Tell me about hypnobirthing!

[guineamango]

I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my second child and interseted in hypnobirthing. Has any one done it? Any good books I should buy?
Or am I too far along to start considering it now?
Thanks in adavnce

[Roomfor2]

I used a practitioner (sp?) rather than a book, and had a very short (relatively) easy labour (4 hrs, just gas).

It works on the relaxtion principle so you allow your body to open and let the baby out instead of tensing up and working against the contractions, making it longer and mor painful.

You're not too late - the person I saw the more sessions, the better, but she had also helped people who were 30+ weeks and only could fit in 2 or 3 sessions.

[Dontpanic]

It's best to be about 20wks before you start so you have a bump to practice with, but yes, you can do it any time. Some practitioners have had mums in their final class sitting there with surges!
I took a class with practitioner and found it really useful, more than I'd have managed with just the book. You also get a relaxation CD with the prac. course which isn't available with the book (the US version of the book has a different CD).
I've since trained as a practitioner as I believe in it so much, it really does make a difference in the way you approach giving birth, making it something to enjoy rather than fear

[francesrivis]

I didn't start until about 36 weeks, when my friend lent me a CD. I listened to it several times - no idea what it said as I always fell asleep! I was astonished at how well it worked - it really seemed to help me relax and cope with the contractions. Definitely recommended - and I am generally pretty sceptical about such things!

[ladymoo]

I did a course with a practitioner & it was fantastic - made me relax about the whole pregnancy/birth & had a 6 hour labour with gas & air. Highly reccommended!

[guineamango]

Hi thank you for the replies and experiences. I have decided on a book with a cd to start with. Waiting for it to arrive!
I had a speedy first labour which was pretty scary at the time. I'd like to be more in control and calm this time round.

[KKKKaty]

Francisrivis - I've just started listening to the Natal Hypnotherapy CD that they sell through the NCT. I'm a little confused as to how it's meant to work because, even though I've listened to it three times now, I have no idea what it says because I always seem to "fall asleep" whilst I'm listening to it. However I always wake up at the end when she counts backwards from 5, so perhaps I'm not asleep, just hypnotised? The leaflet that comes with it talks about using the visualisations and relaxation techniques when you're actually in labour, but I'm confused as to how I'm meant to do this when I have no idea what they are because I don't know what the CD says!! If this is what happened with you, how did it work during the actual labour?

Sorry if this is a bit of a hijack, btw.

[Tamlin]

KKKaty, I'm finding the same thing. Have listened to it four times, and once we get past the golden light bit, I've passed out cold!

[Dontpanic]

"falling asleep" is a common worry, but no need, it just means you're really relaxed. Being in hypnosis is just a really deep state of relaxation and your subconscious takes it all in regardless!

[KKKKaty]

Yes, but what do I do when I go into labour? It says not to listen to the CD - do I just assume that I'll stay all calm and relaxed even though I've no idea what the CD has been saying to me, and no idea what the visualisation techniques are?!

[Dontpanic]

Can't vouch for the cds you've got as I haven't heard the Natal Hypno ones sorry. The hypnobirthing ones are designed to be used in addtion to the book (Hypnobirthing -the Mongan Method) which also gives you detail on breathing techniques for different phases and methods to get into deeper relaxation. The cd for that is purely a relaxation cd, along with affirmations to repeat to yourself for an easy comfortable birth.

[beautifulgirls]

The Natal Hypnotherapy series has a "relaxing birth music" CD which has the same music as played in the background as the "effective birth preparation" CD. The idea being to play this to help the sense of calm. The CDs basically teach you how to relax yourself with a trigger 3...2....1...relax so that you can use this during your labour. Lots of visualisations of positive experiences too. I quite like it having used the "pregnancy relaxation" CD and having moved on now to the effective birth prep one, but yet to try it all out for real!

I bought mine second hand from ebay so didn't have to pay new prices and hopefully when I am done with them I'll sell them on for similar money to what I paid.