Book Review: Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan

The main idea proposed in this book is that relaxation is the key to birthing. When you relax, your body can do what it was designed to do without interference from the tension that builds up as a result of fear and pain. I have friends that have used this method of birthing and have had very positive results. And I have actually decided to take a HypnoBirthing class. So, I definitely recommend this book.

My only complaint is the title. Hypnobirthing just sounds so cooky to me. To me, hypnosis = weird! I was so worried about it, I actually called my uncle who is a psychologist and a dean at BYU to ask his opinion. What he said confirmed exactly what the book explains: hypnosis is intense focus in deep relaxation. You don't lose any control. You just are so focused and so relaxed that time passes more quickly. My uncle compared it to driving a familiar route and when you arrive you think, "How did I get here?" because you were so absorbed. And that's actually the same analogy the book uses as well. In fact, as the book described the techniques of breathing, relaxation, and visualization -- I was very much reminded of an experience I had at the BYU Bio-Feedback Lab.

The purpose of the Bio-Feedback Lab is to assess your stress level and teach relaxation techniques. During my senior year, I went down to the BYU Counseling Center to sign up for a session at the lab when I was feeling VERY stressed. Unfortunately, they were booked for a week. By the time I had my appointment, I was actually feeling pretty good, but I decided to go anyway. They had me take a survey about what caused stress in my life and what I did to manage it. Then they had me sit in a comfy leather recliner, hooked my finger up to a temperature monitor, and put some sort of electrode monitor on my forehead-- I guess to measure my brain activity. Then, I listened to a relaxation track on a CD-- one that took me through some different relaxation techniques, including muscle relaxation and visualization. It was awesome!! At the end of the session, the temperature of my hand had increased by 4 degrees (the colder your hands are, the more stressed out you are) and my brain waves showed signs of relaxation as well. As I said, I felt pretty good when I went into the Lab, but I was on Cloud 9 when I walked out! I wish I could have gone every day.

Now, do I think I'll feel like that in labor? Not necessarily. This book does claim that labor can be painless for some women-- that women describe feeling pressure, but no pain. And that would be great, but I think that sets a pretty high expectation. However, I do think that the techniques in the book will help me stay calm and keep me from emotionally freaking out, which I am prone to do. :-) And do believe I will feel less pain using these techniques than without them.

Basically, this book helps you emotionally prepare for birth--helping you develop a positive attitude about birth and teaching you how to stay calm throughout every phase of labor. And an added plus-- no naked pictures!