Lecturer: Hilary field

• Definition and simple physiology of the three stages of labour
• Psychological perspectives of the birth experience
• Traditional "pain relief". The benefits and side effects of each method.
• The benefits of clinical hypnosis for use in pregnancy and the birth experience
• Overview of strategies for each stage of labour to enhance the normal physiological process.
• What happens when problems occur? What might they be?
• Applications of clinical hypnosis for individuals, couples and groups. Including scripts
• Second time around, the stress of previous birth trauma and the possible effects this may have.

Through the work of Dr Grantly Dick-Reid a British obstetrician in the 1920¹s has come the knowledge that it is the fear and panic experienced by women that makes childbirth particularly painful. It is this fear of the possible pain and outcome of giving birth that has resulted in the increasing rate of intervention by caesarean section today.

The distress can often be linked to their perception of control; fear that the midwives or doctors will Otake over¹ and they will not be heard. Can this distress lead to an exaggerated stress response causing a general Oshutting-down¹ of normal physiological functioning. Indeed women can unconsciously "persuade" themselves out of labour.

This Masterclass will provide an understanding of the physiological process of labour, how it is initiated and sustained, and therefore how the therapist can encourage their patients belief in the natural physiological process that is "labour". Knowledge that "fear" can interrupt this natural process backs all current research that, relaxation together with support and familiarity can empower patients towards the birth experience they would wish for. This Masterclass will also give a brief introduction into the subject of trauma, caused as a result of a "bad" birth experience, and how this can have an impact on fertility, future pregnancies and everyday life.

Hilary Field, RGN, RSCN, RM, DHyp, PDCHyp has been a Midwife for over twenty years and works within the highly autonomous "Midwife-led" environment. Within her field of practice the aim is always to utilise research-based practice to empower women to have the most effective and enjoyable birth experience. Hilary is guest lecturer on the application of clinical hypnosis within Obstetrics to the faculty of Health and Social Care at The University of the West of England (Bristol) and works for the Birth Trauma Association using EMDR and clinical hypnosis based on her midwifery experience. Having studied at LCCH she is now training to lecture and hopes to introduce the use of hypnosis during the birth experience within the NHS.

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