Hypnobirthing/Positive birth experiences?!

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I was thinking of trying hypnobirthing classes because I need to help myself think more positively about childbirth - I'm currently terrified. I'm pregnant with my first and just seem to keep hearing horror stories about births that all end up with massive tearing or an emergency c section!!!

Has anyone tried hypnobirthing and did if work? Or has anyone just got any generally positive birth stories? x

This is a recent thread with some great stories, I just used the Maggie Howell natal hypnobirthing cd and book and the techniques really helped me during labour.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/2994726-Possitive-hypno-birthing-stories

No experience of hypnobirthing but 2 positive birth experiences.
Was absolutely terrified with DC1- couldn't even read the bits in baby books about birth. Just went into complete denial- to the point that when my waters broke at home, I thought Well if I don't tell
anyone, no one will know...
Inevitably, birth went ahead. I was so scared but actually I wish I'd realised it was the contractions that hurt (like really really bad period cramps but no more than that) not the actual birth. I did tear but with epidural didn't feel a thing.
Before birth of DC2, another mum (of 3) had said she enjoyed the challenge of birth, of keeping her cool through the pain and 'getting the job done'. Something clicked for me and I looked at it much more positively instead of something to dread. I had DC2 with no pain relief whatsoever. It was quicker but I had a better idea of what might happen and knew from experience, not to dread it.
I think hypnobirthing cannot stop the pain but it can help implant positive attitudes and confidence Plus of course relaxation.

Firstly please learn to politely ask people to stop talking when they begin a birth from hell story, every birth is different and some women seem to try to put do each other with horror stories.

We did a Hypnobirth course when I was pregnant with DD who is now almost 3, I'm 25 weeks pregnant now and will be going back for refresher classes this time around. We did the Marie Mongon method. I found it great. Even if you just buy the book the stories in it and the general view of the experience of birth are wonderful. I can't remember it exactly but one of the first ones is a Dr in the 19th century I think who saw a woman give birth with not much I fuss and after he asked her how she did it and she was surprised as she wasn't aware it was supposed to be a dreadful experience so it wasn't. It was something like that and it stuck with me.
Also it taught that lots of animals give birth without too much fuss and our bodies have evolved and are designed to give birth. Why fear it?

I appreciate that it's not that easy for everyone but going into it with that attitude helped a lot I think. I found Hypnobirth was just about teaching a positive mindset and relaxation techniques. It was wonderful.

Op, hypnobirthing is great.
I really wish I had signed onto a hypnobirthing course, there are quite a few available, certainly around my area.
I ended up switching between an app and a cd at different points in my pregnancy. I would reccomend listening to parts of the cd before you purchase as some recordings were irritating to listen to (I much preferred the British recordings). You need to find one that suits you.
I am sure you will find a technique that works for you; for me, focusing relaxing my body from head to toe whilst contracting eased my pain and helped me to feel in control.
My first labour was longer and more complicated but I felt calm throughout. My tens machine and hypnobirthing techniques really helped, and I was able to cope with a 2 day labour without needing any medication. I really would have doubted my ability to cope without the hypnobirthing. In the morgan method book they talk about the process of giving birth and how are bodies are designed to labour. This helped me enormously- I felt so powerful. Btw, I have also had 2 gorgeous short water births. At all my labours the midwifes all asked me if I'd used hypnobirthing so there must be something in it!
Go for it Op!

Might not be what you want to hear but I had a (kind of emergency, I just wasn't dilating) c-section and it wasn't traumatic at all (had been having contractions for about 12 hours at this point) and I'm a great big wuss!