HypnoBirthing is a philosophy of natural and gentle birthing that was developed by Marie Mongan, M.Ed., M. Hy. in 1989 to assist her own daughter in delivering her first baby. Since that time the HypnoBirthing method has gained world wide recognition and validation. I have had the privilege of studying with Marie Mongan and have earned certification as a HypnoBirthing practitioner.

Here is how Marie describes HypnoBirthing in her own words: HypnoBirthing is as much a philosophy as it is a technique. It is a rewarding, stress-free method of birthing that is based on the belief that all babies should come into the world in an atmosphere of gentility, calm and joy. When a mother is properly prepared for birthing physically, mentally, and spiritually, she can experience that sort of joy, birthing her baby in an easier, more comfortable, and, often pain free manner.

Through a well thought out program of deep relaxation, self-hypnosis, and education, HypnoBirthing returns to a woman the art of birthing in a way that allows her to summon up her natural birthing instincts and to birth her baby in safety and with ease. HypnoBirthing is based on the belief that severe discomfort does not have to be a natural accompaniment of birthing.

Don't Allow Your Dreams To Go Up In Smoke!

Mark Twain once wrote “Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times.” If you have ever tried to give up cigarette smoking you know how difficult and frustrating the process can be. Even with an understanding of the health risks, the rising cost of a package of cigarettes and the encouragement you get from well-meaning family members, friends and your doctor, you still can't find the motivation to give up cigarettes for good.

Smoking For Two

Current research indicates that when you smoke you not only endanger yourself, but you may be putting your ability to conceive and maintain a pregnancy at risk as well. In an introduction to a report entitled Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop wrote, “Women who smoke have decreased fertility, the risk of a spontaneous abortion is higher for pregnant women who smoke..." Babies born to smokers weigh, on average, 200 grams less than babies born to comparable women who do not smoke, with low birth weight being an important predictor of infant mortality.

Dr. Koop's warning is echoed in a 2003 Patient Fact Sheet distributed by the American Society For Reproductive Medicine that states, “Virtually all scientific studies support the conclusion that smoking has an adverse impact on fertility. The prevalence of infertility is higher, and the time it takes to conceive is longer, in smokers compared to nonsmokers.” And the American Cancer Society writes in their Guide To Quitting Smoking, “Smoking by mothers is linked to a higher risk of their babies developing asthma in childhood, especially if the mother smokes while pregnant. It is also associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and low birth weight in infants. Babies and children raised in a household where there is smoking have more ear infections, colds, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems than children from nonsmoking families.”

What About Dad?

Research shows that fathers/partners can also put the baby at risk by smoking. An October, 2006 article on Mayo Clinic.com reports, “Smoking may increase the risk of infertility and erectile dysfunction in men. The sperm of men who smoke one to two packs of cigarettes a day may be misshapen and may move more slowly than those of nonsmokers.” Besides the direct effect of cigarettes on the father's sexual potency, second hand smoke from the partner can also have a direct effect on the mother and her ability to conceive. According to a study published in the European Medical Journal Human Reproduction, “...among 225 women seeking fertility treatment, there was no meaningful difference in pregnancy rate between smokers and nonsmokers who lived with a smoker, but that both groups of women had less than half the success rate of those nonsmokers who were not exposed to smoke at home.”

Quit Now! Help Is Available!

Quitting smoking is never easy but the hardest and most important step is to make a firm commitment to yourself and to your unborn baby to create a smoke free lifestyle. If you have trouble making this resolution you can solicit help from your partner, family, friends, doctor, a therapist trained in working with smoking cessation or anyone else you trust and have confidence in.

Once this resolution is made The American Cancer Society suggests:

• Pick your quit date and mark it on your calendar.

• Tell friends and family about your quit date.

• Decide on a plan – will you use nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges)    or medications? Will you attend classes? Go for acupuncture or hypnosis?

• Practice saying “No thank you. I don't smoke!”

• Set up your support system.

• Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and other smoking related items.

Quitting is a matter of planning and commitment, not luck. It is difficult, but with a plan and support, millions of women (and men) have given up the habit for life. The time is NOW to quit for you and your baby.