Natal Hypnotherapy - has anyone tried it?

[thedogwalker]

I've just been checking out the Natal Hypnotherapy courses and CDs founded by Maggie Howell. There are workshops all over the UK, but I'm unsure if to go to one or not.

So I was wondering if anyone out there has been to either the Natural Pain Relief worksop or the Birth preparation workshop and if you have, can you tell me what you thought of it and did it help during labour?

All feedback most welcome

Hello, I am a huge fan, only bought the CDs but they are fantastic and definitely worked for me and I was quite skeptical. I don't know how much the workshops cost but you could always try a CD first and if you thought it was working well, go to a workshop too. I had my 1st baby at home with gas and air and using the breathing techniques I learnt on the birth preparation CD. The midwives (there were 3 here over the course of the labour) all commented on how calm I was. This time I have bought one of the sets and am hoping it will work as well again. I would recommend anyone try them. Good luck with the pregnancy and labour.

I did a hypnobirthing course (similar thing I should imagine) based on Marie Mongan's book with DS. It was fantastic and I will definitely be doing it again if I am lucky enough to have more DC. It was far far more useful in preparing me for the birth than the NCT classes I attended - gave me really good breathing techniques to use, ways to focus and not panic and reduced my fear of giving birth massively. Can't recommend it enough. Congratulations and best of luck

The more I read about it the more I think it is the way ahead.

Alwayslovely, which of the CDs have you bought?

I just bought the 'effective birth prep ' CD.

Seems to have a good rep and while it may not cure pain it may just help get you through psychologically.

Well I hope so anyway!

I'm terrified. 28weeks, third baby!

I am using the cds. Found relaxation in pregnancy fantastic! Now am using birth preparation CD but have fallen asleep everytime which is apparently a good thing - but wondered if anyone else had this and it still helped? I do wake up at the end when she tells you to open your eyes.

kapars - the CD that came with the hypnobirthing course had something called 'rainbow relaxation' on it which I used to listen to in bed at night. I never heard more than about 10 minutes of it as it always, without fail, sent me to sleep! I used to wake up at the end as well (which was a bit annoying actually) when she said open your eyes so clearly I was somehow listening. I honestly think it helped me so I'd say carry on with it

I've been using one by Tania Cotterell on hypnobirthing. Some of it seems a bit on the ridiculous side to me - orgasmic birth and all that, but I usually fall asleep listening to it and it's very relaxing!!

Also, it's free on Spotify if anyone uses that? Good way to sample natal hypnotherapy for free and see if it suits you...

I'm using the natal hypnotherapy (birth prep) CD but not delivered yet (40+2). I'd strongly recommend it for relaxation and positive frame of mind whilst waiting for labour. Hoping it's going to help keep me calm and more in control during delivery, but don't think for a minute that it'll be pain free and quite glad the CDs don't promise that.

I've had the CDs from 32 weeks and had a private course (natural pain control and birth prep) at 36 weeks. Felt uncomfortable doing the ordinary course as DH not interested and I'd have to have gone on my own. The private course was great and £150 well spent for all the one to one help, but if I had to chose between the course or the CD I'd have the CD - I use it pretty much every day at the moment.

Hope you find it helpful.

I used Natal Hypnotherapy for both previous homebirths and am now 35 weeks into preg no.3 and enjoying NH again immensley! WOuld definately recommend - both births were calm and relaxed, I never felt the need to even ask for any pain relief (I just used water) - certain it helps me have the type of birth that I want. Even dh is convert and uses stress management CD also from Natal hypnotherapy!!

Another fan of NH here

Preferred the 'english' accent to american tones of hypnobirthing (although apparently Maggie is dutch)

Found the CDs really relaxing and helpful.
Enjoyed my pregnancy and had a very straightforward birth.

We had the CDs (bought on ebay) and booked a weekend course with a NH practioner (who was fantastic - if you are in the north west I'd recommend her).

Need to find time to listen to them again now I'm expecting DC2, not as easy with a toddler around now! Have tried twice and fallen asleep within minutes both times

I was a sceptic initially, but now am a huge believer in hypnotherapy and the power of the mind over body.

I have bought the NCT set, haven't started listening yet as not quite 33 wks yet...must start this weekend! Never heen a huge believer, but I've heard great things and am hoping they'll teach me some relaxation techniques if nothing else so that I am try to keep calm and therefore limit pain!

I used the Maggie Howell CDs with number 2 and although at the time I didn't think that they were having an effect, because I had a 15 month old, I would use them to sneak off for a 20 min me time session! When I had my daughter, it was apparent that something had happened.

Seriously, I was only in discomfort for 45 minutes. I only just got to hospital in time (contraction in car park, contraction and broken waters in corridor, contraction and urge to push in room and baby arrived!!!). The next day I told a friend that I'd had the baby and she said I know. I hadn't remembered, but apparently I was on the phone to her for about half an hour during the labour and just put the phone down now and then to get another contraction out of the way. I must admit, on the drive to the hospital I had a mild panic, because I thought things were pretty 'serious' and I wasn't relishing another 9 hours at that level, I had no idea I'd be holding my baby in 20 minutes! I was probably in active labour at home for about 4 hours, but I was so 'in the zone' that it felt like 10 minutes.

I would def give them a go!

Great to hear all the positive stories as I love the cds but find it hard to see how it will work on the day - given that I aways fall asleep. But I am a believer!
bicnod I usually listen in the daytime and always fall asleep, then bizarrely last night I listened before going to bed for the first time and actually stayed more or less awake.

I've booked a one day course for me and m DH, he is completely unconvinced, but hey its me that really needs it. I will post on here, after I've been on it, to tell you all abut it. Plus I've ordered the CDs.

Hope it all helps, will do anything to reduce pain and time in labour.

thanks to everyone for your positive stories, really helped me and I hope I can be as lucky. Take care xx

I am also using the Maggie Howell ones. (I am 37 weeks with first baby). I fall asleep Every Single Time but frankly, they make me feel great. i was petrified of childbirth... almost tokophobic levels (is that the word?0 qand I am SO calm. Just using the cds, not a course, and I am feeling really quite confident and looking forward to the birth now. I have moments of panic, but pop the cd in and then just chill out.

I chose the Maggie Howell ones because I wanted to hear an English voice, and it came recommended by a friend who had a 3 hour painfree (painkiller free too) labour with her baby.

I am a natural skeptic of things like this, but the truth is, i really do feel quite chilled out. I don;t care if is psycho somatic, it is helping me alot.

No, psycho-somatic is not the right word. i mean, I do not care if it is helping me just in my mind, it helps. (IYKWIM).

Clearly tired.

I think it is a psychosomatic effect, power of body over mind
I felt it gave me huge confidence too anyabanya, trusted my body to do something it's designed to do (which it did - hoorah)

I was lent the Maggie Howell NH one last time, listened quite sceptically (and usually fell asleep) but I honestly think it did help me feel calmer and less anxious. Definitely worth a try. I am convinced that when you actually go into labour, the oxytocin will flow more freely and things will move along better if you're not producing adrenalin in a panic.
FWIW, DC1 was - to my surprise (I am rather a pessimist) - a nine-hour drug-free waterbirth. No idea if the CDs can take any credit for that of course
Just started listening to them again for DC2.