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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Hypnobirthing anyone?

38 replies

Noodles81 · 09/01/2012 12:02

Is anyone or has anyone tried Hypnobirthing? What are your experiences?

I haven't gone to any classes but have bought the Mongan book which comes with a CD and am making my way through it, practising the breathing and relaxation as i'm going for TENS and G&A birth (35+4 today).

I've been explaining the method to the girls at work who all seem to look at me with 'oh come on, as if' look on their faces and love to tell me how it's all a load of hippy stuff and how labour and birthing is the most painful thing in the world etc etc. which actually really bothers me because some women tell me their first time was 4hrs long and felt like period cramps - i tell myself everytime - every body's body is different, block out the negative!

Just wondered if it's worked for some out there?

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Chocaholics · 13/01/2012 01:35

I did Hypnobirthing and found it fantastic. I did a one on one course with a hypnotherapist which focused on relaxing and staying calm. Unfortunately I missed the last session which was to focus on blocking pain as DD was a couple of weeks early. During labour I felt really calm and relaxed, no shouting etc and had G&A only. Really made me feel in control and I am really glad I did it and would recommend it.

ChineapplePunk · 13/01/2012 22:19

Book and CD arrived today. Woohoo!! I think it's the US version, wahwah.

Right, I am one of the most negative and ultra-sceptical people in the world, but I am going to throw myself into this. I have nothing to lose. Onwards and upwards! :)

wahwahwah · 13/01/2012 23:09

Let us know how you get on! I am a qualified teacher doncha know...

puzzletree · 13/01/2012 23:19

I didn't do this with DS1 but I listened to the Home Birth Preparation from here before having DS2. I didn't get to listen to it as often as I would have liked, probably only 2/3 times a week in the last month. I didn't really get into the visualisation part of it, but I do think it benefitted me in a couple of ways:

When I did listen to it I became really relaxed, and fell asleep before the end of the cd pretty much every time, I think it was a good to have a proper 'time out' session for me in late pregnancy.
The 'relax, relax, relax' mantra did come back to me in labour and I found it really useful at keeping me focussed during contractions, it stopped me wasting energy on grimacing/groaning too much. And ultimately I had a lovely home waterbirth with DS2, I'm sure the labour and birth would have been easier than first time round anyway but I do think the element of hypnobirthing helped with relaxation and confidence. Would recommend, and the cd's are a very reasonable price. Must try and track mine down, lent it to a friend I think....

ChineapplePunk · 14/01/2012 00:13

wahwah, Is it beneficial just to follow book and CD or is it really essential to attend classes? It's just that they are a tad pricey for me :( (well, certainly the ones I have seen online).

MrsRV · 14/01/2012 08:23

After reading this thread I bought the monghan book & cd off of eBay yesterday for a bargain £13!! Looking forward to getting started. Have been watching one born every minute and in the latest episode there was a girl who had a waterbirth and just seemed to breathe her baby out without a squeak!! That's what I want!! Calm and relaxed environment for my baby to enter the world. Don't want her all distressed from listening to me scream my head off. But we'll see

helsinkihelen · 14/01/2012 17:59

Thank you Gauchita I think i may pop to town tomorrow and see if our only bookshop left has any books - pref with CD. And thank you everyone for sharing your positive experiences ;0)

wahwahwah · 14/01/2012 19:16

Chine - the book is very good and covers everything on the course.

Obviously, you don't get the hypnosis treatments which are there to get you in the right frame of mind for the birth (so that you don't have any negative thoughts, memories of 'helpful' advice lurking in the back of your mind to throw a spanner int he works). However, I have pointed people who couldn't attend classes toward the book and they have thrown themselves into it and done well. You also don't have someone guiding you throught he self anaesthesia techniques, but with a bit of practice, you can do it!

The main problem people have is 'am I doing the breathing right?' which 99 times out of 100 they are! The CDs are the most useful thing. Use them as often as you can, and take them to the birth.

I will have a ferret on YouTube to see if I can see any genuine hypnobirths. I did have a link for hypnosis in surgery (one of my areas was pain management) and they are amazing.

And the disclaimer: I am very cynical, and have no truck with 'no pain, no gain', and went into it with the attitude 'well it can't make it any worse' and had a very boring birth. I listened to Radio 4 all night.

ChineapplePunk · 14/01/2012 21:04

Thanks wahwah, your advice and guidance is much appreciated. :)

wahwahwah · 16/01/2012 13:19

Just mail me if you have any questions.

Bumpsandmore · 18/01/2012 10:51

HypnoBirthing is amazing. I used to teach for NCT but thought there was something missing - actually teaching what it is like to relax! Now i teach HypnoBirthing and the women's experiences and stories are inspiring. I am also a doula and have seen the difference hypnobirthing can make.
Doing a course is definitely worth the money, time and effort if you want an empowering birth. check out www.hypnobirthing.co.uk for a list of certified practitioners. Good luck!

JBurge · 18/01/2012 12:29

I am expecting my first baby in June, and like many of you I was terrified of the pain and losing control during childbirth.

My husband encouraged me to look into HB as the wife of his close friend had done a course and had a very straight forward birth.

I have read so much about it now, that I can't wait to get started on a course, and I am acutually starting to look forward to the birth!
I have found a local HB therapist who provides courses for small groups of people in her home, I have to wait until April to get started but I really am looking forward to it!

wahwahwah · 18/01/2012 12:46

Read the book and start taking the practical advice in thee -diet,exercise, etc. watch out for people telling you horror stories and films with birth in the (they are generally dramatic events - when I was pregnant I made the mistake of watching a tv show where the birth pool leaked, -and the father was electrocuted as they tried to resuscitate the mother who had a heart attached during the birth!!!).

Enjoy your pregnancy. I really did and was lucky enough to be in good health and high spirits. It still think of it as the happiest period if my life!

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