PRINCETON — The University Medical Center has announced that Susanne Giller of Hopewell Township has become the first woman to deliver her baby there after completing the hospital’s new HypnoBirthing course. The course teaches expectant mothers self-hypnosis techniques that can result in a faster, less painful and less stressful childbirth.
Giller gave birth to son Alexander Heinz Giller at UMCP at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, December 16, after four hours of labor without pain medication. He is the first child of Susanne and husband, Oliver, and came into the world weighing eight pounds, four ounces.
Unlike the trance or sleep-like state often associated with hypnosis, the techniques of HypnoBirthing help women achieve a focused state of concentration through techniques such as visualization, guided imagery, special breathing techniques and positive affirmations.
Giller, a pediatric occupational therapist with the Flemington School District, said her interest in HypnoBirthing stemmed from a desire to deliver her baby without medication if at all possible, and with minimal stress, both for her own well-being and for the well-being of her baby.
The HypnoBirthing program was developed 18 years ago by New Hampshire hypnotist Marie Mongan and has since been growing in popularity. Today, it is taught internationally by more than 1,700 doctors, nurses and midwives who are trained and certified by Mongan’s HypnoBirthing Institute.
Giller commended University Medical Center at Princeton, from the community education department for offering programs for expectant parents such as HypnoBirthing, breastfeeding and exercise classes, to the nursing and medical staff that supported her during delivery.
"Everyone was really supportive, and it was great to know that, if things didn’t go perfectly, they would be able to take care of us," she said.
UMCP begins its next HypnoBirthing class Thursday, January 10. The five-week series is offered from UMCP’s Community Education & Outreach site at 731 Alexander Road in Princeton at a cost of $180. Expectant parents who are interested in registering or learning more about the program may call (888) 897-8979.
