A Nurses Perception of Hypnosis

I always thought that hypnosis originated in some form of the occult. I thought that when working with hypnosis, I would have to be careful and “on guard” in order to not become enmeshed in devil worship, or things pertaining to the devil. Past experiences have also taught me to be suspicious of hypnosis. When watching people being hypnotized, and then barking like a dog or doing other crazy things under hypnosis, I thought that I would never want to have anything to do with hypnosis.

In the past ten years, my views have changed. They have become more open and accepting of holistic medicine. My massage therapist has also encouraged me to become more open minded regarding the different holistic modalities. I have become more interested in aromatherapy, music therapy, water therapy, and herbal therapies and use them in my daily life.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that hypnosis has its basis in the Bible (Murphy, 1963 & Adams, 1967). I feel better knowing this fact. It is nice to know that hypnosis is supposed to be used for helping people, not harming them. This fact also helps me with my spiritual journey. I would like to be closer with God and to trust Him completely.

I have become an “expert” in natural childbirth methods. In the highly technological world, many nurses and doctors have never experienced how well a woman’s body can work naturally and efficiently when delivering a baby. Many physicians and nurses feel that medical intervention and unnatural positions do not harm a laboring mother and her fetus. Many also feel that medical interventions are in fact necessary in order for a mother to deliver a baby. Current maternity and newborn practices that contribute to high costs and inferior outcomes include the inappropriate application of technology and routine procedures that are not based on scientific evidence. This increased dependence on technology has diminished confidence in a women’s innate ability to give birth without intervention (The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, 1997).

In the past ten years, I have changed how I work with laboring women. I spend more time with them, getting to know them and helping them through their labor in the best way that I know how. I have been using hypnosis for years and haven’t realized it. Relaxation, breathing, distraction and visualization are all forms of hypnosis. By speaking to them in a calm, reassuring manner and giving them helpful hints or suggestions, the delivery of their babies occurred without stress or anxiety. When women have the opportunity to have the birth experience that they want, they feel that they have validated their role as a mother. The birthing process becomes a defining and wonderful event in their lives. A good birthing experience can also help increase or build a woman’s’ confidence and self esteem (The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, 1997).

Two years ago, I was able to witness a birth through HypnoBirthing. It was wonderful. The hypnotherapist guided the laboring woman through the process. The woman remained calm, almost comatose, and visualized the baby through the birth canal. It was the most peaceful birth I have ever seen. I did have the opportunity to speak with the hypnotherapist, and found it fascinating. I thought: “I can do this”! Not only do I have a background in Labor and Delivery, but I have an interest in hypnosis and have the client’s best interest at heart. There is nothing more wonderful than the birth experience. It is a joy to be a part of that experience and to know that my clients appreciate all that I do to help them.

Since that time, I have been experimenting with hypnosis. I use it to help the laboring women deal effectively with their contractions. I also use it to help them when invasive procedures are requested or required. Hypnosis is also useful for anxiety reduction. I believe that many women know that they will live through the birth experience, even though it sometimes feels as though they may not. It is nice to be able to “talk” women through their pain and anxiety so that the birthing experience will be as positive as possible.

I believe that hypnosis can help me and my future clients in dealing with life’s disappointments, pain, anxiety, birthing process or anything else that may be thrown in our paths. I am excited about the future prospects that hypnosis may bring into my life.

Adams, P. (1967). The New Self-Hypnosis. Hollywood, CA: Melvin Powers Wilshire Book Company.

Murphy, J. (1963). The Power of your Subconscious Mind. New York: Bantam Books.

The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (1997). The First Consensus Initiative of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services. Journal of Nurse Midwifery Vol. 42 No. 1, January/February 1997 (p. 59-63).

By:Pauline Rzepecki, RN, MSN

jrzepecki@ameritech.net

Graduate of Infinity Institute