Hypnobirthing - question

[CoteDAzur]

For a few nights now, I've been listening to Marie Mongan's Hypnobirthing relaxation CD that comes with the book ("Hypnobirthing - Mongan Method") in bed. I have no idea what it says after the first minute or so because I fall asleep, and I wake up only at the very end where it says "Now wake up and feel alert, happy, etc".

I seem to be listening to it at some level, since I wake up when it says to wake up. Still - am I doing this right? Should I actually be listening to it properly, i.e. not falling asleep?

You should be able to remember some of the things that have been said on the cd, It is common to feel very relaxed but I don't think you will be absorbing everything if you are completely asleep. Try listening to the CD another time in the day and see if it still has the same affect.

The hypnotbirthing cd I have says not to worry if you fall asleep but that you shoudl try it at different times of the day (e.g. morning when you're v awake) so you get to hear the cd too iyswim.

I have also been wondering the same thing - I have a Joanne Curr hypnobirthing CD and listen to it regularly in the afternoons, the first 15 mins is a relaxation exercise that I can remember completely, but the second 25 mins are the birthing hypnosis, and once she has taken me to a 'deeper level of relaxation' I can remember absolutely nothing, whatsoever, from any of the times I have listened to it. Always come round when she counts me back in the room though!

I've got the Mongan CD as well, Cote, and I have been using it for a fortnight now. I always nod off but wake up in the way that you describe. My instructor says this is OK, but just to use it at different times of the day to get the full effect when you need it in labour.

OK I will listen to it tomorrow morning.

So are we supposed to listen to this relaxation CD when in labour? I'm reading the book but if this is explained I'm not there yet.

Just wondering how you are finding the book?

It's OK, but I don't know about this theory that childbirth will be painless if only we don't fear it.

If it helps just a little bit, I'm all for it, though.

As I said, I am doing the course with an instructor and I have also watched four of their videos of hypnobirths. They are strangely silent and a bit wierd IMO. That having been said, I have started feeling more positive and relaxed about second stage which was my main area of concern. I am thinking a bit like you, just hoping it takes the edge off a bit.

It tells you to wake up?! I must be far too relaxed as I never hear that bit!

Like others have said my instructor says as long as in the latter stages of pregnancy you listen to it while relaxing but not sleeping then it will do its job. For me I'm aiming to listen to it going to sleep each night until I go on maternity leave and then will aim to listen whilst awake each day until the birth.

So what are the courses with instructor like?

No such thing in our neck of the woods.

I think it's quite helpful - basically the instructor (who happens to be a mw) comes around our house and practices all the exercises with us. She also answers any birth related questions we might have (eg I was not sure about the anatomy of the uterine muscles and also the concept of the j-bend).

It's a good way of involving DH tbh because otherwise there is no way I can see him practising with me! We also learned some special massage techniques in labour and practised them. I am quite enjoying it all.

You can go to group classes and there they cover normal ante-natal things - more for first-timers, I think.

I did the Mongan hypnobirthing course (most in group were first timers, I was a second timer). To be honest, the CD didnt really do much for me (fell asleep everytime) but the visualisations, the relaxation practice (particularly the deepening practices) and the affirmations really paid off; I had a really quick smooth labour last week with my second child (just over 4 hours from waters breaking) and it was wonderful. The light touch massage was lovely in early labour (which lasted all of about 20 minutes before it kicked off with a vengeance). It wasnt painless and I wasnt silent - but it was manageable and I was much more aware of the physiological process and able to relax into the surges. Good luck ladies - I hope you have lovely straightforward births.

I did a similar slef hypnosis birth course but was rubbish at practising the visualisations. I did the affirmations every day though and by the time labour started I was genuinely not remotely scared, even though I had had a really horrific birth with DS1. When labour started with DS2 I just did what my body told me to do and it was quick and genuinely painless - though hard work - right up until crowning (which I will admit hurt like, well, perhaps not buggery - wouldn't know about that - but something similar I would guess)

I think the whole thing is more about not being frightened and just letting your body do what it needs to do/relaxing (though not consciously). If you can get to that stage you have nothing to worry about. Good luck

btw labour doesn't have to be quiet to be relaxed... take a look at this lovely
French birth using her voice (she's a famous singer apparently) www.dailymotion.com/video/x7yo8v_naitreenchantee_lifestyle happy birthing.

Hi,

I'm a HypnoBirthing Instructor.

You are responding perfectly. You are not actually asleep, but in a deep state of relaxation (also known as alpha state or hypnosis!!) - hence you "wake up" at the prompt at the end - because you weren't actually asleep! (and even if it does send you to sleep - how great would that reaction be in labour?!).

Re. the "quiet DVDs" yes some of the US women are oddly quiet, but then some women who haven't even heard of HypnoBirthing are quiet too! HypnoBirthing doesn't automatically equal oddly quiet labour! some women sing, some women groan - me personally I hum! You should see other DVDs in your class that aren't completely silent!

HTH!

Sarah

hiya - i am using the maggie howell cd birth prep cd. in the notes that come with it, she recommends listening to the cd once with your birth partner when you're both awake. you make notes about which bits of the scripts you partic respond to and then your birth partner and you can use them as prompts.

good luck! on a similar but spooky level, i listened to to my cd for the first time when dd was asleep. i fell really quickly into a deep state of relaxation but woke with a jolt a couple of minutes before the end of the cd. thought i'd heard dd crying, but realised that it wasnt her as she was silent and it sounded like a new born cry. assumed it was background on the cd. next time i listened to cd i did not go into trance at all and was waiting for the cry during the bit of the script that talks you thru delivery. there was no cry and i've never heard it since ... live in a detached property, long drive so not sure just where sound came from....

Childrenchildreneverywhere I am trying to find an affordable hypnobirthing course in my area, Sutton, Surrey; can you help me?

BellaHarry: I'm in Essex so no immediate use to you and my Surrey Geographey is shocking! but here's the list of practitioners in Surrey:

www.hypnobirthing.com/uk_surrey.htm

As a general rule of thumb expect to pay around £200 - £300 for a group course place (I personally charge £200) and around £300 - £500 for a private course (I charge £300). This fee should include all of your materials (a book, 2 CDs, handouts etc..).

If money is an issue, it is always worth contacting all of the practitioners within a reasonable distance of you and asking if they offer concessionary places. For instance each month I offer one group course place for only £100. Most practitioners offer this, but tend not to advertise it. It's usually possible to pay in installments too (again not always advertised!) - e.g: I charge a £50 booking deposit and then £37.50 per week for my group classes if paying by installments which makes it more reasonable.

I'm afraid I can't really personally recommend anyone near you as I'm not familiar with the Surrey practitioners, but it is important that you have a good relationship with whoever will be teaching you so don't be afraid to interview them by telephone or request a free face to face meeting with them.

HTH

Thank you so much for all this help! I wish you were nearer! x

Bella - try the hypnobirthing website (www.hypnobirthing.com) to get someone close to you. I teach in Marble Arch.

Bella - try the hypnobirthing website (www.hypnobirthing.com) to get someone close to you. I teach in Marble Arch.

gerogiemum thank you, just as a point of reference how much do you charge for group sessions and do you offer concessions as childrenchildreneverywhere does?

I don't do group sessions and do offer a 'lovely mumsnet' discount!

georgiemum how do you work then? How many visits to 'MarbleArch' would have to be made etc how much do you charge with the 'mumsnet' discount?

BellaHarry,

I would recommend a natal hypnotheraphy course in Ewell which I don't think is too far from you. It costs £180 for two days. Its similar to hypnobirthing, but cheaper.

This is details about the lady who does the course.

www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/37.html

Scroll to the bottom for a course date.

www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/acatalog/March_2009.html