Natal Hypnotherapy- Genius? Or load of nonsense?

[weebigmamma]

Deliberately provocative title, sorry!

I've just been googling things like 'terrified of labour', because I am. It will be my second birth and the first was nightmare. I had my heart set on a c-section and this will be no problem if I ask for it because of the problems first time around, but I've also been told that a section will be no picnic. Basically the risk of complications with either choice are about the same for me. But honestly, I am terrified of the pain and of how everything went wrong the first time. The google search immediately threw up this Natal Hypnotherapy thing and I'd love to know people's experiences of it. The only thing I've tried CDs for in the past has been weightloss and they worked for about five minutes and then the effect (which I'm assuming was placebo) wore off. Worth the money?

I should add- the first labour was a 'normal' birth. I had hoped to avoid that particular 'normality' this time round but now I don't know what to do. Seems like a vaginal birth might be better for my body but I am worried about my mind and I have a strong feeling that a VB would lead to an emergency section anyway... unless things go better this time.

I was where you are now with my 2nd pregnancy.

I used went hypnobirthing classes, which were brillaint - I actually learnt more about giving birth than I had at NCt or NHS clases.

But the best bit was when I had a 1:1 "fear release" session, which resulted in removing the fear I had of giving birth.

I still needed pethedine during the birth, partly because I had a horrid midwife, and partly because I was induced.

However, with DC3, I managed a completely home pain free birth.

I'm not sure I'd go as far as "genius" but I'd recommend the natal hypnotherapy CDs. I used them in both pregnancies and had a lovely snooze listening every afternoon on mat leave. Got to fully dilated with just a TENS both times and a few puffs of G&A for 2nd stage. I can't say if they worked or if I was lucky, I suspect a bit of both. Anything that gives you some PMA about has to be worth a try, surely? The CDs are not that expensive, you haven't a great deal to lose.
Fear and tension are going to interfere with the hormone cascade and make the whole process worse. I think there may even be a version to keep you calm during a section if that's what you decide on?

So yes, I think it was money well spent.

Thanks! Yes I'm thinking I might give it a go. Part of my problem is fluctuating blood pressure (as with last time it is currently up and down and being closely monitored and near the end last time it shot up. I am sure this was partly due to stress) so anything that helped me relax might be good. Maybe worth a go. x

Hello. Sorry to hear your previous birth was a tough one. I went to a hypnobirth course and also listened to the cd that came with it very regularly leading up to the birth of my son this year. It really chilled me out and have me confidence. Also v bonding as partner helped me do breathing etc. Was all ready for my chilled out water birth only to end up with an emergency C-section! Even with that though I would recommend getting a cd or doing a course, I used the techniques throughout the birth, during epidural, before going into theatre Etc and it really helped. If you end up deciding on a CS my advice would be to invest time now in making sure you have full support for the the weeks following it, 24 hours if you can for at least first two days. I couldn't lift/change baby and couldn't bfeed without someone holding him. Having said that I bounced back pretty quickly after a week, although some support needs for following month. A planned section might be easier, though. Good luck x

I mean easier than an emergency section, not easier than a vaginal birth....

Genius! Loved it. Virtually pain free birth. Highly recommended!

Thanks Cinnamon. It is so hard making that decision because I also think a planned C-section would be better than an emergency one. Just don't know what to do! The prob first time was that I was in hospital with my BP for a few days and then labour was induced and I ended up with a third degree tear. But it is the pain of birth that I remember more than anything. Honestly, I just don't want to go through it again. But I have been told that a section might be harder for me to recover from than others because of a high BMI. Anyone know of a good crystal ball stockist?!

Thanks Elspeth. No bad reviews so far- must be worth a go!!

...And I've since put the breathing technique I learned during hypnobirthing into practice while having a filling.

Hahaha! That's brilliant!

Which CDs did you use, Bakingtins?

Maggie Howell's CDs are great. The more you can relax the better and faster your labour will be. Try it! It won't do you any harm. Good luck!

Hiya. My husband is a hypnotherapist, and although I am pregnant with my first and can't comment on the specifics, hypnotherapy is fantastic and I believe it will help me keep calm for birth.

Its not psychobabble/stupid/hippie nonsense. It is based on scientific truths about the way the brain works. What you have to think is when we have had a bad experience and then worry and add to that anxiety (that is normal), then the body and mind continue panicking along those lines. What hypnotherapy does is get the mind to think calmly and rationally and eliminates the fear element.

It really works, as I said, because of the science of the brain.

Hope that helps! I'm not a hypnotherapist myself, but swear by it!

Ps I suggest seeing someone in person as its worth the money, if you can't afford it, approach a training centre near you and ask if there are any students who need to practice. My husband had great success with clients, even as a student.

I involved on this field. I am being deliberately vague as I keep having to name change. I really recommend Natal Hypnotherapy. The CDs are great but if you can do the workshops as well it is better as you get the full rationale of why it works which is a better basis for the listening to the CDs. You also get lits of coping tips for labour.

Thanks all. Anyone know what the difference between Natal Hypnotherapy and Hyponobirthing is? I am in Belfast so would also be interested if anyone knows anyone here who does it. I bet it's expensive tho!

I have done a hynobirthing course and while I'm yet to give birth I've found it incredible. I've learned so much and feel far more positive about what is ahead. If nothing else I feel confident I can keep calm if any problems occur.
My midwife team have been useless and my hynobirthing teacher - and the ladies I've met through the course - have taught me far more.
Would definitely recommend looking into it more and if you can afford it, go to classes.
Good luck with making your decision.

The focus innayal Hypnotherapy is about using hypnosis techniques to prepare for birth. In labour you don't have to consciously 'do' anything as all the work is done before. The workshops teach partners some techniques to help women relax. Hypnobirthing is more on techniques to use during the birth and can be a lot more demanding on the birth partner.

Thanks all. This time round I booked consultant-led care and not a home-from-home birth centre. I am wondering if the natal hypnotherapy can stuff work in a traditional hospital setting? It has to be that option for me this time because of my probs last time. xx

I wanted a home birth with my first, went to a hypnobirthing course, but it was at the woman's house with 2 other couples and I felt a bit self conscious.

Ended up in hospital as my BP kept going up, so gave birth there - I was trying to use the hypnotherapy 'control centre' to sort my BP out and it didn't work, but having said that I felt very calm and controlled during labour (which went on a looooong time). Had an epidural after 28 hours just so I could sleep for an hour or so, then a long time pushing.

One thing I would say is that the way I coped with the contractions was to stay very still, ram the tens on, have a whiff of gas and air and breathe through them. As I was very calm and quiet the mw decided that I was coping brilliantly and I think that might have delayed the epidural (had to wait 8 hours before the anaesthetist came round!), when in reality I was desperate for it so I could have a rest.

Worth doing though, and any kind of positive affirmation will help if you listen to it often enough!

Hi weebigmama, We do have a Natal Hypnotherapy practitioner in Belfast - her name is Mary Mcallan - you can get her details on the Natal Hypnotherapy website. The workshops will teach you in depth hypnopsis plus a range of practical tools and technqieus for both you and your partner to help you stay calm and focused. It is not about a pain free expereince - it is about working with your body to be able to handle the intensity of labour. You learn why the body can get adrenaline blips (which can cause intense pain) and what to do with them if that happens. Also the majority of women who use NH have a hospital birth so yes the techniques work just as well in hospital. Wishing you all the best