Hypnobirthing: It's a NO for me
Hypnobirthing has become a buzzword in natural birth circles, promising a calmer, more positive labor experience through deep relaxation, guided visualization, and self-hypnosis techniques. That might sound great in theory — but for me, it’s a hard no.
Before you assume I’m just brushing it off, let me be clear: I took the time to dig into it. I listened to the audiobook version of HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method and gave it a fair shot. And to be honest, there were some parts I truly appreciated — enough that I understand why it appeals to so many women. But it was also what solidified my concern about using hypnosis during birth.
What Is Hypnobirthing?
Hypnobirthing is a method that uses guided meditation, affirmations, breathing techniques, and self-hypnosis to reduce fear and encourage a calm, controlled birth. It’s often presented as the antidote to the mainstream narrative that birth has to be chaotic and painful — and that’s something I can absolutely get behind. But not all of its tools are harmless, and the deeper I looked, the more I felt the need to speak up.
What I Do Agree With
The Mongan Method in particular includes some truly helpful ideas with which I am in full agreement. Namely:
Letting go of fear - The book makes a solid case that fear leads to tension, and tension leads to pain. That’s valid. Replacing fear with knowledge and confidence is not only one of the most empowering things you can do during pregnancy, it can actually reduce fear and risk of complications.
Education about how birth works - Hypnobirthing programs often teach what your body is actually doing throughout the course of labor, how hormones affect birth, and how to work with your body instead of against it. More mamas need that.
Breathing & relaxation - There’s no denying the power of good breathing techniques. Staying calm and relaxed makes a massive difference — not just in how birth feels, but in how it progresses.
Healthy habits - Encouragement around proper nutrition, hydration, gentle movement, and mindset shifts is all a win in my book.
Connection and communication with the unborn baby - Having a deep connection with your baby is, obviously, very important. This begins during pregnancy.
The body knows what to do - Knowing how to lean in to your body’s intuitive ability to birth is a skill. A very important skill. You’ve gotta learn to trust your body and listen to it during the birthing process.
Importance of having a great birth team - Your husband, your midwife, a doula (if you have one) and any other individuals who will be present during your birth - everybody needs to be on the same page. Time spent finding the right people is not wasted. Birth classes and conversations with your husband to ease fears and address concerns is not something that can be skipped.
So no, I’m not throwing the whole idea out. I’m just drawing a hard line at hypnosis.
Where My Concern Lies: The Hypnosis Itself
According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries, hypnosis is defined as “an unconscious state where someone can still see and hear and can be influenced to follow commands or answer questions. It's a trancelike state resembling sleep, induced by another person, where suggestions are readily accepted and acted upon by the person in this state.”
Here’s the thing: hypnosis, by definition, involves altering (reducing) your state of consciousness and making your mind more open to suggestion. Although some people believe there are therapeutic benefits to hypnosis, it always carries significant risks — especially during an emotionally intense state, like during labor.
Some key concerns:
Toying with the subconscious - Dealing with this part of the mind is not for the untrained person. The mind has certain mechanics, and toying with it without proper training is potentially very dangerous. In my research, I have only found one workable mental technology (I’ll link to it at the bottom of this article).
Reduced alertness - In labor, being present, tuned into your body, and able to respond in real time is essential. Hypnosis inevitably dulls your level of consciousness and therefore can impact your instinctive connection — the very thing that helps you work with your body during birth.
Emotional risks - There’s a documented history of hypnosis leading to resurfaced trauma or mental distress in some individuals. Birth is already a vulnerable, emotional experience. The last thing you need is a tool that might destabilize rather than ground you.
Even the American Psychological Association has cautioned against the use of hypnosis in certain settings because of how suggestible the subconscious becomes. I don’t trust the APA as far as I can throw them, but if even they are cautioning against it, I feel like that says something.
Why I Believe Presence is Power in Birth
Birth isn’t something to “get through” — it’s something to experience. You want to remember it, participate in it fully, and respond to it intuitively. Techniques that help you stay calm and present (like breathing, movement, and a grounded mindset) support that.
Hypnosis, which intentionally shifts your mind away from its normal state, may move you away from the kind of presence that leads to the most powerful outcomes — physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
What I Recommend Instead
If you’re drawn to hypnobirthing because you want a peaceful, positive birth — you’re not wrong to want that. But here’s what I believe offers the same benefits, without the risks:
Breathwork and relaxation exercises (without hypnosis)
Education about normal birth physiology
Building a supportive birth team (midwife, doula, husband, and any trusted family or friends)
Focusing on your physical well-being through good nutrition, hydration, and movement
And if you’ve used hypnobirthing and loved it? I hear you. My goal isn’t to knock what worked for someone else, but to offer a thoughtful alternative for mamas who want to protect both their bodies and their minds during birth.
In Closing
Birth is powerful, and so are you. My advice? Choose tools that help you stay calm, confident, and fully engaged in the incredible process your body is designed for. Trust your mind, protect it, and stay present — that’s where the real strength lies.
(If you’re curious to find out more about how the mind works, I recommend the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. Dianetics is a methodology which can help alleviate unwanted sensations and emotions, irrational fears and psychosomatic illnesses - illnesses caused or aggravated by mental stress. I’ve read the book and used the techniques to amazing personal results.)