recommended reading

[LeBFG]

I've posted asking about websites with breathing techniques to no avail. So, I thought I'd buy a book about childbirth. Possibly including hypnotherapy techniques (not really sure what that involves tbh)? Looking on amazon, there are a wealth of these sorts of books. So, any particular recommendations? It would be great to narrow down the search!

[Marmiteisyummy]

I used natal hypnotherapy which was fantastic. Teaches you how to breathe and how to achieve a very relaxed state, but it's not hypnosis in terms of the stage show stuff! For me it gave a huge sense of control which was brilliant. I had a great, short labour and I have no doubt that being relaxed contributed to that. I used the cd, and did a course, but tbh the course didn't add masses. The book gets good reviews on amazon but I didn't use that.
Hypnotherapy for childbirth works on the principle that a stressed mum will reduce contraction effectiveness and will lengthen labour. It's all about trusting your body and going with the flow.
Worked for me.
Or you could do pregnancy yoga to learn to breathe effectively if hypnotherapy doesn't sound right for you.
Best of luck

[LeBFG]

Thanks a lot for the recommendation marmite (love your nn). I'll check it out.

[naturalbaby]

I used the Marie Mongan book and Rainbow relaxation CD. I did a course as well though which really helped to get the breathing right. I focused on the breathing and the visualisations.

[CouvelaireHair]

Birth skills by juju sundin. Brilliant, practical ways of managing pain.

[LeBFG]

Thanks for the recommendations - they have rave reviews on amazon. Now I only need to decide which to buy

[Wigeon]

Love love love Birth Skills by Juju Sundin too. Covers breathing, but also loads of other practical pain managment ideas.

Have you tried doing antenatal yoga too? Good for breathing techniques (as well as lots of other things).

Although having said all that, basically the old breathe in slowly, breathe out slowly, in a controlled way, is what you need to be doing!

[GoldenGreen]

There is a dedicated breathing book for pregnancy and labour by Charlotte Whitehead and Virginia Campbell. I think it's called the Breathing Book . Available through the NCT shop.

I used the Natal Hypnotherapy CDs and found them useful for relaxation and for giving me confidence about my ability to give birth. My sister did a hypnobirthing course and thought it was fantastic.

[LeBFG]

Wow, thanks for the recommendations. There's a lot of stuff on the NCT shop webpage - thanks for the link. I would love to do classes Wigeon, but I'm too far away from the classes and I'm meant to avoid travelling with this pregnancy. That's why I really want a book or even CD about preparing for the birth.

[hzgreen]

I love the Marie Morgan book, it comes with a cd. Am reading it for a second time in prep for my vbac (fingers crossed).

[PollyIndia]

I also love ina may gaskin's guide to childbirth. Not about breathing per se, but a brilliant book on the mechanics of childbirth and the benefits of natural birth.

I loved it, especially the birth stories at the beginning.

[sailorsgal]

I've just recommended "A mother's breath" by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli on another thread. I teach some of these practices in my pregnancy yoga class. It is a fab book.