Hypnobirthing

[tilleuls]

Hi all,
Can anybody recommend me a good hypnobirthing book with CD please? I don't have the funds to attend a course but would really love to practice it at home before the birth.
Thanks!

[bumblebee86]

Just joining this thread because I'd also like to find out more about hypnobirthing

[Tidythatmess]

I've been attending a course and we were recommended the book Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan.

[HobnobDunker]

I have the Maggie Howell book and CDs and although I haven't actually given birth yet so can't comment on how much they will help me cope with labour I have to say that the pregnancy relaxation track made a significant different to my anxiety regarding pregnancy, particularly in those early uncertain days.
I ordered the book second hand off Amazon and bought the tracks direct from her website as mp3 downloads.

[mikesh909]

I've read the Marie Mongan one mentioned by a pp and also Sophie Fletcher's Mindful Hypnobirthing. I'm in the same position as the OP and found both interesting. I find the latter is less of a strict methodology if that makes sense. The Mongan book seems designed to be an accompaniment to a course (it is often referred to) whereas Fletcher's seems more suitable as a standalone guide. There are also free MP3 downloads with Mindful Hypnobirthing - I believe you need to buy separate CDs for the other.

Like another pp, I am yet to actually give birth so who knows whether / to what extent these will help on the day. I do find the MP3s are pretty much guaranteed to send me to sleep, which even in itself is a pretty great thing. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has experience of using hypnobirthing in labour / delivery?

[Mrsbadger77]

My friend recently gave birth using hypnobirthing. She had a lovely 5 hour labour with no pain relief. She listening to an MP3 track every night before going to sleep. Not sure where she got it from. I'm trying it now, although if my breech baby doesn't turn it'll be moot anyway

[AButterflyLightsBesideUs]

I read the Mongan book a couple of times when I was expecting DD and listened to the Howell natal hypnotherapy CDs a lot once I was on mat leave - guaranteed afternoon nap every time!

I would say they enabled me to be pretty chilled and unfearful of birth during the end of the pregnancy and helped me relax and go to sleep etc so I would do it again for that alone.

Once in labour I remember lolling around in the birth pool drugged up on gas and air and semi comatose as a result, and once or twice in moments of lucidity snarling at DH "I'm glad we didn't fork out on an actual hypnobirthing course, the lying bastards, it bloody hurts!" The MW gently intersposed, well you practically are hypnobirthing... I wasn't tbh, I was frightened and drugged and exhausted. However it's probably worth adding that I had a v long labour so by that point hadn't slept at all for 3 days and 2 nights, and was stuck in the 8-10cm zone for 4 hours which was when I lost the plot somewhat. It was all very calm and manageable up until that point and yes the breathing and calm thing stayed with me up until about 7cm.

I didn't do the whole "breathe the baby out" thing - even giving it fully welly massive pushing efforts it took 2 hours to push the wretched child out so I dread to think how long calm breathing might have taken. That said, when they examined me and said I was 10cm, they said to push when I had the urge. I didn't feel the urge but thought ha, they won't know that and I am fed up so I just started serious pushing anyway so it's entirely possible it would have been quicker/easier if I'd waited for the feeling (assuming it came that is!)

So, a mixed bag, but I will read/listen again later on this pregnancy and hope for the best.

[Strokethefurrywall]

I hypnobirthed only using the Marie Mongen book and listening to the cd every night before bed. Did that from about 30 weeks I think.

Worked pretty well for me, first twinge to babe in arms was 4 hours and labor was brilliant but I get that I was very lucky to also have a well placed baby, great OBGYN and a doula who were happy to allow me to labor how I wanted.

My sister and I both did hypnobirthing, although I had a monitored epidural birth with no. 2 as he had heart issues. Also a brilliant birth.

[tilleuls]

Great, thanks everyone! I'll get ordering :)