Hypnobirthing and She Births® are both childbirth education programs designed to empower parents for a positive birth experience, but they differ in their approach, techniques, and philosophies.
Here’s a comparison of the main differences:
1. Foundational Philosophy and Approach:
Hypnobirthing:
Hypnobirthing is centred around the idea that childbirth is a natural process that can be more comfortable and often pain-free when the mother is deeply relaxed and free from fear. It uses hypnosis techniques to help women achieve a state of deep relaxation, reduce anxiety, and manage pain during labour. The philosophy behind Hypnobirthing emphasises the power of the mind in controlling the body and creating a calm birthing environment.
She Births®:
She Births® takes a more holistic approach, integrating not just hypnosis but a wide range of tools and techniques, including yoga, acupressure, massage, nutrition, and mindfulness. It’s designed to support both the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth, and it emphasises the role of both parents. She Births® also incorporates the latest scientific research to provide a well-rounded approach to childbirth preparation.
2. Techniques and Practices:
Hypnobirthing:
The core of Hypnobirthing is the use of self-hypnosis, guided relaxation, visualisation, and affirmations. These techniques are intended to help women enter a deeply relaxed state, where the body can function optimally during birth, often with reduced pain and a more positive experience. Hypnobirthing also includes breathing exercises and education about the physiology of birth.
She Births®:
She Births® includes hypno-visualisations but goes beyond with a comprehensive toolkit that covers various aspects of childbirth preparation. This includes yoga-based practices, body-based techniques, massage, acupressure, and partner support strategies. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing parents to choose the techniques that work best for them throughout pregnancy, birth, and early parenting.
3. Scope of the Course:
Hypnobirthing:
Hypnobirthing is primarily focused on preparing the mind and body for a calm and natural birth. The course covers techniques for relaxation, visualisation, and breathing, along with education about the birthing process and how to create a peaceful birthing environment.
She Births®:
She Births® offers a broader scope, addressing not just the birth itself but also preparation for early parenting. It covers a wide range of topics, including nutrition, physical exercises, and mental wellness, in addition to traditional birth preparation techniques. The course is designed to support parents through the entire journey, from pregnancy to postpartum.
4. Role of Birth Partner:
Hypnobirthing:
Hypnobirthing involves the birth partner in the process, providing them with techniques to support the birthing person, such as helping with relaxation cues and maintaining a calm environment.
She Births®:
She Births® places a strong emphasis on the role of both parents, offering extensive resources and techniques for the birth partner. The program aims to ensure that both parents are equally prepared and empowered to participate in the birth and early parenting experience.
5. Scientific Validation:
Hypnobirthing:
Hypnobirthing is based on psychological principles and anecdotal evidence of positive birth outcomes, with many testimonials and studies suggesting that it can reduce the need for medical interventions and increase satisfaction with the birth experience.
She Births®:
She Births® is the world’s first and only scientifically verified childbirth education program, with research supporting its effectiveness in reducing intervention rates and enhancing overall birth satisfaction. It is evidence-based and integrates the latest scientific findings into its curriculum.
6. Flexibility and Customization:
Hypnobirthing:
Hypnobirthing is structured around a specific set of techniques and practices, primarily focused on achieving a state of deep relaxation and calmness during birth.
She Births®:
She Births® offers a more flexible and customizable approach, with a wide range of techniques and practices that parents can choose from, depending on their needs and preferences. This allows for a more personalized experience.
Summary:
Hypnobirthing focuses on using self-hypnosis, relaxation, and visualization to create a calm and positive birthing experience, emphasizing the mind-body connection.
She Births® offers a comprehensive, holistic approach, incorporating a wide variety of tools and techniques (including but not limited to hypnosis) that address the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of childbirth, with a strong emphasis on scientific validation and the role of both parents.
Both programs aim to empower parents for a positive birth, but She Births® provides a broader, more flexible approach that goes beyond the principles of Hypnobirthing.
We are proud to offer the world’s first and only scientifically verified childbirth education program, with 98% of our mothers describing their birthing experience as beautiful.
Founded in 2008 by Nadine Richardson, a seasoned mother, prenatal yoga instructor, and doula, She Births® was born out of the need for a comprehensive course that truly supports both parents through birth and early parenting.
After extensive training in various modalities, Nadine recognized their limitations and created the most holistic antenatal education available. For the past 15 years, couples have been empowered to create their own beautiful births using our diverse range of tools and techniques. While over 97% of families engage with all our methods, they often find personal favourites along the journey, benefiting from our broad toolkit.
Our course has included hypnosis and calming techniques from the very beginning, but what sets us apart is our body-based approach. Birth, after all, happens in the body—not just the mind. We offer a variety of hypno-visualisations for pregnancy, birth, and early parenting, all uniquely developed by Nadine as part of her Body-Mind Integration Technique.
Explore our full curriculum here and sign up for our Free Holistic Pregnancy Guide if you haven’t already.
For any further questions, feel free to call us at 1300 101 SHE (743).
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