The following script will give you the opportunity to practice some of the techniques that you have learned in this session while “anchoring” (see Article Five of this Journey) your birth partner's voice and their touch.

Please note:

During this session, the birth partner will ask the pregnant mother to open her eyes twice. This is to help deepen her state of relaxation naturally. During the early stages of labour, she will most typically open her eyes between surges and then close them again when a new surge begins, thereby deepening her state of relaxation.

Birth Partner's Script (Spoken to Expectant Mother)

Before you shut your eyes, get yourself as comfy as possible. Place the tip of your tongue behind your front upper teeth and, when you are ready, take a nice deep relaxing breath in, and as you breathe out, say, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1 relax.”

In a moment, you will begin to make your way down to your relaxing place in your mind, taking nice, easy breaths as you go. Counting down... on the completion of each breath: 10, 9, 8, and so on. And I will wait here quietly while you do that, and when you have reached your relaxing place, you will let me know with a nod of your head.

[The birth partner watches and waits for a nod of the head, signifying the relaxing place has been reached.]

And as you reach your relaxing place, notice what you see or feel, observe your surroundings, and become aware of the temperature of the air on your skin and how that feels. I wonder if you notice any sounds or particular smells. …. Take a deep breath and breathe in all of those sensations of comfort, relaxation, and safety.

This is your relaxing place. It is perfect for you, and you can visit whenever you wish—any time you want to, any time at all—and you are calm and relaxed, so calm and relaxed.

During your labour, you will enjoy time here in your relaxing place, relaxing between each surge, your mind drifting off knowing that your body and your baby are perfectly able to birth easily. You don't need to interrupt.

And as each surge comes in like the tide, you focus on your waves of relaxation, letting them roll on by, time passing quickly, with just a few short breaths. And as each surge ends, you take a nice relaxing breath in, and as you breathe out, say, “Relax,” returning back to your relaxing place, feeling even more relaxed as you do.

It feels good to know that each surge brings you closer and closer to that wonderful moment when you hold your baby in your arms.

And now I want you to open your eyes. Go ahead and open your eyes, staring in a dreamy way, and when you are ready, take a nice relaxing breath in, and as you breathe out, say, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, relax.”

This is the signal to your subconscious mind that you are ready to move yet deeper into a state of relaxation, and as you acknowledge that, you can close your eyes and feel calm and relaxed.

Once again, make your way down to your relaxing place, counting down as you do, and I will stay here quietly until you give me that nod of your head to let me know that you are there. The birth partner watches and waits for a nod of the head, signifying

The relaxing place has been reached.

That's good!

And now I want you to open your eyes again. Go ahead, open your eyes, staring in a dreamy way, and when you are ready, take a nice relaxing breath in, and as you breathe out, say, “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, relax.” This is the signal to your subconscious mind that you are ready to move into an ultimate state of relaxation, and as you acknowledge that, you can close your eyes and start that countdown to your relaxing place, giving me that nod of your head when you are there.

[The birth partner watches and waits for a nod of the head, signifying the relaxing place has been reached.]

Well done!

And now that you are in this ultimate state of relaxation, I am going to give your hand a gentle squeeze, and every time you feel my hand on yours, you will feel... [Gently squeeze the hand]. even more confident, more assured, and more in

control and you are calm and relaxed, so calm and relaxed.

And now in your mind's eye, and when I instruct you to do so, imagine that you are feeling a surge coming on. Breathe with your waves of relaxation, continuing to do so until I signify that your surge is complete.

The surge is beginning now.

[Change the length of time each time you practice interchanging between 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds.]

Coming to the end of the surge now, allowing your breath to complete, and when you are ready, taking a nice relaxing breath in, and as you breathe out, saying “5, 4, 3, 2, 1 relax,” smiling again as you know that your baby is even closer and you feel calm and relaxed, so calm and relaxed.

Continue to enjoy your relaxing place now, breathing easily and feeling calm and relaxed, knowing that your breathing will move instinctively back to your Waves of Relaxation on the arrival of the next surge.

I will wait here quietly until it is time for me to signify the start of the next surge. You just continue to enjoy your relaxing place. I am here to support you and keep you safe.

birth partner to decide the length of time between each surge. Perhaps starting off with 5 minutes and going to a minute.

And that next surge is coming in now. Breathe with your waves of relaxation until I let you know it is complete.

[Change the length of time each time you practice interchanging between 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds.]

I will wait here quietly until it is time for me to signify its start.

[Gently squeeze the hand as you say the following words:]

You just continue to enjoy your relaxing place. I am here supporting you and keeping you safe. The surge is beginning now.

[Change the length of time each time you practice interchanging between 30, 60, 90, and 120 seconds.]

[Alternate between surges and relaxation as many times as you want, saying the following when you are ready to bring them back to their relaxing place for the final time.]

Continue to enjoy your relaxing place until you are ready to return to the here and now. When you want to come back, you will simply take three nice, energising breaths. On the first breath, begin to notice how the energy is moving back through your body. On the second breath, your hands and feet will begin to move, and on the third breath, you will open your eyes, feeling calm, confident, wonderfully energised, and looking forward to the birth of our baby.

You can agree with your birth partner that when they have said the final paragraph, they can leave you resting. Alternatively, if you want to come back to a full state of alertness at the end of the session, ask them to repeat the final statement if necessary.

Unii Hypnobirthing: The Birth Partner's Script