By David Rogers,
Palm Beach Daily News
For some expectant women, the idea of going through hours of childbirth without pain relief medication may be frightening.
It is the fear of the unknown, however, that can make childbirth an unpleasant experience, according to hypnotist Dale Dougherty.
Dougherty plans to offer the class every month for women who are five- to eight-months pregnant.
First-time mothers can be especially fearful of childbirth. Fear creates physical tension that makes childbirth more painful, Dougherty said.
In the class, Dougherty teaches women to accept suggestions for the subconscious mind that can relax the body and numb it to pain.
The method, developed using obstetrician and natural childbirth pioneer Grantly Dick-Read's 1944 book Childbirth Without Fear, has gotten more attention in recent years following media coverage.
When the hypnobirthing method is used, the birth takes place in a quiet room with low lighting. Nurses are present, but intervene only as needed, Dougherty said. The birthing companion acts as a liaison with staff so the mother-to-be interacts with fewer people. Rather than teaching women to bear down intently once the cervix dilates to 10 centimeters, hypnobirthing teaches them to wait until the baby's head reaches the end of the birth canal.
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