birthing pool and hypnobirthing..

[stella1w]

So I've done the hypnobirthing course and I have the birthing pool set up. And today my birthing companion suggested I get in the pool while she read the hypno script which is all about deeply relaxing etc etc..

Trouble is, in order to not float off, I had to obviously keep some muscles tense which meant I couldn't totally relax, let my body go heavy etc..

As hypno and waterbirthing a v popular combo.. just wondering what other people have done about this.. just done the hypno stuff BEFORE getting in the pool? had less water in the pool???

Thanks!

[pettyprudence]

Done hypnobirthing but not the pool bit (and actually dh missed the birth so didn't have someone doing the nice relaxing stuff with me, just had to do it in my head as much as possible!). Are there handles you can hold on to on the side of the pool and just let your body float?

[stella1w]

Yes, there are side rails I could hold onto but would still need to keep control and would not be able to go loose, limp, totally relax etc... my birthing companion is quite insistent on doing this "properly" - Tbh, I'd be happy if she just took photos, kept me company etc!!!

[pettyprudence]

Ah just go with the flow, that's kind of the point of hypnobirthing! When your in the relaxed hypno state you are still aware of your surroundings and what's going on so I shouldn't think holding on to some handles would stop you mentally letting go. Send a PM to Dontpanic (unless she turns up here!) - she should be able to advise you proper as she is a hypnobirthing practitioner :)

[stella1w]

yeah. I felt like I was being criticised by my birthing companion - I wasn't breathing properly.. my neck was tense etc etc. Frankly once it all kicks off, I am sure I won't worry....

[pettyprudence]

Is your birthing companion your hypno practitioner or someone else? My bff ended up being my birthing companion and she instinctively started doing light touch massage - which I did not like! I went totally into myself and only really registered my midwife telling me to stay with it and keep calm when the surges got more intense towards the end. I loved my midwife I never got round to telling her I had done a hypnobirthing course but she just said and did all the right things anyway.

I mostly used the breathing techniques and listened to the cd as I was always a bit rubbish as the visualisation stuff (just couldn't let go enough - I would sit in class thinking about what I was going to cook for dinner, when would I get the ironing done etc!). Listening to the cd though I did manage to have a nice little nap during active labour.

I had a bath as well and it felt sooooo good so I imagine a water birth will be really lovely :) When are you due?

[stella1w]

ha ha.. I often think about food etc when listening to the script.. my birthing companion did the hypno course with me - and is totally into it.. she's also into light touch massage but I have told her I don't like it.. I guess it's good she is taking it all very seriously but I do feel critiqued a lot of the time..and her comments are quite personal! during first birth I went totally into myself and if that happens again, it won't matter what she or anyone else is doing!!

[pettyprudence]

Actually had my dh been present and we'd done the scripts I think I would have just pee'd myself laughing. Which I suppose is a form of tension relief......

The great thing about labour is you don't have to be polite so if your birthing partner starts to annoy you with comments you can tell them to pee off and then blame it on the labour