Hypnobirthing...for all those who were curious!

[dal21]

Hi everyone - a while back I posted about Hypnobirthing and decided to get DH and I on a course for it. Quite a few of you asked me to come back on here and let you know what I thought about it.

Did the first session (of two) yesterday and I can honestly say that it is fantastic! The reasoning behind it is very logical and makes sense and I can honestly say that having done the relaxation classes during the day and playing the rainbow cd before bed, I hardly woke up at all last night and for the first time that I can remember, woke up feeling so unbelievably refreshed!

There is one element of it I will struggle with (and that is relying on DH to support me through the birth; it gives the birthing partner a critical role and not one I had thought about DH having); but aside from that, the tools that it is giving us to cope with the labour are second to none! Highly recommend it to those who are toying with going on a course themselves!

Hi Dal! Glad it went well. Did the person running the course say anything about the success rate of hypnobirthing? I'm so sceptical about these types of things I've always thought they wouldn't work because I didn't believe it would work. I've always thought things like complementary therapies require a bit of faith too, and I've never really got on with them. It's great it's been so reassuring and successful for you so far!

Hi Mrs Mars - The lady basically explained that the majority of the mothers she has taught have got away without any form of pain relief and even when they have had to undergo c sections when the births have not ended up as straightforward; the relaxation techniques still helped.
The most interesting part was that the majority of people there had been recommended to go by word of mouth by friends who had done the course and then delivered their babies. cant really knock that.

aside from anything else - it was worth it for the best nights sleep i have had since falling pregnant!

Just to add my comments, I am 31 weeks and have completed 3 sessions of a 5 weeks hypnobirthing course.

I was sceptical but knew I wanted to do something to change my last experience. I struggled at first as it does seem to go against all medical procedure but the more I do it the more I can see the point. I had a ecs last time so in my mind the intervention saved mine and my babies life so I didnt see how they can recommend little intervention. HOwever the more I do I understand that there is a cycle of fear, tension and pain and you can actually have a good chance of minimal intervention if you know what to do.

they cannot really give success rates as no birth can be guaranteed, but the testimonials seem honest and positive (even including the negative) and I do feel so much more relaxed and positive going into it.

I will report back in a few weeks!

perhaps employing a doula would reinforce your ability to rely on your dh?

BTW - i think for things like this to be a success, as you say, you do have to be open to it working. I was ill a few years ago and it was non traditional medicine that got me back on my feet. So I am actually all for complimentary therapies...hence more open to exploring stuff like this.

KG - totally agree, my hypnotherapist didnt say that it cuts down on intervention (i.e. csections), but a lot of mothers didnt need epidurals or related pain relief.

Lio - I think that as long as DH and I discuss it over the next few weeks, I will be fine. Am terrible at asking for help and relying on anyone - now that my mind is open to it, we should be able to find a way that works for us . and if there is anyone I can do that with, it will be DH!

Was it expensive Dal?

I paid £300 for 2 sessions (run 10am-5pm two consecutive sundays) - includes the book and the CD and the lady running it has offered to be available for any questions after the course is over for no extra charge. And although she cannot commit to it due to her teaching commitments which come first - she also offers to attend the birth and assist at no extra charge! Incredible I thought. But that could be london pricing, will most likely be slughtly cheaper out of town.
That was why I initially was weighing up whether to do it - the cost, but decided in the end to give it a go.

How long do you have to go Dal as the ultimate proof of the pudding will be the birth itself, obviously there will always be emrgencies & exceptions that you can't predict.
I had an emergency section with DD but would like a vbac this time, so interested to hear of anything natural that helps people. Even if I do have to have a section I'd like to be prepared, last time I was actually the calmest person there as I just kind of went with the flow & knew that it was best for me & DD but this time I think I'd be more nervous, anticipating things going wrong type of thing. Good luck with it & KG

I am just over 30 weeks and as you say the truth will be in the actual birth. I just came on to report initial thoughts as i knew some ladies wanted my initial feedback.
One of the things that helped sway me was my girlfriend had a very traumatic first birth that ended with lots of intervention and she actually didnt want a second child because the birth had been so traumatic. When she fell pregnant again - she went onto hypnobirthing - to basically try and avert getting more worried as the event approached - and she like you JBck is very level headed and calm. Her second birth in her words was 'amazing'.

I used one of those hypno birth CDs and whilst I was not as diligent as you are meant to be I did find some of the ideas stuck with me. There was one 'mantra' that went along the lines of one more (contraction) is one less (iykwim). I did find that helped in the early stages.

I had no pain relief whatsoever and I did overhear the midwives saying they had never seen anyone so focused. Not sure if that was anything to do with the hypno birth cd.

I too had had an awful first birth with all drugs you can think of.

dal you are the same stage as me, I will think of you as I do my relaxation through the surges

also, I have decided to get my dh to record some of my favourite hypno wording for me, so even if he isnt there/gas to leave for a bit or whatever, I can listen to his voice and remain calm.

did you get to see from video of women giving birth using the techniques? I am sure they only show the best ones but it was amazing, the women didnt push but breathed the baby down, and were chatting away, or just looking asleep and baby popped out in its own time. It actually made me look forward to the birth.

I did watch the videos and was in awe! would have been suspicious if I hadnt had my midwife rave about the births she had witnessed and then my friend talk about her experience. I really think it is possible to be that calm and focussed.
The hypnobirthing therapist has recorded our CD and I swear she has the most amazingly calming voice. Will stick for that for the time being, but have heard of DH's doing exactly that!

LOL at surges btw!

dal

Both of my birthing experiences were hypnobirthing and I have to say that in the end my dh didn't play that critical of a role. All he did was hold my hand and rub a washcloth on my face. Since my dh doesn't read English we didn't bother with the readings.

I can also say that although my births weren't pain free, they were very managable.

Good luck to you, hypnobirthing is the way to go!

It's great that you enjoyed your course, I personally think that with any kind of hypnosis if you approach it with a positive mindset and are prepared to practise the techniques it will work. I do wonder about the success "rates" of hypnobirthing though - yes many of the births are shorter etc but then many of them are multips i.e had a baby before, so of course they will be. And I say these things as a trained hypnobirthing instructor - I did the course, but have never really used it with my clients, always retained a slight sense of scepticism. I don't believe there's any "magic" to achieving a peaceful birth - information, careful preparation, and good support from those around you can all be important, as well as the right sort of caregiver. If you birth under the care of an active management obstetrician, chances are you will end up with a higher level of interventions, no matter how much self hypnosis you do. If on the other hand you give birth in a low intervention settting and surround yourself with caring, supportive caregivers, you stand a much better chance of a low intervention, pain-relief free birth (barring medical emergencies, of course). Good luck with the hypnobirthing, am sure you'll do great. If you are uncomfortable relying so much on DH then you could also consider hiring a doula who is familar with hypnosis for childbirth. I think many partners like the "structure" of having the scripts etc - gives them something useful to do and they feel so proud of themselves afterwards!

mrsmalumbas,

A lot of what you say is very true. But the hypnobirthing books and courses really gave me the information and taught me how staying calm and deep breathing helps the body do what it has to do. How relaxing and "going with the flow" is better than heavy lamaze style panting.

In my first birth, with a midwife, was an induction with no pain relief (gel, drip) I was slept through most of my labor and pushing phase. I barely remember most of it, because I was so relaxed.

My second birth, with an ob/gyn, was a natural labor and birth, and I was not as relaxed because it came on very fast and didn't last very long, hypnobirthing really helped me calm down and deal with the situation.

I can honestly say that I've had two great births and you can say it's luck, a high pain thresh-hold, or hypnobirthing. Maybe it's all three mixed together.

MKG absolutely - relaxation and staying calm really really help, for sure. Whatever helps you achieve that state of relaxation is great. The more "tools" you have at your disposal the better. I just don't think there is any particular "magic" to hypnosis per se and I still think it's important to get all your ducks in a row as regards where you give birth and who you have taking care of you. Anyway, always nice to hear positive birth stories. I have seen many calm, peaceful, drug free births in my time and it's always wonderful to see.

I think as you say - if you think these techniques will help and you are willing to adopt them - they will help you, in any situation. For me; I want to approach giving birth with a positive mindset and the confidence that my body and mind and baby will work together to deliver my baby. I dont expect pain free, but I dont want to be scared of the pain and the hypnobirthing has given me the confidence to think i can do this.

Dal sounds good, you're 6 weeks ahead of me so I'll be watching for your birth story, do they give you techniques to cope if things don't go as you hope?
I had a false alarm with DD & went into the birthing unit (m/w only) in my local hospital & was coping well but it all stopped & I went home. Then I was induced at 40 plus 10, wouldn't choose to do that again as it wasn't good, couldn't be in BU, hospital lost my notes so I didn't get gel at same time as everyone else but managed to skip girls who'd been in since day before within a couple of hours into the labour suite, was 3cms within an hour of gel. I don't think I'll be able to go to BU because of previous histroy so it'd be good to have as many tools to help me have as much the birth I want. It's good to hear other's experience

I think the coping techniques come from staying calm; staying focussed and trusting your body and your baby. Don't know until I am in the situation how I will cope if something doesnt go to plan - but I am extremely comfortable and have built up a great relationship with my midwife and obs. So if they advise intervention at some point, I will trust that they are doing what is best for baby and me. I think that that is the crux to feeling ok if things dont go to plan. That and also keeping an open mind that as much as i plan and hope for a normal birth, my baby may have very different plans in store for me! So long as baby and I are well at the end of this journey - I will be happy!

I'd be interested in finding more out about these techniques, but with a toddler and no job, there is no way I ccould afford the time and money to a similar course to yours. Does anyone know of any good books & CDs which are more widely available (and less expensive!).

I did relaxation classes before, and tried for a home waterbirth first time round, but after 3 hrs of pushing ended up having to transfer to hospital and having a forceps delivery with a spinal. However, in the first stage, and throughout my own pushing, I managed with Entenox & the birthing pool, and am keen to use as little medical pain relief as possible second time round. Any information on hypnobirthing or other relaxation techniques that are commercially available would therefore be much appreciated.

Good luck with your birth Dal.

anonymama - the UK version of the mongan hypnobirthing book is available from amazon

www.amazon.co.uk/Hypnobirthing-Breakthrough-Easier-Comfortable-Childbirth/dp/0285637711/ref=p dbowtega1/203-3054358-6282348?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185215388&sr=1-1

the american version with CD is available too, not sure why the UK one isnt available with it. I would defo try and get the cd, doubt the american one is vastly different.

Cheers. Have ordered the book for starters.

Hi Dal >

Glad to hear it went well and that you are feeling positive. I read the Marie Mongon book a couple of weeks ago and since bought a set of the CD's - left it a bit late to do a course unfortunately. However, I am already reaping the benefits of the relaxation element and fully intend to keep practicing and use these tools all the way through - and afterwards.

I can understand the scepticism from some quarters (and believe me I am the biggest cynic out there) but it all strikes me as so positive. Yes this is my first pregnancy but it is clear that so many people are desperate to share their horror stories and understandably so because it probably helps them to come to terms with a horrible process. But it all seems to feed this fear of birth and puts us in this vicious circle where its sometimes medicalised beyond all proportion and leads to great pain and disappointment all round.

I've developed quite an effective filter for negativity surrounding birth and I feel a lot better for it. Stick with it and we can compare notes afterwards!