Hypnobirthing

[Heavenscent86]

Has anyone tried hypnobirthing? I'm interested in trying it as I really didn't like the pain relief I had in labour with my daughter. Does anyone have any good recommendations for books I could get about the hypnobirthing process?

[CarShare]

I've just read the Maggie Howells one and have given it to my husband to read. Doesn't give an exact 'plan of action' but ideas and hypnobirthing techniques to try. Helps you to formulate a birth plan and work through fears. I got it from Amazon and have also bought the home birth preparation hypobirthing CD.

[CarShare]

www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Birth-Preparation-Practical-Better/dp/1905220596?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 For the book

[IndomitabIe]

I used the Maggie Howells birth prep cd with DC1. It was good, in that I was afraid I'd panic. I didn't! And I didn't have any pain relief at all (G&A during ambo transfer seemed to do nothing).

It still hurt, and I whinged all the way through! I probably got lucky, rather than any real effect from it, but I'll be using it again for DC2.

[Heavenscent86]

Thank you. I've ordered the Maggie howell book. Which cd is it that goes along with it as there are several options?

[IndomitabIe]

I think I had the effective birth preparation (hospital birth) one.

I think there are a few more now than there were 5 yeas ago!

[Runningupthathill82]

Hypnobirthing didn't work for me. I bought into it and honestly believed I could get through without anything stronger than gas and air - I'm no wimp!
But, when it came to labour, the pain (probably because DS was back to back) was far too intensely overwhelming. Ended up with a very long labour, culminating in an epidural, failed ventouse and forceps.

At the same time as I was preparing for my first labour, two of my close friends also tried hypnobirthing. One "just" did the cds, like me, the other had a private instructor.

First friend said it was partly helpful in the very early stages, but she ended up with an emergency section under general anaesthetic.

The other friend said it was no use at all in terms of pain relief or distraction during labour (very fast, intense yet straightforward vaginal birth) but she found some of the techniques calming in the difficult first few weeks, when she was sleep deprived and struggling with breastfeeding.

None of us have done - or are planning to do - hypnobirthing in our subsequent labours.

[CarShare]

For the CD, choose the option which best suits your situation- either hospital/birth centre or home birth.

[Laquila]

I recommend the Katherine Graves book - the course we did have it out as part of their pack, along with some plinky-plonky (but surprisngly relaxing) music called River Dawn. I ended up with a cat 1 EMCS but I do credit the Hypnobirthing practice with keeping me calm and still feeling relatively "in control", under the circumstances.

My advice would be to go in with an open mind, don't expect miracles, and make sure your birth partner feels the same way you do - that support is so important. A birth plan is good but you need to be realistic about it - try and plan for all eventualities and try not to make any cut and dried decisions before you even go into labour (I.e. much better to agree that you'd really like a water birth if possible, rather than telling yourself that a water birth is the only possible way you'll get through it etc.) Listen to the advice of the HCPs looking after you but don't be afraid to ask questions and stick to your guns if your instincts/research are telling you to go another way. Sometimes the best thing to do is to just wait and see.

I'm having an ELCS this time but will be using the same techniques to keep myself calm beforehand and during - I'd recommend it to anyone prepared to be positive yet realistic about what can be achieved.

[Dixiechick17]

I also used the Maggie howell cd and book, it didn't take the pain away but the techniques kept me calm and focussed. I had two puffs of gas and air and decided it was taking me out of the breathing rhythm that I had already established and continued without any pain relief. I was lucky that my labour was relatively quick, but so glad that I had read the book and listened to the cd :)

[Heavenscent86]

Thanks for all the advice. I have ordered the hospital and birth centre cd now. Really hoping it will help in some way and maybe if I'm really lucky I will get through without the pain relief that I disliked so much first time round. Hoping I can have a water birth too as I have heard that really helps with the pain.

[ILiveForNachos]

I start classes tomorrow! I'm open minded about it, as is my partner. I don't expect any pain free miracles, I just hope it helps me remain calm and focused and feel more connected to the overall experience.

[Freezingwinter]

I went into it open minded but sceptical slightly as I'm a wimp. Period pains sometimes make me sick! I did the course and started with 'Brixton hicks' after a sweep. I ended up thinking I was having BH until my waters popped and I was 6cm on arrival at hospital! I used has and air to get me to 10cm, and a touch of gas and air with pushing and crowning, but that was it! I had a quick labour too, only 4 hours from start to finish.

[Heavenscent86]

Yeah I'm open minded as well. I'd love it to help, I really want it to help so I can avoid pethidine and epidurals if at all possible but labours so unpredictable who knows. But as it seems it keeps people calm and feeling in control maybe it will help if labour throws anything unexpected my way too.

[Daysleeper1985]

I've had private tuition with the Wise Hippos course - as its a realistic and non hippy approach to hypnobirthing. Very scientific and logical, even my skeptical husband thinks it should be offered to all women on the NHS!

I actually look forward to my birth experience now, in the pool with just my (now trained up!) husband for guidance. My first birth was horrific, I need this closure and sense of achievement.

My best friend gave birth(accidentally) in her lounge as her hypnobirthing was goinga little bit too well! Ambulance arrived 10 minutes later.

I can't rate this method highly enough!!

[Welshcake77]

I've been quite interested in this too and have just got the Mongan method book. i had quite a quick brith after induction last time but it went a bit too fast for my liking and I got a bit freaked out and there was no time for any pain relief (I'm in Germany and there is no gas and air here) so I want to be able to feel more in control this time. Keeping an open mind about it all!