Hypnobirthing advice

[pollyannaparrott]

I am interested in learning more about hypnobirthing but I'm not really sure what it in entails or where to find useful resources. But I am a yoga enthusiast and believe in the power of breath work so I think it could help me.

There are no classes local to me, I've checked. Can anyone recommend any good online resources, podcasts etc? Would also be interested to hear about how others learned about it and whether it helped them in labour. Thank you.

[annlee3817]

I used Maggie Howells natal hypnotherapy cd and book. I only got half way through the book, lost interest when people said it completely took away the pain, as didn't believe it. The breathing techniques I found super useful in labour, they kept me calm and focussed. I did have some affirmations, but for me it was mainly about the breathing :)

[Wingingitsince2018]

I have enjoyed reading 'your baby, your birth' which I think is realistic in its approach and not too over the top for me it covers different pain options along side hyponobirthing techniques and dealing with special circumstances whilst remaining calm.

I also have the Gentle Birth app, which has loads of audio content you can access whenever but also has daily recommendations throughout pregnancy.

I am hoping that a combo of these, doing pregnancy yoga and it being my second time will make DD's imminent arrival more pleasant and less stressful that my DS's.

[Mattieandmummy]

Can't recommend hypnobirthing enough, I did an in person course pre-pandemic so not much help with online stuff, sorry.

We covered breathing including breathing your baby out, best positions by which I mean least painful, relaxation techniques, fear releasing and ways your partner can actually be involved. I managed my 12 hour labour with only gas and air for an hour at the end and I truly believe that was due to hypnobirthing as I'm really not some crazy anti pain relief person in every day life. I just didn't need any pain relief, I guess I could just have a high pain threshold - it was my first so I didn't have anything to compare it to and I'll be having a section with my second but that's due to pregnancy complications.

[rrhuth]

I was pretty sceptical but did it anyway on the basis it couldn't hurt... and it was really amazing for me. I had 1-1 sessions and it costs a few hundred. It changed how I handle pain and stress in lots of situations so has been worth the money.

[Tortoisesmovefasterthanme]

I’ve been doing The Bump To Baby Chapter online and it’s fab! Midwife led so helps prep you for realistic situations and teaches you hypnobirthing techniques to use in different circumstances x

[LyraVega]

I did the online digital course from The Positive Birth Company.

I'm 38 weeks so haven't had to put it into practice yet but I have found it useful, particularly the science section that explains what your body will be doing, the info about the stages of labour, and the up breathing and down breathing.

There are a few parts of the course where I've thought "eh, I don't think thats for me" but overall I'd really rate it.

Good luck!

[Ricecakes889]

I read up on it but decided not to go with it. Had a water birth which was lovely and calm but my friend is now looking into it and is very excited and positive about it.

[Doublechocolatetiffin]

I've had 3 children and did hypnobirthing for each birth. I actually found the positive birth company digital course the best. It explained everything well and both my husband and I watched it together which is really valuable so they can support you properly.

[User65412]

I too was sceptical but did the positive birth company online course. Loved it so much that I planned a homebirth (something I never thought I would do in a million years - I'm the last person anyone would think would be into that 'stuff')! Loved the breathing and the app for timing contractions. Didn't bother with affirmations.

[User65412]

Oh and the positive birth company doesn't push home births I just decided it's what I wanted to do. Loads of helpful course content about giving birth anywhere!