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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 experiences please.

31 replies

m33r · 27/10/2014 18:52

Just that really: I'm quite keen on this but DH thinks it sounds a bit far fetched. In his wisdom - and knowing as he does the wisdom of mumsnet! - told me to post on here to get views and reviews.

Any experiences or thoughs much appreciated by us both before we throw time and money at it.

Thanks!

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womaninthewildsofwales · 27/10/2014 18:57

I'm giving it a go, but only via downloaded tracks and free e-book loan from the library- not having lessons/sessions. DP thinks it's a bit hippyish if it stops me turning into a screaming mess then Yey!

berberana · 27/10/2014 18:59

I did natal hypnotherapy which is a little more down to earth and less americanised I think. It was great, there's a lot more to it than the hypnosis, you learn about how your body works in labour and it really gives you confidence that this is what you are designed to do. I went into labour at 36 weeks and didn't get chance to use the hypnosis, in the rush to pack a bag we forgot the MP3 player with everything on, but nevertheless I definitely think that what I learned helped enormously. Had an 8 hour problem-free labour with just gas and air, no screaming, all calm to the extent that my husband was "bored" cos I was just quietly getting in with it!! Could be just luck but am now expecting again and will definitely be using it a second time.

BiancaDelRio · 27/10/2014 19:03

I bought the CD and listened to it in the bath. I am the biggest cynic in the entire world so I couldn't really get into it if I'm honest. I just listened and then turned it off.

Also I ended up having an emergency section without even going into labour so it wouldn't have been any use anyway .

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 27/10/2014 19:10

I did natal hypnotherapy. Didn't do anything for me on the day, but didn't hurt either

berberana · 27/10/2014 19:12

There's a book by Maggie Howell which ties in with it. It helps to understand why it works rather than just listening to the CDs in blind faith I think. As I said above I think the most useful part is understanding the physiology of labour, how your hormones interact and why being calm and relaxed is beneficial (adrenalin inhibits oxytocin therefore slows labour is the short answer) Then you listen to the CDs and understand what they are trying to achieve.

GangAftAgley · 27/10/2014 19:12

I was very anxious about my current pregnancy, following a rough ride first time round, so looked into hypnobirthing as I'd only ever heard good things about it. We did a course and I found it really, really helped to reduce my anxiety in a number of ways. I've not used it in childbirth yet but frankly the fact I have started to enjoy this pregnancy instead of worrying about the end process was worth it in itself.

As berberana says, it's not just about hypnosis, it's about how the body works in labour and a lot of the stuff I learned makes so much sense that I am excited to use it. I don't know if I would have been as inspired had I read a book on it rather than an actual course though. Oh, and for the record, both DP and I are not at all hippyish, in fact I thought it was a load of old hippy tosh before we went, but I was desperate! Given that it's transformed my view of childbirth I think it's been worth it, although whether it will be of any use in the actual event I don't yet know.

Original poster

m33r · 27/10/2014 19:19

You are so wonderful to share your experiences! Thank you.

I'm thinking we should do it as I'm quite a logical person and like to know what's happening...

DH coming downstairs at 9pm for the consensus so keep em coming! Thanks!!

OP posts:

berberana · 27/10/2014 19:22

I really can't see how it would be a bad thing, just go into it open minded. My DH is such a cynic but came with me to a couple of workshops. He didn't buy into the hypnosis at all but still got a lot out of it and this time around is quite happy to do some refresher sessions. He knows how much it helped me.

christmasmammy · 27/10/2014 19:24

I'm hoping for a home birth and have downloaded a hypnobirthing app on my phone.

I'm a bit cynical and haven't been listening to it as much as I should but it would be nice to think it works.

I think it's just designed to help you understand and deal with the pain rather than opting straight for pain relief.

Caniaskaquestion · 27/10/2014 19:27

I've used hypnosis in life generally to manage anxiety. So I used the techniques to prepare and be calm for labour. I found it really helpful, along with the active birth class I did ( also did pregnancy yoga). I had a very intense sudden onset of labour and getting into a relaxed place using hypnotherapy really helped. Ended up with emergency cs after five hours so can't comment on it's usefulness in the pushing bit!

StepfauxWife · 27/10/2014 19:42

Another vote for natal hypnotherapy. I agree that it's useful to understand the "science" behind how it works and Maggie Howell's book sets it out wonderfully. I listened to the CD which helped me relax and get to sleep.

The birth of my DD wasn't the natural experience I wanted but the natal hypnotherapy helped hugely as things went out of control. It helped me stay calm and focus on the end goal.

My DH was sceptical but he went along with it as I was so keen to try it. The lady that ran my workshop is now a friend and I wouldn't hesitate to use it again with any subsequent pregnancies.

I don't think the workshops add a great deal but as long as you're disciplined with the cd then I think you'll get as much from it.

bagofsnakes · 27/10/2014 19:46

We did a Hypnobirthing course (Mongan Method) and I highly, highly recommend it. It got me through a pain-med and intervention free labour and, more importantly, it made me feel so confident and relaxed about labour. I actually think that my labour was shorter and easier (than many first labours) because I was so relaxed about it all. Expecting DC2 in February and I'll certainly be using it all again. Really, can say enough good things about it.

MGFM · 27/10/2014 19:50

A friend of mine did it and thought it was a waste of money. I think she paid quite a lot for a 'specialist'. I think it is very subjective.

SarahWH23 · 27/10/2014 20:22

i think it can help if things go well, but having done the course and listened to the CD everyday was of no use to me whatsoever during three day induction/emergency c section!

Liveinthepresent · 27/10/2014 20:27

Huge fan of natal hypnotherapy- used the book and CDs only though I did do pre natal yoga so lots of breathing tips etc from that too.
Didn't enjoy the hypnobirthing book as much.
Didn't need a course.

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/10/2014 20:27

It isn't far fetched. It has a good evidence-base and tends to work best for the woman who are a bit science an like to have control, rather than those who like to knit lentils in my experience (who are still okay but for other reasons).

You can learn to absolutely control your reaction to what is happening as well as your thoughts about it, to help you cope better.

Fissawissa · 27/10/2014 20:33

I done the Irish method called Gentle Birth. The lady who wrote the book is called Tracy Donegan.
I found it helped me massively, not just with the birth bit with knowing all of options & also bring more informed.
I had our son last week who weighed in at 10lb 6oz with just gas & air and I think gentle birth helped me to achieve this.

wejammin · 27/10/2014 20:41

I've used the Mongan method for DS and then for DD 2 years later. I took classes and practiced a lot at home. Both were born at the birthing centre in the pool with no medication. DS's birth was wonderful and calm, DD's more difficult as she came so fast, but still more than manageable.

PenguinsIsSleepDeprived · 27/10/2014 20:43

To add to what I said earlier, I was really keen on hypnotherapy. But on the day, I just couldn't. I wanted to moo and growl , if I was being hippy I would say that was how I felt strong and powerful enough to deal with it. I couldn't drift away to a beach, I had to battle and roar. Next labour was the same.

VikingLady · 27/10/2014 20:51

I know of two people who used it to have a totally unmedicated birth, and I used it for labour though I had an emcs. I was contracting every 3 or 4 mins for a minute each time and feeling very little pain - totally manageable.

You do have to work at it though. You have to do the exercises so they are routine, and you need peace and calm during labour so you can focus on it. Your birth partner basically deals with the crap and admin so you do t have to!

People have had operations under hypnosis with no anaesthetic. People with allergies to general anaesthetic are given Valium/relaxants instead which achieve much the same thing: they stop the fear of pain and take your mind off it!

JessicaTheWereRRRabbit · 27/10/2014 20:58

I used natal hypnotherapy for DS2 and got to 10cm easy peasy (yes really!) Unfortunately there were complications after that and had to have CS but I would use it again without a doubt.

Original poster

m33r · 27/10/2014 21:06

You are all lovely! Thank you again. Will present this thread to DH and we'll go from there.

OP posts:

StarlightMcKenzie · 27/10/2014 21:11

I think it just helps you not to 'lose it', because once you have, it is VERY difficult to regain control.

It is better to request an epidural firmly and unwaveringly if that is what you want, than screaming hysterically.

As it happens, the two births I used hypnobirthing for I never even asked for gas and air as I didn't want any disruption to my breathing etc. which was working for me, so both babies were born without anything at all.

The births hurt for sure, but unfortunately I learned with birth one, that with the exception of an epidural (which might not take or work properly) there wasn't anything on offer that actually gave pain relief anyway.

shopperholic101 · 27/10/2014 21:17

I would recommend it. I had a lot of anxiety after my first child and it was suggested by my midwife. I had 4 sessions and was given several downloads. My husband wasn't convinced and to be honest i wasn't sold on it even after the first session but i listened to the downloads and have to say i didn't know it but used all the breathing during the birth of number 2 and it was amazing. So chilled. It can only help and i nodded off listening to the downloads but found them relaxing.

Allhallowspeeve · 27/10/2014 21:22

It really helped me focus when I considering flinging myself out of the window to kill myself because the pain was so bad.

In my head I was in Cuba, in our favourite restaurant looking at the sunset.

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