How effective is Hypnobabies for birth and other medical stuff? - Page 2

[mommyfied]

I read this last night before I went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night with a charley horse in my calf and I immediately thought of this thread, turned off my switch and said PEACE to myself. It stopped right away! I had never tried that before but it worked beautifully.

I don't really have much more to add... I Hypnobabies... used it with both labors so far. I find it most helpful in learning how to completely relax my body so it can work more efficiently. Both my labors progressed very quickly. Transition and pushing is very intense for me so it doesn't make me numb by any means. I would call it intense pressure, not pain. I am NOT the type that you see in the videos quietly giving birth. I vocalize during transition and roar during pushing. The energy going through me is just too intense to hold it in.

If I had long labors I could sleep through them with Hypnobabies, no doubt.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Originally Posted by Cassaba

I am taking Bradley classes. Has anyone combined Hypnobabies with what they learned in Bradley? Is that possible?

The instructors will probably say no, since they usually say not to combine hypno-techniques with other classes. but IMO, yes. My 1st was Bradley and when I was pregnant with my 2nd I was still teaching Bradley and also writing my own class. I used the Hypnobabies home study and thought it was a great supplement to what I already knew.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

The instructors will probably say no, since they usually say not to combine hypno-techniques with other classes. but IMO, yes. My 1st was Bradley and when I was pregnant with my 2nd I was still teaching Bradley and also writing my own class. I used the Hypnobabies home study and thought it was a great supplement to what I already knew.

The reason it's not recommended to combine Hypnobabies with another method (such as Bradley) is that it's confusing to the subconscious to learn new ideas such as "birth can be comfortable and easy" while also learning "pain-coping" techniques for when you will inevitably feel pain. "Pain-with-a-purpose" is certainly a valid approach, but it doesn't lend itself to blending well with an approach like Hypnobabies. Moms who try to combine the two are frequently (though not always) disappointed with the results and would probably have been more satisfied if they had just picked one or the other.

I definitely used traditional labor coping tools (vocalizing, moving, massage, water, etc.) with Hypnobabies, but I thought of them as "comfort measures". I didn't need them because I was in pain. I used them because they increased my comfort.

[Stayathomemommy]

i used the monagan method Hypnobabies. it was my 5th and it was AMAZING. i only did it at the end of my pregnancy. only a couple private sessions. The Cd's are what helps a lot. You use them to go to bed through your pregnancy and when you are in labor they help you get into your relaxed state. I was lucky enough to have my hypno instructor/friend come during the beginning labor to read through a visualization, though i didnt feel it was the same as when i was not dealing with contractions on her couch! its also something my husband could have done.

I still really cant believe how pain free it was! i was a complete skeptic and dont blame anyone for not believing it. but it worked for me and i will use it again!

The BEST tool i learned was to breath the baby out. i had three pushing contractions. the first one instinctively bared (sp?) down and that is the only time i felt pain!!! i was so relaxed that tighting my muscles was counter acting the work my body was doing to expel the baby. the next two pushing contraction were amazing. there was just continueous movement as the baby slid out. i remained relaxed, i felt like a fly on the wall just observing this baby gently slide out. i pulled her up, shocked and excited, it still amazes me! Oh i was in the bath tub too.

[Stayathomemommy]

oh i have used Bradley before the hypno babies and definately used some of the positions. i loved the early labor side laying position so you can rest up and still progress. you still need to know position for labor, squating, ect...i cant remember if the hypnobabies book goes over these things. i havent cracked it open in a couple of years.

[mambera]

Originally Posted by Smokering

1. I've read about women deciding to "switch off" during labour and go to sleep.

I was in and out of sleep for a fair part of early labor (it was night-time) but I wasn't actively using HypnoBabies at that time.

2. How much of the pain did you control/eliminate with Hypnobabies? Did it work even during transition?

None. I started trying to use it when things got painful and by that time the pain was so bad I couldn't focus enough to control my breathing. (In retrospect I think I was near transition at that point.)

3. Did it work for anyone who, prior to pregnancy, didn't "feel" hypnotisable?

n/a because it didn't work for me, but I've since been hypnotized by others and I am moderately hypnotizable.

4. Have you used it since with other pains; and if so, what kinds? Would it work for a broken leg? Giving blood? Dental work?

I haven't had any other pain so bad that I felt I needed a 'technique.' My dentist says I have a very high pain tolerance. I'm not generally bothered by injections, blood draws, or light dental work (filling shallow cavities) without anesthetic. I've never broken a bone.


I used the Mongan book and CD at home for most of the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I've been told by others that it 'didn't work' because I didn't start trying to use the techniques until I was already in a lot of pain. But she doesn't say anywhere in the book that you have to start *before* you feel the pain.

I find it interesting that some pps have said that it helped for relaxation and fear but not pain. I didn't have any fear of childbirth really, and I wasn't afraid at any point during labor or delivery (despite being in a lot of pain). So maybe I just didn't have the fear/tension that the method is supposed to alleviate. Regardless, even without fear, there was a heck of a lot of pain and the Hypnobabies didn't do much about that for me.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by mambera

I used the Mongan book and CD at home for most of the 2nd and 3rd trimesters....Regardless, even without fear, there was a heck of a lot of pain and the Hypnobabies didn't do much about that for me.

I'm confused. Did you HypnoBirthing (Mongan, the yellow or blue book with 1 or 2 CDs) or Hypnobabies (Kerry Tuschhoff, multiple books, several CDs)? I've used both and they are VERY different. Hypnobabies is much more comprehensive and (imo and ime) more effective.

Originally Posted by mambera

I've been told by others that it 'didn't work' because I didn't start trying to use the techniques until I was already in a lot of pain. But she doesn't say anywhere in the book that you have to start *before* you feel the pain.

Hypnosis (any method) is generally easier and tends to be more effective if started it early because it triggers a release of endorphins that builds over time. More frequent hypnosis = deeper hypnosis = (typically) more comfort

So, if a woman gets a jump start on endorphins before labor is super intense, it generally results in greater comfort (although not necessarily pain-free). Hypnobabies definitely recommends starting the techniques early. I guess Mongan does not (I can't remember since it has been awhile since I read her book)? I got the message that Mongan thinks women who feel pain "didn't do it right" or "didn't believe enough" whereas Kerry/Hypnobabies is more about helping moms have the best birth possible no matter what happens.

[SC_Jan]

Originally Posted by Smokering

Now that's weird. How did that happen? Did you make a conscious effort to fall asleep, or just zonk out? Sounds neat, anyway.

LOL. It was weird. The funniest part is that my husband and I decided "This is it" and agreed to stay up until we left for the hospital. Shortly thereafter, I went up to bed and he followed. When I woke up in transition, I even made him a pot of coffee before waking him up (of course, I had to crawl back up the stairs). I remember pointing at it as he whisked me out the door. He chose not to have a cup

[branbran54]

Is the homestudy of Hypnobabies as effective as the classes? We don't have any classes within driving distance so I will have to use the homestudy, but I am worried that it will not work as well. Should I start it earlier in the pregnancy so that I can work more at it because of that or will the standard practice be enough? We are ttc so it will be awhile before I have to use it.

[mambera]

Originally Posted by Veritaserum

I'm confused. Did you HypnoBirthing (Mongan, the yellow or blue book with 1 or 2 CDs) or Hypnobabies (Kerry Tuschhoff, multiple books, several CDs)? I've used both and they are VERY different. Hypnobabies is much more comprehensive and (imo and ime) more effective.

It was definitely the Mongan method. Sorry, I get confused about the Hypno* terminology (it's been a year).

Hypnosis (any method) is generally easier and tends to be more effective if started it early because it triggers a release of endorphins that builds over time. More frequent hypnosis = deeper hypnosis = (typically) more comfort

Probably so. I guess my suck-it-up technique for early labor pain didn't do me any favors when the going got tough.

I got the message that Mongan thinks women who feel pain "didn't do it right" or "didn't believe enough"

I don't really remember. I don't think I would have believed that even if she'd said it though. I wasn't expecting pain-free. I was hoping for not-much-pain - though that didn't happen unfortunately - but not *expecting* anything in particular I'd say. I did think the self-hypnosis would be of some help for whatever the level of pain, but was pretty disappointed with that. Guess I'll start earlier next time.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by branbran54

Is the homestudy of Hypnobabies as effective as the classes? We don't have any classes within driving distance so I will have to use the homestudy, but I am worried that it will not work as well. Should I start it earlier in the pregnancy so that I can work more at it because of that or will the standard practice be enough? We are ttc so it will be awhile before I have to use it.

The home study is a great option if you can't do a live Hypnobabies class. Here's a chart on when to start:

http://www.birthnaturally.org/Hypnob...classchart.htm

I chose to listen to Affirmations for Pregnancy, Special Place, and Easy Comfortable Childbirth a few times a week. At around 28 weeks (when I could commit to daily practice) is when I chose to do the rest of the program as written.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by mambera

I don't really remember. I don't think I would have believed that even if she'd said it though. I wasn't expecting pain-free. I was hoping for not-much-pain - though that didn't happen unfortunately - but not *expecting* anything in particular I'd say. I did think the self-hypnosis would be of some help for whatever the level of pain, but was pretty disappointed with that. Guess I'll start earlier next time.

I'm sorry you were disappointed. That couldn't have been pleasant! Yes, I would encourage you to start sooner rather than later and you might want to look into a more comprehensive hypnosis program such as Hypnobabies if you do choose to give hypnosis another go.

[dara00]

hello, I have a question about what you listen to during labor. do you just play the birth guide tracks repeatedly throughout? thanks!

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by dara00

hello, I have a question about what you listen to during labor. do you just play the birth guide tracks repeatedly throughout? thanks!

I listened to whatever I felt like. I listened to the Birth Guide CD a few times, Deepening, Birthing Day Affirmations, a playlist of music I like (Cat Stevens, Beatles, etc.), Special Place, etc. With my last baby, Birthing Day Affirmations was my favorite. With the baby before that, I really liked the Birth Guide CD. Sometimes I didn't listen to anything and just used my lightswitch and other cues. The important thing is to remember to use your tools.

[Stayathomemommy]

I used Monagan method. I read the book but did some private sessions all in the last month or so of my pregnancy. I worked great for me. i passed the book onto a friend with her 5th baby and she oNLy read the book and said it was very effective. she was great till people at the hospital started making a loud fuss and broke her concentration. With a little more practice she probably could have regained it.

I will re read the book and since the morning sickness is making sleeping uncomfortable i think i will start listening to the CD's now in early pregnancy. I think the CD's are still on my MP3 player which is nice. i would say you cant be too early! more practice the better.