Another "methods" question

navywife1208

I know you get questions like this all the time, so I apologize for asking yet again.  And I'm sorry this ended up being so long!

I read several Bradley books during my pregnancy with DD, but DH was deployed for her birth and I didn't really have any support during labor.  I had awesome midwives, but after 16+ hours of active labor and only progressing to 4 cm, I ended up getting an epi.  DD was born about 8 hours later and we had no ill-effects from the epi, but I can't help but feel disappointed about the way it all worked out.  

We just found out baby #2 will be joining us late this year, and DH should be home this time (yay!).  I'm starting to looking into some natural birth classes, but I can't decide which one to pursue.  With DD, I was not interested in hypnobirth/babies because I just couldn't get into the idea of self-hypnosis.  However, I didn't find labor (pre-epi) to be painful, just exhausting.  From my research, it seems like Bradley teaches more pain management techniques, where the hypno methods teach more relaxation.  So this time, I'm leaning more towards one of the hypno methods.

I've looked back through several posts comparing HypnoBirthing and Hypnobabies, but still can't decide which one would be right for us.  Just from the things I've read, I think I might like Hb a bit better, but I'm not sure if that's the way to go.  There aren't any Hb instructors in our area, so we will have to do the home study course if we go that route.  There is an HB instructor, but DH works ridiculous and unpredictable hours, and it's unlikely that he'll be able to make it to all the classes if we do sign up.  He is incredibly laid back about everything though, and I don't think he would participate much at all if we just do the Hb home study course.  He missed the whole second half of my pregnancy with DD and did not attend any childbirth classes with me last time.  

I guess I'm looking for some advice/insight into how well the home study course works or if it's better to actually have a live class to attend.  And how much is DH involved with either hypno method? 

 Again, sorry for the novel! 

SWBs Wifey

I haven't chosen a specific method, so I can't help there. I just wanted to wish you luck and tell you how happy I am for you that your husband will get to be with you this time!

We had a rough experience with DS1 and before we even got pregnant this time, I'd already researched hospitals in the area.  As soon as we PCSed here, I started asking about L&D experiences on our base... and I was NONE too thrilled.  Once we were actively TTC, I found out exactly what needed to be done for me to switch to TriCare Standard so that I could be seen at a MUCH more NB friendly women's clinic and hospital.  Just doing that has made me SO much more relaxed about how DS2's birth will go.   

navywife1208

Thank you!  And congratulations on DS2, too!  I am on Standard also - after hearing a few stories, I was not about to take my chances with the hospital here.  I ended up staying with my parents for DD's birth and she was actually born in the same hospital I was born in.  I did a lot of research on the hospitals in our area and I am going to have this baby at a birth center attached to a hospital here.  I am so looking forward to this experience this time

 

  

LindseyJW

i am a HB instructor, so take my words with that bias! but i also respect and think that Hb is a quality program and method. 

however, i firmly believe that you should take the class live if that is an option to you. i suggest to women who are not able to take a live class that they study Hb, since there is no comparable home study for HB. i do not suggest trying to learn HB on your own.

you will want someone to participate with you regardless of which method you choose, simply so that you have a support person who is familiar with what you are doing. even though Hb proclaims to be the only hypno birthing class to provide support for birth companions, that's not true. HB also provides companions with support, including a pocket "cheat sheet" of sorts for the day of.

will you have a doula? if you are going to have a doula, perhaps she will attend the classes with you. 

navywife1208

Thank you for your input!  That was exactly the kind of advice I was looking for, re: live classes vs. home study.  Basically - the home study is better than no classes, but since I have the opportunity to take live classes that would be better, right? 

I was just starting to think about hiring a doula, but it hadn't occurred to me to ask if she could/would attend classes with me.  I will definitely look into that, too!

LesleyT

I took hypnobirth classes, plus lamaze, plus looked into bradley, etc. I LOVE and really felt more connected to hypnobirthing. It seems more of a method of how to get "into the zone" and work WITH your body vs against it. 

I didn't love the author's voice on the Hypnobirthing CD's so much (marie mongan- older lady/Rainbow Relaxation)- so once I was familiar with HB, I ordered some additional meditation/affirmatoion CDs from Amazon.com- and I really like the voices, and content alot- right in tune with the hypnobirthing.  They were: "Heartstrings: Visualizations for Pregnancy"; and "Meditations to support a Healthy Pregnancy and Successful Childbirth."

I'm actually going for a water tub birth with a doula- AND using hypnobirth practices. I went from feeling high anxiety, fear, etc about birth to feeling calm, powerful, and prepared.

 I hope this helps!