Today in Brazil, any professional with a recognized certificate can be considered a hypnotherapist, and with doulas, this is no different. One of the common expressions about this that we can find outside of Brazil is the “Hypno-Doula”.
But what is a doula? Can a doula use hypnosis? What are the benefits of hypnosis for this professional? Check out our answers to all these questions below!
What is a doula?
According to the Instituto Nascer, a Doula is responsible for the physical and emotional support of pregnant women and their families. For the pregnant woman, she can answer questions, prepare for the day of delivery, teach positions to reduce labor pain, relaxation techniques, and provide words of encouragement during childbirth.
For the pregnant woman’s family, the doula is a bridge of information between them and the medical team during delivery, also responsible for educating and instructing the family about the pregnant woman and the child.
A doula doesn’t always need to be a nurse or a physiotherapist. This occupation does not require a higher education degree but does require specialized preparatory training to work as a doula.
Can a doula use hypnosis?
As we mentioned earlier, the expression Hypno-Doula exists and not by chance. Its benefits are extensive, especially when it comes to hypnosis during pregnancy.
In fact, it is even encouraged for the doula to master hypnosis techniques to offer greater support to the pregnant woman in her work.
According to Brazilian legislation, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are not exclusive activities of health professionals and can be practiced by other professionals, provided they have a recognized certification and do not use the title of psychologist, doctor, psychiatrist, among other regulated professions. In other words, anyone not linked to these Councils can use hypnosis as a tool in their work throughout Brazil and can also register with the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, provided they prove a minimum amount of recognized technical training hours.
What are the benefits of hypnosis for the Doula?
There are already studies that prove that with just the presence of the Doula, there are several benefits for the pregnant woman and her babies. See some listed below:
- Increase in vaginal births;
- Shorter labor duration;
- Reduction in cesarean sections;
- Reduction in instrumental vaginal births;
- Reduction in the use of any analgesia;
- Reduction in the use of regional analgesia.
Clinical hypnosis techniques greatly enhance these results.
The American Psychological Association (APA), with minor considerations from the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), defines hypnosis as a state of consciousness [intentionally induced] involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, characterized by an increased capacity for response to suggestion.
In this state, the subject is led to experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior [goal-oriented]. Thus, the doula can use hypnosis to:
- Address the pregnant woman’s anxiety;
- Relieve nausea naturally;
- Support the 7 psychological stages of pregnancy;
- Modulate labor pains;
- Induce the pregnant woman into a state of tranquility and relaxation during childbirth.
Therefore, a doula can use hypnosis, as long as she has been trained with an ethical institution (such as the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis).
In this way, the doula will be able to work with hypnosis to positively transform the childbirth experience for these pregnant women, making motherhood lighter and more enjoyable.
If you are interested in learning more about the use of hypnosis during pregnancy, then you need to read our free e-book on HypnoPregancy & ChildBirth!
Originally posted 2021-03-22 19:46:24.
