Hypnobabies -- two questions

[f&p'smama]

I am doing Hypnobabies home study. The only time I have to do my CDs is when my girls nap or go to sleep for the night. Every time I do the CDs, I fall asleep probably 15 to 20 minutes into it. I know in their materials they say that it's fine & that your mind is still listening, but that's hard for me to accept.

I can't be the only mama that this happens to. I'm pregnant and have two 2-year olds -- I am always tired and if I lay down to relax, I'm going to fall asleep.

Did this happen to anyone else? Did it still work?

Also, if you did hypnobabies, did you also have a doula? Was she still helpful?

Thanks.

[Veritaserum]

Hi, Jill!

You may feel more confident if you take the time to listen to your CDs in an alert state while doing something else, just so you can hear what suggestions are on there. Then when you fall asleep later while actually participating you won't have to worry about "missing" it.

I found that I enjoyed listening in the tub. I wouldn't fall asleep there (although I suppose if I did I would wake up if I sank into the water). It was great prep for my waterbirth, too.

I've had doulas at my last two births (my last three were using hypnosis). A doula specifically trained/experienced with hypno-moms can be very helpful. I really enjoyed having a doula, especially since my dh isn't so much into labor support. He feels like it's too much responsibility.

[Celina2]

I have not had my hypnobaby yet but I think I remember reading somewhere in the literature that if this keeps happening, you might want to fastforward through the first few minutes then listen to the CD during the day so you get a feel for what they ask you to do, what they say, etc.

I find that sometimes I am just exhausted by the time I get to listen to the Cd for the day so I certainly understand where you are coming from. And I only have one little right now. The rest of my children are school aged.

I hope that helps somewhat. Good luck

Celina

[Robinna]

This happened to me all the time. I didn't have "comfortable" labours but I did have absolutely manageable discomfort levels, I never felt I needed extra help (ie drugs or even anybody touching me except to give me a hot pad while shivering between contrax), and my labours both went very smoothly and quickly. I should tell you I wasn't *trying* for painless labour though, I just wanted to discard all our sucky social programming and to be confident that I could handle it. If I had actually been working for painless labour it's more likely I would've had it.

[amnda527]

I just gave birth to my hypnobaby 8 weeks ago! I fell asleep during the cds too, I only stayed awake the very first time when I was trying too hard to relax and was getting frustrated with myself. I did what the pp advised, and listened to the cds in the tub, where I knew I wouldn't fall asleep. I didn't stick with the schedule they put together, I just listened to whatever cds whenever I felt like it. I really liked the affirmations cds, especally towards the end, so that was all I listened to the last couple weeks. While I was laboring I didn't listen to the cds at all, I just didn't feel like I needed them until it was basically over! Even though I didn't use it, I was still using the relaxing techniques, and I think it really boosted my confidence about birthing.

[Red Sonja]

I fell asleep during the CDs too. I just started listening to them at night right before bed and, in fact, would deliberately pull them out when I was having insomnia. :

I used Hypnobabies both times, DS was a hospital birth and DD was a homebirth.

[DoomaYula]

Is anyone willing to loan their Hypnobabies cd to a mama in need who cannot afford the fee and is due in 3.5w? I would really appreciate it.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by YumaDoula

Is anyone willing to loan their Hypnobabies cd to a mama in need who cannot afford the fee and is due in 3.5w? I would really appreciate it.

Hypnobabies actually sells an inexpensive set of CDs called Joyful Birthing for around $40 that you can order by calling 714 898-2229. It's specifically for mamas with less than 5 weeks left. 3.5 weeks isn't enough time to learn the full program.

[DoomaYula]

Originally Posted by Veritaserum

Hypnobabies actually sells an inexpensive set of CDs called Joyful Birthing for around $40 that you can order by calling 714 898-2229. It's specifically for mamas with less than 5 weeks left. 3.5 weeks isn't enough time to learn the full program.

I appreciate it but we do not have $40 right now.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by YumaDoula

I appreciate it but we do not have $40 right now.

It doesn't hurt to call and explain your financial situation and see if they can make arrangements that will work for you. Kerry is very approachable and helpful and she's certainly not in this to get rich. Their number is 714 898-2229.

[jerawo]

I make sure not to listen to them in bed (except for the joyful pregnancy affirmations before I go to sleep), and I usually find a stiff chair to sit in. Both of these things help me not to fall asleep, though when I'm finished I often find I don't remember the end and feel like I've been asleep.

[dcgrl]

This is happening to me, too, and I posted about it on the Hypnobabies yahoo board. My experience is that I fall asleep during the Deepening CD, then wake up when it moves on to the next track. I was told this isn't really sleeping, it's hypnotic amnesia, and is good for absorbing the suggestions. Sure feels like sleep to me!

[Robinna]

Originally Posted by jerawo

I make sure not to listen to them in bed (except for the joyful pregnancy affirmations before I go to sleep), and I usually find a stiff chair to sit in. Both of these things help me not to fall asleep, though when I'm finished I often find I don't remember the end and feel like I've been asleep.

I thought of this but never did it because I couldn't figure out any way I could become *completely relaxed* in a stiff chair. I couldn't even do it on the birthing ball leaning on the bed, I actually fell off the birthing ball as soon as I got relaxed (yes, I know, it was very very funny and too bad it wasn't on video...). But evidently you can "get there" sitting up, eh?

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by Robinna

But evidently you can "get there" sitting up, eh?

I rarely used the bed to practice, probably because I didn't plan on spending any time there laboring.

Laura

[mommyminer]

I used HypnoBirthing with my last birth. I only really listened to the CD's when I took a nap and went to bed. You are conditioning your mind and body to relax - there isn't anything wrong with falling asleep. Do you wake up when the script is over? If you do, you aren't really falling asleep - simply entering a very deep state of relaxation. I didn't labor in bed - had a home waterbirth. I played the CD's in the room that I birthed in while I labored. Your subconcisous will pick up on the suggestions in the script.

[jerawo]

Originally Posted by Robinna

But evidently you can "get there" sitting up, eh?

Doesn't Kerry say not to listen to the scripts while lying in bed (with the exception of the pregnancy affirmations)? She also says to listen to them in different positions and in different places in your home. The more you are able to relax in any position in any place, the easier it will be during birthing time wherever that takes place. And yes, I've never had any trouble relaxing while following the scripts sitting in a chair.