What SBM meant to others & what it could mean to you...

I know many Hypnobirthing Teachers who does not like the name `Hypnobirthing`, simply because it is so easily miss understood. Generally Hypnobirthing has offered many mothers an incredible way of preparing for their labour. Be it their second labour because they experience a traumatic first time labour, or their first labour because they've heard so many traumatic labour stories. It has empowered mothers wherever they have fully engaged with the principles. 

Personally, I did Hypnobirthing without the `Hypnosis`. In fact I have even trained and qualified as a Hypnobirthing Teacher. Simply because 90% of it was principles I recognised from Scripture and basic science about how God created the mind, although my Hypnobirthing Teacher was not of the same conviction. I did not partake in the Hypnosis and she respected that. Although it is definitely innocent in its description and honestly applied with good intentions, it is something that does not sit right with me from a Biblical Perspective as a Reverend.

What is the `Hypno` aspect to Hypnobirthing:

It is common practice for a Hypnobirthing Teachers to do a script with their clients in person. This is where it is taught that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Therefore, they as the Hypnobirthing Teacher cannot make you do anything you do not want to. During this scripted session, clients, will enter a state of relaxation, or a trance, where they quieten their conscious mind and engage their subconscious mind through the use of their imagination according to the script read by the teacher.

This results in the client feeling relaxed, knowing how to enter a state of `self-hypnosis or trance` for when they come to listen to the script at home. But it is also the beginning of altering the mum’s perspective on labour & birth, through engaging directly with her subconscious mind by using the language of imagination.

The mum will only feel relaxed, not controlled nor manipulated. If the mum is very relaxed she may only be able to recount some of her experience or sometimes all of it. It is different for different people, she may even say that she was ready to fall asleep. 

So why do we need a Christian Alternative?

The Christian Alternative:

Even though I have a good friend who is a Hypnobirthing Teacher, who took me through her hypnobirthing course without any of the `script/hypno` reading. And I was trained by Abby Watson, at 'Love Your Birth'. She is fantastic at what she does and all her Hypnobirthing teachers are well trained. However, as a Christian I do not agree with the `Hypno` aspect of Hypnobirthing, I only observed this aspect of my training. Even though it is innocently explained as nothing more than a `day dream` or a `state of relaxation`. 

I respect that there are people who have not engaged with faith like I have as a Christian. For these mums, a Hypnobirthing course, the techniques and principles do have an outstanding impact on her labour and birth. I will happily recommend you to my friend Nicky Layton at Bold Birthing.

There are also Christians that have completed the full Hypnobirthing Course with the `self hypnosis` included. They may have done so because they didn't have a viable alternative.

However, I would strongly recommend that Christians not partake in the Hypnosis aspects due to what the Bible instructs us. Where we allow our minds to `day dream`, where we allow our mind to relax, what information we consume and focus on, has a profound impact on us. See the various Principles from Scripture below.

However, I see everything in the world as it has originated from God, therefore if there is something that does not line up with scripture, I will happily go digging for the God intended principle. Since man can alter God's  principle to not include Him, even though nothing was created or set in place without Him. (John 10:10, John 1:3).

All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. [John 1:3]

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [Colossians 1:16]

During my course I do not read any of the Biblical meditations over you in person. You are provided with both the written Biblical Meditations and the Scriptures as per recorded on the audio tracks. But ultimately it is your responsibility to engage in the Biblical Meditations with Holy Spirit in a prayerful manner. As Christian if we have Biblical Meditations, Prayer and Worship, there is no need for self-hypnosis. We have life transformation in God's Word and knowing how the mind works, equips us with understanding to apply His Word accordingly. We just engage with God in Prayer and Worship and He fills us with His peace and keeps us in that place by His Grace. This is also very practical thing to do as you will find out form the course.

In short, here are a few key scriptures I used to help me discern and understand why I provide the Christian alternative to Hypnosis in Hypnobirthing: 

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1) There is Power in Agreement:

We need to be wise who and what we come into agreement with. Especially on a spiritual level.

"Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" (2 Cor 6:14-15 HCS)

2) Be Alert and Conscious: 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [1 Peter 5:8]

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. [1 Peter 4:7]

More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it. [Proverbs 4:23]

3) Renewal of the Mind by God’s Word not that of man:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2 ESV]

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. [Proverbs 2:1-5 NLT]

4) Its Meditation on God’s Word, not man’s word

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. [Joshua 1:8]

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [Phillipians 4:8 ESV]

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. [Isaiah 26:3]

So ultimately its about true transformation rather than behavioural modification.