Hypnobirthing

[frankiecali]

I am considering taking a Hypnobirthing class. I have read a lot of great stuff about the techniques.

I was wondering if anyone here has ever gone to such a class, or used the Hypnobirthing method during labor??

What do you do during the class?
What can I expect to pay for the classes?
I know this method needs to be practiced so when should I sign up??

Thanks !

[catkrazy99]

I used hypnobirthing and I took private classes. My doula was training to be a hypnobirth instructor so she was also in the delivery room with me.

I've never birthed without hypnobirthing and I never plan to. I would highly recommend it to every and anyone.

I started my sessions in June and my baby was due July 17 but born July 3. I started a little late with the sessions and went 1-2 times a week for about 3 weeks. I think I had about 6 sessions overall.

Maybe you can contact an instructor and see how soon they recommend you starting.

Good luck - there really is a way to labor painlessly!

[hedra]

My teacher recommended starting around week 24-26. I had a group class, about 5 couples? I can't remember. You'd have to check the individual teacher, though, they may have preferences, rather than rules.

Cost was $260, I think, which is on the low end. About $300 is common, but it varies by region and also by what the traffic will allow, so to speak. My teacher would take as little as $80 for the class if you had financial need, and would also barter for classes - goods or services.

As for what you do during classes, ask the teacher. For us, what I recall off the top of my head was that there was an informal 'lecture' part of class, covering the topics/chapters you hopefully read before class, from how your body works to how your mind works to how HB works during labor. Then she'd do some scripts, at first to show you that it worked, but later to practice the scripts you would do on your own. Then there would be discussion, and class participation stuff (like talking about what things scare you, and how your previous experience(s) was/were, and what your expectations are, and then dealing with those).

I don't remember how many classes there were. I do remember enjoying the classes a lot.

And did it work? YEP. I did Bradley with my first son, and that worked very well, despite a long labor. I basically went into the same state as HB taught, on my own. HB taught me how to use it, guide it, adjust it, and apply it effectively, even turn it on and off. With HB, even with pitocin-augmentation, I didn't have pain during labor. It was intense, powerful, and took some real mental effort to stay in that relaxed easy space, but not painful. Crowning burned a bit, but hardly unbearable, and my labor was only 4.5 hours long from first 'have to actually pay attention' contraction to birth. I also didn't need to move around at all - My body told me where it wanted to be, and I listened. Others (the midwife, etc) encouraged me to try different positions, but my body rebelled. I ended up lying half-way between on my side and on my back - a decidedly odd position (requiring a lot of pillows to support it), but that was what was comfortable and felt right. And it worked just fine.

My instructor was also my doula. That was extra (fee-wise), but it was also invaluable, as I ended up at the hospital with a NIT of a backup-to-the-backup-OB trying to scare me into a c-section and trying to convince me that my baby was too big to be born safely vaginally. Despite the experienced opinion of the midwife. The OB did apologize later, for being wrong, but not for being a nit. Having the instructor there meant that after every attempt to panic me or scare me, the instructor could counter with a custom on-the-moment script. Thank heavens for that! They almost had me convinced that my son was too big for me, and that was making me fight his descent a bit. But she ran a script where I accepted that he was the perfect size, just right for me, and I relaxed again. He was 9 lbs 6 oz, and had a 15.5 inch head, but he was the perfect size - I didn't even need a single stitch.

Also, we converted a bunch of L&D nurses to appreciating the value of a HB approach. I hate to admit it, but I did ask for an epidural at one point. Because I felt I wasn't relaxing my back fully. Not for pain, just felt I needed to relax more, or I wouldn't progress. :rolleyes: at myself. LOL! The L&D nurses tried to talk me out of it, because I'd spent a few hours on pitocin and spent the entire time quietly relaxed and breathing comfortably, only shifting a little now and then, not sweating, not in pain, just being quietly there... they were pretty sure I didn't need an epidural REALLY, I'd just probably just opened up really fast, which would of course be harder to relax through. Sure enough, they were right, I'd progressed from 4.5 to 7 in about half an hour, and in another 10 minutes, I was complete (I was probably stretching to 10 during those contractions, so I was basically in the self-doubt part of transition). So I skipped the epidural, and had a pain-meds-free pitocin-augmented birth. And the L&D nurses asked for more information about hypnobirthing, too.

And I know the HB (itself) helped, because every now and then, someone would put a hand on my knee, and I'd come out of hynosis (that was my preset trigger to come out). And when they did, it HURT like freakin h*ll.

I don't think I'd ever do it without HB again, either.

[LDM]

Can you learn Hypno birthing on your own - videos, books, etc. There are no classes around her. I used Bradley last time and I believe it really helped manage the pain - it was a picotin-induced labour, I was allowed minimal movement and i think I would have died with out bradley (ok I'm exageratting but it helped) I learned Bradley from books - no classes here either. If anyone thinks it possible - any books that you may recommend?

Lori

[hedra]

Absolutely - if you go to the SN Home, there's a self-hypnosis archive listed on the new items... (much of it from me, LOL!)

New Way Childbirth is one video/audio program that works well, though is kinda new-agey. Some people can't stand the woman's voice, but I used it and got used to her vcice (bought it before I found the HB class).

HypnoBabies is another audio-tapes and book program. They're closer to Hypnobirthing style, but no classes.

Both sites have all their resources listed. The H-babies site has multiple tapes for different issues, I think, but I'm not positive.

Loads of people do it themselves. With good results. The one lack is that there are no custom scripts to handle your specific issues, but most issues ARE covered anyway.

[mamax2]

You might also want to look into regular hypnotherapists. Many are certified as hypnobirthing instructors. You can expect to pay a little more since your sessions will be individual. I believe I got much more out of the individual sessions since I was able to relax more. Also hypnotherapist can help you to relieve any fears of birth that you might have that are interfering with your relaxation. We paid $80 per session for six sessions but it was worth it. I will be using this technique with all of my future births.