HypnoBirthing can ease the pain of delivery

The HypnoBirthing Institute, an international organization committed to preparing couples for calm and easier birth, has announced that comfortable birthing without the use of drugs is now available in Thousand Oaks through childbirth education classes taught by certified HypnoBirthing educator Carole Feiger at the Center for Personal Power.

For more than 17 years, the HypnoBirthing Method, founded by Marie Mongan, has been helping mothers learn to totally relax their bodies, increase the production of endorphins (the "feel-good" hormones), and release the fear that causes their bodies to tense. Fear and tension inhibit a woman's ability to perform a normal physiological function,

birth. The process involves use of relaxation, guided imagery, self-hypnosis and special breathing patterns.

When birthing mothers no longer believe that pain must accompany birthing, they are able to remain relaxed and eliminate the production of constricting hormones and dysfunctional labor patterns that lead to long, painful births and medical interventions such as Pitocin and Cesarean births. With HypnoBirthing, a majority of women report shorter, easier births, often free of discomfort.

More than 2,400 practitioners in more than 22 countries have been certified by the HypnoBirthing Institute.

Locally, expectant mothers and their birthing companions can take HypnoBirthing classes in either a group setting or privately through a series of five classes with Feiger.

Included in the fee is a copy of the book, "HypnoBirthing, a Celebration of Life," by Marie Mongan, a self-hypnosis practice CD and informational handouts.

For more information or to register for classes, call Feiger at (818) 974-8245 or visit www.ctr4personalpower.com. Information may also be obtained at www.HypnoBirthing.com.