Hypno-Birthing Books? Any recommendations?

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I'm interested in trying Hypno-Birthing but there aren't any classes local to me.

Has anyone used books/online courses/downloads that they would recommend?

Having a quick look on Amazon and there seems to be quite a few to pick from? So any real life sucess stories would be great.

I've already downloaded Juju Sundin's Birth Skills, but wanted to try Hypno-Birthing to compliment it.

Thanks All

I had Margaret Howell's hypnobirthing CD and book which I found very useful reading and listening with DD, although as I ended up with an EMCS so couldn't use much of the techniques!!

I still use the hypnobirthing CD 3 years later when I am having trouble sleeping as Margaret's voice is very soothing...

Not a recommendation as such, but do not buy the Mongan one.

Maggie Howell's Natal.Hypnotherapy book and downloads are the best in my opinion.

Maggie Howell's Natal Hypnotherapy book, downloads and classes are the best I have come across. They really helped me have a positive second birth after a pretty awful first one.

Sorry thought the first one had not posted!

Maggie Howells worked for me, managed without pain relief and heavily relied on the breathing techniques, it hurt but it the techniques helped me focus.

Used natal hypnotherapy CDs + book as well as birth skills. I think if you have birth skills you then the other book isn't essential, but found the CD excellent.

I've got the Maggie Howell one.

It's ok. There's a core of very sensible advice in there, I.e. Avoidance of fear/adrenaline reduction etc. breathing and what have you.

There's a fair amount of woo as well, which caused some eye rolling in our two-scientist household (mention of homeopathy for example.) that's a shame, because the basic premise is sound and it'd have been a much better book without all the pseudoscience.

There's also a bit of the 'women have been birthing safely in hollow baobab trees for millennia!' Type shit. (Yes, they did. And those with complications died horribly in agony, developed obstetric fistula or died of puerperal fever, but let's not let that get. In the way, eh?)

The Morgan book is a pile of very annoying woo. The Howell one is ok.

If I am lucky enough to have a straightforward birth, I think it'll be very useful. If I need an epidural/c section/intervention then it's not going to be much use.

It's another tool in your armoury really. Just try not to laugh at the vignettes about clary sage oil on your dressing gown or effortlessly breathing out the baby, and ignore the shit about homeopathy.

Depends.

I am an academic and do evidence based research for publications in peer reviewed journals. So, perhaps like skiptonlass treat evidence with caution.

I wouldn't laugh at either homeopathy or clary sage oil. The sense of doing something for oneself goes a long way psychologically.

My only personal experience is with essential oils. Lavender helps me sleep, clary sage generally helps me feel positive. Eucalyptus is nice to inhale with a stuffy nose.

I've always suffered from mind numbing period pain. Hypno methods helped where neurofen didn't get a look in. Lavender helped relax.

Yep, that's an anecdote.

Another vote for Natal Hypnotherapy 'Effective Birth Preparation'. For science types their website also has links to lots of clinical evidence about the use of hypnosis for birth. NH can help you which ever way your birth goes, but I have to say that if you can attend a course as a couple it will help so much more. There is some of information about history of childbirth and the fear surrounding it which is really interesting and useful.

I did Katharine Graves Hypnobirthing book and CD and preferred it to Maggie Howells as much shorter and simpler to follow for me personally. I also did yoga classes which helped a lot with the pratice, the classes were taught by a Hypnobirthing practicioner.