Hypnobirthing Says Women Can Have Calm, Comfortable Births

Many women find the prospect of childbirth terrifying.

The latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control show in 2008, about 60% of women got drugs, like an epidural, to ease the pain.

However, more women in the Twin Cities are using a birth method that may result in less pain with possibly no drugs.

The method is called hypnobirthing, and it is growing in popularity.

When someone thinks of hypnosis, many might envision someone swinging around a pocket watch and making others fall into a trance. However, that is not what hypnobirthing is about.

The method, known as the Mongan Method, promises a calm and comfortable birth.

5 Eyewitness News went into the delivery room to see if it works.

With music playing softly, Jennifer Ingvoldstad is just hours away from becoming a mom.

There is no pain in her hospital room. The only four letter word being used in her room is: calm.

Ingvoldstad's journey started in a classroom in Inver Grove heights a few months ago.

Certified hypnotherapist, Megan Titcomb, leads the class. Titcomb has delivered two children using the hypnobirthing method.

"Most of the couples that choose to take hypnobirthing classes usually have some sort of fear about pain or childbirth itself," Titcomb said. "Birth can happen gently and easily."

"What I liked about hypnobirthing, is that it has to do with reducing fear," Ingvoldstad said.

Reducing that fear starts with the language.

A contraction is called a surge or wave. Due date is replaced with birthing time, and water breaking is called the membranes releasing.

Women and their birthing companions also learn how to say no to drugs.

"Hypnobirthing doesn't teach that drugs aren't an option," Titcomb said. "It's just that most people who take a natural childbirth class are hoping for a natural childbirth."

Birth centers along with most area hospitals approve of the method. St. Joseph's Hospital is known as a hypnobirthing friendly hospital, and Jennifer checked into the hospital in St. Paul on the night of September 17th.

Sitting on a yoga ball and resting her head on a pillow, Ingvoldstad breathes to get through a contraction (or surge) while the hands of a massage therapist knead away tension.

"A typical hypnobirth is just a quiet, calm environment, with dim lighting and music playing," Titcomb said.

Ingvoldstad goes for a walk, then stops and crouches down. Her support system, including friends and her sister help her focus.

The word pain is never mentioned.

After about six hours of active labor, on September 18th, Omari Joseph Ingvoldstad arrives. A healthy boy!

Now that the baby is here, many wonder if Ingvoldstad would give birth naturally again. She said yes.

"It was probably one of the most empowering experiences I've had, Ingvoldstad said. "But it's not for everybody, people have different feelings about that."

Some wonder whether natural birth in the hospital would save women money.

If an epidural is not given, at least a few hundred dollars, that would have likely been spent towards a deductible would be saved. However, the savings also depends on a patients insurance plan. A spokesperson from Medica also says a massage therapist and hired birthing companion would not likely be covered.

To learn more about hypnobirthing, go to: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/