hypnobabies?

[anne1006]

My midwife recommended hypnobabies to help learn coping strategies. It's spendy, so I thought I'd ask you ladies if you have used it, or other things that work better? I am pretty scared for the pain since my last labor was horrible....but I know it was horrible because of my environment and interventions. It is still hard to talk myself out of the fear, and I'm looking for some good books or homestudy stuff since I won't be able to take a class. I've read a book on bradley, one on Lamaze, and Birthing from Within, and I'm ready to read more. Suggestions?

[2bluefish]

Hypnobabies is splendid - I used it with #2 (#1 was horrifyingly painful) - #2 I ended up with pitocin in the hospital, and it was still mostly painless - just 20 minutes of discomfort in transition. Worth every penny - and much cheaper than an epidural!

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I really enjoyed using Hypnobabies with my 2nd. Both my labors were painful but I felt more in control with my 2nd. I think that had to do with many things, though. Hard to say how much was Hypnobabies. But I really enjoyed the CDs. They helped me sleep better too.

[Oliver'sMom]

I also really enjoyed hypnobabies. My midwife had her own copy of the CD's she let me borrow, so it was free! Maybe your library might have them? My labor was long, but I felt completely in control. I had a lot of pain, but I really think hypnobabies helped me deal with it and get into "the zone".

[babe&baba]

I used hypnobabies for my 2nd and would HIGHLY recommend it. I had a fast, furious, no breaks in between contractions, 3 hour labor with my daughter. With our son we were living in the middle of no where and I knew I would likely end up laboring in a car at some point. I also was dedicated to natural childbirth so I used the Hypnobabies home study.

It was WONDERFUL. I remember arriving to have our local doc check me and I was feeling GREAT. I was chatting and laughing and stopping every 5 min. or so for a "pressure wave". When he asked me how long my contractions were lasting I said, "I don't know, only 35 seconds or so". When my DH timed them they were 2.5 minutes. I yelled, "Shut Up". I could not believe it. I was so into the my Hypnobabies zone that I had no idea they were lasting that long. I was also 5 cm, which also shocked me, I kept insisting I was not even in active labor. My local doc could not deliver me there (very, very small town and no midwives for hours) and our original hospital plan was too far away so he suggested we go to a closer hospital.....by ambulance, as I had progressed to a 6 and he dropped another station in the 1/2 hour we were there. I was not thrilled about taking an ambulance but took it in stride due to my relaxation. Apparently we drove 100 miles per hour (My DH rode in front) all the way there. I went through transition in the ambulance, I remember feeling him move down and breathing deep and chanting my "peace". We arrived at the hospital in about 20 minutes and Miles arrived 15 minutes after we pulled in and was delivered by a nurse.

So, I figure if I can have an amazing birth even though I spent transition strapped to an ambulance girney than anyone can.

We are expecting #3 in January and I am using Hypnobabies again. Like I said, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

[hippie_mommy]

I'm using it and loving it

If you're concerned about the price, then you may want to join the yahoo group. The owner of hypnobabies is on there and offers used copies at a reduced price for moms who need a price break.

[babe&baba]

When are you due? I may be able to copy mine and send them to you. I got mine from a woman I met on Babycenter because I could not afford it at the time. I would love to pay it forward to you also.

I am due in late January.

[dogmom327]

It didn't work for me (in terms of pain relief), but I did have a calm labor and up until transition I was in complete control. My midwife claims I was still in control during transition and pushing but I guess it's all a matter or perspective I liked listening to the CD's while I was pregnant, they were very relaxing and the affirmations CD had some good statements (my favorite and the one that kept ringing in my head was 'my baby knows when to be born and I will be patient').

[Alyssa's Mom]

working?

I have the course and have been listening to the scripts since about 20 weeks along. I ALWAYS fall asleep while listening to them, so I'm not practicing the "finger-drop" thing to enter hypnosis, and it doesn't really seem to be doing anything, other than relaxing me while listening. Has anyone else had this experience?

When the scripts say you can't move, and the muscles are totally relaxed, I can still move and everything. Does this mean it's not going to work on me?

Any advice?

Tamara

P.S. To OP: I am due December 9th. When are you due? I may be able to burn copies on my computer for you.

[monarn]

*lurker*

I used hypnobabies for my dd and loved it. Afterwards I burned copies of the cd's and sold my set on Ebay for what I paid for it.

[2bluefish]

Originally Posted by Alyssa's Mom

When the scripts say you can't move, and the muscles are totally relaxed, I can still move and everything. Does this mean it's not going to work on me?

It is a will thing - you can only be hypnotized if you are willing to be. If it says don't move, don't move. Don't override your lightswitch. If you continuously make the choice to chose to believe the suggestion, then eventually it will start to feel like you couldn't move if you wanted to.

I have a really strong will myself - my muscles start rebelling when I turn my switch to off and start aching to twitch - it take me really willing myself not to move to stay still. So, I usually use the middle position even when it says to turn off, and that works great for me. Interestingly, I didn't find turning off difficult at all when I was actually in labor - only when practicing. HTH

[jenangelcat]

Deleted by user.

[anne1006]

I am due Jan 19th. Is the book helpful too, or is it mostly just listening to cd's? It would be great to get a copy to put on my Ipod. It sounds like such a great strategy!

[Oliver'sMom]

Originally Posted by Alyssa's Mom

I have the course and have been listening to the scripts since about 20 weeks along. I ALWAYS fall asleep while listening to them, so I'm not practicing the "finger-drop" thing to enter hypnosis, and it doesn't really seem to be doing anything, other than relaxing me while listening. Has anyone else had this experience?

When the scripts say you can't move, and the muscles are totally relaxed, I can still move and everything. Does this mean it's not going to work on me?

Any advice?

Tamara

P.S. To OP: I am due December 9th. When are you due? I may be able to burn copies on my computer for you.

I always fell asleep. Maybe that's why I didn't have the pain relief. It still really helped me stay in control and work through the tough bits. I really feel that it helped me connect more with my baby as well.

[Alyssa's Mom]

Originally Posted by anne1006

I am due Jan 19th. Is the book helpful too, or is it mostly just listening to cd's? It would be great to get a copy to put on my Ipod. It sounds like such a great strategy!

I will try to burn a copy of the CD's this weekend. At work I can copy the paperwork, but I purchased my set off of E-bay, so I can't guarantee that it's the most current book and hand-outs, but it does seem to be all there. I'll post on this thread to let you know if the CD's work, and when I'll be able to copy the book.

to Oliver'smom - thanks for the reply. I also think I'll stick with it, even if it doesn't end up helping, it sure can't hurt!

to 2bluefish - I do think that's part of my problem. I am very strong-willed and opinionated, and I guess it's hard for me to give up control to my body. I keep trying, but I can still feel all my aches and pains, and the CD's just don't seem to help. I'm even having a hard time picture the lightswitch in my head, and when I try to imagine turning it to off, I don't feel any different at all. I'm thinking between that and falling asleep all the time, I'm just not "getting it". Any suggestions for completely relaxing, yet staying awake? I'll also try using the middle position, too. Maybe that will help. Also, I am VERY relieved to know that even though during practice you had a hard time, during labor it worked. Maybe your mind/body knew that you didn't need it during practice, but did during labor?

Thanks, guys.

Tamara

[anne1006]

Originally Posted by Alyssa's Mom

I will try to burn a copy of the CD's this weekend. At work I can copy the paperwork, but I purchased my set off of E-bay, so I can't guarantee that it's the most current book and hand-outs, but it does seem to be all there. I'll post on this thread to let you know if the CD's work, and when I'll be able to copy the book.


Tamara

That rocks! Thank you!!!! I'm so excited!

[2bluefish]

Kerry (the founder - she was leading the Yahoo group last year - not sure if she still is or if she has another teacher on there now), always said if you fell asleep, it didn't matter, because your subconscious was still listening. Alot of the women on the Yahoo list reported that they couldn't remember the CDs cause it felt like they fell asleep. I was always jealous of those who could fall asleep - my mind was always working while I was listening - I had to focus on every word in order to keep my mind from wandering. But when I was actually in labor, it was totally like I was sleeping. Kerry also says that it is programming you to feel labor as painless - that doesn't mean if you back hurts or you have a cut on your finger you aren't going to feel it when you turn your lightswitch off. The best advice is just to do it - don't analyze what you are feeling, don't try to determine if it is going to work - just do it and know it will be there for you when you need it.