Hypnobirth...course or book?

[Bebo1980]

Hi I'm really interested in hypnobirth and just wondered if anyone had had any good/bad experiences of it? I should be able to afford my local course but don't want to spend the money (around £250) if buying the book and CD DIY style is as good.

Also my hubby is extremely sceptical (frustratingly sarcastic at times!) believing that it will involve him making whale noises in my ear. He also is a firm believer that I 'will be screaming for an epidural within half an hour' (don't you just love em!). He's spoken to my midwife about it and she was a firm advocate. Do you think he's right or should I remain confident and consider attending the classes alone/with a sceptical partner?? Any advice/experiences would be great

If you can afford it, course. DH was sceptical too but really got into it. Is all about you feeling positive about the birth and confident to make your birth choices while giving birth - its good for you and for him to do. Didnt do it with first pregnancy but did with second and am a total advocate.

I used hypnobirthing with both my DSs and am a big fan - both quick, natural births (not painless by any means, but I managed without pain relief, so that says a lot!).

For a first timer I'd go for the course as you'll get to ask questions etc. - the most important part of the 'training' your brain gets is you feeling confident about the birth and not feeling scared etc. so anything that gives you the opportunity to discuss it and ask questions is a definite positive.

It really works - ignore your DH!

If he's that skeptical take somebody else because he will be no good to you at all.
And on the day make sure he sits in the corner with his mouth shut you don't need any negativity in the room at all.

I teach so I may be biased! I ask that the partners call to speak to me if they are a little skeptical (either parent!).

I only teach because I did the training for my baby and was completely blown away by it. I found it worked and worked well.

I find that generally it is the men who sit back in their chairs with arms crossed with a 'hmmmmmmmmm' look on their face in session 1. By then end of the session, when we show the videos, they are leaning forward looking amazed and excited. I think they are generally a bit more cautious as they don't want their partners to get their hopes up and be disappointed. They always come arounbd!

The difference between the book and the course is that with the (new UK version) book you don't get the practise CD. This is useful, and I don't know why they changed the format! I think the US version still comes with it. It is a good book though and gives you the philosophy and basics.

On the course, you do exercises and have some therapy to get you in the right emotional and mental state for the birth. It sounds a bit hippy-dippy, but if you go into any situation feeling calm, in control and even looking forward to it, the outcome will be far better than if you feel scared, anxious and not in control.

If he won't come, take someone else who will be there on the day - that is the key. The partner has a big job to do! You usually won't be able to book a course by yourself.

Look on youtube... (this one is a news story about it - not a birth). Lots of waterbirths on there!

My DP was also very sceptical about home birthing. I think the exact words were "a load of new age hippy bollocks"! But by the end of the first session, he was converted. I think it was the exercise which made us imagine tasting lemons that worked - he was smacking his lips the most!

My hypno teacher was kind enough to allow both DP and my best friend to attend classes with me. After 6 lessons, we were all very confident that we knew what to do and that we'd have a great birth together. Sure enough, it worked and now DP preaches the joys of hypnobirthing to his mates and colleagues (who all look slightly uncomfortable at a grown man talking about such things!)

Get your fella off to a class and watch him eat his words!