Hypnobirthing Daily Practice Routine

[TheNewShmoo]

DH and I cannot attend a course. I've read the Mongan book (I know it is not a stand alone course book) and was just wondering how to initiate a daily practice routine?

I've got the 3 breathing techniques sussed (I think), but I'm having difficulty practising the relaxation, visualisation and deepening techniques- and not sure how to get DH involved.

Do I just listen to some relaxation audios everyday (I listen to the Effective Birth Prep Natal Hypnotherapy by Maggie Howell)?

Is this the order of technique utilisation on the big day?

• Relaxation, visualisations & sleep breathing when feel onset of labour
  
• Slow breathing (20/20) during surges, then revert back to visualisation/sleep breathing when surge subsides
  
• Assume positions which help labour
  
• Birth breathing nearing completion
  

and will DH apply light touch massage and deepening techniques somewhere in the midst of all of this??

Will this cycle of relaxation/visualisation/breathing have to be constant from the onset of labour?

Any pointers much appreciated!

(also posted in Childbirth btw)

[LynetteScavo]

There are 3 breathing techniques? Oh, boy! I just did the one; visualising the balloon expanding then floating away during a surge....and found this really brilliant in labour. In between surges I just rested.

The order you have is great as a guide, but in actual labour I think you should just go with the flow...and do what ever is most natural at the time.

"and will DH apply light touch massage and deepening techniques somewhere in the midst of all of this??"

I decided I didn't want DH to touch me anywhere. Personally I think it would disrupt my visualisaion/concentration.

If you can relax from the onset of labour, great. I got through a pile or ironing, bounced around on a birth ball, spent quite some time visalising whilst in the bath (I got in the bath quite late on, as I was scared if I got in before I was 5cm I would slow things down) then I put on the hypnobirthing CD....I thought was in for a really long labour, as my previous births had been long, but after 2 hours DD was born, so I could have put the CD on earlier, with hindsight.

My only advice would be don't let anybody upset you or ask you to move to a different room/ward whilst in labour, as I found the concentration was lost, and things became painful. (This only happened to me when I had DS in hospital, my home birth with DD was fine)

Have you got the Mary Mongon relaxation/ birthing affirmation CDs?. I just listened to them every day, and didn't really do anything else, apart from practicing the balloon visualisation.

[TheNewShmoo]

Thanks for that Scavo- really useful, so important thing is to keep focused and relaxed I gather (!!!)

I've only got the cd which came with the book- so there is another one with the relaxation and birthing affirmations?

I've looked on Amazon and found:

"Hypnobirthing Relaxation CD- Colour & Calmness" by Katharine Graves (it has the Mongan logo on it)

Is this the one? With rainbow relaxation and the affirmations??

[LynetteScavo]

Yes, rainbow relaxation (I still can't stay awake through the who thing) and the affirmations (the one which goes "my babies coming to me...I'm calm and relaxed - my th 3yo walked around saying this all the time, caused quite some amusement at nursery!). Mine had Mary M' talking, maybe these days it's read by Katharine Graves.

[F1rstT1meMummy]

Wow - well done you are doing v well considering you have only read the book. DH and I paid out for the course, but now I am nearly 32 weeks and have only done the CD - I am having real issues get DH to help with deep relaxation and 'anchoring'.
So my 'practice; consists of the CD 2-3 times a week - while trying not be be angry at DH for not giving a crap for 'forgetting practice' again!!
I havent listened to the affirmations - but only because I forget, I really should start.
I found a lift deep relaxation script online which I found exceptionally useful and a better analogy than the one in the book - and yep you guessed it, still waiting for DH to practice it with me! It uses the concept of going down in a lift to help you fall deeper into relaxation. I cant find the link now but i found it very quickly by googling it.

One thing i have learnt is that there is no set 'agenda', more the things you learn are used as a tool kit. You call on what you know if you want it - as long as your partner is aware of what is in your kit, he can remind you to try something!

Have you looked at many hypno birthing birth videos? Women use the approach in a very different way, some for example call on their kit during surges, while some use the whole kit during labour (and go into themselves). So in answer to your question "Will this cycle of relaxation/visualisation/breathing have to be constant from the onset of labour?", from my understanding i would say no - just use the surge breathing and J/Birth breathing when required.

That is what I have taken from my course - but of course I could be wrong.

I am a complete hypno convert though and cannot wait to use what I have been trying to learn! Shame my DH isnt!!!

Good luck
x

[TheNewShmoo]

ok FirstTime, so the main thing I'm getting is making sure you have the relaxation practice down pretty well. TBH I couldn't imagine my DH reading the script getting me into deep relaxation- I think I'd be better off listening to whichever cds work best for me and getting DH to do the light touch massage.

Would be useful to get DH to be able to use the anchors. Any idea how to do this?

Are these the cds you got on the course?:

www.thehypnobirthingcentre.co.uk/cds-and-downloads.html

[TheNewShmoo]

Hilarious about your 3yo *Scavo"!

[MainlyMaynie]

I'm doing natal hypnotherapy, which the Maggie Howell CD you have is part of. You can buy a book to go with that which has a really good explanation of how it all works. You can also get additional CDs like birthing music etc. Might it be worth switching to natal hypnotherapy since you've already started it?

[F1rstT1meMummy]

Hi
I have no idea how to use MN apart from post - however, if there is a way you can private message me your email, I will scan the script for anchoring and send it to you?
TBH, i do find it difficult to take it seriously when my DH reads out the scripts.

Yes - the key is to get relaxtion sorted.

And I agree - very funny scavo! I also cannot stay awake through the whole thing!

[TheNewShmoo]

Thanks so much FirstTime- fantastic! PMing you now

[TheNewShmoo]

anyone else used the natal hypnotherapy?

[nannyl]

watching with interest as i have all the relevant natal hypnotherapy CDs but not the book (yet) will be buying it soon but hope to find one on offer somewhere.

Am 20 weeks now and planning a homebirth with my 1st (& a pool, & Tens for before pool) is it ok to use a TENS while hypnobirthing as well?

[TheNewShmoo]

I think the TENS will help greatly early on in labour as helps to release endorphins to help you initially get into the relaxed 'hypnotic' state. Freaking out at the beginning might just ruin your flow! I've heard once things start going (5-7cm dilated) get into the pool. And remember to empty bladder every hour or so otherwise you might have to get out of the pool to birth your baby if your bladder is getting in the way of your baby's head. So I've heard!

[TheNewShmoo]

BTW I do love the natal hypnotherapy- want to get the book too.

[skass]

I found Katharine Graves Hypnobirthing CD Colour and calmness very effective. It has her own logo on it which is quite different than Mary Mongans. Thoroughly recommend Katharines CDS