Hypnobirthing Yes or No?

[Gemz1806]

Had my 16wk today with the midwife and she spoke about hypnobirthing. I'm very lucky and these classes along with lots others are free in my area. I'm consultant lead this time as I had pre-eclampsia with DS1. Basically what I'm wondering is should I give it a try or will it be a complete waste of time in my situation??

I did it but using a cd not a course. I think it helped keep me calm through a birth that on paper would look very traumatic. Although I was on a large amount of morphine.

Why would it be a waste of time in 'your situation'? Unless you know for sure you're having a c-section, then I'd say definitely do it if it's free.

I credit much of my quick labour to hypnobirthing. It was far from pain-free, but I had a strong belief that the pain wasn't anything to be afraid of and that I could get through it (which I did, at home, with no pain relief).

It was useless for me, but glad I tried it. I needed to be far more mooing cow amazonian warrior with mine.

I also much preferred natal hypnotherapy to hypnobirthing.

I'd say do it. I didn't even complete the course - DS arrived at 31+5 in the middle of the week between the two classes - but the techniques were invaluable to me, and helped me cope with what ended up being a fairly medicalised birth. It helped me keep my focus.
I've used the same techniques since, when having my wisdom tooth out under local only.
You need to approach it with an open mind though.

I did Maggie Howell's natal hypnotherapy. It helped me.

Spending half an hour a day listening to the CD was nice in itself, v v v relaxing.

So, even if I had ended up with an EMC, which I didn't, it wouldn't have been a waste.

Wow yes - they cost at least £200 here! I've got the CD and book (Maggie Howell) and the 'worst' reviews I've read about it are along the lines of 'once my labour started it didn't help, but it did stop me worrying or stressing about labour beforehand'. Gotta be worth a go especially if it's free, and it's another chance to meet other new mums...

I did the course before DD1 and then a refresher when I had DD2. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I did Hypnobirthing. It cost over £200 and is the best money I ever spent. Seriously. I was in labour for 56 hours; dd was 9lbs10oz; birth was drug-free and the most incredibly positive experience of my life. Yes it hurt but I didn't feel the need for drugs and just got in the zone. I think I was lucky that dd was in the right position and healthy but Hypnobirthing gave me techniques to keep calm and also having my DH completely on board with what help I needed and for being my spokesperson with the midwife was invaluable.

If it's free, you've got nothing to lose by doing the class. I would jump at the chance! I know 5 other couples who've done it and all had similar experiences to me. Except that they were home biths and I opted for hospital.

Congratulations and good luck!

I did natal hypnotherapy (CDs) both times.

DS1: induced and eventually came out with the ventouse. Gas and air only. Horribly painful but the midwife remarked on how incredibly calm I was. I screeched a lot during contractions, but in between them I was completely still and focused.

DS2: went into labour naturally at 41+6. Had him in the pool at the birth centre, gas and air only. Wasn't even sure I was in labour for the first 12 hours of a 17 hour labour. Didn't even make a squeak until the last hour. Again, midwife astonished at how calm I was. DS2 was back to back and 10lbs 13oz

I'm normally a complete wimp and have zero pain threshold, so I'm 99% sure the hypno worked for me.

If it's free, definitely go for it.

If it's free then do it. I've been listening to a natal hypnotherapy CD because the course was too expensive. For me it's not about a hypno-birth, more about giving myself ways of keep calm in hospital - I HATE hospitals. I figure there is no harm.

I thought I would give it a bash with my number two but it didn't help me, I am quite a shouty sweary person in general and giving DH a loud shouty sweary bollocking during labour was better for my pain I think. I also have a really high pain tolerance but all that calming and controlling what words you can and cant say and positive and negative energy just wasn't for me.

I did hypnobirthing with my secnd pregnancy. I ended up with a c-section for unforeseen reasns, but it was still really helpful. It helped me stay calm. Its a great technique to learn for loads of situations in life, so if its free, I would definitely do it.

Thanks ladies!! Your right I have nothing to lose and if I don't develop pre-eclampsia this time (fingers crossed) my labour will be more relaxed hopefully, so a few techniques will really help! Might even help when I have a new born and a 3yo by the sounds of things!

Thanks again! I think I will put my name down. x

I'm not really into all the words and what not either Lally, but the MW who does the classes told me yesterday, she knows it's very unlikely the woman are going to get a hypnobirthing MW during labour so she doesn't focus on that too much. More on what I can do myself with breathing and relaxing etc. She says that she even forgets to use the right words sometimes when she is labouring a lady! She sounded very realistic.

I did a natal hypnotherapy CD and even though I had an ELCS, it still helped. Anything that keeps you calm and gives you focus is worth it, especially if it's free! See it as a relaxation technique, and it's a useful tool in any kind of birth.

I vote yes. I used natal hypnotherapy 3 times and found it v helpful. A friend did hypnobirthing and sad it was massively helpful through what was on paper a very difficult labour. If it's free what have you got to lose?