Relaxation techniques

babyalex124

I've been practicing Hypnobirthing relaxation techniques daily listening to CD and practicing breathing.

If you are practicing a form of hypnobirthing or actual hypnobirthing, what are you doing daily to prepare for your birthing day? Anything besides the CD and breathing?

sschwege

I wasn't very good about practicing the second time around.  But the first time I also listened to the Comfort Zone CD which is the music without the talking.  I would sit on my exercise ball and use visual imagery to imagine a relaxing place (I choose my Aunt's peach orchard), then every few minutes I would pretend a surge was coming and practice my breathing for a minute or so then go back to my relaxing place.  When I got really good at sort of staying the zone I would get up and walk around, stretch, get a glass of water, even went outside for a walk a few times, all the while trying to remain in that calm relaxed state.  I figured labor wouldn't just be me sitting or lying around, so I wanted to be able to do it under all circumstances.

Good for you for doing Hypnobirthing, I thought it was fantastic!    

babyalex124

sschwege:

I wasn't very good about practicing the second time around.  But the first time I also listened to the Comfort Zone CD which is the music without the talking.  I would sit on my exercise ball and use visual imagery to imagine a relaxing place (I choose my Aunt's peach orchard), then every few minutes I would pretend a surge was coming and practice my breathing for a minute or so then go back to my relaxing place.  When I got really good at sort of staying the zone I would get up and walk around, stretch, get a glass of water, even went outside for a walk a few times, all the while trying to remain in that calm relaxed state.  I figured labor wouldn't just be me sitting or lying around, so I wanted to be able to do it under all circumstances.

Good for you for doing Hypnobirthing, I thought it was fantastic!    

 

That's great to know!  Thanks.  My dog started barking right in the middle of it all but I thought it was an excellent opportunity to overcome a distraction

I'll have to try it on my exercise ball, too.  I've been lying down.   

mlrafiki

babyalex124:

 

I'll have to try it on my exercise ball, too.  I've been lying down.   

I pretty much only do my meditation exercises while walking slowly around my bedroom or sitting on my exercise ball. Knowing that labor progresses faster when you're upright or in motion, I make a point to learn to relax in every position BUT lying down! Doesn't mean it can't still be useful, just good to try to replicate the conditions of labor as much as possible (or so I assume, since I'm a clueless FTM, after all!).

I struggle a bit with the visualization, but that's my task for this week! This is the exercise I use, provided by my doula: https://www.dolphindoula.com/forms/Sensation_control.mp3 Good luck! 

saintpaulJess

I also use the Comfort Zone CD in addition to the affirmations, rainbow relaxation, and breathing techniques.