HypnoBirthing Classes

I did not take HypnoBirthing classes (though I know a few who have and loved it) but wanted to say CONGRATS on your decision to go natural! First and foremost don't listen to people who tell you that you can't do it. And don't listen to people that say they "tried and just couldn't do it". Know in your heart and mind that you want to do it and you can!

I have had two babies with no pain meds whatsoever, and my births were awesome! I am pregnant now and will be giving birth in the water this time. With my second, I made sure not to fight contractions (which is a very natural instinct) and to just completely relax and let my body take over. I even made sure my mouth and forehead were completely slack! Giving up that control is hard BUT once you do, you'll find that the contractions do their job and it is much more tolerable. Deep, even breathing (with a cleansing breath at the end) worked for me. Also, read up on the "ring of fire" when baby's head crowns. Most doctors and nurses advise you to push through this - "this is the time", they tell you. But this is actually the time NOT to push. Short breaths out out out, or blowing your lips out like a horse (picture that!) will help you not to push. Then the baby's head can do its work of fully stretching the perineum (i hope i spelled that right!), until it feels numb. This will help with the pain, and will reduce (or eliminate) tearing. Also, push with contractions. Many doctors want you to push like they tell you, but the great thing about natural birth is that you can TELL when you need to push.

I am a fan of the Bradley Method. I didn't take the classes (my husband's work schedule is erratic and constantly changes, making a 12 week commitment impossible!) but read Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way (by Susan McCutcheon, I believe). It was an excellent guide. I also highly recommend The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. She helps you understand the physiological aspects of birth and why going natural is best. I'm currently reading Ina May's Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin (the QUEEN of modern midwifery), and she too unveils the physiological aspects, plus there are some tremendous and empowering birth stories in the first half of the book. Both of these woman compare natural birthing the traditional way to the medical norm of hospitals. You CAN have a natural birth in a hospital, just know what you want and what you don't need! Knowing that first time labors (and any labor but definitely first labors!) can slow down will help you just in case some doctor tells you that you are not progressing fast enough and that you need Pitocin. Normal, natural labors don't always follow their textbook. First time moms' labors can last a long time (that doesn't make it harder, just keep it in mind) so "stalling" at 5 cm. doesn't mean "failure to progress" as many doctors would have you believe.

Also, I know you've heard this, but DEFINITELY pull that monitor off and walk around, and go potty often. Sit on the birth ball - squatting can open your pelvis 30% more (I believe that is the number) and sitting on the ball is a comfy way to do this. Heck, get one now and sit on it in the evenings. It also helps posterior babies turn anterior, while sitting on the soft couch with your feet up is one of the worst things.

Knowing what is going on in your body and knowing what each contraction is doing will help you very much in understanding what is happening. I know that sounds like a well, duh! moment, but for me it allowed me to relax, knowing my body was doing what it was supposed to do.

Having a doula can also help you tremendously. She can help with natural ways of relieving pain, keep you relaxed, help your breathing, and just MOTHER you! Even the best midwife in the world has her job to do, while a doula's only job is to mother the mother. Statistics even show that a doula in attendance can lower your chances of intervention.

Also, have only the people you trust and want in the room with you. If you don't think you'll be 100% comforted and relaxed with your mother or mother in law in there, make your husband tell them no! If, on the other hand, you think their being there would surround you in love and support, by all means, have them there! The people surrounding and supporting you in labor can have quite an effect on your labor. At the points in my previous labors when I was ready for MIL to get out, DH asked her to leave and it helped me to relax! The mind/body connection is very strong (as you must know, if you plan on taking HypnoBirthing!!!).

Those two books (Ina May's Guide and Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide) are two books I would HIGHLY recommend to any woman who wants a natural birth. Remember, you CAN do it. Don't listen to the stories of women who wanted to go natural but "just couldn't do it". And I normally wouldn't recommend any of those baby shows, BUT House of Babies on Discovery Health showcases a birth center in Miami where many births are in the water and all are natural. I find it very uplifting to see a show where NONE of the mothers get induced nor get an epidural, instead of those other shows where EVERYONE gets induced and gets the epi - even the moms that "want to go natural". Surround yourself in positivity, as it will have the right effect on your pregnancy and your labor!

I actually did Hypnobirthing for my 1st and it was awesome. I went from 4 to 10 in 20 mins and delivered easily; I tried it for my 2nd but he was almost 11 lbs, was sideways and had cord around neck so had CS.

I highly recommend HB. My husband and I had 8 sessions at home, listened to the Marie Mongan CD and told the hospital staff what we needed to concentrate. One of the nurses was so impressed she asked me what I was doing. If I find the business card, I will post it here later.

J.
I actually managed to hypnotise myself quite naturally when I had my second child.
The trick is to breathe deeply and slowly in and then release just as slowly throughout each contraction. Don't panic, don't fight against the contractions - go with them. Unlike other pains, they are not a signal that something is wrong so prepare your mind beforehand that these pains which will become stronger and longer are actually leading very rapidly to the birth of your baby.
I was in a room where I could look outside. I had heard that nature has a calming effect and I can clearly recall watching the outline of a large tree outside - as the contraction came, I would start looking at the lower left part of the tree - right up to it's apex when the contraction was at it's strongest and then down the right hand side of the tree as it ebbed away....then back again. I did not realise at the time that I was actually hypnotising myself.
You could start trying something like this now and if you fall asleep while practising - you know you have perfected it!
All the best
Mom of six

Congrats on going natural! I gave birth in July w/o pain meds and found the experience very empowering and fascinating! Although have heard good things about hypnobirthing, I did not use it myself. I did hire a doula (Sharon, who is mentioned in Tammy T's post) and I would highly recommend having a doula or a coach of some sort with you to keep you going. Let me tell you, that there is nothing anyone can do to take away the pain of childbirth (for me, it was most intense during the end of active labor). The only thing hypno-birthing will do is create a diversion so that you are not thinking about pain relief. I almost caved in to getting an epidural 2-3 times, and each time I thought about pain releif, I would start to panic, and that just makes the pain worse. So, if hypno-birthing is what you need to do to get your mind off pain meds - do it, but it will help to have someone there to help keep you focused because the mind is programmed to seek pain relief. My doula was awesome (Sharon is listed under doulas on this site). Also, I did it in a hospital (TX Women's) so it's possible, but I would recommend a birthing center instead (I'm going to do that for my next one). Best of luck to you!!

Hi J. Z,

My daughter is two now, I'm a first time mom @ 41...I went all natural and am really greatful for the experience. I did have a doula...and happy I did. She was really great, @ one point right before it was time for me to push, the babies head was stuck on like a lip of sort, Sharon, my doula, had me get on my hands and knees and sway my hips back and forth, we did this twice, the baby cleared and 3 pushes later, my daughter was born...no problem:) Here is Sharon's contact info should you be interested in giving her a call:
Sharon Tilotta - Houston, Texas
Email: ____@____.com
Telephone: ###-###-####
In regards to hypnosis, I believe in spirits...for instance the spirit of god, a good spirit and then there a bad spirits as well. I've heard that when we are hypnotised this allows a doorway for spirits to enter, just as a seance can open doors into our world for spirits, there are other entrances as well...that's just would I've heard, so me personally I would not do the whole hypnotising bit...God Bless:) TammyT
Okay J., this is really weird, I'm not the greatest speller and before sending this e-mail I wanted to check the spelling of a word, so I went to dictionary.com, I always like to read the word of the day, so I opened the link...this is the word for the day: Chthonic "Driven by dæmonic, chthonic Powers."
-- T.S. Eliot...
No joke! Freaky huh...Anyway, God Bless...t

I did not use the hypnobirthing classes but I have had two children naturally. My births were awesome. I took childbirth classes from a doula and had one present during the births. You might try attending the B.I.R.T.H. Fair oct 4th at the united way building on waugh and memorial. There will be many natural childbirth options available there to learn about and speaking many different women who've used them.