Having a baby can be a traumatic experience with women often going through unimaginable pain.

But an unconventional way to reduce pain is proving popular among modern mothers-to-be.

HypnoBirthing is based on the belief that severe discomfort to the mother and distress to the baby is not a natural accompaniment to labour.

Women instead learn self-hypnosis, including simple but specialised relaxation and breathing techniques.

It is claimed that these can lead to an easier and sometimes pain-free birth.

For what is believed to be the first time in Scotland, a course for midwives has been launched to teach them HypnoBirthing methods, which they can then pass on to expectant mothers.

There are currently just five people in Scotland qualified to teach HypnoBirthing – all of whom are qualified hypnotherapists.

Renee Buchanan, a hypnotherapist and member of the UK HypnoBirthing Advisory Board, is running the course at Stirling Royal Infirmary’s conference centre in September.

“Many women are afraid of childbirth,” she said. “They hear stories about dramatic and painful births which are also depicted on TV.

“This causes tension which in turn causes pain and doesn’t allow the birth to progress as naturally as it should.

“HypnoBirthing doesn’t promise pain-free labour but says labour should be much more comfortable.

“It allows women to enjoy having their babies instead of it being something they fear.”

Ms Buchanan said the course, which will also be attended by hypnotherapists, was an extension of midwife’s training.

“It’s just a more complementary approach,” she said. “It’s about bringing babies into the world in a more peaceful and calm way.

“The mum is trained to become absorbed in what the baby is doing and work in harmony with her body.”

HypnoBirthing was developed in the US 15 years ago and is based on the work of an English obstetrician and founder of the National Childbirth Trust, Dr Grantly Dick-Read.

He noticed that women who were calm and had positive expectations of their labour experienced less pain than those who were frightened.

Shirley Black, a community midwife in North Fife, is one of those joining the course.

“I’m very much into women having as natural an experience as possible,” she said.

“I heard about HypnoBirthing a couple of years ago in Australia and I was hooked on the idea.”

Ms Black said she is surprised people in the UK have not heard of the technique, which is popular overseas.

“I haven’t met anyone who knows about it,” she said.

“But the expectant mums I have spoken to are really interested and many are disappointed they will already have had their babies by the time I am qualified to teach the techniques myself.

“The main thing that helps women get through labour is a sympathetic midwife. If they get help and support before the birth it will empower them and let them know they are in control.

“In the long term it would be great to see the Scottish Executive funding this as people attending these courses currently have to pay out of their own pockets.

“HypnoBirthing can only help women.”

Ms Buchanan added: “I’ve lost count of the number of women who say they wish they’d known about HypnoBirthing earlier.

“It would be wonderful to see doctors on this course and I would love to see HypnoBirthing becoming the norm.

“It would save the NHS millions, especially when you consider the cost of caesarian sections and the after-care involved.”

By Catherine Lyst
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4593427.stm