Does Hypnobirthing actually work??

[Luxmum]

Hello,
I've a VBAC planned for mid September, and wondered if it was of any use or just a waste of money? Some of the web sites sound sooo flakey, but I'd like to try something which will help me relax and approach this VBAC in a fairly calm manner..? So, has anyone used it, or did you forget all about visualising tropical islands when it actually came to pushing?

It was great for me. I used the Natal Hypnotherapy cd for a Hospital Birth, but there is one especially for VBAC (as well as others for lots of different circumstances).

Listening to the cd kept me very relaxed throughout my pregnancy, and my worries gradually disappeared as I felt in control. It often made me fall asleep as it's sooo relaxing, (which isn't what is intended, but was good for me as I was quite insomniac when I was pregnant!)

The birth was a bit complicated by my daughter being face first and back to back, but although I could feel the pain of contractions I felt very calm and able to handle it all. One midwife even thought I'd had an epidural, as she'd never seen anyone so calm without one.

I would definitely recommend using this cd, and no, the visualisations don't go out the window when you start pushing, as you will have been listening to the cd for long enough that your brain knows what to do.

I did the Mangan method HB for my two births. For the first birth, I did the course and practised a lot but I also had a huge amount of sceptism until the birth. I would describe myself as an anxious personality. Once in labour I was so calm it was unbelievable (even to me!). I had a lovely water birth as a result and I didn't really even feel ready for hospital till DH insisted on it. When I arrived the midwives didn't think I was in labour as I was so calm, I was 6cms on examination and gave birth six hours later after a little gas and air for last hour or so. Second birth did HB again and had a very fast and relaxed birth. In summary, like everything you get what you put in but I just listened to the CD every day (not hard when you are on mat leave) and practised the breathing techniques. My DH was supposed to do a lot (reading the scripts etc) but he wasnt really into it but was very supportive and as a result I have lovely memories of my two births which is worth a lot. Like I say from a confirmed worrier I think that says a lot. I would (and do!) recommend this to everyone.

Great to hear all these positive experiences. I've got the NatalHypno CDs. I fall asleep without fail at ten minutes in and don't wake up until about 10mins after the CD is finished (usually because I'm dribbling down my chin). For it to be so clockwork like that, I reckon something must be working. I certainly think that I am calmer about the whole thing - which for an over anxious control freak is saying something!!! For instance, other people's horror stories don't seem to be bothering me as much as they used to. Still... ask me again in a month's time what I thought after our LO has arrived.

Another successful hypnobirth here, even managed it with a synto drip to speed things up.

I didn't do it as such as I didn't go to classes or listen to tapes and didn't get very far through the book (due to going inot labour) but what i did read went in and i feel it made a difference. In fact midwives asst/student (?) asked how many children i'd already got as i was so calm and inot it. I found that going inwards and focusing meant I actaully 'lost' periods of time as it were

Am defo going to do it properly if i have another.

I used the Mongan method. Yes it can work. Yes I did have a pain free labour.

The hypnobirthing course I did, which I think is the main one, has a very annoying CD with an American woman going "You are filled with the colour ORANGE." It makes it hard to take seriously/concentrate. They also try to support the theory with some v. dubious logic eg, "People who worry about money a lot often have financial problems. Whereas people who don't worry about money seldom have financial problems. Therefore, if you don't worry about pain, you won't have any!" I did find some of the breathing exercises quite useful.

I think the natal hypnotism CD that people talk about on here sounds better and I would do that instead, next time.

I do know one person who did hypnobirthing and claims to have given birth in 45 minutes with no pain (1st baby, enormous). But she also lost all her baby weight within 3 weeks so she is basically a robot.

I used the natal hypnotherapy dcs and found them relaxing, but what really helped me during labour was the techniques in 'Birth Skills' by Juju Sundin. I always felt completely in control and able to handle the pain. I found her pain management techniques a lot more realistic and practical than hypno birthing. I am slightly bitter though that no-one believed me I was in active labour so I didn't get admitted until transition - even with the techniques I'd have welcomed some g and a before then!

I got the Mongan book and it was very helpful - I was very chilled even when stuck in traffic on way to hospital, and a day later when more medicalised stuff was needed.
It didn't work so well on next birth as breathing exercises and a really bad cold don't mix! Luckily I got g+a pretty quickly and it was all ok.

It worked for me with DC1. I felt calm, in control, and delivered him with no pain relief after an 11 hour labour. It wasn't pain free but it was very manageable. The contractions started gently and I was able to labour at home for quite a while.

DC2 was a different story. Contractions started when my waters broke, and were coming fast, one on top of another. I couldn't get a minute to catch my breath and focus on the techniques I'd learned. It was absolute agony, but short; 1 3/4 hrs from waters breaking to birth.

The hypnobirthing techniques I've learned have been great in a few situations. From falling asleep at night to preparing for a big presentation at work, I think they're really useful.