Hi, I am hoping to have a water birth and my midwife suggested doing a hypnobirthing course. Has anyone done one and would they recommend it? Thanks Amanda

Hi Amanda,
I've not done a course but I've read the book, Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method. It's actually a quite refreshing approach. I would like a natural birth and the book has given me more confidence that this is possible.
x

Hi, I've also just looked into local classes I'ld love to hear what others say too!

Try asking Sim75 in Due in November - she's done a course and was full of good info when I asked her about it a while ago.
xx

I looked into a course but thought at nearly £300 they were too expensive for me. I looked on the NCT website and found a CD which looked quite good with positive reviews - it arrived today and I listened to it for the first time tonight and thought it was really good, I almost felt disappointed when I didn't feel the contractions. I wasn't scared about the labour but now i'm really looking forward to it and that was after just listening to it once.

I'm doing a hypnobirthing course in February (due early June). It's £250 but most of that cost will be covered by the £190 (non-means tested - everyone gets it) Health In Pregnancy grant. I was recommended by a friend from work who did a course and used the techniques in her labour - she said she was so calm that the consultant at the hospital thought she'd had an epidural!

Hi there

I am currently half way thruog my hypnobirthing course. I decided to do it after 2 freinds recommended it to me. I originally just bought the book and CD's first, but convonced myself that they were rubbish and that the classes would be so much better!!!

so I have spent £250 on classes, which to be honest, has been a waste of money. We have spent a total of 20 mins practising the relaxation techniques, the rest of the time has been just a lady talking / presenting info from the book.

I know that other people have found the classes beneficial, so if yo uhave the spare cash then go for it. With the benefit of hindsight, i would have saved my money and put it towards the pram!

I cant even be bothered to go to my class on saturday, but I have paid for it, so i will.

Lisa xx

Hi there

i had my baby 8 months ago and heard about hypnobirthing when i was about 7 and a half months pregnant and i wish i had found out about it before. I didnt have enough time to go to the classes so i ordered the book off the internet and thought it was worth a try.

After reading the book i did feel much better about giving birth as i was really dreading it before. The breathing techniques were really good and very calming. I was 5 days overdue and went for a session of reflexology that morning and went into labour that night around half 7 and my baby was born at half past 11 with no pain relief and i didnt actually think it was that bad and i was able to breathe through the contractions and when i arrived at the hospital i was fully dilated and had my baby in around 40 mins! I didnt even need stitches!

I would definately recommend reading the book i found it helped me so much i dont know if the classes would help more but i know their really expensive. I think your better off buying the book for £10 and having a session of reflexology to relax you which is money well spent.

Good luck with everything and hope you have a good labour

Sam x

I bought the CD's second hand off eBay...I totally recommend them - I was so calm that I didn't realise how far along I was and got to hospital just 20mins before giving birth!!!

I looked at the courses but my closest would have been a 30mins drive away at the time so I really couldn't be bothered & the CD's worked anyway...I laughed the first time I listened to them but they DO WORK, doesn't stop the pain but kept me very much in control.
xxx

I have loved the hypnobirthing. I did the classes at 28wks I think it was. I cannot rave about it enough for what it has done for me. Im quite fearful of hospitals and all things medical, and the thought of giving birth petrified me to the point where I couldnt even think about it or discuss it. But after reading the book and doing the course everything changed and I now cannot wait to give birth (Im planning a home water birth).

You can do it alone by reading the Marie Mongan book and getting the Rainbow Relaxation CD (plus other downloads available on the net) but I personally got a lot out of the course, as did my hubby. We had a very good teacher though.

Not sure where you are based, Im in London and can recommend a good one here if you are based here too.

There are some great clips on you tube as well. This one is my all time fave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qriqhDFo088

I have loads of other info too if you need more. Just give me a shout in the Nov forum or email me.

xx
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