Hypnobirthing

[fatfingeredfran]

Hi,

Interested to learn more about hypnobirthing but don't want to spend lots of money as not sure if it is for me. Can anyone recommend any good websites, apps, audiobooks, books or other resources? Free is preferable but would pay as long as it's not really expensive.

Thanks xx

Catherine Graves Colour and calmness
I'd definitely recommend hynobirthing!

Read juju sundin's birth skills book. I found hypnobirthing didn't get me though the more intense part of labour but that book was amazing.

I'd really recommend Marieongan's book. You should be able to pick it up cheap 2nd hand. It's a fabulous book.

Sorry that was meant to say Marie Mongan's book

I did the mindful mamas course and their book has a lot of good info, the course just goes over it in person really. They often have free audio files on their website and there is some good info on there too. It really worked for me, hope you find it does for you!

Your hospital may offer free hypnobirthing classes

I had an amazing experience that I think could be described as hypnobirthing. Had read an article online once describing what it was but apart from that didn't prepare in anyway. When the pain got too much and they weren't too keen with my request for an epidural I thought I could at least try it and see how it goes. What I did was very simple. I closed my eyes and completely focused on thinking about the area where the pain was and was trying to force that area to relax. I've never even done yoga or anything similar but I just concentrated as hard as I could on relaxing. It was so strange.. the pain halved!!! It was still there but it was bearable. I had to concentrate so hard though that I couldn't speak or move and it was exhausting. But amazing! And proves you don't necessarily need expensive courses and a lot of preparation. I think my position helped too. I was on my knees on the bed but facing the bed that was propped up so that I could lean my chest and head on it to rest. That way the gravity helps the baby to come out. I've had three children and this was my third one so it was quick anyway. But the pain was the same with all three and the third birth was the only one where I found a way to cope with it. Good luck! Giving birth is the most amazing, magical thing ever!!

Sophie Fletcher Mindful Hypnobirthing book, tracks and website. Highly recommended!

I second the Marie Mongan book and cd, both cheap on Amazon

I did a hypnobirthing course which was crap but read the Katherine Graves book, used her colour & calm audio on iTunes & Maggie Howell audio via iTunes. My birth was fantastic, Hypnobirthing helped me feel in control & I used the techniques to calm down...

From about 28 weeks I went to sleep with a relaxation recording every night. Good luck!

Thanks for all these recommendations - will check them out xx

Definitely NOT Marie Mongan and her woman hating claptrap.

I did an NHS course run by midwives at my local birthing centre. There was a cost - £200 for 2 Saturdays inclusive of all materials per couple. I found it useful not only for the birth but for learning relaxation and stress management tips for all areas of life so for me personally it was money well spent. I had a quick labour so didn't use many of the techniques in labour but I have used them in other stressful situations. I also did a mindfulness course whilst pregnant as the opportunity came up to do one for free and that was also really helpful, not only for labour but also for new motherhood. The headspace mindfulness app is good and I also bought a book. The hypnobirthing book we were given on the course was by Judith Flood. I couldn't engage with all of it but it did have some useful info within it.