While hypnosis for pregnancy and birth is widely accepted and practiced in some countries, it remains relatively unknown or misunderstood in others.
Many parents who have used hypnosis techniques report feeling more calm, confident, and in control during labor.
But what exactly is hypnosis, and how can it support expectant parents through pregnancy and childbirth? In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of hypnosis, how it works, and why more people are turning to this approach for a more positive birth experience.
Our expert on this topic is Audrey Lintz, a coach and certified hypnosis practitioner specializing in preparing expectant mothers for a positive birth experience. Audrey is passionate about empowering women to take control of their pregnancy journey through hypnosis, helping them navigate the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of childbirth with calm and confidence.
Let’s hear it from Audrey!
As someone who has personally experienced HypnoNatal® during both of my pregnancies, I can attest to the profound benefits it offers. It has been an invaluable tool, not just during labor, but throughout my entire pregnancy and even in stressful moments after childbirth.
Hypnosis allowed me to feel deeply connected to my body, more relaxed, and confident in my ability to handle the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. It is a technique I still use today to remain centered, calm, and grounded—especially in stressful or challenging situations.
What is hypnosis, and how does it work? How can it be used in pregnancy and childbirth?
Hypnosis is not about losing control—it’s about reclaiming it.
At its essence, hypnosis is a natural state of deep relaxation and focused attention, where the conscious mind quiets down and the subconscious becomes more open and receptive. In this state, you can access the internal patterns—thoughts, emotions, fears, beliefs—that often operate beneath your awareness.
Hypnosis belongs to the family of brief therapies, meaning it’s designed to create meaningful change in a relatively short period of time. It’s widely used to address emotional, mental, and even physical challenges such as:
Managing stress and anxiety
Releasing irrational fears and phobias
Enhancing self-confidence and self-esteem
Supporting pain management
Unlocking potential and performance in areas like sports, studies, and personal development
During pregnancy and childbirth, hypnosis becomes a powerful ally in helping expectant mothers:
Reduce fear and anxiety about labor and the unknown
Strengthen trust in their body’s natural ability to give birth
Reframe limiting beliefs around pain, safety, or capability
Connect deeply with their baby and body
Remain calm, focused, and emotionally grounded
What are some specific examples of how hypnosis in pregnancy and childbirth can help?
Through techniques such as guided relaxation, visualization, and positive affirmations, hypnosis helps reprogram the mind to respond with calm and confidence rather than fear or tension.
Personally, hypnosis was a vital part of both my pregnancies. It helped me approach each stage—from early pregnancy to labor—with inner peace and emotional stability. I felt empowered, supported, and better equipped to handle both the physical and emotional intensity of birth.
Moments that could have triggered fear or overwhelm became opportunities for strength and clarity—all because I had the right tools to navigate them calmly.
For example,
Dealing with Contractions: when I felt the first intense contractions, instead of panicking, I instinctively focused on my breathing and used visualizations to ride each wave with calm.
Facing a Change in Plan : When I passed my due date during my second pregnancy, I had to accept a medical induction. This wasn’t what I had envisioned—I had imagined a natural birth. At first, this shift in plans felt difficult. However, with the support of hypnosis, I was able to remain calm and accepting. I reframed the situation not as a failure, but as an opportunity to stay present and active in my experience.
I spoke to my baby, reassuring them that everything would be okay, and that we would get through this together. This internal dialogue helped me stay connected with my baby and remain calm despite the change in plans. Throughout the process, I kept using my relaxation tools, staying grounded and proactive.
This acceptance of medical induction became a turning point. It showed me that even when plans change unexpectedly, it’s still possible to maintain control, stay connected with your baby, and move forward with confidence and peace
How can hypnosis help expectant parents feel more relaxed and confident?
Hypnosis helps expectant parents by creating a state of deep relaxation and focused attention, allowing the mind and body to shift from stress to a more peaceful, empowered state. In this relaxed state, the brain enters the theta brainwave state, associated with meditation or light sleep, where the subconscious mind becomes more open to positive suggestions. This helps in:
Replacing fear-based thoughts with calm, reassuring inner dialogue.
Reframing negative or anxious memories, creating new, supportive associations with birth.
Strengthening self-trust and belief in the body's natural ability to give birth.
Shifting the perception of pain, helping the body stay open and relaxed rather than tense and resistant.
As a result, muscles soften, breathing deepens, and the body releases oxytocin and endorphins, natural pain-relief hormones, leading to a more positive and empowered birth experience.
How can hypnosis reduce anxiety and fear about labor and delivery? And how does hypnosis help with managing pain during childbirth?
Fear and anxiety can create physical tension in the body, making it harder to relax and manage pain.
Hypnosis can help dissolve these fears and reduce anxiety through guided relaxation and visualization techniques. These methods replace limiting beliefs with positive affirmations that foster serenity and confidence.
By learning to control thoughts, individuals can influence their perception of pain. If a person interprets the pain during labor as positive or productive, they will experience less pain.
Hypnosis techniques can also help manage pain by altering the perception of pain through positive suggestions and guided visualizations. This increases the production of endorphins, reduces stress responses, and changes how the brain processes pain signals, leading to a more comfortable and controlled childbirth experience.
For me, HypnoNatal® was a real catalyst in reducing anxiety around childbirth. The visualizations I used allowed me to mentally prepare for labor, replacing fears with positive and reassuring thoughts.
Many mothers I’ve worked with also reported feeling less pain, as hypnosis enabled them to manage sensations with more calm and control.
When should someone start using hypnosis techniques during pregnancy?
I recommend starting from the 4th month of pregnancy, but it’s never too early to begin!
Ideally, the sooner you start practicing hypnosis techniques after finding out you’re pregnant, the better. Starting early helps establish a routine, but you can benefit from hypnosis at any stage of pregnancy.
Regular practice will help you stay calm, grounded, and in tune with your body as you prepare for childbirth.
Frequency: Ideally, practice every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Consistency is key to reprogramming your mind and establishing positive habits. Short, daily sessions (10-20 minutes) are often more effective than occasional longer ones.
Don’t feel guilty if you can’t practice every day. What matters most is that you feel comfortable with your practice. If some days you don’t have the time or energy, that’s completely normal—and it’s okay! The key is to be kind to yourself and return to your practice whenever you can. Every small session contributes to your well-being and preparation, and that’s what truly matters.
As you approach your due date, you may find that longer sessions (30-40 minutes) are especially helpful, particularly for relaxation and visualizing the birth process.
How does HypnoNatal differ from HypnoBirthing?
While both HypnoNatal® and HypnoBirthing are hypnosis methods for childbirth, they have subtle differences.
HypnoNatal® focuses on relaxation, emotional balance, and the mind-body connection throughout pregnancy, leading to and during childbirth. It’s designed for mothers seeking emotional healing and empowerment, in addition to pain management.
Developed and taught by Lise Bartoli, a clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist with over twenty years of experience in perinatal care, HypnoNatal® empowers future mothers to tap into their inner resources. This method allows you to fully experience your pregnancy and childbirth while maintaining a deep connection with your baby.
HypnoBirthing is often more educational, focusing on pain management techniques during labor.
Both approaches are highly effective, but HypnoNatal® is more comprehensive, focusing on emotional preparation and creating a deeply connected experience for the mother, from pregnancy through the postpartum period.
Can hypnosis be self-taught, or does it require a trained professional? Are there specific scripts or affirmations that can help?
While there are self-hypnosis resources available, I strongly recommend working with a trained professional, especially for something as crucial as pregnancy and childbirth.
A professional HypnoNatal® practitioner or hypnotherapist can guide you through personalized sessions and equip you with tools tailored to your unique needs.
In my HypnoNatal® sessions, I work with each couple and/or future mother to create a customized approach, using proven scripts and affirmations to help you relax deeply, transform your mindset, and tap into your body’s natural power to handle the demands of childbirth. You will also receive a booklet and recordings that you can practice at home, further supporting your preparation.
Anything else you would like to share?
I have found HypnoNatal® to be an incredibly powerful tool in helping expectant mothers take control of their pregnancy and birth experience. It’s a safe, natural, and highly effective method for reducing stress, boosting confidence, and cultivating a calm, positive mindset throughout pregnancy.
But the power of hypnosis extends beyond just pregnancy and childbirth!
I’ve had the privilege of guiding many couples not only through their pregnancy and birth journeys, but also offering emotional support after miscarriage, providing postpartum guidance, and preparing individuals for the transition back to work. Personally, I continue to use hypnosis to stay centered and calm during stressful moments. It’s a practice that consistently brings me great clarity and peace.
If you would like to try out the HypnoNatal method yourself, you can book a session with Audrey or join her free monthly workshop "Journey to Motherhood: Hypnosis for a Positive Birth." She also hosts women's circles where expectant mothers can connect, share experiences, and support each other on this transformative journey.
