experiences of natal hypnotherapy?

[PinkParsnips]

I've bought the cd and listened to it for the first time today (the Maggie Howell one).

I didnt think it was something I'd personally go for, but as the big day gets closer I'm thinking I'll try anything!

I just wondered what people's views were after the event on whether it helped or not? I've done a thread search and can see lots of people planning to try it but not much of people's thoughts afterwards on how it had actually helped...

I used it with all 3 of my births (uneventful, problem-free homebirths as it happened). Like you, I was willing to try anything!

It's difficult to say exactly how it helped - I was relaxed and calm throughout, I used the breathing techniques and images from the CD and just hearing the start of the music had a positive effect on my mind.

Of course, it's impossible to say how things may have differed had I not used the CDs, but for me, it gave me confidence that this was something I could actually do and could even be a positive experience. I think that's invaluable - particularly when expecting your first baby and seem to encounter so many negative stories about birth. HTH

I have the CDs as well and am also doing a hypnobirthing class that uses the Mongan method and it's great so far. If definitely recommend the Mongan book as it helps give you the science behind it all along with visualisations and exercises etc.

This is my first so don't know how the birth will go yet but I definitely feel calm about it which is what I'm hoping to carry through to birth.

Some of the tips we've been learning too involve making the environment you are in as ambient and calm as possible when giving birth - e.g. Dark and quiet, using aromatherapy in the works leading up to birth during relaxation so you can use it during birth as well to help you feel calmer etc. We've also been encouraged to learn about things like delayed cord clamping and whether to deliver the placenta naturally or with assistance etc which are things if never thought of before.

Sorry the last bit veers away from your hypnotherapy question, just thought they might be if interest too.

Good luck with the natal hypnotherapy. I have heard only positives from people who have used these techniques - even those who haven't had the "ideal" natural no intervention birth seem to be able to accept calmly any intervention needed and feel positive after the birth.

Marking place as like you OP I'm open to trying and interested in others experiences..

I listened to the birth centre/hospital CD during both my pregnancies and I found it very relaxing/calming. Was definitely helpful during first labour when waiting in hospital for delivery room to be found as I was in a general maternity waiting area so trying to keep calm/quiet (perhaps too calm - I think if I'd made more of a fuss they would have found me a room earlier).

Passed on CD to family/friends and they've all enjoyed it and said it helped with keeping calm and relaxed during labour.

I will keep you posted as I have been listening to the Maggie Howell one too. Am 38 weeks now, traumatic induction then emergency c section last time so am trying it to makes me feel more positive about the prospect of giving birth this time!

Mind you I keep falling asleep halfway through so have only actually heard the final section one or two times (although sure it has been going in subconsciously). I usually jolt awake with a start when she says 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 eyes open and wide awake. I am not sure that is quite the intended effect!

I wouldn't worry Geordie as if you are waking up at the end you aren't asleep, you're just in a "hypnotised" state and it's fine not to consciously hear it as it will be going into your subconscious mind and working its magic (or so the theory goes )

Oooh this is an amazing video of a hypnobirth too

Good point misskatamari

Have just ordered the Juju Sundin book so thanks for that recommendation! Hoping I don't go into labour before it arrives!

Ooooh thanks fuckwittery, I'd not heard of that book so will order it!

Your birth sounds lovely, and congratulations!

It's my first so am unsure whether to have a home birth or go with midwifery led unit. Need to do some research and see which one I feel more comfortable with. It does seem like a much more relaxing environment as I imagine hospital setting isn't the most calming!

Can't recommend it highly enough. I used it for DS1 and had no other pain relief at all. It doesn't take the pain away but it makes it manageable. It's a brilliant tool to have ready - if you end up having epidural or caesarian so be it, but having this mental tool gives you a weapon in the armoury. Be warned - on those hypnobirth videos, they may LOOK like they're asleep, but they are doing a LOT of mental work! Good luck :-)

I hypnobirthed this year after taking classes with my husband. He was fully supportive and read the books, listened to the CDs etc. My local hospital told me I was not allowed to hypnobirth as I was high risk. I changed hospitals to find a supportive midwife unit. I found a supportive hospital that supported my hypnobirthing this was important to me as I did not want to feel stressed by the midwives whilst I was vulnerable.

I gave birth in the pool, the labour was longer than is normally 'allowed'. used the doppler in the pool instead of continuous monitoring. Used gas and air at the end.

The hypnobirthing cd was enjoyable, baby would move as soon as I started the breathing exercises whilst I was pregnant which is nice to do if you haven't felt baby move for a while.

It wasn't pain free at all, but very calming and positive. I asked for the placenta to remain attached until it was delivered (means baby cannot be whisked away!!!) and fed straight away in the pool.

I genuinely believe I would have had to have a c section without hypnobirthing (my first child was c section). The hypnobirthing definitely increased my confidence.

I did the marie mongan course before my first child was born and practised every day with the cd's too. Had a water birth with no pain relief and it was all very very calm and relaxed. Concentrating on the breathing and listening to your body (which does know what to do) was amazing for me! would highly recommend and i am now pregnant again and looking forward to the next birth :-)
good luck!

I did my own hypno routine and found it really good at keeping me together and focused during a challenging labour.

I did a course in the Mongan Method of hypnobirthing with ds1 and had a lovely, calm, "textbook" homebirth. I never told my mw's that I had done the hypnobirthing course but they were so hands off and lovely anyway.

I never managed the full visualisation and "hypno" bit as back then I wasn't very good at unwinding my mind but the explanation of what my body would be doing, when and why (uterine contractions/surges, flowing of blood, hormones) etc.. took the mystery out of birth and gave me confidence that my body and my baby would know what it was doing. I used the breathing exercises to manage the "pain", and in the last 60-90 mins I had G&A due to high blood pressure (so it was that or transfer to hospital).

I listened to the rainbow sounds cd every night at bedtime and fell asleep to it, but sleep is the ultimate relaxed/hypno state! Anyway I put the cd on during labour, contracting every 2-3 minutes, and fell asleep for an hour so I was definitely conditioned to it! I still can't tell you what is on the cd beyond the intro music!

I definitely believe there is some truth in fear causes pain as i was managing perfectly fine until the mw turned up, i turned out to be further along than I thought and realised DH was not going to make the birth so I panicked a bit then but gave myself a mental talking to as panicking would only slow the birth down and got on with it

I am expecting dc2 now and will do a refresher course.

Anyone considering a homebirth - you can start at home and if you change your mind transfer to hospital WITH your midwife all the way if you don't like it at any point, but you can't go to hospital, change your mind and bring a mw home with you!

Oh and I only surrounded myself with positive birth stories - no watching OBEM or listening to my colleagues tell me how I cannot possibly give birth without an epidural and episiostimy (sp?)

My first birth was a traumatic, pushing for 3 hours, failed ventouse, kiebler forceps with no pain relief (not even a sniff of gas and air - absolutely awful to be refused pain relief, birth room looked like a sodding abbatoir (sp?) with blood everywhere, badly injured fanjo and that left me with PTSD and PNP.

My second birth was an early induction due to complications and once I was at the pushing stage I was terrified and ended up having a massive panic attack, but DD was out within a few pushes, however I did go into shock afterwards due to the speed of it all.

Decided to take control with my third birth. I hadnt planned to use Natal Hypnotherapy as pain relief - I planned to use it to keep me calm, focused and keep away any hysteria/panic that may creep up on me during the labour. I also looked at different labouring positions and other natural birthing aids. Surprisingly I did end up only needing minimal gas and air during examinations/having my hind waters broke and when I started pushing I was on all fours, completely clear headed, calm and focused. I had my iPod shuffle in my hand the whole time.

I put the iPod down once I started pushing and it was just amazing I remember DD2s birth so clearly and completely. If I ever have a 4th I will use it again.

I used it for my second birth and found it really good, up until the point where the midwives arrived (which was pretty late on) as then it was too distracting with people asking questions etc... to keep focused on it.

I also found it really useful to get to sleep too in the later months of pregnancy. I was nearly always asleep by the end of it, it really helped me to be distracted from restless legs!

I used hypnobirthing for my 40 hour labour - no pain relief (until he got stuck and ended in emergency c-section!) and can honestly say labour was a wonderful and empowering experience. and although there are elements that could be described as pain, a bit like strong period pains, the hynobirthing helps you breath through them and count them down and before you know it that contraction has finished.

I was at home when the midwife came to check me before I went into the stand alone midwife led unit we have here, and I was 6cm when she checked and was still smiling and chatting with lots of calm too listening to the music, my doula keeping me focused with hypnobirthing and a nice warm pack of cherry pips held on my lower back. (I spent the whole time sitting backwards over a dining room chair - you'll find the position that works best for you!)

Anyway, do give hypnobirthing a go - if you can get to a class, or even better have a doula who is trained in hypnobirthing - but if not use the cd, practise as much as possible and try to remember to use it on the day!

Oh and read Ina May's book, it will set you up feeling very positive!

I found it very useful. In fact, midwives didn't realise how far along I was over the phone when I called to see if I could go in because I sounded so calm! I didn't realise how far along I was! Would completely recommend!

It's so great to hear so many lovely birth stories

One thing they've told us to think about at our class is to have a good idea before hand of how you would like things to go before hand - as in what you want to happen if certain things arise and then get birth partner to deal with midwives etc as much as possible (ideally out of the room) so that you can remain focused on birth and remaining calm.

I didn't know this until recently but apparently some sure start centre run free hypnobirthing classes as well.

Am I the only person that this spectacularly didn't work for? :( I had a horrible birth despite much hypnobirthing preparation. Really feel like I failed to get it, somehow.

My first dc decided to be backwards and poo in her waters and have her heart rate slow down and get knotted up in her horrendous cord.

And be born looking well, dead. For a good few minutes.

However hypnobirthing can only do so much so I don't really think my account is fair. It really helped me on the lead up to the birth and early labor etc. My midwives were fantastic though and really tried to follow my birth plan as much as was possible with everything hitting the fan

My second dc I had in the states under very different circumstances with doctors who had no idea how long it took fr a baby to be delivered naturally... or about anything to do with having a baby naturally. SO I was being constantly hassled to take pitosin epidural and whatever they had going. I was held on my back, bright lights in the room basically the exact opposite of the first labor. And Ironically when ds did actually appear he just pop right out with only a few pushes.. He would have been an excellent hynobirth if I hadn't been harassed so much! And been allowed to labor as I wanted to :(

Anyway, my point is it can't hurt to do t... It can definitely help with early labor etc. And being in the right mindset for labor during pregnancy.

Don't get too frilly with the birth plan as you'll get those looks from the midwife though...