What to do During Your Early Birthing Time? In the beginning, you could feel excitement, doubt or extreme readiness. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #7: What to do in Early Labor" to learn more.

As pregnant women, we get so many negative messages about childbirth, and they take their toll, making us stay in a state of fear, producing adrenaline and other stress hormones, which cause constriction of the birthing muscles. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #2: Your Bubble of Peace" to learn more.

We, as women need to be very proactive in order to have the kind of gentle and serene birth that we dream of, taking responsibility for educating ourselves about choices, and informed consent while in labor. There is much to know about how to get what you want. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #8: Getting Everything You Want" to learn more.

Hypnosis allows the deepest relaxation possible, along with suggestions for pain and fear elimination, thus effecting a quicker and easier birth process for both mother and child, with less bleeding, fewer complications, and quicker recovery. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #1: Getting Started" to learn more.

Consider staying home for most of your labor, allowing yourself the comfort of your familiar surroundings. You will be able to employ your hypnosis techniques much better in your own, quiet surroundings, and as long as there are no danger signs (or prior high risk factors), laboring at home is most conducive to a natural birth. Read "Hypnobirth Tip #5: Laboring at Home" to learn more.

I strongly encourage pregnant women to embrace this truly magical time, a time when their own soul allows the entrance of another into this world. The following is a list of the five things I advise every expectant couple to know.

In today's birthing atmosphere, we have to be proactive in getting what we want for our own labors -- you'll be wise not to give up the responsibility for the decisions made in your labor to others, because if you do, it is unlikely you will have the birth experience you so want for yourself and your baby.