Hypnobabies

[octobermom09]

Who did it and how was it? I am really considering using it this time with my doula and I have heard so many things about it   Stories?? 

Also.. would I be able to find the hypnobabies audio on itunes? JW since I think it'd be hella convenient to have it playing through headphones during my labor... 

Ideas?? 
 

[cairomama]

I used it for my VBAC and it worked great for me, so well, in fact that in March I am training to become an instructor. I had a very easy labor and birth. I put the tracks in my iPod and listened during labor. I did the Hypnobabies Home Study, but there might be a live class in your area. 

[octobermom09]

I actually found a live class less than 30 minutes away, so I am happy about that. 

[dlm194]

Loved Hypnobabies!  I used it for my VBAC.  I got the homestudy and just uploaded all the CDs onto my iPod to listen to in labor.  Worked nicely.  Here is a website with lots of great Hypnobabies VBAC stories.  "Gianna's birth" is mine.  ;)

http://www.pregnancybirthandbabies.com/vbac%20stories.htm

[Monkey Keeper]

I used the homestudy course to prepare for my VBAC. To be wholly truthful, I wasn't diligent about practicing and even got to points where I was so irritated by listening to the tracks that I didn't for days on end; I certainly could have practiced TONS more.  That said, the program worked for me in early labor and when I had to assume uncomfortable positions later in labor (DS was positioned oddly, and I had to lie flat on my back for a while and also on my left side which caused a lot of pain).  I was in NO WAY pain-free, but it did allow me to feel in control of the pain. To a point.

Part of my issue was that I had atypical pain---it was like back labor only in my hip. While the contractions were easy to deal with, the feeling of someone stabbing me with a hot poker in my hip joint was not ;)  My doula and her partner both said that they have worked with hypnosis moms before, and the ones who have "typical" labors do great but the ones who have back labor or other "atypical" pain don't see as much benefit. 

Over all, I do think it was worth it, even just for the frame of mind it encourages while still pregnant.  If we go for #4, I will definitely do it again.

[Sudonk]

Originally Posted by PinkBunch 

Part of my issue was that I had atypical pain---it was like back labor only in my hip. While the contractions were easy to deal with, the feeling of someone stabbing me with a hot poker in my hip joint was not ;)  My doula and her partner both said that they have worked with hypnosis moms before, and the ones who have "typical" labors do great but the ones who have back labor or other "atypical" pain don't see as much benefit. 

That is an excellent point, PinkBunch. 

Sorry for butting in.  I'm not having a VBAC, but I saw this thread on the main Birth and Beyond page and checked it out because I've used Hypnobabies and it worked so well I went on to become a Hypnobabies instructor. I wanted to see if there were any questions I could answer. 

What PinkBunch mentioned is true, to a degree, and happens for a reason.  Hypnosis will not allow a woman to remain comfortable while something is going wrong, because that would be dangerous.  Pain's job is to warn us when there is a problem, so we can address it more quickly.  Things like malpositioning or other problems can cause discomfort for some women using childbirth hypnosis.  But these women are still benefitting from their hypnosis training, because they almost always report being far more calm and able to think clearly and discuss interventions, etc., than they would be able to without their hypnosis skills.  Also, once the problem is identified, many women find that they are able to deepen their hypnosis and create additional hypno-anesthesia (endorphins) to increase their comfort again.  I know when I experienced intense back labor and a uterine spasm, once I was assured that my baby and I were fine and not in any danger, I was able to regain complete comfort using my hypnosis skills.  

If you're not familiar with it, there is also a set of CDs to help moms accomplish a VBAC.