Hyonobirthing//Natural Birthing

[SarahCourtney]

I started from about 20 weeks last time I think, probably do the same again, the books are great to read first in preparation before starting the cds.

Yeah I've started the book already, it's fantastic. Have leant it to a friend at the moment as she is 35weeks and desperately wanted to get in to it but forget to buy the stuff (she is scatter brained lol)

 

[Helenmc25]

I started using natal hypnotherapy book and cds at around 20 weeks pregnant. After a few weeks I felt so relaxed and confident that we decided to plan a home birth. When the day came I used the techniques to stay calm and relaxed and needed no drugs. When the contractions were coming fast I felt like I was getting a good long rest in between total time distortion! I am so glad I discovered this and want to shout from the rooftops to anyone who is pregnant to give this a go! It helped to make my labour a wonderful experience!

 

[Melanie3103]

Thanks for sharing, i feel like that too - im yet to birth but so far i am so chilled about it (which is a complete turnaround)... Oh amd i wanted a home birth but as this is my 1st i wasnt 100%...

X

 

[Ams1985]

The nearer I get to due time the more I think about home birth .... think I might talk to my midwife about it at the next appointment.

For those hypnobirthing how often are you practising and what are you doing? I'm listenitng to my birth affirmations most nights before bed or in the bath, I've stuck some pictures around the house of baby in the best position for birth and pictures of roses opening. I've also typed and printed some of the affirmations to put up around the house so I see them all the time, just wondered if I need to be doing anything else?

Also going to put together a pack for my husband for labour, i'm including a copy of our birth preferences, massage and light touch techniques, some guided relaxation scripts he can read to me, and a page on positions for labout - is there anything else I could put in there?

 

[timtam78]

I've not gone as far as you so I think you're well prepared. I'm now trying to listen to the maggie howell birth preparation CD every other day.

I'm not doing scripts or anything as its not really us and would feel a bit weird for oh and I to read out something pre written. I've got the 'Labour companion' CD to listen to during labour as think Maggies own scripts do it for me.

I sat down my hubbie the other day and got him to listen to the birth preparation CD with me to get familiar with it. I've also written him some notes on what to do to retain the atmosphere I'd like, what NOT to do, a list of hypnosis triggers for me (eg. reminding me of the places I'm going to imagine I am which we both know well, breathing with me to help me keep the rhythym, soft massage etc.) Also made a point on my notes about the self doubt phase, that he'll need to recognise when ths happens (as I imagine it will!) so he knows to try relax me with the hypnosis triggers.

He doesnt know it yet bt this weekend im going to get my oil out and get him to practice the soft massage techniques. I have a leaflet from my pregnancy yoga class on this which I'll take.

Might print out some best labour position diagrams too so he can see visually how I need to be.

Xx

 

[Ams1985]

Thanks TimTam, I've got Katherine Graves hypnobirth materials so a few different tracks to play during labour and then some lovely soft music so if that is playing and I want Ian to help me with relaxation he can read the scripts over it (they are the ones from the hypnobirth book) theres two really good ones I like - one about releasing fear and one about a raft going downstream and not fighting the current that I like so want them to hand just in case!

I think i'll add a bit in about breathing as when I'm practising surge breathing I imagine filling up a balloon in my abdomen and then letting it go into the sky, or about the sun rising, would be useful if he knows to tell me to focus on that especially when it starts getting tough!

ALso like the idea of the do's and dont's - thanks so much for your help.

 

[Melanie3103]

Hi there,

I am similar to TimTam here... I've got some post-its stuck to my mirror that I read to myself every day (have done since 20wks) - "I hand over control to my body, as I trust it knows what to do" and "I will breath slowly and deeply, allowing my uterus to work effectively" etc etc - these are my positive affirmations. I don't have diagrams or birth positions up - that's quite a good idea though, if that will work for you.

We aren't doing scripts either, nothing "too rehearsed" - would feel weird for us too. I have sat down with my hubby and got some trigger phrases and visualisation (talking about our honeymoon last year) and we've worked on a massage/touch trigger that helps keep me relaxed as well (he strokes my hair or hand on my shoulder). We've also tried to work on "matched breathing" - where he helps me breath slowly and rhymically.

I've got the 'Labour companion' CD too - I find this works for me. And I've the birthing music too - which is great for background to "keep you in the zone"....

My hubby has a list of preferences in terms of environment too - minimum disruption, not much talking, subtle lighting etc.

What works for one might not for another, so you soiund like you are pretty set. Good luck with it lovie xx

 

[Ams1985]

I'm weirdly excited for labour Can't wait to hear how everyone else gets on with hypnobirthing too.

 

[Melanie3103]

I know what you mean... and while I know it might all go out the window on the day (if I can't cope without stronger pain relief etc) I am at least really chilled and calm in the run up, and I have such a positive feeling about the birth (so far) and that has to be a good thing.

I read an article yesterday and women that plan to birth using natal hypnotherapy/hypnobirthing - are less stress and tense about the impending birth, and thing start naturally for them, as their bodies are ready for it, and there are fewer feelings of dread/fear etc.. so you never know.. even if that is ALL I get out of it...

Good luck xx

 

[SarahCourtney]

Yeah I'm just really excited for it. I'm just trying to be laid back about it so. If I need pain relief, I won't beat myself up about it but I will try throughout to be relaxed and calm and have full belief that I can do it. I genuinely believe the right attitude will help the pain from getting unbearable and keep labour moving at the pace is naturally wants to go - whatever that may be!

 

[Ams1985]

It's really nice to have people on here looking at doing the same thing, I've had a lot of negative responses from people when I say we've been doing hypnobirthing.

A lot of "you'll change your mind about an epidural when you're in labour" or to keep an open mind because I might not feel that way on the day - yeh I already know that. I'm not going to refuse help if I really can't cope - I'll do exactly what i'm told if its best for baby!

 

[Melanie3103]

Totally agree Ams... I have had similar feedback when I've mentioned it. I've got an open-mind with all of it, but like you - I won't beat myself up about giving in for more pain relief if I need to.

I've had "yeah yeah... you'll change your mind when it all kicks off"... MANY times... I don't judge them on their choices/preferences, I hate it when I am judged...

good luck ladies... xx

 

[naomip]

You guys sound so much more organised than me! I've been listening to my affirmations every other day and practising the 3 different types of breathing and a few relaxation techniques, I like the depthometre. Hubby did the classes with me so I think he's pretty up to speed on what he should/ shouldn't be doing, although I'm going to make a list to remind him on the day. We're also not doing the scripts, I just need him to remind me to relax my jaw and shoulders while breathing as sometime I'm clenching without realising.

I've had the same kind of responses as you guys about needing an epidural and changing my mind. Even women who've never had kids are telling me to have the pain relief! I'm also open minded and feel the fact that I'm now excited about labour is an amazing achievement and it's been worth it just for that. X

 

[Sarah13]

just ignore those negative comments and ask people not to talk about it. Giving birth really is a positive experience, its exciting at the end of the day cos you get to meet your baby! Im looking forward to giving birth again its so special. ok its exhausting but its important to be relaxed and go with your body and not fight against it which is why people end up with pain relief a lot of the time.

 

[timtam78]

So lovely to share this hypno planning with you lovely ladies. Such a shame people feel so negatively about it, probably why there's so many interventions these days, people go in with the wrong attitude and frame of mind.

I'm really excited about it too but still have an open mind. The only thing I'm anxious about really is going late and getting pressured into induction.

Mel, my 'places to go' for my visualisations are on my honeymoon in Madagascar too!! Thought that would be good as those places are special to both me and hubbie. Might actually print out a few pics from there to take with me to remind me of them x

 

[Ams1985]

Oh taking pictures is a great idea

 

[Melanie3103]

Yeah I love that idea.... our honeymoon was Thailand - fabulous place. Last April... we've had quite a whirlwind of a year! LOL....

Def going to prepare some pics to take now..

Thanks ladies xx

 

[T84]

Aw you ladies are putting me to shame, I've listened to my cd a couple of times but just haven't had the time. Nursing chair is in now so plan is to sit in the calming environment of the nursery and get properly into it, hope I've not left it too late! X x

 

[timtam78]

I haven't listened as much as I should have either Jen (same reason!) but I am doing it more intensive now, trying to once a day now. Was nice to listen in the bath last night x

 

[Ams1985]

Jen I don't think you'll have left it too late at all, just as much as you can fit in will all help on the day.

Listened to a calming touch relaxation in the bath last night - it was lush, nearly fell asleep! Will definitely be giving that a go in labour.