DIY hypnobirthing

[VegemiteSandwich]

I really like the idea of trying hypnobirthing and think I would respond well to it.

I know that a course would be the best way of doing this, but around here they are all about £200 and unfortunately the funds can stretch only so far (we are doing an NCT course and thought that more of a priority).

Anyway, has anyone any advice on hypnobirthing CDs or books? I imagine that a CD is what I want really. It seems that Natal and the Morgan method are the two main ones - or are there others worth looking into?

I've got the Maggie Howell effective birth preparation book and CD. They seem pretty good and I'm feeling a lot more positive than I was. I'll get the labour companion CD in the next few weeks too.

Hi, i didn't bother with the NCT course because i think the only thing they tell you about the birth that the Hypnobirth course doesn't is about pain relief options. That probably doesn't help you though. i went with Mongan and really got on well with it.

Just another voice here saying I managed just fine with the book

I used natal hypnotherapy for my first dc and found it brilliant. I used the cd. I did actually do a course but tbh I don't think I got a great deal more from it. Your best bet is to get the cd and give it a try, but really try, throw yourself into it and ignore the fact you feel a bit silly to begin with. You'll suddenly find yourself drifting back at the end!
Brilliant for labour, doesn't get rid of the pain but makes everything so much calmer. DS born less than 3 hours after arriving at hospital, 7cm on arrival. May have been fine without hypnotherapy, maybe the tens and gas would have been enough, but it made me feel in control which was indispensable to me.
Good luck.

There are several effective Hypnobirthing books that come with CDs. Do a search on amazon and check out the reviews. Working though a book and listening to the CD can be just as effective as an expensive course. Good luck.

I can't afford either NCT courses or hypnobirthing classes (we're on a tight budget), but I've heard from a couple of people who did both that the hypnobirthing classes were where they'd put their money next time. Apparently NCT is great for making friends, but the hypnobirthing classes are worth their weight in gold (according to my two mum friends).

FWIW, I've gotten the Maggie Howell book and CD to prepare, as well as Juju Sundin's Birth Skills book (which is excellent so far).

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll get onto amazon and have a better search now! I'm almost 25 weeks and figure that ideally I should start some time next month to get the practice in.

I can understand why some of you think that doing a hypnobirthing class would be better than NCT - the thing with NCT though is the friend finding thing is important to me (family on the otherside of the world, no friends nearby with babies) and the NCT seems to be good for that aspect! Otherwise they did seem to double up on a lot of things so (the money thing aside) we weren't sure if we really wanted to do two courses.

I am using the positive-birth.com course it is mp3 dowloads and video clips that teach you various techniques. You can also do a short 2hr session with Kristin on top up and ask lots of questions, or do a skype sessions (she also runs full hypnobirthing courses too), I know lots of people who have used her (ex clients of mine, I am a mat nurse) and have heard amazing stories and on meeting Kristin I can see why she has such a calm and gentle nature. I have been listening to ehr downloads for several months now and find they really relax me and already I find I feel less nervous about birth etc. I would highly recommend.

I'm not going up say too much as I don't want to be seen as advertising, but if you look up Lazy Daisy Birthing, these active Birthing classes incoporate hynosis, movement and relaxation and are very cost affordable. There are weekly classes aswell as couples workshops and it is very popular as there are also Baby Classes to continue with after.

Not sure I'd be allowed to link the website but very worth googling to see if it is in your area.

Right off to visit London today, need to get going!

Hello OP

I'm reading the Morgan book (don't have the CD though) and has made me feel much more positive and relaxed than I honestly thought I would ever be.

However, have just been to NHS antenatal where they talked a lot about pain relief, drugs etc which kind of goes against the grain of what I've been reading and can be a tad off putting/confusing - though I would recommend both as you can come up with you own balanced view I guess.

and then probably freak out on the day and have every drug going

Just wanted to mention OP that i know what you mean about friend finding, but my closest friend is one i made on the hypnobirthing course, unless you pay for a one on one there will probably be other mums there at the same stage as you, the same as there are at other birthing courses.

Use the Marie Mongan book and you'll be fine.

Hi, I'm going to try the Mongan book and cd. Does anyone know at what point I should start this? I'm 27 weeks. I didn't do hypnobirthing last time around but did do perineal massage and managed to get myself in this calm state for crowning, it worked so well that I think hypnobirthing would work for me.

Start as soon as you can manage. The more practise you get the better (says she who did the trainers course two weeks before giving birth - no pain relief necessary, thank you very much!).

Thanks, I'll get on with ordering the book asap.

Yep, with the perineal massage thing it really worked, no tears despite a vacum delivery!