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Natural Birth
Hypnobabies/hypnobirthing (repost from November 2010 board)
Has anyone had any experience or have opinions on hypnobabies classes? I am fully intending to have a medicated labor and delivery (and am hoping no one will judge me too harshly for going the medicated route) but am having so much anxiety about the pregnancy, labor, delivery and recovery (especially since everyone wants to share their worst birth stories with you once you're pregnant!) that I'm considering taking a hypnobabies 6 week course. The research that I've done says that it's basically intended to teach you deep relaxation techniques and I'm hoping that it will help make the labor and delivery process as calm and relaxed as possible, but I don't know anyone who has used the techniques personally. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Re: Hypnobabies/hypnobirthing (repost from November 2010 board)
I took Hypnobirthing and I think even if you don't want to go med free that the techniques would be GREAT to learn. I can tell you that I went in fairly apprehensive about birth and felt SO empowered and excited about the birth after.
I know that from the class I would have had a hard time walking away thinking I still wanted meds (they're not anti-meds, but do discuss effects on the baby and how med-free birth can be so empowering) so expect them to try to sway you a bit. If you really don't want to hear it, I'm not sure it'd be the ideal class, but others who have taken that specific course can surely speak better to it.
I agree with Ready. I did hypnobirthing, and it is definitely geared for those who have decided they don't want any interventions. So there was a "preaching to the choir" vibe for me, which I loved but you may not like. On the other hand, I think the techniques are excellent for fear release, which sounds like it could be very helpful for you. It is good for more than just med free births in that way - moms who have had c-sections when complications arose have said that the HB methods helped them not be scared during the surgery.
I would recommend the Hypno Babies self study course (found at www.hypnobabies.com).
Though it's definitely geared toward people who are looking for an intervention-free birth, the daily cds you listen to to learn the relaxation and hypnosis techniques have made for a much less stressful pregnancy this time around. I even told my husband that if it did nothing for me during labor and delivery, it's already been worth the money for the help it's been during pregnancy.
Give it a shot!
I was just going to ask about the self-study course! My husband and I are going to be moving to an area where there are no hypno-babies classes nearby. (plus we're enthused about the fact that it's only $143 for the whole course - would like to not break the bank.)
So did you feel it helped/prepared you for a non-medicated birth? Or if anyone else has feedback, I'd love to hear...
Why would we judge you for going the medicated route? Your birth, your way!
I think it's great that you're interested in relaxation techniques even though you do plan to get an epidural! Some women go in thinking, "Oh, I'll just get the epidural," and then struggle when the hospital won't allow them to get one until they reach a certain dilation point, or when they have to wait for an anesthesiologist to come down and administer one.
Anyway, I did the Hypnobabies home study course with DS, and I really enjoyed it! His birth was very calm and relaxed, and I do think that Hypnobabies helped with that. There is also a specific "fear release session" that I think you'd find particularly helpful! I think that it teaches great techniques that are useful even if you do end up getting an epidural.
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
Ditto this!
Pretty much exactly this.
You will love the "Bubble of Peace" during your pregnancy when everyone shares their horror stories with you. The day before I delivered, I was in the OB's lobby and three women went on and on about how awful everything is. I used the BOP techniques and felt completely calm. You will even use this for other things later in life, it's like a meditation.
FWIW, I did HypnoBabies and had no medication and no pain at all during my childbirth. I remember thinking, "why would anyone want medication for this, it doesn't hurt!". You may surprise yourself!
I haven't given birth yet, so I'm not sure exactly what I'll get out of it in terms of labor/delivery...I expect it to help immensely though because the course is really great and the feedback from other moms who have used it is super encouraging.