Hypnobirthing - can you learn it from books?

[Minty6789]

For my first birth I had an epidural before active labour started, I was induced on the drip because my waters had gone a couple of days before, and I'd been sick for three days so was knackered and couldn't face the pain.

I'm worried about a future birth because i haven't dealt with the pain side, other than a bit at the end because the epi had worn off. I've heard that hypnobirthing can work for some people, I've got a bit of time at the moment so wondered if anyone's learned it from a book and whether it worked that way? Are there any books you'd recommend? I might take a class when I'm actually pregnant, but last time a load of stuff happened near the end so I didn't have time, I was hoping for a head start but don't want to waste my time. TIA.

I did! I did. Natalhypnosis with both my births. They were painful but manageable births and the second was very quick.

I didn't go to any classes (couldn't afford them/DH couldn't make them) but read and reread the book, did the exercises all about letting go of doubts and stuff and I practised the hypnosis in the bath 3-5 times a week for dd1 and maybe 1-2 times a week for dd2.

Yes! Katherine Graves' book and CD are fab. No need for classes.

Yes I used the Maggie Howell book and CD. Worked great for me :)

Yes I used Katharine Graves book and cd from 35 weeks

Brilliant, thanks. Great to hear such positive stories. How often do you listen to the CDs?

I only read the Marie Mongan book (ignoring all the guff about women birthing in fields with no problem etc), and listened to the CD every night from about 30 weeks, just before I went to sleep.

I found the science behind hypnobirthing made more sense to me but I didn't use any of the "white glove" techniques. During labor I didn't listen to the CD at all, just labored in the ensuite bathroom in the hospital, mooed like a cow, visualised myself blowing up a huge blue balloon with every contraction which then floated away, and basically willed myself to relax even more with every one.

I found it hugely helpful, the visualisation especially. I was lucky that DS1 was a text book labor, waters broke just after 11am, contractions started shortly afterwards, I was 6cm when I arrived at hospital at midday and baby arrived at 4pm.

I used the Maggie Howell CD and book. Just read the parts of the book that interested me but listened to the CD every day from about 35 weeks (gave birth at 38+4) I found it so useful that I gave birth without any pain relief at all. I made sure that it was in my notes I was using natal hypnotherapy and my midwife was aware when I got to hospital so she had minimal input apart from quickly checking baby's heartbeat every now and then. I managed well at home and was fully dilated when I got to hospital at 9am. My waters broke at 5am and baby was born by 12.30pm with me standing up! I must say my labour was textbook/good position etc but I really feel that the hypobirthing techniques helped me to cope and feel relaxed. So much so that I can honestly say I enjoyed my labour. It didn't stop the pain (and still ended up with a 2nd degree tear) but it enabled me to cope. I didn't listen to the CD during labour but did repeat the affirmations in my head and focused on my breathing.

I listened to the CD every night from 35 weeks, usually slept through it, but apparently that's ok. I didn't use the CD during labour, but used the breathing techniques and affirmations. Also a text book labour, contractions started at 2am and DD arrived at 7.17am.

Hi, if you can get to classes they are definitely beneficial but you can absolutely self teach. I would recommend Katherine Graves (I'm a bit biased as this is the method I teach!) Practice is important and surrounding yourself with positivity- watch lots of Hypnobirthing births and read lots of positive birth stories x

Another one here for Maggie Howell's book from 20 weeks pregnant. Helped relax me tremendously after a traumatic first birth. 2nd birth I felt in control relaxed and it didn't actually hurt that much either!

Sounds great! Does anyone know if you can download it? Don't have a CD player anywhere in the house, everything is digital (thanks hubby!) having the same issue with Yoga dvds - no flipping DVD player!

Katherine graves have an MP3 of all the tracks and a downloadable version of the book x

Thanks so much for replying. I'm definitely going to give it a go. I don't think things could have been different with DC1, but I think waters going then labour not starting is relatively unusual. I've ordered a couple of the books to read now, then I'll get stuck in properly when DC2 is on the way, if that's what the universe has planned for me of course

I did Hypnobabies - it's a 5 week course (5 weeks minimum, then you have a maintenance programme) of 6 CDS and a workbook. Ridiculously Californian but worked fantastically once I'd got over it! Includes a lot of info about physiologically what is happening and how to visualise it, exercises for birth, diet and loads of things for your birth partner to do, from helping you into deep hypnosis to advocating for you.

Worked incredibly well for me, would definitely recommend !

I also used the Maggie Howell book and CD and they worked for me. I didn't conciously use the techniques durngg either of my actual labours (as in, I didn't put the tracks on or have a script/affirmations, etc) but I read the book and listened throughout my pregnancies.

I was definitely very calm. The midwives commented on this both times (second time round they were prepared for how calm I'd be and actually believed me about just how in labour I was!).

This is all good to hear, I'm currently working my way through the Maggie Howell book and CD ahead of my first baby! Only really managing to fit the CD in about once a week at the moment though, news to try and up that. I like the suggestion of listening to it in the bath!