any tips on getting over fear of childbirth?

[Chequers]

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I would recommend hypobirthing, I used it for my second, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

I did feel so empowered so in control and like I'd acheived the most wonderful thing in the world.(which I had!)

When you feel that you are mentally and positively dealing with the pain that is so empowering, you really feel like 'I can do this', and 'I am focued I am strong I am going with my body and gradually I'm getting therer.'

And then the baby is born. The high is wonderful!

I've always suspected it's a bit like running a marathon, yes you need to endure some pain but with mental strength you can overcome this to acheive something extraordinary.

By Lulumama'you need to go into labour like you would go into battle, strong, focused and eye on the prize! you will , hopefully, powerful, empowered and strong. '

I totally agree with this!

Good luck. I am actully always slightly envious of women who are nearing birth now, as I remeber it being so wonderful, but as we don't want anymore I live on the wonderful memory.

Hi Chequers

I have done a hypnotherapy course (Mongan method) which I think is wonderful. If you are interested I'll give you the details of my practitioner. She is in leighton buzzard. Also I have updated you on my trip to hospital on Tuesday on your "meeting my friend" thread. I was a bit horrified. Let me know what you thought when you have visited the other hospital.

oh and about hypnobirthing, at the end of the program you do a birth rehearshal, until that point I wasn't sure it was working but it really does. The other thing that helps me this time is knowing that a contraction at its peak lasts 60 to 90 seconds. For me it helps put things in perspective.

If you fancy doing yoga, there is a class in fenny (type sandy yoga on google). I didn't find it that helpful but that was because I am a second time mum and I knew a lot of the things anyway, but it might be good for a first time mum. Otherwise you can always join me for the aquanatal (it is fun and helps prepare your body) (I have not given up on trying to get you to thoses classes . I go on Sunday but when I am on ML I will go to the ones in Loughton on Tuesday morning.

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Hi Chequers

I have created a thread for us in antenatal. It is called "MK antenatal club - needahand chequers" as I find it a bit difficult to follow our conversations on several thread at once!!

Hypnobirthing is really good but yes it is a bit pricing (I thing about £300)but then that is the only course I am doing this time and I am sure it will be money wisely spend as a good birth is the best start you can get with you baby. If you don't want to spend that much, I think you can buy some CD from natalhypnotherapy natalhypnotherapy.com/
I think they are quite good too, although if you are quite worried the class would probably be better as they go through chilcare education as well, releasing your fears etc

Re aquanatal the timetables are on the sandy yoga website as well www.yoga-northampton.co.uk/. The ones in loughton are in the sport centre near Denbigh School. I go to middleton pool at 18.00 on the Sundays. It is tiring but very good exercise.

Let me know (on our thread) if you want more details on the aquanatal or the hypnobirthing.

Chequers if you are concerned about the money then get the book and practise the strategies yourself. This is all I did.

I made Dh practuise with me which he found very embarassing, but when it came to it I was able to use the things I had practised.

With me it was more about realxing myself and maintainig a positive mental approach and staying in control. I diidn't actually have any hypnotism itself.

I useed breathing techniques, calming mantras, positiuve self talk, and visulisation. You can learn these skiulls youtself.

Start a thread on here maybe and ask people to share what they did.

Hope that helps.

Tell you what, I found that there were still gaps between contractions right till the very end, focussed on waiting for those!

I've tried Effective Birh Preparation, a natal hypnotherapy CD which I bought from www.natalhypnotherapy.com and it really does work. I am due next week, so don't yet know if it all goes out the window on the day but I can truly say that it has helped me feel less worried and relaxed about the birth up front.

I had the natal hypnotherapy CD and listened to it every day in the last few weeks of pregnancy. I believe it really helped me. I had a calm, trouble free labour - which of course I might have done anyway - but I am sure the CD exercises helped me get into a positive state of mind which then helped me focus on my breathing etc and I felt in control all the way through labour.

I'd send it to you but I think my SIL still has it!