Bradley method vs Hypnobirthing

TeamHayes

What do you suggest? Is one better than the other? Pros and cons? Thanks

TeamHayes

And what is the difference between hypnobabies and hypnobirthing? Is one better than the other?

lenfant1201

I've done Bradley and Hypnobabies, but not Hypnobirthing (yes, they're two different things). Between those two, I wholeheartedly recommend Hypnobabies. I loved it, and it worked very well for me!

Lina1030

TeamHayes:

And what is the difference between hypnobabies and hypnobirthing? Is one better than the other?

I don't have much knowledge on Bradley other than my friend telling me it is more of a "coaching" method.  We took Hypnobirthing....it was the best decision ever.  It teaches you how to relax and be calm with the breathing and positions..it really does work.  It also teaches you to trust in your body and baby to allow it to naturally birth the baby...listen to your body...whatever position is comfortable...whatever pace of breath (for ex. trying to breath to 20 counts would exhaust me...its not about the # it is about the length that is comfortable for you to deep breathe to get relaxed...if you take it remember that).  It also teaches you to release any fears associated with childbirth (I personally never had any fear..not sure why) but when you are afraid, you are tense...when you are tense, you are not calm and relaxed and your uterus is tight so it cannont allow the baby to move down and you will have more pain.  Just be with it...sway your legs, have someone rub your back, forearm...(whatever works)...get in whatever position you feel comfortable (on all fours, on birthing ball, in bed...interestingly I wanted to be inclined in the bed swaying my knees side to side and did not want to walk around or be in any other position) When you feel the urge to push, you will know...they will not tell you ok count to 10 and push. Also...I was never in a hypnotic state...since DS was born in less than an hour...we did not even have time to set up my iPod player to play my relaxation track...I had my iPod in my ear but in the beginning when the nurse was asking me questions (when I last ate, if I had a bowel movement, etc.) I could not listen to both so I stopped...then it all happened fast, so i did not have any of that.  WE had our birthing ball...DH did not bring it up w/us, just my suit case and did not have it (plus I would not have used it)...I had the lights dim w/my battery operated candles around, had my oil diffuser w/lavender scent (if your hospital doesn't allow you can buy some of the spray and spray your sheets, pillow and room...I have a lavender chamomile one for bath and body)...oh and if you can have a doula, what a great person to have with you to support you (and your DH).  Ours was amazing.  She did exactly what I needed...got me ice chips, stroked my arm...made sure DH was ok....made sure our birth plan was executed (which my OB and nurses did honor so she did not need to remind anything) and she video taped the birth from the birds eye view which I loved...our camera was set up on the side since DH was there with me to support me)

I can't wait to have this baby naturally and peacefully like DS was born...and he was born quite fast.  I will say, it is one of my proudest moments...and my DH was in awe of me. Quite a beautiful thing (not saying that if I had an epi I wouldn't feel proud of my husband would not admire me).  Oh, and go in with an open mind!! KEY! If you have to have a c-section or if the pain is sooooo bad you can't handle it and get an epi...just be open so you do not get disappointed.  SO many of my friends felt that way because they were not mentally prepared or open to those choices.

 

Good luck...message or post for me if you have any other questions.

 

Oh and I don't really know the difference between hypnobirthing and hypnobabies.

We took our class here https://amazingbirthsandbeyond.com/hypnobirthing

you can read more info there...also these are the tracks that don't come in the book that I love...especially the rainbow relaxation...the affirmations are good...but that rainbow track....you are out before the end! LOL

https://www.archive.org/details/HypnoBirthing

this is the book we got w/a cd also....but different than the link above

https://www.amazon.com/HypnoBirthing-natural-approach-comfortable-birthing/dp/0757302661

 

ninjabridemom

I'll be looking into both of these, as well!  Of course there's a good chance that I'll have a c-section but if I can have a vag birth I'm going to try to make it natural.  A friend has already recommended the Bradley method and Hypnobirthing sounds a lot like what I do in yoga anyway -- trusting your body, breathing, etc. -- so both of these could be quite useful!

sometimesalwayschaotic

I took Bradley classes and learned a lot from it.  I think either way, you can't go wrong.  They both teaching relaxation and how to trust your body during birth.  bradley also does a lot of education for your husband.  They are teaching the husband how to best help their wives during birth.  They are supposed to watch for places that you are tensing becasue if you tense, it makes labor more painful.  I remember my husband telling to me to relax my face every time I had a contraction.  It really helped me focus.  Bradley also talks a lot about the different interventions and what the benefits and side effects of each are and what questions to ask during the labor.  If I had to do my whole first pregnancy over, I would definitely take Bradley again.

LawandLau

Bradley classes are 12 weeks long, so if you can get your partner to dedicate that much time to it, and the majority of responsibility for the success of your natural birth go that direction. I've observed both Hypnobabies and HypnoBirthing classes and they both have their pluses..however... my vote is HypnoBirthing all the way. Hypnobabies is a spin off from HypnoBirthing and is much more homework intensive. I think it's helpful for moms who are little on the super type A or neurotic side who need lots of studying and practicing to feel like they are going to succeed. If that's your personality type, and everyone's different, the very rigid structure of Hypnobabies might be for you. On the other side of the coin HypnoBirthing is five weeks of great education presented in a simple, easily digested manner. It helps partners to feel included in supporting your birthing time without shouldering them with oodles of homework or make them feel solely responsible for ensuring you natural birth. I've heard many parents remark that in taking the course it really brought them closer as a couple and they were able to bond on a deeper level through their practice. 

But bottom line, no matter which method is right for you, get a doula, get a doula, get a doula. Your partner probably hasn't birthed many babies himself, and he will get nervous, feel inadequate, or just flat out panic when the moment comes down to it. Bringing a doula on board will create positive, experienced support for both of you!