Another Hypnobirthing question - Does OH REALLY need to participate?

[AdiVic]

Hello - just seen another HB post on here, and all of the OPs replies are really encouraging. I'm due to be induced next week at 38+4, although ideally would love to go just before. 2nd pregnancy, have read the HB book (mongon method) and have a relaxation CD. I have a couple of questions...

1. Does my DH really need to participate, he has not read the book, and he won't have time to - will it work if he just is there, keeping quiet??

1. I have found the visualisation hard, but breathing exercises quite easy - will this hamper it's effectiveness?

1. I just want to get to hosp, have what i have to have then concentrate on my breathing and the CD - will this be enough?

Getting nervous I've not 'got into it' enough:(

Many thanks in advance x

My DH thought the whole thing was ridiculous so I did it on my own! He wouldn't have been able to do the affirmations seriously. All I did was read the book, attempt the visualisations and listened to the CD every day for the last couple of months and usually fell asleep.

Had absolutely wonderful birth. Was DC2 so maybe would have been easier anyway but still - would have done it again the same day I was crap at the visualisation too, but used the whole breathing thing to stay calm, which in my opinion is the most important thing. The breathing got tricky around transition stage but that didn't last long and then she nearly arrived in the hospital lift

Good luck!

I used natal hypnotherapy throughout my pregnancy. Unfortunately I found that during labour I blanked and couldn't remember or focus on anything I had learnt (I didn't have separate contractions, just continual pain caused by baby being back to back. This threw me off completely as it wasn't what I had mentally prepared myself for).

I wish now I had made dh learn some of it, so he could have talked me back through it, as it was I don't feel like it worked for me at all, if you can even just teach him some basic pointers or listen to the CD a few times rather than the full book I'd really suggest you try!

I guess it can be done, but I have to say I think OH is a crucial part. I did it on my own last time and it was good until about 4-5cms and then I really needed some additional support but dh hadn't done it. This time we have done the course and he reads scripts to me nightly. At the very least, I'd get him to do relaxation/light touch massage and maybe some key affirmations with you every night from now until you are induced and really ramp up your own practice. If you have no other dc I'd literally be doing it round the clock, wish I could do this!

I did natal hypnotherapy by myself

OH had never listened to the CDs
i forced him to read a few chapters of the book, which he finally got round to at about 38 weeks pg

he knew i was doing it, and didnt mind at all, but did not really want to participate..

I had the easiest most pain free home birth out of anyone i know.... it worked for me like magic, i didnt actually even know i was in proper labour

laboured (think it was the early stages) by myself in the pitch black quiet in my bedroom, midwife arrived (didnt want her to come, she just thought she should) i was 7cm, 20 mins later, having only just made it downstairs, but not into my pool (as the water was too hot) I was a mummy

Fantastic; and i attribute it to my natal hypnotherapy and my attitude that it wasnt going to be that bad... sure enough it wasnt, but it was way not as bad as i imagined it could be

i didnt expect to, or plan to give birth without any pain relief for a start!

It might work for you but do keep an open mind. I listened to the cd and I read the book but ended up having a much more medicalized experience in the end. I was induced and once they broke my waters and put me on the drip, no amount of relaxation and visualization would have been enough. But it did help with the earlier stages when I was relaxing in the bath on the ward. If I ever have another similar induction where I am stuck in bed on drip and monitor I will get the epidural. Doing relaxation and hypno stuff and pain relief are not mutually exclusive - you might find it helps even if you have some extras too.