Anyone tried Hypnobirthing classes / techniques / books / audiobooks ?? Is it worth the money ??

[Soda123x]

Hi all,
1st time mum to be here. Due end of Feb 2020.
As I am now 32 weeks and with labour fast approaching, I was wondering if there are any tips / advice anyone could give.

Has anyone tried hypnobirthing techniques / classes / books / audiobooks?? Etc....

Any thing recommended & worth looking into or avoiding ??? Xx

I did yoga! I'm not sure you might have to seek advice about starting so far into pregnancy! I used the positions almost daily has I got bigger to stretch and aid comfort! Didn't use in labour as I had a fast, unexpected birth!! Today at 36+5!! I also stated reading the positive birth book yesterday, makes for a good read! Not that I'm
Any where near finishing it! However it was good so I will likely finish it!

Yes! I massively benefited from hypnobirthing. I went into it thinking it was worth a shot but I was very skeptical. Essentially though I learned it was about practising relaxation and other practical techniques (massage, visualisations, etc) coupled with understanding the science of birth and hormones.

Ive given birth to two children and both times managed with gas and air only and avoided the labour ward (giving birth at a midwife led unit the first time, and at home the second).

I did a face to face course the first time. If you are in Kent I can recommend one. I also read two books: the calm birth school and the positive birth book.

The second time I did an online course with the positive birth company and read the positive birth book again.

The best thing about it is that you are providing yourself with a 'toolbox' of things to help you while going through labour. You and your birth partner then can manage the experience by using the different tools you have available. While it's nothing about being hypnotised, you do use visualisations and relaxation techniques to ensure that you stay calm and it really did help me move my labour on without interventions.

You do need to practice though. You've got 2 months which is plenty of time if you plan to do it each night. The positive birth company online course gives you a timetable to follow to get you prepared! But you can also ignore this and do what you want and pick and choose. The schedule just appealed to my personality type!

I did the online course from the Positive Birth Company. I ended up having a very long and complicated induction, despite being low-risk, and I found it brilliant for keeping calm and making it a positive experience.

I think hypobirthing is really helpful for all kinds of births, as there's a big emphasis on being informed and understanding what's going on. You never know what kind of path your birth will take, so knowing about different pathways is so important. Really helped me a lot.

I read the book and also went to a class which was very focussed on hypnobirthing techniques. It all went right out of the window when I had to be induced at 38 weeks. The biggest difficulty was that my expectation of contractions was completely unrealistic. I had a really strong reaction to the pessary and was having six or more strong contractions within 10 mins, sometimes without a break between them, and this was before I was even 2cm dilated. I was just utterly bewildered by the intensity and actually felt a bit let down by the classes. I won’t be bothering with any hypnobirthing classes or reading this time around.

Birth Skills by Juju Sudin. Practiced lots of activities. Plus daily hypnobirthing listening and relaxation sessions. Daily ky/Weekly yoga. Heat pack for lower back. Stress balls for squeezing. Yoga breathing with counting. Partner describing Safe Space every time contractions hit on.

Reread Birth Skills numerous times. Felt empowered and ready. Used Birthing Pool.

Birthed twice at home, no gas or air. Key = Birth Skills book!

I had a set of three audio CDs with exercises (breathing, visualising) as I could not make it physically to any courses, I was in quite a lot of pain so forgot all about everything when the time came lol, so not sure it was of any help.

Maggie Howell CD and book, the breathing techniques alone kept me calm and focussed during labour

Thank you all I'll have a look into some of the recommendations xx

Yes 100% worth the money.

I didn't do it with my first as did NCT and didn't have time for both.

Did a face to face course with second.

Now pregnant with third and going to do The Positive Birth Company online digital pack and buy the book. Look at their Instagram for birth stories.
This package seems great if money or time are limited.

We did the digital pack from The Positive Birth company together. Really helpful. I'm 34 weeks today and listen to the meditations or affirmations daily.

I think the key thing is shifting your expectations of birth. Avoid shows liek One Born Every Minute and instead seek out youtube videos on 'positive births' or listen to the Positive Birth Podcast which is free.

I didn't do hypnobirthing but my midwife asked if I had studied it as my coping mechanisms in labour were very similar. I only had gas and air and a 34 hour labour.

All the best OP x