HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Classes The Mongan Method

HypnoBirthing is as much a philosophy as it is a technique. It is a rewarding, relaxing, stress-free method of birthing that is based in the belief that when a mother is properly prepared for birthing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, she can experience the joy of birthing her baby in an easier, more comfortable manner. HypnoBirthing returns a woman to the art of childbirth in a way that allows her to summon her natural birthing instincts. HypnoBirthing is based on the belief that severe pain does not need to be a natural accompaniment to labor. Obstetrician Dr. Lorne Campbell has attended over 200 births using HypnoBirthing®. Read what he has to say!

When in my pregnancy should I take this class? Like most things, the key to successful HypnoBirthing® is practice, practice, practice! Most women find that having three to four months to learn and practice the self-hypnosis techniques is ideal. However, whether your baby is due to arrive soon after the class ends or whether you’re early in your pregnancy, the skills learned in class will be invaluable for your preparation along the journey to birthing your baby. What will you learn? ~ Techniques for safe, shorter, and more comfortable birthing through guided imagery, visualization, and special breathing ~ Relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to eliminate the fear of the unknown and tension that cause long labor and pain, replacing it with confidence, calm & comfort ~ An understanding of the body’s natural process during labor in order to create your own natural anesthesia and work with your body instead of against it ~ How the “stages of labor” are affected by deep relaxation How will HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Preparation benefit you? ~Teaches you to eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during and after labor ~ Eliminates the need for chemical anesthesia in most cases ~ Shortens the first stage of labor by several hours ~ Eliminates fatigue during labor ~ Brings together the mother, baby, and birthing companion in a wonderful pre-natal bonding experience ~ Invites the birthing companion to be an integral part of the birthing, not an onlooker or coach ~ Postnatal recovery is rapid & easier ~ Birthing is returned to the beautiful & peaceful experience that nature intended Classes are 3-hours long, and meet for five weeks. The cost of the class is $300.00 per couple, which includes book, CD, and several handouts. Refreshments served at each class. Birth companions (spouse, partner, family member, doula or friend) are encouraged to attend classes as well, as they play an integral role in the birthing process. HypnoBirthing classes are held at 101 S. Whiting Street, Suite 314, Alexandria, Virginia. To register for classes, or to request more information, please call Sharon at (703) 971-7305 or send an e-mail to sharon@yogabirthandbeyond.com Sharon Stevenson is affiliated with the HypnoBirthing Institute.

A Letter from Lorne R. Campbell Sr. M.D. who supports HypnoBirthing and how it changed his practice. To Whom It May Concern: I began delivering babies in 1983. I believed in the use of drugs to manage obstetrical pain. I saw lots of complications including babies with compromised breathing in spite of my best efforts to use good sound medical judgment. I believed that Epidurals were a medical blessing. I had a 25% C-Section rate. Patients demanded natural births. I then performed hundreds of deliveries using the pushing, blowing and holding off analgesics until the mother could no longer take the pain. I saw babies that were no longer respiratorily compromised but were exhausted and quite often needed respiratory support with oxygen. But my C-Section rate had fallen to 5%. Next I used visual imagery to manage pain. I occasionally still had to use narcotics and a rare epidural. I still saw exhausted babies who were not fully able to bond. I still had a C-Section rate of 5%. I then began using hypnosis to manage pain during birth. The results were ok, mothers still had pain; babies were less often compromised and very rarely needed oxygen. I still had a 5% c-section rate. I have made the transition to HypnoBirthing®. I now believe that birthing involves no pain. I have attended over 200 births that have used the techniques and philosophy of HypnoBirthing® - “The Mongan Method”. I realize that I no longer perform deliveries; I attend births and observe the birthing companion receive the baby. It is as if my new role is to be present to witness the miracle of HypnoBirthing®. Every mother has been excited about the birth event. Support people become involved in a meaningful way. I have had no complications. No babies have needed oxygen or any support other than warming by mother's body. My C-Section rate is 3. I have given absolutely no analgesic drugs since I have used HypnoBirthing® with mothers. I routinely lecture to medical groups about HypnoBirthing®. I am more than happy to talk to any Health Care Professionals (or anyone else) about my experiences with truly natural birthing. I have a number of patients and husbands who love to talk about their experience. In the near future I will be training residents to use HypnoBirthing® as an option for patients. I am an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. I am also an Assistant Clinical professor of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Sincerely, Lorne R. Campbell Sr. M.D. 8745 Lake St. Rd. Leroy NY 14482 585 768 2620