Maternal support in Seychelles: The hypnobirthing technique |20 May 2021

Image source: Helene the Illustrator

In the following interview with Celia Ponzo, we learn about hypnobirthing, the methods which are taught and used in this birth preparation technique, the benefits for all those involved, and the associated myths and concerns.

Ms Ponzo is a trained maternal support practitioner, also known as a Doula, and the founder of Birth & Beyond – a maternal support practice based in Seychelles.

She also holds a Bsc in Medical Anthropology and a Masters in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Seychelles NATION: You mentioned that more and more people overseas are using the hypnobirthing technique, and that some Seychellois have also started using it. Can you explain to us what is the hypnobirthing technique?

Celia Ponzo: Hypnobirthing is a complete birth preparation course in order to prepare expectant couples for a calm, peaceful and empowering birth. It is a technique for expecting parents to experience birthing in an atmosphere of calm, relaxation, and free of the fear that prevents the muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to. In this calm state, your body's relaxant, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones that constrict and cause pain.

The hypnobirthing philosophy is very scientific driven based on nature. Everything that is taught is based on the latest scientific research but at the same time, it always promotes nature's natural design of giving birth and teaches couples everything they need to give birth as naturally as possible.

It also teaches couples to prepare for the unexpected should a medical procedure need to take place, and teaches them to stay relaxed whatever turn their birth takes. This is a very important point. We can prepare as much as we want for a natural birth but at the end there is so much control that we have over what happens. It is vital to remain calm and confident with a change of plan and this is a strong component of the technique.

Hypnobirthing can be for any pregnancy, whether it's because someone is anxious as a first time mum about the birth process, whether it's because they have had a traumatic first experience and this second time round they want a more empowered and relaxed birth. More and more we see that hypnobirthing can also be used in women that know they have to have a cesarean section (C-section) due to medical reasons. So it really caters for anyone.

The course can be taken as early as the 12 weeks mark but there is no specific time. The earlier the better as it is extra beneficial to practice the relaxation techniques, and train your mind to go into a very relaxed state using specific hypnobirthing soundtracks and relaxation techniques taught by a hypnobirthing teacher.

Seychelles NATION: What methods are used and taught as part of the hypnobirthing course?

Celia Ponzo: The methods of hypnobirthing are education, breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, visualisation exercises and affirmations. Education about birth feeds your conscious mind but the rest of the techniques feed your unconscious mind. This is why they say that hypnobirthing is the most complete birth preparation there is as it really caters for the depth of your mind too, and this is where a real change can happen in how you approach your birth.

Seychelles NATION: What are the benefits of this technique for expectant couples and anyone else involved?

Celia Ponzo: The benefits are many; couples that have done a hypnobirthing course definitely feel empowered about giving birth. It is amazing to see that when a couple first comes to me in their first session, there are so many fears and uncertainties about the whole process and especially about the big day of giving birth. After the 3rd session I already see an immense change in the way they speak and talk about giving birth. By the last session they are excited to give birth and cannot wait to go through with it!

The course also creates a very strong connection with your partner. It is a course that deeply involves your partner to support you through labour and birth. As a maternal support practitioner, I never replace the partner's role, but rather empower them; it is the perfect team work. I educate and give techniques but after all it is the partner that knows the birthing person the most.

The benefits are also present for the baby; the science of fetology has recently shown that babies are born with memory and recollection of what happens inside the womb. This already shapes their mental state of mind. A mother that has gone through hypnobirthing during her pregnancy is normally in a very deep, relaxed state of mind which ultimately impacts the baby in the womb, but also at birth. It is found that babies born through hypnobirthing are very calm in nature.

Seychelles NATION: Are there any concerns or myths associated with the hypnobirthing technique?

Celia Ponzo: Yes, I would like to touch upon this as many may have pre-conceived thoughts about the term hypnobirthing due to the 'hypno' word which can fire a lot of thoughts and questions. As mentioned earlier, the technique used is self-hypnosis. We go in natural self-hypnosis twice a day, every morning right before waking up and every night right before going to sleep. This is our natural hypnotic state of mind. Self-hypnosis helps us achieve this exact state of mind in order to maximise our relaxation and also to be able to absorb information in our unconscious mind. No one will be able to hypnotize you; it is only you that can bring yourself in this state of mind if you allow yourself to.

Another myth that I would like to talk about is the one that hypnobirthing is a meditation and alternative way of preparing for birth. Not at all; hypnobirthing is a complete birth preparation course as it is very much scientific driven and as well as learning about all the relaxation techniques, a very big part of the course is also learning about the physiology of birth and the science behind how birth works etc, just as any in-depth prenatal class. Hypnobirthing just adds to that and also gives you the extra confidence to give birth.

I gave birth to my own daughter through hypnobirthing and after my own personal experience, this is what made me want to further my studies to become a hypnobirthing teacher as an addition to my maternal support practitioner practice. This is my favourite course that I teach as I see such a huge change happen in couples.

For more information:

-           Visit: www.birthnbeyond.net

-           Follow: Instagram: birth_beyond_

-           Email: celia.doffay@gmail.com

-           Telephone/WhatsApp: 2 780 232

F.P.