Anyone Looking At Hypnobirthing?

[Mango92]

It isn't something I know much about but I wouldn't mind giving it a go. I'm willing to try pretty much anything to get through labour drug free but of course, this baby being our first, I wouldn't be surprised if I needed help getting through.

Has anyone tried Hypnobirthing?
Did it work for you, how did you go about it all?

I have purchased Natal Hypnotherapy.

The reason being I have been told by several IRL mums that "hypnobirthing" works within the constraints of everything going to plan and is almost about convincing yourself there is no pain. If anything deviates from the norm it can suddenly become completely void.

Whereas Natal Hypnotherapy is more flexible and helps stay calm if for example a C section or interventions are needed.

I'm also doing pregnancy yoga which has rave reviews: it's much more 'mindful' and gives strategies for pain and worry rather than relying on hypnosis to vanish it all away (which RL friends said was a weakness of hypnobirthing).

I did natal hypnotherapy with both my DC's births - DS I panicked and forgot everything when labour started so when I was pregnant with DD I got my husband to listen to it a few times so he could prompt me on it all, I also listened to it while in labour. First time it didn't help (although I was less nervous in advance of the birth). Second time it was brilliant, I had a fantastic drug free labour :)

I did a course and it was fantastic, I managed 7 1/2 hours drug free before an emcs got in the way, but I was handling labour really well before things took a difficult turn. I know a few people who have managed on hypnobirthing alone so I'd recommend it.

Lots of my friends have recommended it to me but i've tried hypnosis in the past and it didn't work for me so I have chosen Lazy Daisy active birthing classes and pregnancy yoga instead, as I feel like i know what is going to happen and have practical ways (positions, movements and breathing) to deal with it... might still scream for drugs though :)