The art of childbirth hypnosis

Christine Wawira is a hypnobabies childbirth hypnosis instructor. The mother of two was born in Kenya, but later moved to London and finally to America where she is currently plying her trade - hypnobirthing.

Hypnobirthing is a method of pain management that can be used during labour and birth. It involves using a mixture of visualisation, relaxation and deep breathing techniques.

"Hypno babies' childbirth hypnosis is a six-week class that teaches women how to use medical-grade hypnosis to eliminate discomfort during childbirth," says Wawira.

"Essentially, we teach women how to rewire their subconscious minds and remove all of the negative things that have been programmed in their minds about childbirth since they were children. And we reprogram them with positive affirmations, therefore, reshaping their reality and their experience with childbirth," she says.

Her childbirth hypnosis journey started after she got her firstborn. After the birth of her daughter, she says she watched a documentary called 'The Business of Being Born' and this gave her insights into how to navigate the world.

"I also started to meet mothers that were giving birth at home. I honestly thought it was the craziest thing I had ever heard of and I did not understand why anyone in their right mind would willingly give birth at home with no drugs.

"Then my best friend at the time told me that she took a class that taught her childbirth hypnosis. I was very religious at the time and was under the impression that hypnosis was demonic and forbidden," says Christine.

"I went to her house when she was in labour to watch her other child and she was very calm through her pressure waves. We call contractions pressure waves. I had never seen a woman in labour so calm.

"I was shocked I was seeing hypnosis work first-hand in front of me. She walked to the hospital with her husband and had an amazing hypno birth, and that is when I decided that I was going to do it too."

For her second pregnancy in 2011, Christine opted for this option as well. She took an intense six-week class where she would meet with an instructor for three hours a week together with her ex-husband. They learned all about hypnosis and what was supposed of them.

"It was a lot of work and a lot of self-belief, but in the end, I got the birth I visualised and wanted. It was a great experience for me honestly and changed my life. I am glad that I got to bring my son into this world in such a peaceful and empowering way. If I ever have any more children I will not give birth at the hospital. It is just going to be at home in a tub of water from now on," she says.

Fast forward to 2019, Christine became a fully-fledged hypnobirthing instructor.

"I loved the way one can rewire their subconscious mind so that you do not perceive labour pain as such.

"Childbirth is the most sacred experience of a human's life and it should be beautiful, empowering, and comfortable. And that is what childbirth hypnosis provides," she says.

She adds, "This procedure teaches one how powerful our minds are and how deeply connected they are to our bodies. It creates such a peaceful environment for the baby to be born in instead of a loud traumatic painful experience."

Her love for alternative ways of giving birth saw her start a non-profit organisation - Hypnobabies ZebBirth - whose main aim is to help lower the maternal mortality rates in Kenya and other parts of Africa.

"I plan on opening birth centres and have hypnobabies childbirth hypnosis as an available option for expectant mothers," she says.

Apart from being a hypnobirth educator, Christine is also an actress, a model, and an energy consultant.