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Natural Birth
mollylila
member
Intro and question about hypnobirthing!
mollylila
member
Hi ladies 
I'm Molly... and 35 weeks + some change!
I have just finished reading the hypnobirthing book (by Mongan, not hypnobabies) and I loved it! I am pretty determined to have a normal, natural birth now.
My questions are... do you think I will have success in self-hypnosis through home-practice, but without the classes? Its pretty late in the game here, but I have been practicing the breathing exercises and listening/practicing relaxation with the CD for the last few nights, and plan on every night until LO comes.
Also.. my birth partner has not read the book (but is going to read it int he next couple days), and we won't be able to practice together. She is pretty busy, and my DH is away and likely won't be here for the birth. I read about how the birth coach is such an integral part of the birth, but its just not a possibility to practice relaxation with her. She could still do the light touch massage on the back, but obviously not some of the other more intimate parts of it. Do you think its possible to have a hypnobirth when the birth partner is not as involved?
TIA for any input!!!
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Re: Intro and question about hypnobirthing!
I did a hypnobirth with no participation from DH. He went to the classes and I made him read the book but when the moment came, I just wanted to be alone. I went into the bathroom and closed the door
i came out when i was crowning. I spent a lot of time walking in the hallways, listening to my ipod and dancing! If you cant take the class, then i would suggest you get in some yoga classes. the breathing techniques in the book are really yoga breathing.
gl!
Thats really reassuring, TY!!
One of the reasons I went with hypnobirthing is that I can rely on myself and not my partner to go into hypnosis. They can still help with relaxation by reading scripts, reiterating cues, and sending you deeper (the big trigger is pressure on the shoulder), but you can go it alone. Definitely pack the book and CD for the hospital.
From taking the classes, though, the most important role the partner has is running interference with staff, especially in a hospital setting. That way you don't have to come out of hypnosis--your pain relief!--to do so. A large chunk of class time was spent going over possible interventions and ways to buy more time from staff if labor stalls, the water breaks prematurely, etc.
Good luck!
I took Hypnobirthing when PG with my first and I think it was a huge reason why I was able to have three fast and unmedicated births.
I think you will be fine without practicing with the birth partner. I mean, my husband is great and supportive, but in the end no one is gonna get that baby out except you. Reflecting on my births I would say that while having a doula for the first two was great, my husband rocks, and good midwives or doctors are wonderful, I would actually say my birth partner was my body. Working with my body and embracing the incredible intensity of the contractions was what got me through. I just kinda got into a zone, and the other people around me just faded away.
Personally, reading the Hypnobirthing book wasn't enough for me. I did the full Hypnobabies home course and I feel 100% prepared for a natural, calm birth.
However, I think as long as you commit to practicing and preparing your mind for the experience you can do anything you decide to do.
This. I, personally, didn't feel like reading the book was enough...I was looking for some more concrete info on how to prepare. The Hypno Babies self-study program did exactly that and now I feel very confident.
But each person is different...you just need to get to a point where you feel armed and confident and you should be fine..
My doula was the one who taught us hypnosis for birth, and she recorded the CD I used for practice. All the practice made me really respond to her voice - hearing it almost immediately relaxed me. I think your CDs and/or music can do the same thing for you though if you've practiced.
I also think practicing with ice helped somewhat - holding ice or putting it on my wrist while listening to the CDs helped me focus on something other than what was happening to my body. Obviously that's not what labor feels like, but it was a start. You might also try listening to the CD while sitting or leaning on a labor ball. I did all of my practice in our recliner, which was not the position I was in during labor.
My DH was there at all our sessions with the doula, but really didn't have a "role" in my relaxation other than holding my hand and doing what I asked when the time came. :-) He knew to be quiet, try to stay calm himself, etc., but that's his personality anyway.
Thank you!!
I feel fairly confident I can do this, and since I didn't take any childbirth classes and luckily am not subject to horrific birth stories... I have very little fear about the whole thing.
Fingers crossed I can learn to relax before LO comes!!
I think you can do it!
Honestly, DH and I weren't as good about practicing as I planned to be, but I still had the most amazing birth experience. The key is to have tools to keep yourself calm and focused. More than anything, I used the breathing techniques {specifically bee breathing,} to get through each surge, then relaxed as much as possible in between. DH was only there for the last hour or so, so it really came down to my ability to breathe and relax. Also, there was a quote in Ina May's book that I kept replaying in my head- something about how there was pain but it wasn't a pain that was hurting me. That thought helped me release tension and allow my cervix to dilate quickly.
As long as you are confident in yourself and at peace with the power of your body, you'll do great. GL!