HypnoBirthers: Give me your pointers

[mom2emerson]

I HypnoBirthed with my last daughter and will again with this one. I feel very confident about my ability to birth naturally but would love to have the full "HypnoBirthing" experience (hopefully that makes sense to those who have taken the course or have done it).

For those of you who had a SUCCESSFUL HypnoBirthing experience, was there anything in particular you and/or your partner did during labor (1st and 2nd stage) that you found particularly worked for you? We are practicing the Rainbow Relaxation daily (with CD) and practicing the Arm drop technique with DH guiding. I'm practicing breathing through my practice surges (which have been much stronger with this pregnancy).

ONLY POSITIVE STORIES/SUGGESTIONS PLEASE, My baby is listening!
I am on the home stretch now and am trying to surround myself with only positive supportive energy.

[Lilcrunchie]

We used Hypnobirthing with DS's birth and I'd say 90% of my labor was painless to mild cramping.

I had no idea in advance exactly *how* we'd use the hypnobirthing stuff, kwim? That was one thing that kept driving me nuts in class...I wanted to know an order, or a prescription of how to go about using it in labor. Of course, that varies person to person and there is no one way, but I sure wanted to know last time :

I walked through most of my labor. I really just kept moving, and listening to my CDs over and over on my portable CD player. I walked and walked and the only time I was having discomfort during the majority of my labor was when I was on the fetal monitors periodically (hospital birth attended by a midwife). I'll be skipping that this time around Anyway, my doula got my nurse to hook me up so I could be on all 4s or on the birthing ball while hooked up to the monitors. I did some tailor sitting, some birthing ball stuff, etc. during labor while using my CDs. I was not comfortable while not moving, but totally fine if I kept moving, kwim? So that combo worked the best for me. I didn't even feel like I was actively listening to the CDs that much, but I think I practiced so much beforehand that hearing them put me into hypnosis automatically.

We brought the arm drop/glove anesthesia scripts with us but didn't use them. My instructor (we used the Mongan version of Hypnobirthing) did a CD for us in advance, and she had a bunch of extra scripts on it that she read herself (she has a recording studio). That was helpful. This time I also bought a supplemental package from Hypnobabies for some variety.

There is a Hypnobabies yahoo group if you want to check it out (I think there are also Hypnobirthing users on there). You might want to practice "eyes open" hypnosis this time? I didn't practice doing "eyes open" hypnosis in advance last time but found the combo of actively moving and using Hypnobirthing CDs worked best for me, but I think some people always practice while lying down and then struggle w/ how to get into hypnosis while being mobile?

Practice as much as possible. Maybe look for a supplementary set of Hypnobabies CDs on the trading post or ebay. I have the 5 cd set meant to complement the Mongan Hypnobirthing program. I think they phased it out but you can still buy it in limited quantities through the hypnobabies yahoo group or buy it 2nd hand. Maybe you'll connect better w/ a different script?

Oh, I used a whirlpool tub during transition and that was helpful. We brought a regular CD player into the little tub room at the hospital.

Not sure if that helps at all?

[Spark]

I definitely belive in Hypo for my labors. Ahhh. It's like a switch goes off in my head & I'm very present, but it just doesn't feel like pain. I did HypnoBirthing for my first birth and it was as the PP said, 90% painless to mild. The last couple hours were tough. If Id been in hospital, I would have jumped for an epidural. (I wasnt though and never thought it would be a good idea to get there)

For my other two births, I didnt have any pain. I used the Imagery Birthing www.imagerybirthing.com program for those. I liked it better, but really theyre all the same.

My births:
1st
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=Jude
2nd
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ghlight=Cicely
3rd
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=Jude

Pointers:
1. Begin early. 22 weeks is a great time to start!
2. Do it daily. People that havent had it work generally didn;t listen daily.
3. Sleeping through it is fine. You're not really really sleeping through it anyway. Your mind is taking notes.
4. During labor, dont expect a hypnotic state. You just do your active birthing thing and your subconsious will take care of the rest.
5. Plan to be active (changing positions, walking, tubs, shower, etc).

Have a wonderful birth!

[St. Margaret]

:

Lovin' the tips. I'm going to order my Hypnobabies CD this weekend! My childbirth classes, which incorp hypnobirthing, start late Nov-- yay!

[courtenay_e]

One of my biggest tips is that you should practice using active birth techniques. Practice on the birth ball, standing and swaying, in the shower, practice on all fours, practice sitting in the tub, every way you can imagine being comfortable. Start NOW, and practice every chance you get (meaning several times a day, if you can).

I was active...used the ball, the shower, the tub, danced...and was SO GLAD I had practiced doing all of those things. I didn't even push my son out...just breathed him down. It rocked. I LOVED using hypnobirthing. I'd do it again in a heartbeat! One thing I'd suggest is to get a doula who's used to hypnobirthing practices to help out.

[mom2emerson]

Originally Posted by courtenay_e

One of my biggest tips is that you should practice using active birth techniques. Practice on the birth ball, standing and swaying, in the shower, practice on all fours, practice sitting in the tub, every way you can imagine being comfortable. Start NOW, and practice every chance you get (meaning several times a day, if you can).

Can you explain a little more what you mean? Do you mean practicing the relaxation techniques while doing those things or breathing, or both????
I was very pretty still during my last birth (by choice) trying to relax as much as possible, but I'm open to trying something different. I just can't imagine being able to get into that total relaxation while moving, although I can see it in different positions, like child's pose or in the shower.

Unfortunately a doula won't be part of our birth, but my DH is 200% on board and an absolutely a believer in HypnoBirthing so I know we can make this experience as wonderful as you described yours!!!