Hypnobirth or Doula

[AllBoxedUp]

Hello. I am 29 weeks pregnant and hoping for a VBAC. At my midwife's appointment this week she suggested I look into hypnobirthing as I am quite fixated with the idea of tearing (she actually wrote in my notes that I have tocophobia/fear of pushing and should get referred for CBT but she thinks the referral won't happen in time). She also suggested looking into a private midwife. To be honest I am a bit worried about spending lots of money and ending up having another ELCS (DS,3, was breech) as we are feeling a bit poor at the moment and trying to save money.

A trainee doula or a hypnobirth course are both about £250. Which would you go for and is it too late to do the hypnobirth course? I have been half heartedly been listening to a cd I bought on amazon but probably not often enough and the midwife didn't think this would be much use anyway.

I don't think I do have tocophobia to be honest - I think I am just been realistic that there is a good chance I will have a reasonably bad tear I don't know if it's such a bad thing to be prepared for the worst... Thanks for reading.

Doula and read hypnobirth book and listen to the cd (can get v cheap in eBay) - its what I did for ds2 and ds3 and had 2 swift straight forward births - hypnobirthing great to get you in the zone, doula will keep you there. Good luck.

I would say doula personally. I found hypnobirthing didn't really do much for me. I needed more 'active' coping techniques and support. But it's a very personal call.

I'd definitely go for doula and get the hypnobirthing book and CD.

I was very into hypnobirthing, listened to the CD etc etc but it did very little for me. Doula would have been much much more practical and useful.

Thanks everyone. I do know one person who had a great experience with hypnobirthing but she wasn't in a VBAC situation. Will investigate doulas a bit more.

I had a hypnobirth home VBAC . I also had a fabulous midwife who was with me throughout pregnancy - she did all my ante natal appointments, delivered my baby and all my post natal checks til 6 weeks. I think the doula is a fantastic idea, it made a massive difference to me IMO to have someone with me who knew me and whom I trusted. I did find hypnobirthing techniques very useful though, but the book and CD should be helpful enough if you choose to spend the money on a doula.

Completely agree with dinky

Why don't you try and get a doula who is trained to help you use hypnobirthing techniques? It might be an idea to also book an appointment to speak to a Supervisor of Midwives at your local hospital to carefully review your last labour and birth with you and make a plan for this one.

Perineal massage reduces the risk of tearing.