Hypnobirthing - Is it worth it? Does it cover everything?

[User24689]

Hello everyone!

Just after some help from those that have done hypnobirthing previously. A friend of mine found it really helpful and I have been looking into giving it a go – found a local place that does a course over 2 Sundays, or does 10 weeks of weekly classes. The 2 Sundays appeals to me and to DH who is a bit wary of hypnobirthing (he is concerned it will be very hippy and will involve chanting and ringing bells but he’s going with it, for me ) and thinks it will be better to get it done quickly!

Can you imagine doing the course over 2 days?

Also – I’ve got details of my hospital antenatal classes and a number to ring to book them – this is the equivalent of the NCT classes (I’m in Oz). I wasn’t sure whether I should do both. The hypnobirthing lady said that I can do both if I want and that the difference is mainly that the public hospital classes tend to have more focus on the various interventions I may be offered and prepares you for the ‘what can go wrongs’ of labour, whereas the hypnobirthing prepares you for a natural delivery without a focus on interventions.

I guess my concern is… what if it DOES 'go wrong'?! Would it be a problem if I missed all the stuff on interventions, or could I just do my own reading about that stuff?

Has anyone done hypnobirthing and felt it didn’t help them or didn’t prepare them for labour? I have only read glowing testimonials and spoken to people who have first-hand experience of it helping them, so I feel like it would be a good thing to do but on the other hand, it’s expensive, and if it’s that good an approach, why don’t the hospitals advocate it themselves?

Any thoughts would be most welcome!

Most people I know (all UK) dabbled in Hypnobirthing, usually through buying a book or CD, don't know anyone who went on a course, but all found it useful to some extent with their labours.
I read a book, and I used the visualisations and breathing techniques in the early stages of labour, and I certainly found that they helped to keep me calm, focused, and relatively pain free. Once in was in established labour though (4cm+) I needed a little more!
I had a water birth was liberal gas & air and I can definitely recommend water as a great pain relief tool and the gas & air wasn't half bad either
Personally I would expect that just the Hypnobirthing course won't adequately prepare you - I think it's important to know what interventions can take place and look at their relative benefits so that you have an stance that you're comfortable with, eg. Yes or no to morphine-based drugs? Episiotomy? C-section? Etc
Plus yes, I'm kinda with your DH - it's a lot of hippy dippy and my patience only goes so far...

I did the course over two or three Sunday's. I did it because I'd had a difficult birth DC1 and was anxious when pregnant with DC2. I listened to the CDs religiously every night. I think you do get more from it by doing the course rather than just the book/cd although it is expensive.
I had a much, much easier birth second time round, without any of the problems or interventions my consultant was expecting. I used as many techniques as I could remember at the time and was much less anxious about the whole thing. I didn't do any other classes but that was because I'd done the Nhs antenatal first time round. If it's your first I'd do both.

The thing I liked best about hypnobirthing was that I felt the techniques prepared me to stay calm and retain control in the face of all outcomes, whether the birth was natural or not. The techniques are helpful whatever happens, I'd say! Our teacher was very positive about natural birth but realistic enough to realise not everyone has one, for whatever reason. That outlook might vary depending on the course and teacher but I've no doubt the techniques could be used for lots of very different births (and not just for birth too - I've found them useful in all sorts of situations since!)

I would do both if possible. I couldn't afford the hypnobirthing classes. I found amazing Downloads on natal therapy, less hippy than hypno for want of a better word.

The skills from both were invaluable.

Can anyone recommend any apps or reading please? I do want to feel generally calmer!

Maggie howell

If you search her in iTunes you will find lots of her stuff

I would suggest absolutely doing a hospital one too if you go for it. I did a hypnobirthing course and really wanted a very natural birth. In the end I had a truly traumatic time of it and the hypnobirthing was of no use whatsoever. In hindsight I feel all it did was raise my expectations of how lovely it all could be when the reality was very different. A year on I still mourn for that birth I felt I'd been sold! For those lucky enough to have a straight forward birth I imagine it is truly lovely but if you go down the hypno route I really think do a normal course too to keep you a bit grounded!!

Thank you so much for all your responses, they have helped me a lot. Babybear that was exactly what I was worrying about with the hypnobirthing tbh because obviously it can't be a positive experience for everyone for reasons completely out of their control. Sorry you had a hard time.

I have decided to book the hospital classes as they will cover that stuff but also be a good way to meet other mums in my area because i don't really have any friends who are having babies or have very young children.

I think I'll do the sunday hypnobirthing classes too for a different perspective!

Thanks again :)

I am 34 weeks pregnant and did a one-off hypnobirthing class about 3 weeks ago wiht my partner which I found very useful. We were then given some downloads and relaxation / breathing exercises to be practising every day. Also affirmations to recite to yourself every day, visualising a smooth easy birth.
I have since bought Marie Mongan's 'Hypnobirthing' book which has loads of extra exercises in it, and have downloaded Maggie Howell's hypnobirthing tracks on itunes. I am hopeful that by practising these things most days will lead to an easier birth - here's hoping anyway! :)