The idea of giving birth terrified me to my core. A part of me wanted to take the route of ‘ignorance is bliss’ about what happens, because I thought knowing more would make me more fearful - that is until I came across the HypnoBirthing philosophy. I had heard about HypnoBirthing before, but most people I spoke to about it wrote it off as “just affirmations and some breathing techniques”.

Someone recommended the book, “HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method”, written by Marie Mongan and with each chapter I read, every fear I held in my mind for years about childbirth slowly dissolved and were replaced with feelings of empowerment and hope that giving birth had the potential to be an incredible experience. After completing the book, I was determined to welcome birth as an experience.

My husband and I enrolled in a 5-week series of HypnoBirthing classes with Janice Weaver-Rex. During this course, we learned affirmations, relaxation techniques, and breathing practices, but more importantly we learned to re-establish trust that a woman’s body was literally designed to give birth. This concept has gotten lost in the decades since Western births have become increasingly medicalized and considered an issue to be “treated by professionals” rather than a natural, physiologic function. No matter how or where you choose to give birth, a woman should never be made to doubt her body, her mind, or her intuition.

I was given the tools to work with my body versus against its natural process. I learned about the many choices and rights I have when it comes to mine and my baby’s health despite the amount of fear mongering that exists in our society. Ultimately, I realized it’s not that the more you know, the more you don’t want to know - but that it’s important who or where you are getting your information from that matters most. Reading books and speaking with people who only helped build my confidence with each page or conversation was key for me.

Overall, the HypnoBirthing philosophy helped me envision the birth I wanted, while also empowering me to feel confident that no matter how my journey unraveled, I had the information, confidence, and tools to make the best decisions and make the best of the experience.

Thank you, Janice, for all the incredible work you have done and continue to do. How lucky we feel to have experienced your energy, wisdom, and empowerment during this journey!