What is HypnoBirthing, actually? Though the term hypnosis conjures images of a swinging watch, that is not the case. In fact, the therapist does not need to be present with the mother during childbirth and neither is the mother in a trance.

Instead, mothers-to-be and their partners spend several sessions with the practitioner beforehand to learn a set of techniques they can apply during a natural childbirth. 

“It’s a practical course. A lot of people will look at the name and think it’s covering just hypnosis. But it covers what’s happening with mum’s body and babies, the physiology of birth as well as mentally preparing mums,” says Deborah Dewey, a HypnoBirthing practitioner in Hong Kong, who offers five sessions – two and a half hours each – at a cost of HK$5,400 (US$688). 

The sessions cover six key components of HypnoBirthing – education, relaxation, visualisation, self-hypnosis, breathing and affirmations. They include recordings of positive affirmations – uplifting statements – mothers can listen to and repeat. 

An important aspect of HypnoBirthing is taking the fear factor out of delivering a baby. Believing in the power of words, practitioners replace terms used by gynaecologists and midwives with a different vocabulary – a more positive language that can ease mothers’ anxiety. 

“Contractions”, which many would associate with pain, are called uterine surge or waves instead. Stalled or “shut-down” labour – a condition when contractions slow down even though the mother is in active labour – is referred to as resting labour. “Birth canal”, which may conjure an image of a long passage, is substituted with birth path. 

Starting from the second session, Dewey also teaches breathing techniques for different stages of labour and birth.

“The old traditional way, some mothers went into pushing purple-faced, but it’s about deeper breathing. It's about not pushing and breathing down the baby,” says Dewey. 

“They are techniques which help mums go deeper into their bodies. So she can let go of the distractions within the room. All of these steps, in the bigger scale of things, just help mums overall to relax,” she adds. 

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This is also why partners – or birth companions as they are called in HypnoBirthing – need to be present for the prenatal sessions as well. They play a crucial role during the delivery by keeping the mothers on track and making other decisions.

“He’s there to keep mothers on the birth plan. So all questions are directed towards him rather than her. And she can just go inward, focused, and get on with birthing,” says Dewey. 

While HypnoBirthing is geared towards vaginal childbirth, should any complications arise and a caesarean section is required, the techniques will still come in useful as they help keep mother and baby calm. 

So does it make delivery pain-free? Not necessarily. “I always tell mothers I can’t delete your pain. But I can help you to manage your pain. It just helps to bring it down a notch,” says Dewey. 

One of Dewey’s clients, Tang Lie Yan, who recently gave birth to her first child, can attest to that.

“It definitely helped me focus on my breathing. It helped me get through the contractions – and I had quite strong and painful contractions,” says Tang, who took the course during the last trimester of her pregnancy. 

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Though HypnoBirthing did not have a significant impact on her recovery, “the breathing and relaxation techniques you learn, I think you can use them throughout your whole life. It’s not just about labour,” Tang adds.