Hypnobabies vs. other natural childbirth approaches?

[andinkra]

I am a long way from giving birth, but I am trying to learn more about it and thinking about my options. I'm considering trying to get through childbirth without meds (but in a hospital with my OB). I have read a lot of really good things about the Hypnobabies program as preparation for childbirth. There's also a natural childbirth course in my area that I'm interested in that doesn't focus on hypnosis as a technique. Anyone have any insight/opinions as to the comparison between the two appraoches?

[hapersmion]

I didn't try hypnobabies, but I liked my Bradley class. There was a lot of good factual info about the way things happen in labor and ways to avoid uneccessary interventions. I also recommend doing all the research and reading you can, online and off. Ina May Gaskin's book Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was reallly good, and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way was pretty good too (my Bradley class didn't have us read it, for some reason, just the workbook).

hapersmion, wife to hoshiadam since 12-30-00, mom to Seth (1-18-06)

[Arwyn]

It's really a matter of personal preference, in my opinion. I'd suggest you interview the teachers of both of the programs, read a little about both options, find out what the "success" rate of each is. I know many people who swear by Hypobabies or Hypobirth, and others who have philosophical objections to them (that make a lot of sense to me) or who felt betrayed by them.

Ultimately, I really think it's just a matter of "fit" with your personality and birthing and labor/pain management style.

[Vespertina]

I did the hypnobabies home study. I didn't use the hypnosis technique during childbirth, but did really enjoy all of the information. I thought I knew a lot going in, but I came out knowing so much more. Really great program.

[babsbob]

I read the Bradley Method book and Birthing from Within the first time and my child birth class was Birthing from Within but I also read a little bit about hypnobabies.
I think it's helpful to just read as much as you can because most of it you will throw out the window when you go into labor - but you might remember one thing that really ends up working for you.
The important thing is to just listen to your body and do what feels good. I ended up using one visualization the whole time that I got from someone off a bulletin board of all places.