anyone used a hypnobirthing CD which really worked? Tips please!

[Gemzooks]

I'd be really grateful for any tips, is the Maggie Howells one any good?

[TeenyTinyTorya]

I'd be really interested to know as well, thinking about hypnobirthing for dc2.

[Tangle]

I used the Natal Hypnotherapy CD before DD's homebirth - she was my first. Did it work? Haven't got a clue.

But I did stay very calm throughout the labour, staying in control of my breathing was very easy and I didn't find it a horrendously painful and scary experience - I was lucky in that for me it didn't really hurt (no chemical pain relief required) and I'd go so far as to say I quite enjoyed the experience.

I did also stack the odds in my favour as best I could be practicing positive thinking (every single female ancestor I've ever had has demonstrably managed to give birth - why shouldn't I?), deliberatly avoiding other women's "how many things went wrong in my labour" stories, staying at home and using Independent Midwives. Oh, and my mother is fond of telling me I'm from good peasant stock with child bearing hips

If nothing else it gives you a really good excuse to lie down and relax for 1/2 hour every day in the last few weeks

[whomovedmychocolate]

I have a vbac one I need to sell - never got to use it though - spent much of the last trimester in hospital and had a repeat section

[GerrardWinstanley]

The NCT ones are good.

Non-irritating voice-over which is VERY important. I definitely stayed very calm during the first stage tho can't promise it was the CD wot did it.

And agree with Tangle, nice and properly-full-deep-body-relaxing before the birth, even if it's no use at the birth itself.

I think you need to use them a lot though to get the full effects.

Also, a not quite random thought, if you're interested in hypnobirthing then getting yourself some ante-natal yoga classes might be up your street and if I'm honest, I found them much more useful.

[littone]

Same experience as Tangle with the Natal hypnotherapy CD and definately agree about the relaxing bit in later stages of pregnancy. Never thought I would cope with childbirth, but in the end only had pain relief for the stitches!

[sambo303]

I used the Marie Mongan method and had my first at home. It was a long labour but not painful and I think the techniques my partner and I learned meant we knew what was happening and were calm - not sure what the title of your thread means 'which really worked' cos you give birth anyway with or without the cds/training!!

I found it helpful cos I was petrified of giving birth so if you are a bit like that, the cds can give you something positive to do in preparation, plus as Tangle says, you;ve got an excuse to have a lovely lie down and relax every day which really is invaluable.

[mrsmacaroni]

Have a look at Mindful Mamma. They have great downloads for £3 each and give you a good idea of what hypnosis/guided meditation for birth is. They also have one day classes across the East and West Midlands if you like the downloads and want to learn techniques to go with them.

[ninjinglebells]

I have the Natal one for homebirth if you're interested. Found it really useful to relax before the event - not sure if I quite managed to go to my nice warm sandy beach during labour though!!

I did have a good homebirth so maybe helped ....

[StarlightWonderStarlightBright]

I didn't find it 'worked' (natal hypnotherapy) in that I didn't feel particularly hypnotised.

However, I think ANY form of relaxation practice and breathing practise in the late stages of pregnancy are a good thing and can be extrememly helpful in making sure you're early stages of labour are calm, enabling your body to do a lot of the work without fighting you to do it.

Good luck!

[reikizen]

I used natal hypnotherapy and didn't think it had much effect at the time but after attending a natal hypnotherapy study day and reflecting on my labour I realised that it was extremely instrumental in the lovely, calm, pleasurable labour I had at home with no pain relief. I was really impressed with the study day too and intend to follow it up once I qualify as I midwife. It was so inspirational and a way of women reclaiming childbirth from this awful medical model we are slipping into. Don't get me started!