Christianity and Hypnobabies

pretty pregnant woman prayingQ) What about Christianity and Hypnobabies? I am seriously considering using Hypnobabies for my baby’s birth. I am determined to have a natural water birth & have been fascinated with your program and how wonderful it seems. I am a little uneasy with the thought of being in an altered state. As a Christian, I am not sure if there would be any aspect of being altered that would be a conflict with my beliefs. I just have a slight uneasy feeling about my mind being hypnotized. It’s possible that I don’t understand hypnosis completely. Thank you.  

A) This is actually quite an intelligent question, and it does come up from time to time here at Hypnobabies! It is important to remember that hypnosis is a state of mind that we are all already in many times a day, so it’s a very natural response to how our mind works.

We are all automatically in hypnosis when driving, swimming, doing other sports, sitting in church or a lecture, reading, watching television or movies or on the computer (a screen of any kind) and when waking up or going to sleep. In Hypnobabies we are simply guiding that process in a very positive way to create an easy, fear-free comfortable childbirth experience. Since our program is designed for people of every faith and belief system to use, it contains no “new-age” or other content that would offend anyone. Many of our Hypnobabies students are Christian and have had wonderful success with Hypnobabies while incorporating their beliefs into our hypnosis scripts and practice as well as adding prayer into the actual hypnosis when giving birth. We have come to realize that our students know what they need and will find it in Hypnobabies, adapting it perfectly and serenely to their own religious or non-religious belief systems. They always do.   Below are two articles written by Christian hypnotherapists, for you to consider on your hypno-journey, and below them are comments and birth stories from Christian Moms who have used Hypnobabies and had wonderful births. 

Christianity and Hypnosisby Janet Field, CHt, HCHI
“A significant percentage of my Hypnobabies students are Christian – as am I!  The way many of my Christian students choose to use hypnosis is to add to the more general birth-related suggestions given in class by using the scripture verses which mean the most to them and are deeply encouraging for them.  During pregnancy and birth both partners find this extremely comforting and a very valuable assistance to a peaceful birth.

Because of the nature of hypnosis, women are in a deeply relaxed state when their partners read the scriptures to them.  In this relaxed state, the subconscious mind imprints those words of scripture deeply and directly and responds to and acts on the encouragement – even in the face of possibly difficult circumstances.  For my Christian students, prayer usually becomes an integral part of the birth process, just as prayer is an integral part of their lives.  The only difference is that, with the relaxation of hypnosis, prayers are taken in much, much more deeply and the heart responds to them that much more deeply.

Occasionally someone has expressed concern to me that hypnosis would leave them open to ‘evil’ forces.  Let me assure you – when you are using hypnosis, you are the one in control.  You are simply relaxed.  I say ‘when you are using hypnosis’ because all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.  Nobody does it ‘to you’.  You are always in full control of your own thoughts and actions.  In fact, I let people know at the beginning of a hypnosis/relaxation session that, at any time, they can bring themselves back to their full awareness – much the way you would open your eyes and discontinue a prayer or meditation if you needed your attention on a suddenly pressing matter at hand. Dr. Larry Nims, a PhD psychologist with over 30 years’ clinical experience, works with clients using hypnosis.

Dr. Nims’ works and articles about forgiveness are for a general audience, yet one can see the Lord’s hand in Dr. Nims’ work.   Following is a paragraph from Dr. Nims.  Through his words, I find one very positive description of the way some Christians use hypnosis for themselves.

“At the end of each hypnosis counseling session with all of my Christian clients, I ask them to say a prayer.  The prayer focuses on the negative attitudes and actions that were involved in each of the problems that were treated in the session, and it invites the Lord to occupy these places and be the Lord of them.  I always encourage Christians to use this prayer every time they use hypnosis on their own or in my office.”

Before and during my own work with students and clients, I like to stop and call on God in prayer, asking that I be used as an instrument of His healing love.  A simple search of the web will provide an abundance of additional information on Christianity and hypnosis.”

HYPNOSIS AND PASTORAL HYPNOTHERAPY

The Rev. Dr. Prentice Kinser III, B.A., M.B.A., M.Div., D.Min., CPC, NBCCH, is Executive Director and Pastoral Counselor for the Blue Ridge Pastoral Counseling Centers, Inc. (BRPCC), is an ordained minister (Episcopal priest), has received a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, is certified as a Pastoral Counselor and Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, is an Adjunct Faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and is a National Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, a Certified Trainer of Clinical Hypnotherapy, a husband, a father of three children, and a grandfather of three grandchildren.

Dr. Kinser leads Vestry retreats, spiritual growth classes, stop smoking, weight loss, and performance enhancement programs. All of these positive benefits can be used to greatly enhance spiritual practices, deepen meditation and prayer, control stress, assist in physical, spiritual and emotional healing, and, in general, assist individuals to find greater wholeness and happiness in life.

“Hypnosis and Pastoral Hypnotherapy” is a portion of Dr. Prentice Kinser, III’s doctoral thesis presented in June, 1997 at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary:  “Many psychological and physical factors, acting reciprocally through the image-producing faculties of the mind induce the perceptual response called hypnosis.   The capacity to enter into hypnosis is as natural a phenomenon as sleep, but it is distinctly different from sleep.  Hypnosis has been described as “a state of consciousness involving an extension of concentration combined with a susceptibility to suggestion occurring during physiological relaxation.”(1)  Another definition I find useful is: “Hypnosis is a process which produces relaxation, distraction of the conscious mind, heightened suggestibility and increased awareness, allowing access to the subconscious mind, through the imagination.  It also produces the ability to experience thoughts and images as real.”(2)   My own approach to hypnosis, pastoral hypnotherapy, and treatment comes out of my training and experience in using the therapeutic insights and writings of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. (19011980).  From that perspective, hypnosis can be seen as an altered psychological state “generally characterized by certain physiological attributes (e.g., relaxed muscle tone, reduced blood pressure, slowed breath rate), by an enhanced receptivity to suggestion, and by an increased access to unconscious feelings, ideas, and memories (Erickson, 1989).”(3)

It is important to remember that hypnosis does not have to involve the stereotypic rituals of swinging pendulums, watches or crystal balls, or that it is a fixed internal state.  “Clinical” hypnosis and “pastoral” hypnotherapy do imply a clinical or pastoral setting, with the focus more on the process of communication and therapeutic outcome, rather than on the hypnotic state involved. Clearly, hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, i.e., it is different from normal waking consciousness. However, it is believed that all people go in and out of hypnosis on a regular basis.

Many people have experienced a type of hypnotic state while driving a car and become unconscious of the fact that they are still driving.   As they come out of the hypnotic state, they suddenly realize they do not remember what has happened for the past several minutes.   It is as though an unconscious part of the mind was able to drive the car, avoid danger, speed up and slow down as necessary, while the conscious mind went off on a brief vacation thinking about something else.  A hypnotic state may be experienced in the movies or while watching TV when people become so involved that they actually cry about a picture that has been projected onto a screen.   At one level of their minds they know the picture is fiction.   On another level, their minds move voluntarily into the imagination in which there is a suspension of reality testing and an acceptance of what is happening on the screen as real.

Likewise, when people experience hypnosis, they often simply allow their bodies to relax and their minds to focus attention on the words they hear, and the various images they may represent in their minds.   As Erickson observed, this is not hypersuggestible mind control but a very natural process that allows clients to more easily reach goals or objectives they have chosen for themselves.   With proper motivation, the client moves naturally and easily into a comfortable hypnotic state.  This is a safe process in the hands of a trained Hypnotherapist.

In summary, hypnosis, when utilized by trained and competent practitioners, can be a natural, comfortable and helpful process of communication, during which clients and/or parishioners may experience increased attention to suggestions, profound concentration, heightened recall of memories and access to state-dependent memories, greater image-producing abilities, and increased ability to form new habit patterns.”

Footnotes:

1. David Fox, “Mind/Body, Brain/Soul: Halakhic Explorations of Hypnotic Trance Phenomena,” Journal of Psychology and Judaism, Vol. 16, No.2 (Summer 1992), p. 97. 2. A.M. Krasner, The Wizard Within (Santa Ana: American Board of Hypnotherapy Press, 1991), p.2. 3. John H. Edgette, Psy.D., and Janet Sasson Edgette, Psy. D., The Handbook of Hypnotic Phenomena in Psychotherapy (New York: Brunner/Mazel, Inc., 1995), pp. 3-4. 4. Edgette and Edgette, p. 4, quoting J.K. Zeig “Therapeutic patterns of Ericksonian influence on communication” in J. K. Zeig (Ed) The Evolution of Psychotherapy (New York: Brunner/Mazel, Inc, 1987) pp. 392-412).

Comments from some of our Christian Hypno-Moms about their experiences with Hypnobabies Hypnobirthing:

Sarah C: As a Christian, I believe that Christ suffered in Gethsemane so we wouldn’t have to feel pain unnecessarily. He gives us a way out. To me Hypnobabies was the method that felt inspired. It embraces the power of our God given bodies and helps eliminate fear (the opposite of faith/hope) through natural means. Charity is proclaimed as the greatest quality which is love in its strongest, purest form. There is so much focus on love for your mind, your body, and your baby that it felt like what Christ would want for mothers.

From Emily F: As a Christian myself, I believe that hypnosis is a wonderful tool given to us by God, that has gotten a bad rap from people who have misrepresented it and/or misunderstood it. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. No one will be exerting mind control over you to get you to do evil things. Some people are concerned that being in hypnosis opens up the subconscious mind to demonic spiritual control or influence. In fact, while in hypnosis you are in complete control of the experience. No one can cause you to act in a way that conflicts with your core beliefs or values. Choosing to enter hypnosis does not remove the covering of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. I believe that as a Christian you are protected from all evil and the devil cannot lay claim to your mind even in a relaxed state. I can say wholeheartedly that my God is much bigger than that!

There may be a few hypnotists and/or hypnotherapists that incorporate occult practices into their scripts but I can guarantee you that this is NOT the case with Hypnobabies and is completely separate from the art and practice of hypnosis. I have listened to (and used!) all of the Hypnobabies scripts myself and they are spiritually neutral. There is no mention of chakras, past life regression, remote viewing, leaving your body or any other similar thing. The founder of Hypnobabies has worked diligently to ensure that Hypnobabies is based on medical hypno-anesthesia techniques without all the extra spiritual froofroo. These are the same techniques patients use to undergo major surgery when they are allergic to anesthesia. If you are still skeptical I encourage you to listen to the Hypnobabies free “Instantly Calm!” hypnosis track to get a better idea of what learning Hypnobabies will be like. You can even choose to listen to it consciously (instead of entering hypnosis) while you are around the house washing dishes or vacuuming or such. Please do not listen to it while driving, however!!

From Crystal I: As a Christian, using Hypnobabies was the most natural thing in the world for me. The slowing of brain waves that occurs with deep relaxation and hypnosis is the same state that occurs when we pray. That to me says that there is no conflict between hypnosis and Christianity, because God would not leave me vulnerable when praying, when praying is something I do so often!   Since you are always aware while in hypnosis, only thoughts that you desire will be accepted, you are always in complete control of your mind, just as you are when praying.   While some segments of Christianity feel that pain is still a necessary part of childbirth, others feel that since Christ died for our sins, we are no longer required to experience pain during birth. Since the vast majority of women choose some form of anesthesia, and most churches support them in this, hypnotic anesthesia is no more in conflict with our theology than an epidural.   In short, I can find no theological reason not to use Hypnobabies.

From Brittany C: My reason for using Hypnobabies? After two hospital births with epidurals that didn’t work (and boy do I wish they did!) I used Hypnobabies for my 3rd birth. It worked so well I didn’t know it was my birthing time until my water broke! My son was born in the car! My last Hypno-baby was born at home, painlessly, and joyously. For us, Hypnobabies was successful beyond our wildest dreams.

As a Christian mom, I believe that God built into women to have the power to allow us to have safe, comfortable births.  I feel Hypnobabies is a great way to use the power of God’s wonderful creation of the human brain and body.  I have always loved the account found in Mark 4:36-39 of Christ calming the sea.  I found that this story related wonderfully to Hypnobabies, because the word “waves” is used in Hypnobabies to describe uterine contractions and because the word “peace” is used as a cue for comfort.  I likened the pressure waves to a storm and the “peace” cue to Christ calming the storm of my birthing by saying, “Peace, be still.”

From Sarah C: ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis. It’s not magic (which some Christians believe to be evil). It is simply using our minds to control our bodies, something we do naturally every day. Hypnosis is just an elevated focus on that control and it enables us to shut down our thoughts, release emotions, and completely relax our bodies. As a Hypnobabies graduate and Christian, I can’t think of a better way to welcome a baby into this world.

From Liz S: I’m a Christian and used hypnobabies for the birth of my daughter. My degree is in theology and Biblical studies, there is nothing in the Bible that conflicts with the hypnobabies program. Self-hypnosis isn’t what you see on stage with hypnosis shows. I felt like hypnobabies was more deep relaxation and controlling my mind. No one can tell you what to do or make you do anything. I studied it a lot before I made my decision because I had the same concern.

From Bridget E: The Bible tells us not be afraid and have a spirit of peace. So how much more should we strive for that in childbirth? Some Christian women still think we need to labor under the curse of Eve that birth must be painful, but Christ broke that curse when he died on the cross and delivered us from sin and sickness. Hypnobabies was the perfect tool to help me have the calm, peaceful, fearfree births I believe God wants us to have. Hypnobabies reinforces the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made and our bodies were made perfectly to birth our babies. What a great thing to meditate on!

From Jessica L: I am a Christian and had my first two children all natural with Hypnobabies. I incorporated bible verses into my script and that my husband read to me. I felt it was exactly how God created our baby’s to come into this world. I did not see any conflict.

From Betsy A: I remember reading that disciples meditated all the time, as they were told to do in order to better connect with God…self-hypnosis is meditation at its best. In the bible, Job explains that we should suffer great pains during childbirth, but what he fails to do is define pain…that is where individual interpretation comes into play. There are several meanings of pain, one being the obvious, but another being putting in a great amount of effort…that is the definition I chose. As a Christian, I found my Hypnobabies experience to be in connection with God and my spiritual beliefs. During my hypnotic practices, I always asked God for strength and peace, and to help me use the tools He gave me within my body to give birth peacefully. Hypnobabies can open doors to God, rather than demons as some fear. Even though I was in control, that strength came from God and I suffered great pains (ie, spent many hours and worked very hard) to build that strength. Hypnobabies is a blessing!

From Jenn C: I did not see any conflict. Using Hypnobabies with my second natural birth was an incredible gift that allowed me to focus on my body and my baby, as God had designed. I was perfectly in tune with my baby and was comfortable as I progressed through my birthing time without fear. It was FANTASTIC.

From Jennifer T: I am a Christian as well and I know that my daughter’s birth story was so peaceful, beautiful and spiritual because of Hypnobabies!

Emily’s Joyful Hypnobabies Birth Video:  “The natural birth of my beautiful son. What a blessed moment. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Temple: Please watch the video and read the birth story of one of our Hypno-Moms, Temple, singing Psalm 23 during her labor HERE.

Ashley used Hypnobabies and Scripture:

I’d like to share the hypnobirth of my second daughter (and first hypnobirth), Sadie. She was born Saturday, June 26 at 9:29pm at a nearby hospital.

I woke up Saturday at 6am feeling light pressure waves. However, I didn’t think much of them because I was 10 days “overdue” at that point and had been in pre-labor for a couple weeks. I had learned not to get too excited. I got up and went about my everyday routine and noticed, about four hours later, that they were not letting up. They weren’t getting closer together however so I continued to ignore them. About 2 in the afternoon after putting my 3 year old down for a nap, I decided to time them. They were about 5-8 mins. apart and they were getting slightly more intense. I was beginning to get excited and listened to Easy First Stage. I became really relaxed and was fully rested. I then soaked in the tub for a while and thats when I told my husband that I thought I was in labor. I don’t think he really believed me because I looked so calm! I really enjoyed the first stage of labor. I focused on the positive affirmations and scripture that reaffirmed my faith and strength in God. 

I am not sure when I entered active labor. All I recall is that about 5pm, I was getting more and more uncomfortable and by six pm I was starting to think, “I think I should go to the hospital soon.” I timed the pressure waves again and was dissapointed when they were still 5-6 mins. apart. (My goal was to leave at 4 min. apart so as not to get to the hospital too early). However, at about 7pm my husband got back from the store and was about to fix supper when I told him, “We need to go to the hospital now!” I felt a lot of pressure in my bottom and new something was going on. The waves were still 5-6 min. apart but I didn’t care. Something inside me said, “GO NOW!” Once we were well on our way to the hospital (20 min. commute). We noticed that the waves were now 2-3 mins. apart and I really had to concentrate through each wave. I almost felt like I was sitting on the baby’s head! But, I breathed through them and visualized all the positive scripture and affirmations that I practiced with Hypnobabies.

Once at the hosptial, the ob checked me and said I was at 7cm! I was so happy because it was what I had visualized. He asked me what I wanted to do for pain and the nurse chimmed in, “Oh, but you are so close!” That gave me the confidence to say no to the epidural. An hour and a half later I felt the urge to push and everyone gathered around and just stood around me. It was totally mother directed pushing and I was not hooked up to the monitors. I pushed for about 20 min and pulled my baby out myself!  I held her close as they cleaned her up and breastfed her right away. She was perfectly healthy and content. I felt so alert and great afterwards and was very happy that I didn’t tear. The doctor and nurses were all very impressed and supportive of my birth. One nurse said, “If everyone labored like this, we would be out of business!” And the doctor kept commenting on how in control and calm I remained through each pressure wave.  We left the hospital under 24 hours. It was an amazing and thrilling experience.

I am so glad I used Hypnobabies! ~ Ashley

Click here to read Elsa’s Perfect Hypnobabies Hospital Birth Story using Christianity and Hypnobabies: “I just kept on with this, chanting it to myself, and at the same time, saying a prayer: “This child, as God’s divine idea, is already here. I just need to bring it out.” … Click here to read Lily Ann’s Birth Story: “The nurse was so impressed with the process. Actually, everyone involved was amazed at how peaceful the birthing process was. I know I couldn’t have done it without God and the hypnosis and the support system that I had throughout the birth. The nurse came back the next day – just to tell me how impressed she was. Lily Ann weighed 6 lb. 12 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. God has truly blessed us.”

From Christa H.: First, Hypnobabies actually helped my prayer life. Sometimes you get caught up in hectic day to day stuff, and the prayer life suffers. For me, turning inward, taking that time each day to do the tracks, led to rekindling inner monologue and then turning back toward God in internal conversation. That is how Christa combined Christianity with Hypnobabies

Second, when using Hypnobabies with Christianity you are honing and appreciating natural gifts God gave you, which is in turn a way of giving thanks. Hypnoanesthesia is a wonderful God given natural gift of mind working with body. Not only that, but we also know the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. So whenever we ask for comfort and claim it as ours, we are really asking for the Spirit to work in us, and claiming that as our birthright through Christ. Your hypnoanesthesia is just another one of the million little ways that the Holy Spirit can move within you. Every breath you take is God’s own breath, breathed into humankind in the beginning. Every working of your body is God’s own energy making it go. When you do your Hypnobabies you’re turned inward looking at these things in action, and it really is something to marvel at and be grateful for.

Here is some information on the benefits of Hypnobabies

Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis really does help you enjoy a much easier and more comfortable birthing! Use code hypno1528 for 10% off our Hypnobabies Home Study Courses.