoBirthing® teaches you to reach is the very same as the levels of hypnosis you pass through every day when you fall asleep or wake up. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and used for the purposes of helping and healing! No one will be exerting mind control over you to get you to do evil things. As a Catholic - Christian myself, I believe that hypnosis is a wonderful tool given to us by God. People of all religious beliefs can benefit from hypnosis. However, you must be open to the healing possibilities and willing to allow your imagination to freely flow. That being said, if you do not feel comfortable with the idea of hypnosis and cannot view it as guided imagery and deep relaxation, it will not work for you and you should find something that will work for you.
What does the tuition fee cover? And, what if we have to miss a class? The class fee covers tuition for you and your birth companion, as well as, the HypnoBirthing book, four hypnosis audio tracks, scripts, visuals, and all other materials necessary for the class. Additional audio tracks are available upon request. Moreover, you will receive weekly emails and Dropbox links for additional handouts. Mari is available to respond to all your questions and concerns throughout class and through the time when you birth your baby, if wish to do additional sessions beyond the five formal classes, at no additional cost beyond the tuition! In the event that a class must be missed due to illness or a planned absence, we will happily schedule a one-to-one in-home class free of charge, with the exception of nominal mileage fee for locations beyond a 20 mile radius from Ahwatukee. Should a second class need to be missed, the class format will be changed to a semi-private class and an additional $100 fee will be required. The semi-private class tuition is $400.
If you have a questions that have not been addressed, please get in touch with us via our contact form or call/text 602-705-7995!We'd be happy to respond via email, telephone, or schedule a consultation to answer all your questions!!