Hypnobirthing - both sides of the story

[Libra1975]

Morning all, I am considering taking a hypnobirthing course, I have heard many good things about hypnobirthing but I would be interested in hearing stories from people who tried to use it but it didn't work for them and why they think it didn't work for them.

Thanks.

Suzi2 / anyone Quick question - I'm 37.5 weeks so poss not long to go as DD2 was early. Is it too late for me to try one of those natal hypnotherapy CDs?

I did my course at 38 weeks - I would say you will get some benefit - but it may not leave enough time to do the practice. As I mentioned earlier it helped my frame of mind leading up to the birth and in the car - but I could not relax enough at the hospital.

I did my course at 38 weeks - I would say you will get some benefit - but it may not leave enough time to do the practice. As I mentioned earlier it helped my frame of mind leading up to the birth and in the car - but I could not relax enough at the hospital.

Thanks - I'll have a look into it then - sooner rather than later I guess

Libra if you can't afford the sessions privately find out if your hypnobirthing practitioner is a hypnotherapist as well. She may be able to do standard hypnosis for birth. It is useful to have at least a couple of 121 sessions to learn the breathing, fear release and self-hypnosis techniques.

I have several different approaches, Mongan isn't the only hb method although many people think it is and different women suit different techniques. I work with people depending on their budget and their time and recommend a suitable approach. I'll teach HB the Mogan Method as a group for those who want it but try and teach people about other approaches. Mongan isn't for everyone, and there are other methods which deal with conscious birth more effectively.

To find a therapist that is properly qualified go the website for National Council for Hypnotherapy and search under childbirth. I'm happy to answer questions as well if you want to send me an email, I've helped a few mumsnetters out in the past!

Good luck...

i didn't do a hypnobirthing course but read the Marie Mongan book and listened to the CDs. I certainly felt pain, but I told the midwife to leave me alone and I definitely went into a 'zone'. I breathed the baby out and the whole thing took 2.5 hours start to finish. I can honestly say that I loved the birth. I've never felt quite as in tune with my body before or since.

Opps just seen this was updated again.

Ordinarymum thanks for your advice we have managed to get on a group course (which is actually just 2 couples) starting tomorrow night and am very excited about it.

J&J glad you had a good exeperience.

That's great news libra. Have fun - you will be amazed!

I recommend this video on youtube? Homebirth in Britain - it comes in 3 parts following a couple who have a home water birth assisted with hypnobirthing.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=homebirth+in+britain&search_type=

it's very inspiring, the actual birth in part 3 looks so calm and beautiful -quite the opposite of usual depictions in film and tv.

incidentally has anyone had any experience of self-studied hypnobirthing and has anyone used hypnobirthing in a hospital birth setting..?

Oh what good timing - I had my baby on Monday

I managed to labour for 10 hours at home with hypnobirthing and paracetamol and got to 8cm, went to hospital and then it all went a bit wrong as a footling breech presentation meant an emcs. HOWEVER at home the hypnobirthing was great. The bits that worked for me were the breathing and the visulisation, the bits that didn't work for me were the actual relaxation scripts and the "hypnosis". I would say to anyone thinking about it go for it.

In fact I can't rate the way they teach you to breath during the surges highly enough.

Had my first baby 2wks ago in a pool in hospital. used hypnobirthing techniques after a 4 sessions with a teacher. Had the most amazing birth- was very quick, no pain relief needed, no tearing and really allowed the 'moment' and my body to take over. It couldn't have gone better. Like Libra says the breathing techniques really helped through the contractions but I think the main benefit is that it takes away the fear.
I'll never know for sure if I was just lucky or if the hypnobirthing techniques worked but I'm sure that it definately contributed.

I can't really say that I used it as I only read a few pages of the book mind you this was due to discovering it very late in my labour!

I would say that even this small amount helped me as it reminded me that this si what your body is designed for - which I think we forget and that it is perfectly normal and not somethig to fear.

I think I coped better as a result - but then I did have quite bad expectations, I would also say it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would!!

Sorry only read the OP and not the replies. I know you wanted "bad" outcomes but I thought it would be worth piping up with my "good" one.

I used hypno for my first and had a virtually pain free labour. The worst I felt was 4 contractions - my body was telling me to push but for some reason I tried not too! DON'T ARGUE WITH YOUR BODY ABOUT THIS!

Anyway, from start to finish my labour was 48 hours or so, so 4 painful contractions were just fine. No pain at all during the pushing phase (which only lasted about 20 mins).

You do have to REALLY BELIEVE that it is going to work, really really truly know that it is going to work. My hypnobirthing practitioner had a saying which was: "What the mind believes the body achieves". For me this was absolutely spot on.

I will be using it again for my second baby without a doubt.

I loved my hypnobirthing classes! My DH and I did a a month of Saturdays for 3 hours at a time and I think that they helped enormously. I had pre-eclampsia and got admitted to hospital for it. When the blood pressure was under control, I was released from hospital and my waters broke a day later. I was asked to go back to the hospital for them to check that all was okay. My BP was a little high when I got there and we used HB techniques to lower it. It went from 94 to 85 within half an hour of my husband putting me under and I was allowed to go back home - yay!

During labour, my husband used the techniques again and on occasion I did kind of lose myself and totally relax into it. It was a wonderful course that really helped me to relax about birth etc.