This is what you learn in a KGH course:
Essential Foundation Facts and Knowledge
First define how you don’t want your birth to be and what you want to get out of the course.
Why many women have pain and how to make this less and less likely. Sometimes there is no pain, but we can’t promise that.
What is KG Hypnobirthing and why is it different to what went before.
Misconceptions and fears about the hypno word.
Planning and practising for the birth you want. VERY IMPORTANT.
How the mind works, the conscious mind and the unconscious mind.
The power of the mind, with exercises to prove it.
The power of words.
What we can learn from our fellow mammals.
How your mind and body work giving birth:
- The muscles of the uterus
- Your hormones
- The fear response – the sympathetic nervous system, That leads to a long, painful and traumatic birth.
- The calm normal response – the parasympathetic nervous system. That leads to a shorter, more comfortable and empowering birth.
What causes you to be in one or other of these systems.
Your mind and body are created perfectly to give birth efficiently and comfortably.
KGH skills:
- Up breathing
- Visualisations for up breathing
- 5 daily relaxations to choose from
- Positive statements
Pregnancy facts and practice:
Your baby’s most usual position ready for birthBack to back (OP) baby
Breech baby including encouraging a breech baby to turn head down
C-section including the importance of seeding the microbiome
Gentle c-section
Pelvic floor exercises
Perineal massage including exercise to prove how effective it is as no-one is enthusiastic about it!
Position for giving birth
Preventing tearing
Ultrasound scans
Preparation for Birth:
Due date – fallacy and a harmful fallacy
What to do after 40 weeks – bonus time
Pressure you might be put under to agree to an induction, often without information or evidence :
- Stillbirth
- Placenta will fail
- Big baby
- Small baby or FGA (fetal growth restriction)
- Gestational diabetes
- Low amniotic fluid
- Etc.
Induction of labour:
- Membrane sweep
Medical induction:
- What it is
- Likely outcomes
How to release stress
The NICE guidelines
Useful questions to ask your caregivers
The B.R.A.I.N.S. acronym:
- Benefits
- Risks
- Alternatives
- Information, Instinct
- Nothing
- Smile
Midwives and Obstetricians and the fear of litigation
Taking responsibility for your birth
Who to speak with if you feel under pressure
The free KGH fact sheets – very useful information: kghb.org/free
Choice of place of birth – what support is available to you in different birthing environments:
- Home
- Birth Centre or Midwife Led Unit
- Hospital, Delivery Suite, Labour Ward
Confident and Positive relaxation to release fear.
Navigating the maternity system
Birth:
Up stage of labour:
- Signs of labour starting
- Calling the midwife or transfer to a hospital
- Using KG hypnobirthing in labour
- Mother’s role
- Partner’s role
- Note for your caregiver
- Vaginal examinations
- Gentle back stroking
Transition:
Does it exists with KG Hypnobirthing?
Down stage:
- Down breathing
- Visualisations for down breathing
- How do I know when to push?
- To push or not to push
- Benefits for baby
- Seeding the microbiome
- Your position for giving birth
Golden Hour:
- Managed or physiological 3rd stage
- Optimal Cord clamping
- Birth of the placenta
- Retained placenta
- Injection to expel the placenta?
- Skin to skin and breast crawl
- Natural start breastfeeding
- Vitamin K for baby
- Birth plan suggestions
- What to pack for hospital
- Book list
- Useful websites
- Outline of WHO statement on birth
In conclusion:
- Birth report
- Final relaxation
- Video
