Hypnobabies/Bradley birth/other birthy stuff

[YummyYumYumMama]

Hey hey hey. I have been way more active on here the past week than I have my whole pregnancy.

Anyhoo. Bradley method classes. We are starting in September. I'm excited about this - mainly for hubby's sake. I think it will help him cuz he is a bit squeamish and I have heard that it has made a lot of men way more comfortable w/the whole birth process. I have done a lot of reading and a lot of talking to mamas and I feel like I have way more resources on hand for the birth than he does. So I am glad about having this course available to support him as he supports me.

I also wanted to take a Hypnobirthing course but there is no way I can afford both the course offered in my area as well as Bradley. I know Hypnobabies has a home study course and I've found VERY affordable copies of it on e-Bay but know NOTHING about it. I have seen it mentioned in this DDC a few times tho and was hoping to get more info. Are you guys doing it? Have you done it before? Would you recommend it? I'm a little concerned about doing a home study course rather than actually go to one but I have heard some good things about it. If I go for it - should I get it now or closer to the birth?

Also... I'm thinking for the birth I'll have my husband and mom there. I'm having a VERY hard time finding any volunteer or low-fee doulas in the area available for December that I have a good vibe with. So... I plan to share all my Bradley & Hypnobabies (should I choose to do it) info with my mom who loves learning about this stuff. (She had 2 c-sections and understands why I want to do this as intervention-free as I can.) I'll have a birth plan to share with the midwives. Will I be okay without a doula? I've heard so many benefits and am disappointed that it doesn't seem like it will work out, but I think if hubs & mom are advocating for me that it should be fine. I love the idea of having someone there who has lots of knowledge about birth & has attended births before... but it's less and less likely of a possibility.

[look11]

Sounds like you're doing the right thing by getting a bunch of information for yourself and your family. I'm reading the Hypnobirthing book because I couldn't afford the class and just didn't feel that I could commit that much time to it. Between that and Yoga, I'm hoping I'll learn some great relaxation techniques this time around.

As for a doula, I didn't have one for my first baby and everything went great. I was still able to do it naturally and to help myself through it using all the knowledge I'd gained from books, etc. As long as your DH and mom are well-informed and willing to offer you suggestions and support during labor, you'll be fine. You can do it!

[DucetteMama21842]

I would think that because you are taking Bradley- you'll probably be fine without a doula. They are helpful, yes, but don't stress out about it. Bradley is a very educational class if your husband is really excited to learn- and trust me, it will make him a much better (and informed advocate) for you than you think. I haven't taken hypnobabies because I loved Bradley so much and it worked sooo well... but I'm sure some of the other mamas might know about it. Personally what I did was buy a $9 ocean/sleep cd at Fred Meyer's and use that to practice my relaxation. I did that because I ADORED Ina May's visualization of a contraction being like a wave and having yourself let go and visualize riding the wave. I've heard that technique is very helpful for moms and I'd like to try it. (Plus it's cheap. )

[Sihaya]

I know there are other Hypnobabies-using mamas here who are much more articulate than I about the postives and negatives of the course, so I won't share too much except to say that 1) I would highly recommend it 2) Hypnobabies is based off of the Bradley method with hypnosis and relaxation added so it would mesh very well with your in-person class and 3) I wouldn't buy them off of eBay myself because it's really hard to tell if what you're getting is authentic until it's too late.

If you want to ask me specific questions about Hypnobabies, I would welcome a PM. I just don't know that I'd be very good at giving a broad synopsis/review.

[Elsaraw]

She's right, I kept seeing on the Hypnobabies yahoo group the ladies buying the course on ebay got bad cd's...

[YummyYumYumMama]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I won't spring for the e-Bay CDs since there is no way to check if they are for real. I am pretty good at relaxing and dissociating from pain and I do have a childbirth preparation cassette tape I'd love to listen to that includes tips on self-hypnosis. (Now if only we had a cassette player. Damn new technology.) Hopefully with that and Bradley I will be all set. I think with my Bradley-coached husband there to support me and my mom there to support both of us, everything will work out. I'm really excited!

[DucetteMama21842]

You'll do GREAT!

[YummyYumYumMama]

Thanks! I am such a nerd - I am the only pregnant woman I know IRL who has never given birth and is excited about it. I'm really not nervous or worried or concerned about ANYTHING - just looking forward to the experience! I know a lot of people IRL think I'm totally WEIRD for that - but I'm sort of glad. I get nervous about all sorts of weird things and psych myself out. I'm glad that so far I'm going into this adventure calm and relaxed and EXCITED!