HypnoBirthing: Would You Try It?

on September 23, 2009 at 7:00 AM

My doula gave me the book HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method, which is being called the new Lamaze, allowing birthing moms to go into a natural and deep state of relaxation, taking fear and pain out of labor.

Sounds good to me. I've been reading ...

... and I love it.

I'm already a believer in meditation and breathing exercises in times of stress, and I personally get every side effect listed and some not listed when I take any kind of medication, even over-the-counter. It's important to me to have the best birth experience that I can, and for me that means trying to avoid drugs.

I've got twins coming, and I realize things may not go according to my birth plan. We've got a plan B and C, too. But no matter how I birth, the power of relaxation could help. (My kids would probably be happier too if I am able to birth them without screaming my head off.)

HypnoBirthing starts during pregnancy -- the practices in the book are helping me prepare my mind and body. And there's nothing this mama-to-be needs more than some relaxation (when I can get it).

There are four HypnoBirthing Techniques:

Breathing -- both during pregnancy and birth
Relaxation -- incorporates breathing and massage
Visualization -- allows your mind to be calm and your body will follow
Deepening -- takes all of the above and allows you to release further into total relaxation

So why try HypnoBirth or incorporate any elements of it into your birth plan? The book brings up an important point: "If the mind is dwelling on fearful, negative images of birth, the body is thrown unintentionally into a defense mode. The physical response then become the antithesis to normal birthing -- tension."

Are you interested in HypnoBirth or any kind of breathing and relaxation techniques for labor?

Has anyone tried the HypnoBirthing Method?

Tips for a Drug-Free Delivery

Should You Take a Childbirth Education Class?

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: baby prep, labor & delivery, pain management

Comments (18)

tippymorgan08

on Sep 23, 2009 at 9:14 AM

I have used Hypnobirthing and I highly recommend it. I read the Hypnobirthing book and took classes with my first pregnancy and using the techniques during my birth. I labored at home from 3 AM up until around 12 PM, and our son was born around 2 PM at the hospital. I was up, walking around, even laughing and talking, up until closer to his delivery. People were amazed that I was having my first child, as I was just very calm and relaxed. This time I will be having a home waterbirth and I will again be using the Hypnobirthing techniques.

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KatieP.

on Sep 23, 2009 at 9:20 AM

well I had a natural birth and I knew that I wanted a natural birth and I could do a natural birth. I grew up on a farm and have seen way more then my fair share of sheep, cows, dogs, cats, horses, and donkeys give birth. I just told myself (the entire pregnancy) that its the most natural thing around, animals and humans have been doing it since the dawn of time and so could I. I am also terrified of doctors and needles and all that stuff. Also, whenever I complained about my big hips to my mom from the time I was like 9 or 10 her response was always that they were great birthing hips haha.... So I went in thinking that I could do it and I did. I actually don't remember screaming at all and my sister says I didn't either.... It definitly was painfull but bearable..... But as far as all those different methods and breathing techniques and all that stuff. I never bought into any of it. I just did what made me feel better at the time. When I wanted to walk, I walked, sit I sat, etc.....

JoyandLove

on Sep 23, 2009 at 11:11 AM

It sounds pretty interesting. I would give it a shot.

ethans_momma06

on Sep 23, 2009 at 11:50 AM

I used the Bradley Method which emphasizes relaxation, calmness, security and PARTNERSHIP... It's been around a lot a lot longer then hypnobirthing, my aunt and mom both used it and I admit that I am definatly a Bradely momma now....I doubt I would ever change to hypno birthing, although I might give it a glance over...I just already love my last method!

hillmom

on Sep 23, 2009 at 3:20 PM

I'm reading this book now. We are also considering getting the Hypnobabies home study course. The relaxation techniques will be useful for far more then just birth!

EnjoyBirth

on Sep 23, 2009 at 6:08 PM

I used HypnoBirthing with my 2nd baby and it really helped me overcome my fears. I used Hypnobabies with my 3rd baby (I wanted some more tools and CDs) and had an incredible birth. I wish more moms would look into hypnosis for birth!

Hypnobabies has a CD just for twin moms. Here is a link with some positive twin births, a link to the Birthing Twins Naturally CD and a great video.

http://hypnobabies.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/expecting-twins/

Have a great birth!

yeaigot4ofem

on Sep 23, 2009 at 6:25 PM

I used Bradley with #2 all I can say about it is yea I had no meds. I used Hypno with 3 &4 and I liked much better, in the book and the movies that are shown in the classes it shows many women not making any sound at all, nothing wrong with sound just thought it was cool. It didn't work out that way for me though, but I didn't have any discomfort untill they were coming down. Didn't feel the contractions at all !

Kimra

on Sep 23, 2009 at 7:37 PM

i used hypnobabies www.hypnobabies.com for my childbirth...it is similar to hypnobirthing...i had minimal discomfort, only some back labor even though i had a 56 hour labor...i highly suggest hypnosis for childbirth for everyone and i plan on using hypnobabies again for my next birthing time...hypnobabies helped me over come fears and be more confident in my body's ability to birth

on Sep 23, 2009 at 8:47 PM

In resposne to ethans_momma06, Hypnobirthing focuses on partnership as well. The partner has a very important role in hypnobirthing. The techniques for me helped me labor just fine, but having my husband there, reinforcing them to me, helped me just the same.

I was looking into Bradley Method before Hypnobirthing and went with Hypnobirthing as it teaches you that pain does NOT have to be a part of labor, whereas Bradley Method teaches you how to labor through the PAIN. Hypnobirthing is about becoming one with your body and letting it do what is natural. The more you work with your body, the easier your labor becomes.

doulala

on Sep 23, 2009 at 9:00 PM

I haven't done it as a prepared training, but made up my own meditation in labor that seems similar.

I know of many who swear by it, eventually I will read and study it. Just for fun! ;-)

I believe in getting to the place where you are confident-- ridding yourself of fears, questions, concerns because you're so informed.
Then going inside and WELCOMING the intensity~ actually inviting the contractions to be as strong as they can because that power will help bring baby out.
To cope with the intensity (pain), the contraction comes & you ride the wave on the ocean~ imagining laying in a raft on the sea that gentley swells up- - - and then down.

It REALLY helps to focus and stay calm. :-)