Hypnobirthing - learning from an audio book?

[Ruththetooth]

I had a pretty horrible birth experience the first time so was considering trying hypnobirthing this time. I've looked at classes but I'm put off by the cost plus finding the time to go to the classes and the childcare that we'd have to arrange for DS. As a result I've been looking at resources that can be used at home. Has anyone tried the 'Effective Birth Preparation' audio book by Maggie Howell? Was it any good?

I got the Maggie Howell CD (like this one www.amazon.co.uk/Effective-Birth-Preparation-Hospital-Centre/dp/1905220502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365520662&sr=8-1&keywords=effective+birth+preparation) - it is not so much an audiobook but a self-hypnosis CD as like you I wanted to try it but was put off by the cost of the classes. For me it worked brilliantly, I listened to the CD daily from about 36 weeks and it made me so relaxed and confident when it came to the birth. I still use some of the relaxation techniques now for other things. Well worth the £10 or so, and if you find its not for you then pass it on to somebody else or resell on Ebay.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll give it a go.

I had the Maggie Howell CD and her book too. I was attached to the syntocin drip for 30 hours and it honestly felt more like 3. I felt amazingly calm and relaxed.

Following this with interest as I'm in the same situation as you, OP. I have the cd but haven't started listening to it in earnest yet... better crack on - I'm 35 weeks now!

I've read the book & heard the CD twice. I also re-sold the CD and it went pretty quick on Amazon.

The book was great - it really boosted my confidence and I'm going to read it again at 36 weeks. I have listened to the CD twice (I've put the tracks on my phone), it is so soothing, but need to start listening to it more regularly. I also considered the classes but it was too expensive!

I wonder if anyone listened to the track when they were actually in labour?

You don't need to. Listen to it every other day, do the visualising exercises etc and you will be fine. I found it brilliant.

ButteryJam - There is another cd designed to be played during labour (here). I haven't heard it myself, but I imagine it reiterates the key words and phrases on the birth preparation cd.

Is anyone getting their partners to listen to it too?

I listened while in labour- specifically in the hour long car journey to the hospital in fairly end stage labour (delivered on arrival). It was fantastic. Highly recommended.

I hadn't even heard of Maggie Howell or a hypnobirthing book. Definitely going to look it up now, thanks!

Oh I've just bought the cd & book, waiting patiently on its arrival! Am a big fan of this type of thing do fingers crossed it works. Spurred on by all the positive posts :)

I used the Maggie Howell cd while pregnant with dc2. Only started it at around 36/7 weeks and listened every day.

Loved it! I am crap at napping but it sent me to sleep every time. Somehow the messages still went in, and I learned some excellent pain management techniques for labour.

DC2's birth was 4.5 hrs start to finish, easy and beautiful, with just a few puffs of gas and air during second stage. Afterwards I felt great, not even that tired.

(That sounds smug, didn't mean it to- just illustrating that I'm sure the cd helped. Dc1's birth by contrast was 16 hrs long, slightly complicated, hard work and I felt like death afterwards!)

okthen - this is what I want to hear! Not smug at all.

I bought a set of 4 CDs on eBay for £20 and sold them afterwards for the same amount so cost me nothing. I would definitely recommend it, kept me calm almost to the end (a tiny bit of shouting is allowed during crowning right?)

I can't recommend it highly enough. You are supposed to listen to the CD 20 times I think - I did about half that, and not at all during the last month because I became all sceptical and thought I'm going to need more than a few calming words, thank you very much. But in fact, it was all I used during the birth and my husband thought I was asleep while I progressed from 2-6cms in the space of 2 hours! I should say that although it looks like you're asleep to others, in fact you are working really hard mentally. But the techniques really were dramatically effective for me. 10 hour labour with induction, no painkillers at all. Do try it - at the very least it gives you another weapon in your armoury.

I read the book, didn't get the CDs. I found it really helpful. I didn't do visualisations or self hypnosis exactly, but used lots of counting and pacing and breathing, and 'relaxing into the pain' if that makes any sense, to get through contractions.

Absolutely recommend the CD to fall asleep to every night. Gave us the most beautiful birthing experience.

I've never used it myself, but as a student midwife I witnessed a hypnonirth recently and it was amazing. The lady was being induced, it was a long labour but she coped so well and was so calm and she was amazing. Seems like it works to me