DH not keen on us doing hypnobirthing course - how to persuade him?

[marzipananimal]

I would really like to do a hypnobirthing course that my hospital is running. We can afford it and although it's a bit of a time commitment it's doable. However DH is really not keen. I think he'll give in if I really put my foot down but I'd like him to agree willingly if possible!
I've told him why I think it'll help me and that I've read lots of people's good experiences of it on MN but he still thinks it's too much money/time.

Any good ideas?

Tell him it's you that will be going through the labour, not him.

We are in the middle of our course ATM and its really great, I already feel very relaxed and confident, can't recommend it enough.

Does the hospital offer an introductory evening or drop in session? Our course teacher did and I took my DP along. It was very informative and there was an opportunity to ask questions too, which was really helpful. The most ntersting part was when she talked through how fear of birthing had a large part to play in slowing and preventing labour.
Other than this you could emphasise the benefits for your baby - it should have a much easier birth and this is our motivation. Id get armed with as much positive info as you can and just keep chipping away . Good luck xx

Thanks, that's encouraging msbluesky. I don't think my hospital do any taster session though.
Good point catching!

Shame they dont do the informal drop ins. I think there are a few different courses, we are doing the Marie mongan method. There are a few really good success stories and other information on this site:
www.hypnobirthing.co.uk/

Failing that you might find he becomes a convert after attending a few sessions. I know of at least two DH who were sceptical at first but now rave about it

I'm all fir the 'when its you giving birth, you can decide how you'd like to do it' approach. :-)

What Kafri said.

My hubby agrees, too - your uterus, your choice. Good luck to you.

Sorry to take over your thread OP, but is it really worth the £250?? Am I better off investing that into Yoga classes or something else?

Or getting a doula instead?

I don't think we can afford the classes but the Marie Mongan book is very interesting reading, even my DH enjoys reading it so maybe that would help him see the benefit of the classes? I'd go to the classes if we could but will read the book and try the exercises nevertheless :)

Erm, better birth for you => more fun for him (and you of course, but you don't need convincing!) sooner afterwards?

Can you do it by yourself without him?? I didn't do it last time but I read a book which had similar techniques etc and found it very useful. I don't feel like I need to do it for this pregnancy because I had a good labour last time and so will adopt the same techniques. I am doing a pregnancy yoga course though which teaches some aspects I think. I think they are quite useful. However, I can imagine my DH would find it incredibly boring so I would probbaly just go by myself...

Success! Tbh I think he could see I wasn't going to give up so he's agreed.
Rain I did yoga last time but didn't find it was intense enough birth preparation for me, but I did enjoy it still

I've been given a set of CDs that are similar to the hypnotherapy courses. That way you could do it at home & bring them with you or download them onto your iPod/phone for labour.

I see he's given in now but just wanted to add that when we did our course my OH gained a lot from it himself, just in terms of self-relaxation skills, visulation to help you relax and that kind of thing - so useful in a general sense and not just for labour. Good luck.

marzipananimal Im really glad, well done - you must have made a very convincing arguement! I hope it goes well - let me know how you find it.

rainand yoga is good preparation in terms of basic breathing exercises, but Ive found hypnobirthing to really help my confidence and ability to be able to really really relax (unlike any other kind of relaxing Ive ever done). You could give the Marie Mongan book a whirl first and see what you think? I agree its quite expensive but I think I could probably use it again if we decide to have another and Ive heard other people using the techniques in other everyday situations (like when their 2 year old went stir crazy in a supermarket) so I think it will be a good investment for my general well being. We are doing it because we hope to have an unmedicated water birth and I will only be allowed gas and air. It really depends on what you are looking for I guess.

Late to this thread, and I'm glad he's coming with you. My DP was very sceptical when we started hypnobirthing, and we had a bit of a giggle after the first session, when I said, "So, that wasn't TOO hippy-dippy eh". We finished the course a few weeks ago and the difference in him coming out of the last class was amazing. He said, "I'm really glad we've done this. I feel we're as prepared as we can be, it's really good to know about the alternatives to a traditional birth and I feel that I'll have some proper functions during the whole process."

I honestly didn't expect that much of a change in him. TBH I think he got more out of it than I did!

That's great stowsettler, good luck for the birth!

Hi. Glad your DH has agreed now, but i thought I'd still post just in case anyone else needs to convince their partners.

First off, we did Natal Hypnotherapy, the UK equivalent of Hypnobirthing, which is slightly less hippyish (if that's something that bothers you or your partner).

The midwife who ran our course sent us a number of testimonial emails she'd received from previous clients, which convinced both of us that it would be of use to us. Perhaps ask the person running the course if she could do similar.

Finally, if you don't fancy jumping in with both feet and paying the £190 (or whatever they're charging) for the course then what about just getting the CDs and/or the the book. My friend had a very successful home birth after using just the CDs, so you don't necessarily have to do everything going straight away. Just try it out first and see what you and your partner feel.

HTH