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Childbirth

Hypnobirthing - tell me about it please!

4 replies

MrsMcSpooky · 16/10/2007 15:33

Ladies I know nothing - how does it work? tell me all you know! Thanks

OP posts:

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Amester · 16/10/2007 17:12

I did a hypnobirthing course and gave birth 7 weeks ago.

If you do a hypnorbithing course based on the Mongan method you will learn a few breathing techniques to use during contractions and in between. You will watch videos of lots of women giving birth who do not seem to be in any pain. Also you are supposed to listen to a hypnosis CD everyday and repeat affirmations (i.e. 'my birth will be easy because I am so relaxed') everyday. The general basis of it is that labour will not hurt if you are relaxed.

In my experience: it did hurt and the breathing went out the window when the contractions got stronger. HOWEVER i would describe my labour as easy and it was very quick. I was at a BBQ when my contractions were 5 mins apart. I arrived at hospital at 10pm and was 3cms dilated and 3 hours later I was holding my baby!

So I would say it didn't stop it hurting but I would recommend doing the course as I beleive it helped me have a quick easyish labour.

Hope this all makes sense - i'm trying to type whilst breastfeeding!

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appledumpling · 16/10/2007 17:34

I did a hypnobirthing course and found it very helpful. I felt a bit silly doing the affirmations to begin with but the relaxations were great from the start.

My labour was 14.5 hrs and I breathed through the contractions with no problems for 12.5hrs. It wasn't pain free but it certainly wasn't unbearable. Once I started pushing the breathing went out of the window but it was only for 2hrs and it wasn't excruciating.

The midwives couldn't get over how calm and relaxed I was. The only drawback is that DH thinks having a baby is easy .

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Amester · 16/10/2007 18:12

Yes forgot to add that its a lovely way to relax during pregnancy. I listened to the hypnosis CD everynight in bed and didn't have any problems sleeping even when I got to the end of my pregnancy. I used to practice the breathing exercises in the afternoon and found it very relaxing.

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MrsMcSpooky · 17/10/2007 12:40

Thanks ladies I am a hyped up person and terrible at relaxing so something like this has to help! I'll try and find a course I can go on - Mongan method you recommend?

Congrats to you both too