Does It Work to Self-train for Hypnobirthing?

I read the Hynobirthing book, practiced with the CD and took a private class with my husband. My husband wasn't very into it and didn't practice with me. I really think having a coach with you whether it's your husband or a girlfriend is really important to getting you into the calm place. I also like the other person who responded found it difficult to relax. When the contractions, or surges as the book likes to call them, started, they really over took me. Having a coach I think would have made a big different.

It's worth trying it though. I didn't use drugs. It was very intense but I got through it, and I would do it again without drugs. My daughter was also very alert when she came out.

Good luck,

P.

Hey there! I just wanted to say - I work at Woodwinds, and depending on insurance, some companies are covering special things like hypnobirth, some even cover pre-natal classes (which, I might add are becoming more and more pricey). Also - it's nice to deliver at st. Jos, but Woodwinds also has a waterbirth tub...
Just go to www.Woodwinds.org nd click on the "Oh Baby What an Honor" banner (the one with the little cutie yawning), and then, on the left side of the page where all the menu options are, there's a title that says "waterbirth"....you can check out that page...I know St.Jos is good too, but I personally know the staff (the lady standing next to the waterbirth tub on that website is named Jean - she's awesome)....and let me tell you, they are excellent...I had my little guy there and it was a great experience. I also had a wonderful anesthetist who did my epidural (I worked with him previously at a different hospital)...anyhow, just check out the website...it's cool!! I hope you have a wonderful experience no matter where/what you choose!

L.

I know that there are some doulas in the metro area that also have worked with mom's using hypnobirthing. Some might be fully trained in hypnobirthing. You could go to hypnobirthing website and ask your questions. You can order the tapes directly from the website (also the book). Most of the success with hypnobirthing is the home practice that is done - not what is done during the classes. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Hi O.-

I'm glad to hear you've decided to go ahead w/hypnobirthing. I had my first at Woodwinds. I took the hypnobirthing class there and had a waterbirth delivery there as well. I had such a positive experience I would recommend the combination of the 2 things to anyone wanting natural childbirth. You have to practice though and yes, I think the class is important!!! I don't think it would be as effective to self train. I also took prenatal yoga once a week-which could be an alternative. That is also a great way to learn relaxation techniques. This class is available at the Minneapolis Yoga Studio. It's offered every Sunday from noon to 1:30. The teacher is Clare. It costs $10/session. Good luck!

I tried to self-train for hypnobirthing. Not to scare you off from it, but when the time came, it didn't work for me. I did the meditation cds on my i-pod for months and months before the day.... I read the whole book and practiced the techniques. The one thing I did not do is practice the meditation stuff with my husband.. which is highly recommended. Maybe this is one reason it didn't work for me. Also, my birth process went fairly fast (6 hours for the whole thing). When the time came, I coudn't use the techniques to calm down because it's hard to completely relax (which is required for it to work) when you have to drive to the hospital and move around a lot.

I delivered at woodwinds and had a water birth. I would HIGHLY recommend this. Granted it was my only birth experience, but even without the hypnobirthing it was actually pretty nice. I didn't have any drugs. My baby girl came out very alert and didn't even cry. She looked right up at us and her dad. Very calm and a great experience.

One thing with the hypnobirthing is that they recommend breathing down the baby. Not to dispell that, but when it came time to push I didn't know what to do because I thought I'd breath down the baby. I didn't want to "push" too hard.... this made the whole thing take longer and if I would have just pushed more right away it would have saved me a lot of pain.

e-mail me if you have any questions.... again I would recommend reading and practicing it on your own, but unless you are super dedicated I think it is a little unrealistic. The classes might be best if you are 100% into it. But the water birth is very relaxing on its own, and woodwinds is a great place to deliver.

Woodwinds has volunteer doulas you can have in the room when you deliver

Hope this helps, good luck. It is a great experience!