Meghan Markle May Hypnotize Herself When She Gives Birth — Here's How a Doula Explains It

The newest royal baby is coming any day now, and Meghan Markle is finalizing her birthing plan. The Duchess of Sussex is planning to have a doula, which a royal hasn’t done in forever, and she’s rumored to be getting ready to use a technique called HypnoBirthing when she gives birth.

So what the heck is it?

HypnoBirthing is a childbirth course you take (surely private for Meghan) that teaches moms-to-be how to relax during the birthing process using self‑hypnosis, guided imagery techniques, and affirmations. It’s designed to help a woman in labor be less stressed, if you can even imagine how that's at all possible.

“To be honest, I teach the breathing technique to all of my clients,” birth and postpartum doula Liza Maltz, CLC, said. She is also the founder of Birthyourownway, which is designed to help women choose the best birthing plan for themselves.

Maltz told Personal Space that clients often ask her what the most important things for birth are, and she says “your mind and breath are your two most powerful tools.”

“They all say [the technique] is relaxing,” she added. “Women want to know what should I get, what do I need to bring to my labor?! My answer is always the same. Your strong mind and your breathing are the two most powerful birthing tools. I work with them to figure out what fears are holding them back. You'd be amazed at how powerful your mind is. Believe. Breathe. Birth.”

One source told Vanity Fair that Meghan “wants a natural birth if she can have one. Her mother is very into anything that is holistic and natural, and having been brought up with yoga and mindfulness, it’s all very much part of Meghan’s birth plan.”

HypnoBirthing does contribute to a more relaxing birth experience overall, added Maltz. Even if she does decide to take medicine, the techniques are still extremely helpful.