Hypnobirthing (again)

[sprite25]

Hi all, I know alot of people have posted about this already but I cant find any of them now. I'm planning on a water home birth for my 1st baby using hypnobirthing for relaxation and pain relief but was just wondering if anyone had used just the book and CD's to achieve a successful hypnobirthing experience? I know nothing in childbirth is a certainty but really have my heart set on using this and for my husband to play an active part in the labour and birth but the nearest classes to us are about 2 hours away which wont fit in/around us both working and are also out of our price range. If it can be done by just reading the book and listening to the CD's then great, but alot of what I've read says that you have to go to the classes for it to be really effective? Also at what stage in pregnancy are you meant to start reading the book etc. or does it not really matter?

Read the book as soon as you can, stick affirmations up around the house and listen to the CD loads. Get your partner to read the book as well so he understands too. I did the classes and can't rate them highly enough. It is completely possible to do without but in both cases the key is practice and (I think) having your partner on board as well. Good luck :)

I bought th cd and listened to it at night but not religiously. The key is to ram it down your own throat as often as possible I think. I didn't so it was a waste of time for me.

Hi - I found the book and cd really helpful as I was afraid of childbirth - the approach helps you with that - also it explains how to breath to stretch your belly out at the start (to pull cervix over babies head like a polo neck) - rather than being afraid etc - this was helpful too. I stayed on my feet and mopped all the floors! With hypnobirthing - but more importantly with a TENS whacked on too as soon as the period type pains started I got to 8cm. At which point G&A and the pool helped. At that point I just wouldn't have been able to manage with just breathing or visualisation. G&A is truly amazing. So I guess I'm trying to say I think it's a really good approach but have a few diff ones ready. I found the TENS, G&A and pool invaluable too. Childbirth is not easy but you get thru it - you will amaze yourself how your body will just know what to do - and as soon as you see your lovely baby you really do think 'oh I could do it again'. Good luck xxx