HypnoBabies Issue (sorry, long!)

rubylovebug

Hi all - I'm more of a lurker on this board, but am having some issues with HypnoBabies issues & figured this may be the best place to pose my questions.  @joules235 - I saw in another thread that you're an instructor, so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated! Or anyone who has experience with HB

I purchased the HypnoBabies Home Study course & am completely on board with the philosophy.  The affirmations make me feel empowered, & DH & I are using really positive language at home.  He's completely behind a med-free birth & willing to help with whatever I need.

My issue is in the actual self-hypnosis part.  I find myself kind of rebelling against it while listening to the Deepening tracks - I can't get comfortable, I inevitably move when I'm not supposed to, I am thinking about other things, etc. I do come to feeling refreshed & I know that in the tapes they say that you're getting what you need to out of the course - but I'm afraid I'm doing something wrong or that maybe it's not going to work on me, which leads to fear.  

Any advice besides just continuing to give it a go?  Did anyone else feel like their mind just wasn't cooperating with what they wanted it to do?

Verstej2

I don't have experience with HB particularly but I do with meditation and when I first started meditating I would experience exactly the same thing. My mind would inevitably start to wander when I was trying to keep it clear, I would get uncomfortable easy and have trouble "just being". I think all of this just comes with practice. It really is not easy to empty your mind or completely relax on command. Some days will probably be better than others and I think the key for me was to learn to accept where ever I was that day. You can also try to visualize leaving all your thoughts, troubles, baggage, outside the building, or in a cupboard/closet. Remind yourself that it will be there when you are ready to take it on again.  I don't know what position you like to practice in but you could try changing it up and using blankets/bolsters/pillows to support yourself so you are more comfortable. Also make sure the temperature in the room is comfortable for you. Some people prefer it a touch cool and then use a blanket. Whatever feels right. Hope some of this helps and please someone else with HB experience pipe in if anything I say should not apply in this case. 

Cecilbear

I'm having this issue with hypnobirthing too. When I brought this up with my instructor, she told me not to be so hard on myself. Not to work too hard at it, but to keep practicing even if I thought I wasn't "relaxing" enough. She told me that soon, with regular practice, I would notice that the relaxation inductions actually were working. So, I'm holding out for that moment! In the meantime, just keep going!  

Pink724

Have you learned center switch yet?  Once I could implement that, I was much happier.  I kept finding myself switching back and forth from off to on in order to make small adjustments, but I defined my center switch to allow me to move my arms and legs and therefore could move slightly to make myself more comfortable.

rubylovebug

Thank you all so much for your help & advice.  @Pink724, I haven't done the center switch yet (that's next week - I know I'm behind, but I'm trying to choose to not let that stress me out) so I'll look forward to defining it as such.

It's reassuring just to hear that other people had the same concerns.  Hopefully I'll be able to feel more confident with more practice.

Thanks so much for the support & advice!

Luv2Run1st

I used it for my first birth and in hindsight my need to move and difficulty with the eyes wide open hypnosis should have been indicators that it would not be the most ideal technique for me. It got me to 8cm and then I just plain couldn't focus and just did what I could to manage. Second birth music, birth tub, ball all helped so more movement was key and I felt better after. I did find the hypnosis relaxing and the affirmations empowering though.