Is trying Hypnobirthing worth it for second labour ?

[MichelleOR84]

Sorry this is so long

With my first pregnancy I only did the free NHS birthing class . I really wanted to do a Hypnobirthing class but I was on a tight schedule/budget at the time and couldn’t make it work . I read up on it a bit but in the end decided to go with the flow .

My labour was actually okay but not perfect . I really wanted to feel labour , pain and all , and I definitely got to experience that with the exception of delivery ( I needed an assisted forceps delivery with a spinal ). There were other parts that could have gone better too ( I struggled a lot in early labour ). Overall, once I got into active labour , I was pretty calm and surprisingly great at breathing through contractions. I found keeping myself relaxed help with the pain and I didn’t need an epidural.

Now, a year later , I’m 27 weeks pregnant and I have the time for a Hypnobirthing class . I just wonder if I’m wasting my money.

I reached out to one course I like that is run through my hospital ( a 4 hour class) but a lot of the class covers topics I’m very familiar with such as my hospitals birthing options , labour signs , when to call the hospital etc . I did reach out to the lady doing the course and she offered me a private session tailored to me. It’s only an hour session . Is an hour enough ? I have noooo clue . Surely I can find YouTube videos that will cover what I would learn in that hour ?

I also saw a 10-12 hour course through another company and I wonder what I get out of that . That course also emphasised the importance of no medical interventions. But what if I’m told I need one in labour . Last time after pushing for 2 hours I needed forceps and a spinal . I didn’t want one but it was recommended. I’m not one to go against medical advice .

I find this all very confusing 😔

I just have birth to my second last week. With my first I had spinal block and forceps, I had practiced Hypnobirthing but in the end baby hadn’t. This time I didn’t bother Hypnobirthing practice as I was of the mindset what will be will be and felt a failure after the first. This time however I had a wonderful birth and pushed for 40 minutes, one tiny tear no stitches. The births were so different even I was amazed. The Hypnobirthing company does much cheaper options online than private courses so maybe look at those but don’t not do it for fear of your first repeating.

I really recommend the Positive Birth Company online course. Cheaper and much more informative that the face-to-face antenatal classes I attended.

Yes I second The Positive Birth Company online course! Also loved Milli Hill's Positive Birth Book. I didn't do hypnobirthing with #1 because it was out of my price range but used those resources which are much more affordable (there are some free YouTube videos) with #2 and had a much more positive experience.

I'm 34 weeks and just started the positive birth company's recorded hypnobirthing course and finding it really helpful to watch with DH. Has videos, mp3s, birth plan and course booklet,
Like you my first birth was okay, not great, and I wish I'd felt more prepared.

It's really reasonable price (£39) and I already understand where any why things might not have run as smoothly. Almost getting excited to give birth this time!

I found the Juju Sundin birthskills book way more useful than hypnobirthing ( I did both).

@Bert2020 that’s exactly my fear . That I’ll do the class , my labour won’t go as planned again and I’ll feel like a failure . Especially as this is likely my last baby . If I go with the flow and have no expectations then I can’t feel disappointed, right ? But then I also wanna give myself every possible chance for it to go well .

@MichelleOR84 I would do one of the cheaper courses IF you can be of the mindset that you haven’t failed if you don’t have an amazing Hypnobirthing experience this time. We haven’t failed at all if birth isn’t text book. Honestly I know people say how pregnancy & birth is different each time but it’s not until I’ve just done it that I realised just how true that statement is!

Just to add OP if you follow the Positive Birth Company’s Instagram page they share lots of different birth stories. Caesarians, inductions, instrumentals, and the water births etc. All are seen as positive experiences and the women don’t see themselves as failures if they’re labour didn’t go as planned. I found the course helped me get in the right mindset to navigate labour despite what twists and turns it might inevitable take not that it promised me a pain free water birth.

*their labour

I don't think hypnobirthing sets you up thinking you're going to have the perfect Labour, it gives you the tools to manage situations mentally. I didn't for my first but did for my second as I was incredibly anxious, I felt really empowered with my contractions (err until 8cm and then it just bloody hurt) but I really did, I saw each one as one step closer to meeting my baby. I think if you're feeling worried or anxious then it's definitely worth it!

I used the Maggie Howell hypnobirthing, I downloaded it from ITunes. It helped to keep me calm and use my breathing exercises.
No mention of avoidance of medical interventions etc I don't really get that with some of the hypnobirthing! I was induced at 37 weeks due to complications and had to be monitored constantly so from the start there were medical interventions

Yes it’s a great idea. When I went on my course they said a number of second time mums come. I wanted to go to feel more in control of myself and my body and learn techniques to relax me. In the end I had a cesearen but I still used the techniques when I was in the theatre to keep me calm etc. I did the wise hippo classes.

Another vote for the Positive Birth Company online pack. Even if things don’t quite go to plan I think it equips you to still feel empowered. It teaches you to use the BRAIN acronym when being offered interventions so you come away from the experience feeling like you made the best choice for you and your baby.

Sorry to jump onto this thread.

I've been so scared of labour I have blocked it out and now feel overwhelmed. For those that have done the positive Birth company course is it too late at 29 weeks? :(

@New2020 I've only started in the last week and am nearly 35 weeks, I don't think it's too late to start, the course is split in to 5/6 topics and take about an hour or so to watch.
DH and I have been doing one every other evening and then listening to the mp3s whenever I get a chance, before bed or pottering

Each topic takes about an hour* not sure that was clear from my post!

Thanks @ShyOwl I'm glad I'm not too late. I feel so unprepared and then it becomes overwhelming and I just end up in tears.

Have focused so much on the practical aspects of what I need to buy for baby I've ignored this part

Another one who recommends the online course for the positive birth company (paid £39). I‘m pregnant with my first (33 weeks) and have found it so informative and reassuring.

a million times yes! It made me waaay more empowered and chilled out.

@New2020 pretty sure you can still do if! Sounds like it'll really help you.

Thanks @BiscuitLovers098124 x when did you start doing the course?

Another vote for the Positive Birth Company, I did it after my first labour and it was great and excellent value for money. Agree it doesn’t focus on a perfect birth, it equips you with how to cope even if things don’t go to plan. I didn’t start it til I finished for mat leave so 36 weeks ish.

Just an update : I purchased the Positive Birth Company after all of your great suggestions! I’ve watched it twice already and am listening to the positive affirmations every night before bed .

Thank you for suggesting the course ! I absolutely LOVE it and can’t wait to go into labour ( I’m 37 weeks now )!

Amazing!
Enjoy. Practice your breathing and get your birth partner informed!

(2 hypno babies here)

Hey OP just seen your update. Wanted to add my experience. I had pretty rubbish labours with 1st and 2nd baby. I was traumatised and afraid of giving birth to number 3. I did a four week course - 2 hrs per week. It was brilliant. The emphasis wasn’t on natural birth and fighting against medicine it was about learning to advocate for yourself and being calm enough to cope whatever happened.

My planned home birth ended with me going into hospital during transition, having IV antibiotics (I’m terrified of needles) and delivering on labour ward. But it was still by far my best delivery. Hypnobirthing helped me to cope with everything and it also helped my husband to know how to support me. I actually listened to my affirmations during labour.

It’s not about having the ‘perfect birth’ it’s about being best able to cope with the birth you get. So glad you decided to go for it x