Anyone Try Hynobirthing / Hypnobabies?

I have not used hynobirthing, but I agree with everyone else so far, that having a doula is a great idea! (Now, I am a little bit predjudiced, because I AM a doula!!) I see that you are in my local area. If you are interested in interviewing a few doulas, contact me and I can give you some names besides my own.
Blessings,
D. Easthon CD(DONA), LCCE, ELCS, CHBE,
Waterbirth Credentialed
Community Outreach Director, Dayton Area Labor Support
ICAN of Dayton chapter leader
Midwest Regional Director, GAC CIMS

www.heart2heartbirthmatters.com

PS...I see someone recommended Amy Chavez here on this thread and I will say she is excellent!

Child birth is suppose to be painful. I don't know of any one who ever gave birth with out discomfort at one stage or another.It doesn't last that long , you don't need drugs or to be hypnotised.

I used Hypnobirthing to deliver both of my daughters. While I can't say that the deliveries were completely pain-free, I can say that taking the classes really helped me learn to manage the pain and even view it differently -- labor pain is a GOOD pain. It's not like if you break your leg, for example. That just sucks. But labor pain is a productive pain with an awesome prize at the end. I commend you for wanting to avoid unnecessary drugs. Women have been giving birth without drugs for thousands of years. Childbirth is not a medical condition that needs to be treated with drugs. It is a wonderful miracle that should be experienced fully. I feel that the Hypnobirthing techniques really allowed me to do just that. Good luck to you.

I know nothing about hypnobirthing but I went natural... and they even had to give me pitocin but I still said no to drugs. It's definitely a choice you have to make and try your hardest to stick to it.
I used accupressure (go to http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/About.aspx for how-tos), and a lot of mind over body techniques. A great lil practice was to have your dh pinch you and try your hardest to think about something else, or hold an ice cube for one minute while distracting your self. This helped a lot to prepare... then while having contractions distract yourself, or have dh do some accupressure.
Also check out Birthing From Within it's by Ricki Lake, you can find video clips online.
Most importantly remember that the birth may be painful but it allows you to have your little one in your arms. GOOD LUCK!!! :-)

I am going to recommend hiring a doula. It's worth every cent. Amy Chavez is a great doula in the area. You can read more about her here:

http://www.mamasource.com/business/13413956046058160129/d...

I HIGHLY recommend Amy. Good luck!

I know nothing of hypnobirthing; however, thought I'd share w/ you that I had both babies completely natural/non-medicated but the first was delivered w/ a Dr. and the 2nd with a midwife (no .
HAVE A MIDWIFE!
Happy to share more upon request. Oh, and I also have access to an awesome nutritional product that helps with the muscles in many ways (and those are what help us push that baby out!) But it helped me get rid of the nightly charlie horses immediately!

A., contact Crysta Bordon from the marietta ohio mamasource. She will explain it all for you and in full detail. She is a member of a group of professionals called "Mamaology". They even have a website.. I think it's something like www.mamaology.com I would imagine. I also think there are contact numbers there.

Good luck, and I know you can NOT go wrong with these ladies.

A.

I used Hypnobabies. I had researched both programs (hypnobabies and hypnobirthing) and found the home study version of hypnobabies to be much more complete and detailed. It is a 6 week program, which helped me to learn to focus all my energy. I can't say that I didn't feel any pain, however using the hypnobabies' techniques, I was able to relax and cope with pain in a much more controlled fashion.

I ended up with back labor, which, as you know, is quite painful. I had my midwife give me sterile water injections. That helped a lot. I also used a doula (as one poster suggested). I can't convey the importance of mommy-oriented support.

One thing I can tell you is that it is very important that you are open to the ideas behind hypnosis. If you are a skeptic, then it's probably not for you. However, if you feel that it is something that could work for you, then try it. If nothing else, it helps you to manage your pain.

I had people telling me that they had never attended a natural birth that was so ... uh, quiet and controlled. It will help you to focus. Just don't think of it as a pain-free fix. It's about pain management and teaching your body (& mind) an effective way to cope.

Do you know about the hypnobabies Yahoo! group? You might find it interesting, there is a lot of helpful and informative discussion. It's a great place to see what others are saying about the program.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hypnobabies/

Truthfully, I still kind of use it whenever I hurt myself (burns, cuts, etc.).

Best of luck!

Hypno-birthing was great for me but it would have been better if your couch reads and listens too. My husband didn't want to read the book and fell asleep during the CD's so he really was not able to couch me the way I needed but, he did good other wise. Make sure you do all the CD's during labor and go to your special place. Good luck God bless.

I have not used the hynobirthing method but I have had 2 babies and delivered them naturally. I also had a ton of back labor but was able to work through it using the Bradley Method. My husband and I took the Bradley Method classes before our first baby. It was great to take classes, it got both of us involved and the classes we took were very economical. The coaches were great and explained things very well. It was because of my understanding of the labor process that I was able to get through the process without drugs, the peak of the pain is also usually the shortest span of time, which means baby is coming! There is also a lot of information out there that implies that epidurels (sp?) can actually slow down labor. So I would definitely recommend Bradley classes. Something I was able to try with my second baby is sitting in a birthing tub during heavy labor, this helped immensely and although my hospital doesn't allow water birthing I can certainly understand why women would try it, the hot water was wonderful and I knew when it was time to get out, you just know at that point when it is time to get out to have your baby. My second one was 10 days late so they had to induce me with Pitosin (sp?) which makes labor harder and the spikes of the contractions more intense. The water bath helped immensely with pain management. Often Pitosin leads people to have epidurels and I was really trying to avoid it but my little girl was not budging despite all my efforts so I went into labor knowing that it was going to be intense but that also helped me prepare. So, obviously I could tell you a million positives about natural birth and bravo for wanting to go that direction. My first baby was 9lbs 8 ozs and my second was 9lbs 11ozs, I don't know how I would have pushed them out if I would have been numb or drugged up. It really helps to be able to feel what is happening, made me push more effectively when the time came. I wish you all the best and I hope you and your new baby boy come through the process in great health.

Hi A.,

I have not tried Hypnobirthing, but did help a couple during their labor & delivery who used it. I was very impressed as she was able to tolerate a long labor without meds by using the CD. You do need to start months prior to delivery, and practice daily so you can do it properly. You would need to order soon!

Another suggestion is to hire a doula. A doula is a woman who supports couples physically, emotionally & provides information prenatally, during L&D and after delivery. She can provide continuous support during labor. This is in addition to your caregiver. Not sure where you're located, but you can check a website DONA.org. There is a list of certified doulas in your area. Costs vary.

I wish you the BEST during your labor & delivery and future with you children!

K.

I had water labors for all three of my kids and my last child was born in the water. Water helped me deal with all the pain and my longest labor was 6 hours. I would get a Doula. They are more able to help you pick a new method of pain control when the one you are using turns out not to work. OH and what worked or didn't work for one labor can change the next time around. Just because something worked or didn't work for me or someone else means nothing. YOU need to make sure your hospital is open to you laboring whatever way you feel is going to work. Even if that's up and walking around or in the tub or on a ball or dancing with your hubby.

M.

I used the hypnobirthing techniques for my labor and delivery, and even though we had to do c-section, it gave me the skills to deal with all of that much more calmly. My friend is a hypnobirthing instructor at St ann's. If you want more information, let me know. My email address is ____@____.com luck!

I would highly recomend hiring a doula to help you through labor--it is just too much to expect from a husband. You need experiences women too -though if you have a friend or family member who can do it great. If you have back labor again (I had it for all 3 daughters!) get on your hands and knees --the only position I could handle. The Bradley method uses the breathing that is more conducive to a hypnotic state so Bradly classes might be good but it also might be worth it to try hypnotherapy too.

I did hypnobirthing with my first and I went all the way to 7 centimeters before they had to take her c-section (she was too big)with what felt like mild period cramps compared to what I hear contractions are like. It worked so well that when I was breathing through my contractions I was able to block everything out around me and color for 18 hours of labor! It is pricey but WELL worth the cost if you can grasp the concept. It was great. I am not sure what area you are from but I actually went to classes here in Columbus and it was so worth it I would recommend it to anyone.

I know a few women who have used it and say they'd never do it any other way again. The one thing suggested is taking a class instead of the home course, but if you don't have that option, go with Hypnobabies because it's got more to it in the self-taught "class".
Good Luck!! :)

I'm sorry I don't have any knowledge of hypnobirthing however I used the Bradley Method and a doula and gave birth to a 9 pound 15 oz son naturally. He was posterior and I had to be induced with pitocin. I loved the Bradley Method and would use it again in a heartbeat if we are blessed with another child. My doula is in Ravenna and I would be happy to give you her website if you would like to check it out. She will travel to all the Akron hospitals and farther. Congrats on checking into natural childbirth. Good luck with your search. Please feel free to email me directly if you would like more information.

M.

I have not used either of these techniques but in reading the responses wanted to comment on doulas. I had a doula and I LOVED it! I made sure it was okay with my hubby first because I didn't want him to feel like he wasn't important for the process. At first he wasn't sure what to think but after we met with her, he was so excited. She explained that it was her job to help him help me. So he didn't feel overwhelmed and never had to leave my side. She taught me to indentify my stressers ahead of time, we wrote a birth plan that covered both a natural and emergency birth, and talked about different laboring techniques. I felt so prepared! We went with a quiet and dim environment with some soft worship music. She and my hubby massaged me when necessary. If I needed something, she went and got it so he did not have to leave. Even better....I had to have an emergency c-section and they both helped to keep me so calm! Even though it wasn't the birth I planned, i felt like it went perfectly. My husband said he was so proud that I was so in control. I would highly encourage this technique (my doula is in South Bend if you need one) but if it's not for you that's fine. Don't worry about what others think too much and focus on what will work for you and your partner. Good luck and God bless!