Interview with Marie F. Mongan: “Unfortunately, normal births are almost non-existent these days”

"HypnoBirthing is based on the assumption that a woman can experience a safe, easier and more pleasant birth if she is properly prepared and free from fear." Marie F. Mongan († 2019), the founder and author of " HypnoBirthing ", explains the background of the internationally successful obstetrics from the USA. The former director of the HypnoBirthing Institute gave the interview in 2008 on the occasion of the publication of the first German edition of her book; now the obstetrics bestseller is also available as an audio book .

Why are so many births associated with pain and complications?

Mongan: Healthy women who are pregnant with healthy children and therefore belong to a low-risk group receive a lot of incorrect information and little correct information. In the majority of cases, women in a low-risk group should be able to give birth normally and without any special events. Unfortunately, normal birth is almost non-existent today. The procedures for managing the course of labor, which were developed as life-saving measures for women at high risk, are routinely used on most women, regardless of their health status. These procedures are often accompanied by pain and lead to a chain reaction of complications and additional interventions - and thus one procedure follows another. HypnoBirthing courses help women to become aware of the fact that they are designed to conceive and give birth to children; and because they are not afraid, they can use their birthing muscles without pain or special events, just like other muscles.

What is HypnoBirthing and how does it work?

Mongan: HypnoBirthing is a birth philosophy and at the same time a birth technique. With the help of a well thought out program consisting of relaxation, visualization, self-hypnosis, special breathing and deep relaxation techniques, parents learn to expect a calm and gentle birth for mother and child. HypnoBirthing is based on the assumption that a woman can experience a safe, easier and more pleasant birth if she is properly prepared and free from fear.

Does this work for all women?

Mongan: The HypnoBirthing program is equally beneficial for women who are facing a medically necessary cesarean or actively managed birth, as well as those who are planning a natural, non-invasive birth. The classes on muscle relaxation, nutrition, prenatal parenting, movement exercises and deep relaxation are equally important for a woman preparing for a cesarean.

Isn’t hypnosis manipulation?

Mongan: All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Through regular practice, people who use self-hypnosis can train themselves to quickly reach a state of deep relaxation. No one can control or direct another person through hypnosis, as hypnosis is a method that requires inner consent. There is no way to put anyone into a state of hypnosis against their will.

Can you consciously experience the birth of your child with HypnoBirthing?

Mongan: Women who give birth using HypnoBirthing are in a state of heightened awareness. They are fully aware of their surroundings and the birthing experience. Hypnosis allows a birthing mother to block out anything that would cause unnecessary stress and therefore pain.

What experiences have you had with your method so far?

Mongan: The most comprehensive data on births currently available in the United States comes from the Listening to Mothers II Report of the First National US Survey of Women's Childbearing Experiences, October 2006. Some data was also provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2004, so these reports were used to compare with the data from HypnoBirthing couples. HypnoBirthing mothers have a much lower cesarean section rate than the surveys mentioned above. They also have a lower rate of premature births and low birth weight babies than the average reported there. HypnoBirthing mothers require much less medical intervention during labor than other mothers. Almost all HypnoBirthing mothers were satisfied or very satisfied with HypnoBirthing.

Is HypnoBirthing now available in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries?

Mongan: HypnoBirthing is available in Switzerland, Germany and Austria, as well as in Belgium, the Netherlands and France, as well as Denmark and Iceland. HypnoBirthing has had incredible success in the UK, with over 250 instructors trained to teach the programme to expecting parents.

Audiobook tip:
Marie F. Mongan: Hypnobirthing - The audio book. The natural way to a safe, gentle and easy birth. Mankau Verlag, 1st edition January 2022, 1 MP3 CD in a jewel case, total running time approx. 622 minutes, 24-page booklet, 19.95 euros (D) / 20.60 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-628-5

Book tip:
Marie F. Mongan: HypnoBirthing. The natural way to a safe, gentle and easy birth. Mankau Verlag, 8th edition 2021, paperback with audio CD, book format 15 x 23 cm, 318 pp., 19.95 euros (D) / 20.60 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-938396-20-9

Link recommendations:
More information about the audio book “HypnoBirthing”
More information about the book “HypnoBirthing” (8th edition)
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about author Marie F. Mongan
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