Hiya

not sure if there's already a thread for this in the many out there! I'm looking into breathing techniques for labour - can anybody give any views, advice please?

I've read about hypnobirthing and even though it's had goood write-ups, i don't know know if i want to disappear THAT deep into myself. one of the midwives testimonials i've read said the midwife thought the mother was sleeping through childbirth she was that "deep" into herself with hypnobirthing! i don't want to be that bad - i want to remember and enjoy it as much as i can, not be unable to recall any detail because i'd hypnotised myself and thought i was on a beach the entire time.

I do agree with the principles however, that relaxation and deep breathing can help me and i'm really keen to try it. do i need any specific techniques? is what they teach you in antenatal classes sufficient enough? has anybody had hypnobirthing and can really recommend it?

Thanks guys - sheesh, there's so many questions and things to think about!!

I had a home birth and the only form of pain relief I usewd was my brewathing technique. Gas and air made me feel sick!! I wasn't 'deep into myself'!!!! I still felt all the pain and was very aware of what was going on but my breathing really, really REALLY helped me get through it.
When a contraction arrived, I just imagined that I was blowing the pain away, with long slow out-breathes, if that makes sense. Just long breathes, if that makes sense! It also gave me something else to concentrate on, rather than the pain!
Good luck x

I had no pain relief with my first and just used breathing, but I've never heard of hypnobirthing.. For a natural contraction that lasts one minute, try breathing in for 4 through the nose and then out for 8 through the mouth, then in 3 out 6, in 2 out 4, in 1 out 2, in 1 out 2, in 2 out 4, in 3 out 6 and finally in 4 out 8 again. This works out as one minute, and concentrating on the counting really helps with getting through the discomfort, also by breathing properly the baby suffers less as getting plenty of oxygen.

There is a great book called Birthing Skills by Juju Sudin. Gives you loads of focusing techniques to help control your breathing! You can find it on amazon.

Hi,

I practised some hypnotherapy before my birth but not in the way that midwife describes! I had a number of different tracks which I'd listen to for about half an hour a day (which was always followed by the loveliest, relaxed nap ever!) on the run up to the birth. One of these tackled your mind's perception of pain but most of them were about putting yourself in a deep state of relaxation (not sleep!).

For the actual birth I feel that the breathing techniques I used helped more. The hypnotherapy I'd practised was useful in keeping me calm, relaxed and in control. It's easy to panic in labour as sometimes the pain can feel quite overwhelming but I managed to control this really well by concentrating on being relaxed and really focusing totally on my body, it's ability to do it's job and cancelling out anything around you. I didn't fall asleep (I wish!) and was aware enough of everything around me. Time became a bit blurry (but I think that's the case with everyone) but any lack of awareness of things around me was due to a heightened awareness of my body and my baby - so a really good thing!

As for the breathing, on top of what's been said above, I'd really recommend a technique taught to me by my yoga teacher for the pushing stage - called the 'cafetiere' breath. When you're pushing, as the contraction comes take the very deep and slow breath in and at it's peak visualise the top of a cafetiere, 'put' your hands on it (you may want to use your hands when practising but prob won't have the energy in labour) and visualise a very slow but constant bearing down as you plunge that coffee. Exhale the air in a constant breath, slowly and imagine that your whole body is bearing down on that coffee pot. Do this with each push. It worked very well with me and I think it's one of the reasons that my pelvic floor is still in very good condition despite a 3rd degree tear (which I should add happened because I birthed in the water and baby turned her shoulders as she came out).

Finally, I'd also say that it's worth 'practising' all of your breathing techniques before the birth so that you're familiar with them and confident. I really enjoyed my birth and felt so proud that I did it with just a water birth and gas and air. If you have any further questions you'll find me in the 'planning a baby' forum or feel free to pm me.

Good luck! And sorry for the long response :p
xx

Hi guys

Thanks for all your replies - i'll take your ideas on board (altough i'm sure it'll all go out the pan when i'm in labour!)

i;ve finally bought some second hand cds which are about breathing and hypnotherapy. so far, i'm listening to the pregnancy relaxation one and i've got to lie down and imagine myself in the countryside up against a tree and it's all warm and cosy! it's only half an hour long but quite relaxing and the lady keeps telling you all about how your body will do all this stuff naturally. then at about 34 weeks (i think?), i switch to the birth preparation cd which i presume will be the actual breathing techniques?

i'll try to remember the "in for 4 out for 8" thing though, that sounds like it would take my mind off things, and so will the imagining the coffee cafetier thing! it does help to have something "specific" to do rather than just remembering to breathe deeply i think!!

interesting, it said on the cd to burn aroma oils while your listening to the cds. then, in labour, you burn the same oils and play the music cd (which is the backgrund music to the relaxation cds). supposedly, the combination of the familiar smell and familiar music which you are used to being relaxed around will help you relax straight away.

hey, i'm up for anything if it'll help me in child birth!!

thanks guys
x