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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- shall I try it? Cd or lessons?

26 replies

firemansamsmam · 17/12/2013 20:12

Would really appreciate hearing your experiences...

I am considering hypnobirthing because I had an epidural with my first DS. The epidural was great but it slowed the labour down and I ended up having forceps delivery and some complications due to that. I would like to avoid having an epidural this time around but I can't in all honesty face the thought of all that pain without some kind of plan of action!

A friend of mine listened to hypnobirthing CDs in the run up to her labour and had one of those amazing birthing experiences that only a few people seem to have had. Anyone else have the same experience?

Are the CDs good enough or should I invest in the classes? £260 seems to be the going rate locally.

Equally important, Is there anyone out there that has tried it and thinks its a load of hippy bollocks?

TIA for your help.

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Cariad007 · 17/12/2013 20:31

I've not tried it but have heard people say it helps so I've booked onto a couple of workshops next month. It costs just under £200 but there are more expensive courses available. What I'm doing is called natal hypnotherapy but I think it's pretty much the same.

WhyIRayLiotta · 17/12/2013 20:41

I used the Maggie howell CDs and I read her big book too.

I thought it was great. I was sceptical - thought it was hippy mumbo jumbo... But I couldn't sleep well in the early stages of pregnancy and someone on Mumsnet recommended it. The CDs are really soothing and relaxing. I listened to them every night in the bath and in bed.

My birthing experience was pretty good. Stayed at home until an hour before I gave birth and didn't use any pain relief. The counting techniques to control pain by counting and visualising a dial were particularly helpful and DP did them with me. To be honest I felt a bit daft - but I think it really helpe me.

It was my first (and so far only!) birth and I was happy with how in control I felt - and I think that was partly to do with how prepared and ready the CDs books made me feel.

Also when DD was a newborn I'd put on the CD and it would soothe her too!

Original poster

firemansamsmam · 18/12/2013 07:09

Thanks for the replies. I think the control thing would help me, so perhaps I should give it a go.

How involved does DH have to get? He works really hard and I can't see him coming to weekly sessions.

OP posts:

WhyIRayLiotta · 18/12/2013 07:59

I didn't do any sessions, so I don't know about that. With the CDs I just talked to DP abou what I wanted him to do. For me that was no touching - unless I said (he held my hand but nothing else as it was harder to focus IYSWIM) he also counted for 5-0 for me towards the end of my contractions and that was about it.

Dusty04 · 18/12/2013 10:06

I have the CD and listen to it most days since I was 36 weeks and finished work. It does help relax me but neatly always end up falling asleep before the end! Even though I do it at lunchtime!

A friend did the course at our local hospital which was £80 per session (2 sessions but don't have to do both) and. Got through labour with just has and air.

I'm 38+6 so no experience of how useful cd will have been but doesn't cost much and is very relaxing.

Worth a go I think..

Wuxiapian · 18/12/2013 16:44

I used the Maggie Howell cd 2/3 times a week and read the book.

I had to be induced, but birth experience was very good - used only gas and air and was in established labour for only 3 hours and DC2 was born after 1 minute of pushing. I used the visualisation technique.

Am 29 weeks pregnant with DC3 and will start listening to cd again soon.

BusyCee · 18/12/2013 16:49

Do it - it's fab. I had both DCs using hypnobirthing, on the grounds that it's another way to manage the experience beyond drugs. But actually ended up loving both births (one v quick, one v slow). I used the Mongan method first time, but would suggest taking a look at The Wise Hippo

Good luck!

stowsettler · 18/12/2013 16:55

I did it with DD. It was enough for me for around 10 hours with just hypnobirthing-taught breathing and TENS. Unfortunately DD had other ideas and much, much later I ended up with an EMCS for FTP. She'd got herself twisted up and wasn't applying to the cervix so it all went out the window after 10 hours.

But my experience is very unusual. On balance I'd say go for it. It definitely made me very relaxed about the whole process.

TheABC · 18/12/2013 17:05

I would recommend the CDs and book. The course just goes into it in greater detail - if you are disciplined enough to listen to the CDs every night, that will be enough (and the money saved will pay for a home cleaner after the birth).

I did find it useful in the early stages. Unfortunately I had to be induced and ended up with a highly medicalised birth - but it did help. If I ever have another child, it will be hypnotherapy plus gas and air. Forget the woo factor - it's of the few times in your life medical professionals encourage you to get higher than a kite.....

Original poster

firemansamsmam · 18/12/2013 18:16

Sounds broadly positive, bar unforeseen complications... I'm quite excited about the prospect of giving it a go now!!

OP posts:

Original poster

firemansamsmam · 18/12/2013 18:17

Better get on amazon...

OP posts:

weebigmamma · 18/12/2013 20:56

I've just bought the natal hypnotherapy cds because I am scared of labour (first time round I had only gas and air but I honestly found it quite traumatic). I have listened to the cds a few times and they make me fall asleep so they're definitely relaxing lol! The hippy stuff does get on my tits a bit and I find her voice annoying (her 's' sounds are quite raspy) BUT I have not slept well at all this pregnancy with the exception of the times I have been using the CDs so I am happy enough to stick with it and try to get over my prejudice lol. I also really long for a good birth experience but I know I can't handle the pain again without some support, whether from drugs or a cd... I would the cd to work though! It's definitely worth £40 on the off chance!

weebigmamma · 18/12/2013 20:57

*love

DancingLady · 18/12/2013 21:00

I listened to a hypnobirthing CD daily for 6 weeks and read the book. Did the breathing etc etc.

Had a 3-day labour, epidural, baby monitored for most of labour, forceps delivery, blood transfusion...

And then felt I'd failed horribly. Do hypnobirthing if you think it might help calm you (it might - it might not) but do realise it's no guarantee of an easier labour.

weebigmamma · 18/12/2013 21:05

I wonder if there's ever a way to not feel you've failed a parent in some way? It's just so difficult because we always want things to go well and I suppose there has to be some balance between reading all the positive stories and it making us feel hopeful, and letting ourselves go with the flow at the time- recognising that epidurals exist for a reason and that nobody can avoid a 3-day labour (the horror!) if it's going to happen to you. I will trying really hard this time to avoid the guilt! Not easy xxx

DancingLady · 18/12/2013 21:24

I agree - but I put a lot of faith in hypnobirthing helping me in labour, and it didn't at all. I'm sure it has helped loads of women, but (as the op asked) for me it was a load of hippy bollocks. :)

stowsettler · 19/12/2013 08:44

I know what you mean Dancing, at the end of the day though - if your labour is complicated there's nothing you can do about it. TBF, Hypnobirthing always says that it's suitable for uncomplicated births only and is never an alternative to proper medical care in more complicated circumstances.
As for me - if I'm ever pregnant again I'll do it again - but I'm having all the G&A I can get my hands on! Lovelyyyyyy....

maggiebhowell · 19/12/2013 18:12

Hi, I am so pleased lots of you are using my CDs or attending a workshop. As a mum who has used Natal Hypnotherapy for 5 births I would always suggest that you see hypnotherapy as a tool to help you relax and feel more in control (a bit like tens or aromatherapy) rather than a magic wand that will take the pain away or guarantee a natural birth. Many women who are high risk use Natal Hypnotherapy as it helps them manage the challenges they face - they do not see it in any way as a replacement of other medical support. I am sorry to hear that someone said hypnobirthing was not recommended for anyone with complications - if anything using hypnotherapy then is even more important.

In terms of not feeling a "failure", my thoughts are, that by helping yourself get prepared during your pregnancy, by practicing deep relaxation and breathing and feeling confident that you have done all you could to get in the right frame of mind you have already succeeded. Birth is unpredictable...use the hypnotherapy techniques but be open to additional support to help you and your baby have the safest birth possible. PS weebigmama - sorry you are not keen on some parts of the CD - would love to know which bits you consider "hippy bits" as for any one who knows me i am fer from being a hippy!!

NomDeClavier · 19/12/2013 18:27

maggie your CDs are amazing. 321relax and visualising turning down the dial got me through 90 minutes flat on my back being monitored. My preferred methods of pain control are being active and TENS so to be without bith woukd have been unbearable if not for your methods. The MW commented that she hadn't expected me get through it (this is France where fewer than 5% of women at the hospital DD was born at request to try without an epidural).

OP I think you need to approach it as one weapon in an arsenal that you can choose to use, but only if you have prepared it. For me the CDs were enough.

Original poster

firemansamsmam · 21/12/2013 16:07

Maggie, is it enough to use the CDs or should I go to classes to get the full effect? Is there any way of telling which classes are best?

OP posts:

ThreeGoMad · 21/12/2013 19:44

Do you have Lazy Daisy near you? They combine self-hypnosis and active birth and only £54 per term! I attended classes when I was pregnant with my second and had one of those amazing births :) Felt totally chilled out in pregnancy too, will definitely go again next time.

catellington · 21/12/2013 20:03

Hi op. I read the Marie Mongan book. That made me think about the possibility of a non medicalised birth. But the actual,techniques i used in labour were from a prenatal yoga course I did . I did the golden thread breath for my entire labour sitting on a Swiss ball. It was wonderful.
I did actually practice though. For several weeks before the birth I actually did the positions we learnt in class, and the breathing. I had a load of different strategies for labour, and figured if each one helped for half an hour it was all worth it. In the end I just stuck with golden thread as it seemed to work
Good luck

mrsannekins · 21/12/2013 20:09

I used the maggie howell cd's. Though I had DD with only g&a, I can't credit hypnobirthing with this, only the ridiculous lack of staffing on the maternity ward!

FlossieTreadlight · 21/12/2013 20:25

I used the Maggie Howell's CD - felt like it helped me remain calm - in particular i found the concept that every contraction was one less and that I was closer to meeting my DD and that although painful, nothing to fear really helpful. I had a TENs machine/g&a labour and a rubbish assisted delivery. In RL I am a wuss so felt the relaxation helped reduce my pain. If nothing else it's a really lovely thing to do - so relaxing...

poorincashrichinlove · 21/12/2013 20:51

I used the cds with amazing results. A bit too good really as the combination of the cd with the birthing pool caused my husband to doze off and my labour to grind to a halt. Had to walk up & down stairs to get things moving again. No amazing birth story here though (home birth transferred to hosp due to slow progression. Baby was back to back though). Hypnobirthing gave me a sense of calm & feeling in control that I didn't have with DC1. I am a bit of a hippy though.

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