Hypnobirthing - is it any good?

[Kobus79]

We're thinking about possibly doing a hypnobirthing course. Does anybody have any experience with this and would you recommend it, or not. We are a bit worried about the 'American' style of the concept. Did you find this, or was it not too bad? Also, how did midwives respond to it?

Particularly if you have any experience with hypnobirthing in the South Lakes, that would be great!

Ok, we're going to give it ok then, if the vast majority is up for it. Thanks for all the advice and I'll give an update in about 3 months time!

I did hb with dd1 as I was terrified of giving birth. The course and 'homework' were brilliant and my fear went completely.

As others have said, my birth wasn't pain free, but I didn't need any pain relief and it took 23 hours!

Worth doing the course as early as you can as the more time you have to practise the techniques the more natural they will become.

I'm now looking forward to my next birth!

Can I just ask those of you that used the book and CD, at how many weeks did you start using the CD regularly and how often?

Good question, Amethyst, I read the book last weekend and definitely want to giveit a go, but with working full time and running a house and I haven't even looked at the CD. I dont want to fail at the first fence....

I started using the CD at about 22 weeks once a week then went up to every day from 28 weeks, gave birth at 37 weeks. It's actually really easy to fit the CD in, we just played it when we went to bed every night and fell asleep to it, the book says this is fine as it still works whilst you are asleep. I fell asleep to it even of I used it in the day anyway!

I'm new on mumsnet, so hi!, but I just wanted to jump in and say that I used hypnobirthing for my beautiful daughter after a friend recommended it. I think I fit into the control freak side of things and it really was amazing, I remained so calm all the way through -not a hint of the screaming agony you see on TV. I'd defintely do it again, if I have another baby. You can find a list of practitioners here - www.thehypnobirthingassociation.com

And if you are looking for a Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner, i.e. someone who has trained with the HypnoBirthing Institute, is up to date with their ongoing training and provides the full HypnoBirthing - The Mongan Method - ante-natal course, the full list of practitioners is available here:
HypnoBirthing Institute

I did hypnobirthing and had a great birth (most amazing experience of my life, no G&A and I was euphoric at times) but I didn't really use any of the techniques during labour, except for a bit of visualisation when the contractions were really strong. I think the course and cd were useful to help me be as positive and calm as possible, and I do think the fear augmenting pain idea makes a lot of sense. Personally, I found I had to pace about during contractions and make a lot of noise (mooing etc, not screaming or anything!) - for me it didn't work to sit still in the classic hypnobirthing way. I also found that I couldn't 'breathe the baby out' - I was really pushing for all I was worth, but he was posterior.

The book I got a lot from was Juju Sundin's Birth Skills, which has a wide range of practical suggestions - movement, visualisation, vocalisation etc. I'm glad I did the hypnobirthing, but think it was good to have as one of a number of possible techniques - it's hard to know what will feel right for you until you get there. I think if it had been my only preparation, then that wouldn't have been enough for me.

Kobus would love to know how you are getting on! I've just started the course! I had a horrible experience with my first birth, and the second was a vbac, but still very stressful so am really hoping this sorts out my head. I'm not scared of labour and know my bod can do it, but I find the hospital situation stressful and hate being told what to do, especially when I'm feeling basically incapacitated!

Hi

I had a hypnobirth 10 months ago. I can honestly say it was the most positive experience I have ever had. I felt amazing after the birth and was up and about after 2 hours. I felt no pain, and had an 8 hour labour. I got to 9cm dilated, just listening to music, and didnt realise i was as far dilated as I was.

I bought the book and cd and practiced the breathing techniques daily from just 32 weeks....I gave birth at 36 weeks. Im no hippy, or control freak either, just a normal gal!

I attended a course 2 weeks prior to the birth, but I wished I'd have done the course from around 20 weeks.

As long as you get your head around the "fear, tension, pain" cycle and practice the breathing techniques, I reckon you'll be fine.

Good luck!

Xxxxxxx

After a fairly traumatic first birth experience with our first son, we decided to give hypnobirthing a try for the birth of our second son. The positive difference that hypnobirthing made to the pregnancy, labour and the birth was simply astonishing. Hypnobirthing has had such a massively positive effect on our lives and now we want to spread the word with others. We had 2 amazingly passionate and inspirational hypnobirthing teachers who are both also midwives, so if you live anywhere in the North West region of the UK, make contact with Jane Ingleby or Emily Street. Their contact details are in the link below. Any questions - please just ask or leave a comment on our blog. Take a look here where we have written a blog post about our amazing hypnobirthing birth story greenlifediary.com/does-hypnobirthing-work/