Hypnobirthing

[PolkadotRosa]

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with no. 3 and have just started thinking/reading about hypnobirthing. I had an awful labour experience last time, and although I'm not sure about the lack of pain relief, I feel the relaxation aspect could be really helpful for me.
If anyone could tell me a bit more and share their experiences that'd be great, or just point me in the right direction to learn more for myself (if possible!) eg books or cd's etc worth buying. Anything! Thank you.

I chose to have a home water birth for my 1st baby as i had done a lot of research and info gathering from others and it was the best decision i ever made. I enrolled with lisa jackson at quiet medicine and practised the marie mongon theory. Lisa was a great help and i can honestly say i think it helped no end. I had no pain relief what so ever a good 9hr labour at home all calm and relaxed. I had the confidence to go again with my 2nd water birth no pain relief and active labour 45mins!! I listened to my cd every night before sleep and practiced with my mum and other half the relaxation techniques. Without a doubt relaxtion and calmness is the key.

I did Hypnobirthing classes and they were fantastic. The course cost £250 and included The Hypnobirthing Book by Katharine Graves, a CD with music on and another with music and scripts read over them. My midwives/teachers were also on hand to answer any questions or wobbles and I still speak to them now over a year later. I absolutely loved the philosophy - your body was made to do this; it knew how to grow your baby and it knows how to birth it.

My labour (first timer) was really quick - I went from 2cm to delivered in less than 3hrs. No drugs, just some G&A whilst pushing and a lovely calm waterbirth. I credit a lot of it to Hypbobirthing because I was so calm and confident throughout my pregnancy. The only negative was that they showed us a few DVDs of women very quietly breathing their babies out with no sign of any pain at all. I hoped I'd be like that too but obviously I now realise it does sting a bit

Just read the other replies - I was a moo-er too but in an 'Oh my God it's bloody hard work but so satisfying to push and feel my baby move' rather than a 'Panic, panic, I've changed my mind, put him back in!' way.

Mine wasn't panic either. But it wasn't when pushing. It was like vocalising out the contraction helped me ride it.

Yep, I was a moo-er as well - and it definitely helped to vocalise through the contraction.

Ahhh, getting very nostalgic, totally want to do it all again.

I also did a Marie Mongan course. I also didn't really use it as I had a very fast labour but I still find it very relaxing now, and it certainly helped me stay calmer,

Can't recommend it I'm afraid, I tried it, lady who taught me was very unsupportive about my induction. Led to some tensions and doubt in my head that it was too hippy-dippy for me. In the event I was so exhausted and in such pain there was no way hypnosis was going to help - epidural was the only solution for me. I do think the CDs and exercises helped me relax in pregnancy, so from that sense it was good.

I'm not particularly hippy but thought I'd give it a go as my first birth wasn't great. I used the mongan method just by listening to the CD as often as I could from 25weeks or so. I didn't have much hope in it since I would fall asleep most of the time!

However, on the day it worked so well for me that I didn't realise I was in full on labour and my son was born on the bed in two "pushes". No pain, no fear, just lots of pressure, the most amazing feeling of being in control of my body and I would say the best day of my life.

Give it a go, you've got nothing to lose x

If you've already had an upsetting birth experience, I would suggest that you might benefit from at least one session (one to one) with a hypnobirthing practitioner, as they would be able to specifically tailor things towards relieving your fears left over from last time.

But you will still get something out of doing it from books/CDs as well - I was lucky, a friend does it so I got "mates' rates" for the 4 one-to-one sessions I had with her, and it was brilliant and well worth it.

Although it didn't particularly reduce my pain, I don't think, it did allow me to let my body do what it needed to do without fear or fighting it - and that was great. Half hour stage 2, DS1 was nearly born without MW assistance! they got their just in time for the final push.

their THERE

FFS

I did the Mongan hypnobirthing course before I had dc1 - planned homebirth. Really wish I had done more prep for dc2!

I never managed the hypnosis bit but my hypnobirthing practitioner was very good at explaining the mechanics of birth and hence why it was so important for me to stay relaxed and allow my uterus to get on with its job - that was actually the best bit for me! She also went through with us what our birthing partners could ask and take control if intervention was being suggested at any point and we didn't have a straight forward time - that was actually really empowering and gave me lots more confidence rather than the usual listing of common birthing complications with no suggestion of what you can do in that situation.

The best time to listen to the cd's is bedtime and if they send you off to sleep then they are doing their job. I used my rainbow sounds cd throughout labour and napped while having contractions every 2 mins.

Check out The Calm Birth School, a new online Hypnobirthing course. One of the women who runs it is who I did my course with and I think it's incredible. My birth was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and despite me needing some intervention at the end, I had no pain relief or stress. The whole ethos of it is that your body and your baby know what to do, which I truly believe.
Best of luck with your new baby! X

Loved reading these positive stories, I just bought the Maggie Howell CD and book set and I'm going to start using it right away!

I cannot recommend hypnobirthing enough. My husband and I did a course on it before I have birth to my little one and despite what would normally be regarded as a difficult labour I really look back on my birthing experience well and I'm sure it made all the difference. Our teacher was Lisa Jackson. Her website is www.qmhypnotherapy.co.uk/

Sorry 'gave birth'

Why are so many posts recommending one named teacher. It's starting to sound a bit infomercial.

I did the 3 Maggie howell CDs. I went into labour and think it may have helped initially but when labour got going (last 2 hours of 12) wasn't much help really. I actually like being in hospital and feel v comfortable there. I was looking forward to/ positive about the birth. My first 2 were epidural after induction.

This time I passed the point of being allowed an epidural. Pethidine didn't really help at that point either. They took the gas and air off me at the end as I was overusing it. The most important thing is 10 pound 6 was delivered safely. In retrospect I wish I'd asked for an epidural sooner but it's done now. I don't regret doing the CDs tho.

Do make sure that your birth partner does the course too - they need to be clued up, can take you through a relaxation and do the massages and help with the breathing and can be your advocate.

I got through back to back birth with hypnobirthing and tens and think if I had had an epidural or opiate based drug then I wouldn't have have got through without intervention as the focus and calmness definitely helped concentrate and I needed full feeling to push him out the wrong way up.

My friend, mum of 3, had hypnobirthing for 2 of her kids, the other one turned up too early. I wish I had the option for my 2.

For anyone in the midlands or peak district area look up Brampton Therapy Centre. Can't recommend it highly enough.

After a horrendous failed induction resulting in EMCS for deep transverse arrest with DD1, I was determined to have a VBAC.

The hypnobirthing worked for me (CDs recommended above) to the point where I basically lost about 3-4 hours of active labour I was so focused and calm. I didn't believe the midwife that I'd been in hospital so long and was very surprised to discover that I'd got to 9cm with just the TENS (the failed induction, in contrast, was a cascade of appalling interventions badly handled). In the end I had my VBAC with my 10lb dd2 using gas and air, and it was a good experience. I'd recommend it.

It was definitely the way forward for me. I had a horrible first birth with DC1 and really needed something with the second to help me through it. Although DC2's birth was still difficult it was much more manageable and I managed to do the first 12 hours without getting upset or stressed or needing pain relief. In fact, I think if no-one had intervened I would have been able to push DC2 out in a much shorter space of time.

The only thing I would say about it is that you have to be committed to it - practising the breathing and relaxation for 20 minutes everyday and listening to the affirmations.

I used hypnobirthing for both of my boys. The Marie Mongan method. I needed no pain relief and remained calm and focussed throughout. I downloaded the cd onto my iPod/iPhone and had my headphones in for the whole of stage 1 of both labours. DH sat and read his book

I'm not at all new age but really wanted some control over the process. I practiced every day though in the fortnight leading up to each birth. Can't recommend it enough. Good luck!

Polkadotrosa, I had a very similar experience to you first time around. Epidural, forceps, 3rd deg tear. I had tried Marie Mongon but didnt really buy into the evangelism. Also baby was back to back which was horrendous.

Second time I had a very easy delivery. Laboured at home for as long as possible, until felt i needed to be hospital. Arrived at the hospital and delivered baby within an hour following three involuntary pushes (they honestly just happened with no conscious effort from me). Went home with new baby 12 hours later.

The things I think made a big difference were:
Maggie Howell natal hypnotherapy
Being on my own for most of it, allowing me to get in the zone and kind of exist in a dream like state till the end
TENS
Having done spinning babies exercises in the last few weeks and during labour to get and keep baby in the best position
NOT getting flat on my back for any of it -delivered on my side

I can really describe my second delivery as amazing :-)

These guys do video hypnobirthing courses with phone and online support too - I haven't used them myself but a number of local Mums have told me they are really good.
www.thecalmbirthschool.com