Learn right state of mind for childbirth

TASMANIAN mums-to-be can now give birth like royalty thanks for a new service being offered at an IVF clinic.

Beginning later this month, Fertility Tasmania is offering hypnobirthing classes for pregnant women and their partners.

Run by clinical psychologist Erin Kelly, the birth education course equips parents-to-be with tools to help them prepare for giving birth such as breathing, relaxation, massage and self-hypnosis techniques.

“There are lots of misconceptions around what self hypnosis actually means,” Dr Kelly said.

“It’s not as mystical as it sounds — most people would spend a portion of almost every day in what we would call a hypnotic state — if you are really absorbed in a great book or movie, that’s akin to a hypnotic state.”

Dr Kelly said hypnobirthing had a strong scientific foundation, with evidence-based techniques and some hospitals have starting using it as part of their antenatal classes. She said it was not just for those keen on a natural birth, but could also be used in conjunction with pain relief.

Duchess of Sussex Meaghan Markle has reportedly been practising hypnobirthing techniques for the upcoming birth of the royal bub.

It was Dr Kelly’s own personal experience with hypnobirthing during the birth of her now 14-month old daughter Eve which was the inspiration behind the course.

“Giving birth is obviously a very significant life event and there aren’t really any other significant life events you don’t prepare for,” she said.

“I found it to be so helpful for me,.” she said.