Is hypnobirthing worth it when the rest of my life is so stressful?

[kinkytoes]

It's hard to practice when life is throwing crap at me constantly. Also dp and I aren't getting along and he's meant to be a big part of it. Is it worth the effort? Can I do it on my own?

[winchester1]

I brought the cd but only listened a few times so maybe not the best advocate.but I learnt to find a calm place and decide what to think about when I was in a contraction( I liked yellow in and orange out).

My oh was nit involved I me staying calm.

Good luck 😊

[confusedandemployed]

I did the course. In a word, no. In your situation I'd say you would be wasting your time and money.

However, the mp3 files my teacher gave me were very useful during late pregnancy. I'd be happy to send them to you. PM me if you'd like them.

[SliceOfLime]

I didn't do a course but I did listen to a cd a lot and it really helped me to respond better to the pain - to accept it rather than tense up and fight it. No DH input required either! I just sort of went into myself, did the breathing and made myself relax. I still used lots of gas & air and ended up in theatre so I'm not claiming it's magic but definitely helped me deal with it, so I'd say it's worth listening to the cd as much as you can.

[Dixiechick17]

I used a book and cd. My DH didn't bother listening to it, and to be honest, in labour I didn't need to rely on him anyway. I managed the techniques on my own, he just had explicit instructions to support me and believe that I could do it. The techniques really helped me during labour, and in the weeks before the cd sent me off to sleep :)

[EElisavetaOfBelsornia]

It was totally worth it for me. I would say just concentrate on basics though, breathing and relaxing. Not OH involvement, visualisation or anything too involved. I haven't got my MP3s any more but I would take up the offer above, there are others available online too, helpful for getting in the 'zone'.

[BearFoxBear]

I did the course and thought it was brilliant. I have a really stressful job which got increasingly difficult as my maternity leave got closer (thanks to my crappy boss and maternity cover twat) and I found that the techniques I learned during the course helped me relax throughout the day. I still use them now in fact, so I would recommend it.

[kinkytoes]

Thank you Confused but I already have the CD and book and we're halfway through the course so it's too late to back out really. I am sure I'll get some benefit from it but will have to try and be mentally strong enough on my own.

[kinkytoes]

Thanks everyone else too, definitely feeling more positive reading some of your replies!

[LynetteScavo]

What type of hypnobirthing are you doing?

I listened to the relaxation tapes late in pregnancy, and the affirmation tapes a bit.

I was able to go through most of labour on my own, and DH wasn't really needed.

You are mentally strong enough to do it on your own.

[Quodlibet]

I used to use 'going to practice my hypnobirthing relaxation techniques' as a means of lying down and (usually) having a nap. Committing to listening to the CD will, if nothing else, be useful relaxation time that I sounds like you need.

In my case that's all I really did (well, and a bit of yoga/learning breathin techniques) but that served me well in birth at helping me stay in a 'zone' where I was calm in relation to the pain. DP wasn't involved in that learning but was supportive in other ways while I was in the 'zone'.

[kinkytoes]

Thanks for the positivity you're sending my way Lynette! I need it. I think I will keep at it and use it whether or not dp is supportive on the day.

You're right Quod the relaxation time is sorely needed right now. In fact what you suggested about going for a nap is exactly what I did today

[SunsetSinger]

I just read the book and listened to the CD loads before the birth. Used to fall asleep listening to the CD. DH did f all. I played the CD during the actual birth whilst in the pool sucking gas and air and it was WONDERFUL. The time I felt most in control during the birth.

[Sophia1984]

I'm a constantly anxious person who is very cynical about anything at all 'woo' but I am really enjoying reading my hypobirthing book and listening to the CDs. To me, it doesn't seem that radical an idea - just about breathing and listening to your body. I say go for it.

[kinkytoes]

Thank you for the reassurance Sunset that does sound good.

I agree Sophia, and learning about how the different hormones work for and against labour and birth has been fascinating and, I think, really useful.