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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Hypnotherapy for birth preparation...

25 replies

Astarte · 30/01/2009 12:27

has anyone tried the cd's and had success?

I'm listening to the home birth Natal-hypno one by Maggie Howell and I do find it relaxing.

I was just wondering if anyone was able to actually apply the techniques during labour and birth?

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MKG · 30/01/2009 12:40

I did hypnobirthing and had fab births.

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 12:46

Did you automatically use the techniques or make a kind of conscious effort to relax/breathe, that kind of thing?

I love the idea that it can be enough pain relief in itself, or am I being too optimistic?

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georgiemum · 30/01/2009 12:49

I did the HB thing (Marie Mongan method) and ended up teaching as I was so impressed (and i am a complete wuss when it comes to pain!).

If you do HB you learn all the breathing and relaxation methods and you also get a 'crib list' for your birth partner which says what you do at each stage. It is very simple and easy to follow.

HypnoBirth is not the same as using hyponosis (I teach both)

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 12:51

what am I listening to then? is it not the same thing?

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PeasForTeaAgain · 30/01/2009 12:52

Hi there

I did Maggie Howell's CDs and also went to a hypnotherapist. Home birth, 4 hours, no drugs... It's so good I wish more women would do it. They look at me like I am crazy when I tell them to do it. It's science, that's what people can't understand. It's proven that if you tell you mind to do something and it will do it... in China they have done open heart surgery just under hypnosis. Good luck with it and well done to you!

MKG · 30/01/2009 12:55

It's hard to explain. With ds1 it was all very unconscious. I brought some of my favorite music (I couldn't stand the waves crashing, bird chirping they have) and just zoned out. I slept through most of the 2.5 hour pushing phase. My dh tells me I would wake up push a little, and go back out again. I was only really aware for about the alst 15 minutes.

Ds2 was a little different. His heartrate was dropping (and it's annoying when the nurse is announcing that as your pushing) so I just picked a spot on the wall and stayed with it. So I made more of an effort to concentrate and breathe well.

Don't go in thinking you won't feel pain. You will. It just helped me manage the pain really well. The best way to describe it is, is taking your mind out of it, and letting your body do what it needs to do.

That's probably the best lesson. Your body knows how to function, so let your mind get out of it's way.

PeasForTeaAgain · 30/01/2009 12:57

Agree with MKG although I have read of women who have been so focused they have had no pain at all...

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 12:58

Ooh I'm reassured then

I've got the homebirth one for this HWB because my dc3's birth was only 2 and a bit hours long from first contraction to birth and the m/w's warned me that this one could be faster still, eek!

I started to look at what I could do to help manage the process, if it was faster, as I found my last birth rather fast and shocking and didn't really get a chance to catch up and 'cope' IYSWIM.

I saw a lot of reviews of the MH cd's on homebirth.org and thought it was worth a try in case I'm on my own. I don't want to panic.

Whilst listening to the cd's I do feel very relaxed and calm but wondered if it will click when i go into labour or whether I'll have to kind of 'think' about it. Does that make any sense?

OP posts:

georgiemum · 30/01/2009 12:59

Dentists use it a lot too. It is quite funny when I go and they start trying out their techniques on me!

HypnoBirth uses hypnosis and other relaxation techniques. It is also a birth education course, so you learn about the biology of birth, healthy eating, exercise...

Use whatever works for you. It is not magic - there have been a lot of study around using hypnosis for medical procedures (one man recently had an operation on his hand using only hypnosis - see the BBC website). My tutor had root canal work done with no anaesthetic at all (she said she focussed on how much money she'd make from referrals and forgot about the pain).

Good luck!

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 13:00

Thanks, sorry I'm so slow at typing.

I find the water very soothing and had G&A for the last bit really. Do you actively push or focus on opening and breathing the baby out?

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georgiemum · 30/01/2009 13:05

When you get to the birth itself you focus on breathing the baby out - it is very gentle and you only use the birth breathing when there is a surge (contraction). Usually is takes only a few breaths and the baby pops out. It is very instinctive and the birth itself is not the 'worst' or most uncomfortable part of the birth anyway.

PeasForTeaAgain · 30/01/2009 13:10

I wish i had done it for my first. I did it for dd3 and spent the whole short time stressed out thinking that "if it doesn't work then this will really hurt again" So it is a wonder it did work so well, given how stressed I was about the birth!!. Especially as I had been fine about it until the midwife said "Oh these 3rd births are often long and much harder than the others". Good job I DID have hypnosis!! Shorter & easier and I credit both the CDs and the hypnotherapist. You don't panic in the birth, it just has been working on your brain for months and you just are much calmer in the birth as Astarte says.

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 13:12

Excellent ladies, just what I was hoping to hear.

Will let you know how I get on, I'm due in 10 days or so

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MKG · 30/01/2009 13:15

The pushing part is much more instinctive (or at least it was in my case) I was induced so was hooked up to a drip and monitors etc. I just layed on my left side, I would wake up, say I'm going to push now, and go back out. No one said a word, no one did the annoying counting. I just would do three or four little pushes and that was it.

IMO there is no right or wrong way to do it as long as you follow what feels right for you.

I also did the Mongan method and dh practiced the gentle touch massage and scripts with me, when I came down to it. I didn't want to be talked to or touched. So tailor what your doing to fit your personality. I personally find waves and crickets annoying to listen to and not relaxing at all. So I picked classic rock from the '70s to listen to during labor. Tailor whatever you're learning to fit your personality.

georgiemum · 30/01/2009 13:22

I listened to Radio 4 throughout and kept sending DH off to get me cups of tea (I was fed up looking at him trying to be helpful!).

Original poster

Astarte · 30/01/2009 13:26

Does it have an effect on the baby at all?

I've found that with my last 2 HWB's the boys were born very quiet and alert, no crying at all. They're pretty chilled out little boys too.
My Dd, who was my first was born after a protracted hospital birth with lots of unwanted intervention and can be rather highly-strung.

I wonder if it has a calming effect on the baby too.

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georgiemum · 30/01/2009 13:31

There is a theory that a mum who is chilled out during pregnancy and childbirth helps the baby to be quite chilled too. My son was called 'Mr Laid Back' on the ward. HB babies are supposed to be good sleepers too.

The HB Institute is doing research on this.

TaurielTest · 30/01/2009 13:40

I listened to the Howell CD a dozen or so times, in a sceptical "can't hurt" sort of way. usually dozed off towards the end.
I then had a great birth experience (water birth in birth centre) and never felt too fearful or overwhelmed by pain or panic - which I really thought I would be. Who knows whether the two facts are related - worth trying though.

Original poster

Astarte · 01/02/2009 14:41

Just wanted to add that I think it may be already having some effect as I've had loads of BH and previously I would be itchy-footed, pacing, thinking "this is it".

I've had false alarms in previous pg's where i've called the m/w's out, but this time around I'm not panicking at all.

I'm just using the relaxation techniques and staying very calm about the whole process, which does feel a little odd I admit.
I had a bit of an emotional wobble a couple of days ago but it wasn't to do with me or the birth really, but another issue which is resolved.

The other possible effect is despite being offered a sweep at 39 weeks, I'm very calm about waiting for her to turn up in her own time.
Before, I'd have been demented, trying every home remedy known to man to try and induce labour, in fact I was looking at methods of natural induction at 36 weeks just before the cd arrived!

Will keep you updated if you like

OP posts:

HeftyMutha · 01/02/2009 18:28

I'm 34 weeks and have listened to the Maggie Howell CD a couple of times. It's nice and relaxing, and I hope I'll be able to apply the relaxation techniques when the time comes. I'm certainly feeling quite calm about my forthcoming childbirth experience at the moment.

Will also keep you updated, if you like

KateQPR · 02/02/2009 11:04

I am the same....been listening to the Preparation for Birth CD for a few weeks now, and definitely feel a lot more relaxed and positive about the idea of the birth. I had wondered if it was working, but it was only when i went to my first ante natal class last week and met other women at my stage (35 weeks) i realised how relaxed i felt and positive in comparison.

I do wonder if i'm doing it right - i never actually feel hypnotised - just very relaxed. In fact i tend to fall asleep (hmm)

MrsMattie · 02/02/2009 11:07

I had the Maggie Howell VBAC one. In the end I had a c-section, but I swear it still helped me to relax. I felt great during the operation - very calm - and the whole experience was lovely. I'm sure that was partly due to the CDs. I always used to fall asleep halfway through them, too, btw!

juditmms · 03/04/2009 15:20

Hi. Anyone knows any hospital in London that supports hypno-birth?

childrenchildreneverywhere · 03/04/2009 17:37

I think most do now to be honest, it is getting much, much, much more common. I can't help with specifics I'm afraid as I'm in East Anglia, but I'm sure you'll find them all fairly accommodating.

janephilips · 15/09/2009 22:17

I used the natal hypnotehrapy cds for my last birth and am using the m again. i was one of those women who was terrified of giving birth and so really needed something to help me. i listend to the birth preparation cd about 20 times in total and after about 3 times( I cried the first time as I could not believe that birth could be the way it was described on the CD) really felt like a different person. iwas gobsmaked that i could feel so differently after such a short time.

the birth in the end was amazing - quite long but totally maneagable and hte most amazing thing was that i did not feel scared at any time.

i am now pregnant again and starting listening to them earlier on - they have one for pregnancy relaxation which is brill - espeically as i am so tired all the time. I listen to it when my daughter is asleep which is great.

i did litsen to the hyppnobirthing one (mongan method) and did not think it was any where near as good - i did not like the voice or the imagery - it was all a bit airy fairy compared the the natal hypnotherapy one. just my opinion.

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