Hynobirthing - experiences and thoughts please?

[PussinJimmyChoos]

Had a crap labour with DS and determined not to have a repeat of it second time around so am reading about Hypnobirthing as a friend raves about it and had two good labours using it.

I just wondered what others thought also

Sorry - just realised typo in thread title!

Hello. I, and a few others, have put some thoughts here, hope it helps

I am currently 32 weeks with my first and doing a hypnobirthing course. I must be honest its not what I had always thought my birth experience would be (a drug addled trip into motherhood!) I have since found out I am totally allergic to any painkillers (think anaphalatic shock!) and am too scared of an epidural soooooo had to investigate other methods of coping with pain. I must say that the more I read the books, practice the breathing/trancing and attend the classes the more open I am to a more natural birthing experience. I thought it was going to be very 'hippy-ish' and although it is quite spiritual I don't feel nearly as silly as I thought I would. Don't get me wrong I am not expecting a pain free birth but I do feel more equipped and educated to cope with the contractions, I am also having a water birth so am hoping that together they will get me through it!! I will also have G&A on hand!! I definitely feel like I am looking forward to the birth more than I was when I was relying on the drugs to get me through. I hope this helps

hi, i gave it my best but it didn't work at all for me. My hunch is that if nature gives you a relatively straightforward/swift labour, hypnobirthing may make all the difference. however, if nature has something else in mind for you (as it did for me - a 32 hour marathon, extremely painful, culminating in several failed ventouse attempts and an episiotomy) no amount of 'imagining a smooth, comfortable birth' and all the rest of it will take away the pain. that kind of pain is not psychological!
having said all that, i managed my 32 hours of torture on just gas and air and one dose of pethidine towards the end. but i won't be repeating the experience if i can help it.