What is HypnoBirthing®, the Mongan Method?

HypnoBirthing, the original program developed by Marie Mongan, is a childbirth preparation method that uses the repetition and practice of self-hypnosis, relaxation techniques, and specific deep breathing techniques to help parents eliminate  fear and to create a calm, comfortable, safe and positive birth.

For more information about HypnoBirthing, go to the HypnoBirthing International page listing for Rochelle Bates here.

When should I begin HypnoBirthing classes?

If you are at least 20 weeks pregnant, you are ready to start a HypnoBirthing class!

The earlier you begin a HypnoBirthing class with Rochelle, the more hypnosis you can enjoy, and the more time you can spend practicing the techniques and letting your body, mind and spirit become accustomed to the deep relaxation of hypnosis and HypnoBirthing.

Your confidence grows with each class you attend and each week that passes, both before birth and more importantly, during your birth, whether you have a vaginal birth, a VBAC (a vaginal birth after cesarean), a planned, or unplanned cesarean birth. No matter how you birth or your circumstances, HypnoBirthing, and Rochelle, will both help to inform and prepare you without drama and without surprises, bias or judgement.

HypnoBirthing is a natural birthing method that for over 60 years has taught parents from all over the world — and now both you and your partner, the unique skills you will not find elsewhere in copy-cat programs or chopped-up apps.

The classroom education and personal support from your trained and certified educator, Rochelle, will support you and your desire for a natural birth and the time and devotion you’ll spend building your unique family support system with your birth partner can be life-changing for parents as they navigate their changing and growing roles as mothers, fathers, and partners.

HypnoBirthing’s skills provide the foundation that you and your partner will use from the very first class to envision the birth you want and it helps you actually understand the birth that can be possible for you in your situation and in your community.

With the unique mix within HypnoBirthing of education, hypnosis in class and self-hypnosis relaxation, affirmations and visualizations outside of class, the reframing of any traumatic experiences from the past and knowledge about how to truly enjoy and have a more comfortable, safer birth, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and understand what you both need to know to make your personal birth preferences known, and to have respectful and respected discussions with your providers. In 5 short weeks you’ll learn what you’ll need to make your preferences become a reality.

While it’s never too late to start your HypnoBirthing education (at least as long as it is before birth!), the more you practice the HypnoBirthing affirmations, listen to the relaxation recordings, and the more you learn in class about your birthing process, the more confident, calm and prepared for birth you will be.

Rochelle is one of the few HypnoBirthing educators to regularly teach a special, compressed HypnoBirthing class to parents who are in the 36th week or later of their pregnancy. This compressed program is taught with the permission and supervision of HypnoBirthing International and is only for those parents who find out about the benefits of HypnoBirthing later in their pregnancy (at 36 weeks or later) all other students benefit most from and are enrolled in the 5 week course.

Parents who find HypnoBirthing with less lead-time before birth and choose the compressed course then often choose to have Rochelle support them as a virtual doula as well (if she has the space to accept another family at that time). While Rochelle is always available for “check-ins” and additional hypnosis for her students, the level of care for clients as a virtual doula is very different than the usual educator/student relationship and offers extended care postpartum.

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Less fear, less intervention

There are numerous benefits that parents gain from HypnoBirthing that can be felt during pregnancy, birth, and while parenting. One of the most common reasons parents enroll in HypnoBirthing is because they are afraid of the pain that can accompany childbirth and they are looking for ways to cope, but they end up experiencing so many other benefits from the program. While we cannot promise a pain-free birth, parents who take our course do have lower intervention rates, fewer surgical births, and – you guessed it – lower rates of pain medication use. In fact, those who take the class are more relaxed, confident and ready for birthing, and HypnoBirthing graduates have reported shorter births, more comfort, and happier babies.

Confidence for your birth.

Fear is the greatest contributor to birth trauma. You see, fear and pain can lead to parents accepting unnecessary interventions that lead to other interventions and possibly feelings of disappointment, failure, and trauma. HypnoBirthing helps parents approach their birthing day with more confidence and less fear — whether you have a scheduled cesarian section, a vaginal birth, a home birth or a hospital birth, HypnoBirthing is invaluable.

HypnoBirthing parents are educated in the physiology of instinctive birth to help them better advocate for their decisions and know what questions to ask in choosing a supportive provider.

Partners also learn how to support the birthing person by tapping into their connection with one another, and learning techniques and tasks that make your birthing partner more involved and helpful to the entire birthing process.

HypnoBirthing® Parents Report

Better, more restful sleep

A deeper bond between baby, Mother, and her Birthing partner

Less Fear approaching birth

Fewer interventions and surgical births

Decreased use of oxytocics or AROM

Shorter 1st and 2nd phase labor

Fewer pre-term and low-weight babies

Lessened or eliminated need for analgesia

A birthing experience that matches their desires and dreams

Babies alert; able to nurse almost immediately

Few cases of post-partum depression reported

Infants with higher than average APGAR score

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HypnoBirthing To-do List

A brief list of some of the most important steps you can  take to prepare for your birth.

HypnoBirthing is one of the oldest and the BEST original birthing education classes. Find out more information here.

It’s most beneficial to register and start classes at about 20 weeks, but Rochelle Bates teaches a compressed course for parents who find out about HypnoBirthing later in their pregnancy. It’s never too late!

HypnoBirthing International has so much information about the course and other topics concerning childbirth: www.HypnoBirthing.com

In your 2nd and 3rd trimester, research and interview Lactation consultants, Doulas, Midwives and other supportive, trained people to help make your birth the experience you desire.

Interview and hire birthing assistance

Discuss your HypnoBirthing birth preferences with every person who will be assisting you in your birth.

As you share your birth plan, discuss your provider’s opinions about your birthing desires and planning. Use BRAINS to negotiate if you must, to come to a common plan. If you cannot agree with your provider, consider a second opinion consultation, but never disregard your healthcare professional’s reasoning about special circumstances you may have. The goal is always the safety and health of Mother and baby.

Discuss your HypnoBirthing birth preferences

It’s one of those things that you hope that you NEVER need to use but it’s also one of those things that you absolutely NEED to know as a parent or caregiver for infants.

Encourage ALL your family and friend caregivers for your child to take this training.

Call your local American Heart Association for classes and be sure that your instructor is certified through the American Heart Association.

Infant CPR Class

Pre-pack a bag for the hospital (for Mom and the birthing partner) and a bag for going home.

Pack or make a list of all the things baby needs for the ride home, and regular clean clothes for Mom and birth partner. Pack everything as early as you can. See lists on their own pages.

Pre-pack a bag for the hospital

Practice installing it and taking it in and out of the car. Practice carrying the seat with about 15 pounds of weight STRAPPED in it, to start, using books, water bottles, etc… to approximate the weight of your new baby. Use little weights or full water bottles with exercise to strengthen your arms and shoulders before you start lugging your car seat everywhere. Try to use your legs and arms, not your back, to lift.

Purchase and practice using your baby car seat

Give your relationship its own space: there’s been so much focus on parenting in your pregnancy that sometimes your romantic and partnership identity doesn’t get much attention. Take a small romantic break with your partner before your baby joins you and give each other the attention you both deserve. Some parents go away for rest and relaxation, and some stay at home. Plan special meals and treats, plan a romantic date, give each other massages or foot rubs, enjoy a local park and a picnic, play board games together, go out and dance or see a movie (or do these things at home!) – anything you need a bit of peace and quiet to enjoy before baby is here!

Plan a “Babymoon,” even at home