[CubaLulu]

I'm pregnant with my first child, due on the 1st of October. I'm giving birth in a maternity hospital under the care of a midwife from the Midwife Group Practice.

I'm really enjoying the personal care I'm receiving from my midwife and I feel very confident in her experience and expertise going forward towards my birth.

However, she's VERY anti-intervention of any kind (drugs, epidural etc) and is 100% convinced that pain in child birth is created by fear. In line with Hypnobirthing beliefs, she says that fear creates tension and an inability to relax and this tension is what results in pain.

She has highly recommended I do a Hypnobirthing course in the lead up to my birth. She believes that if I learn how to let go of any preconceived fears I have going in to the birth, and learn the correct breathing, visualising and relaxation techniques that I will have a 'beautiful, empowering and calm natural birth'.

Now call me a sceptic... but really? I know a lot of people who've had babies (I've worked in child care for more than 10 years) and everyone, without exception, has had a lot to say about how much it hurts. Surely relaxation and visualisation isn't going to stop that? Is it truly mind over matter?

I'd just do the course to find out myself... but at $500 it's a big outlay for us just before having a baby.

So I'd love to hear from anyone who's done one of these courses (or read the book and applied the principles) and had success using the techniques during labour.

Ultimately, I would like a natural birth (I never thought I'd say that!!!) but if it's not meant to be and I can't do it, I'm not at all adverse to pain relief if I need it! My midwife on the other hand... lets just say I'm glad my DH will be there to speak up for me and get the the help I'll need if I can't do it. I think she'd spend so much time talking me out of an epidural that the baby would be born before I got one! DH has promised to not let that happen; even if he has said that he thinks 'I'm capable of more than I give myself credit for'.

So, does anyone have any words of wisdom for me? I'm currently reading the Hypnobirthing book, but would love to hear from those who've used the techniques successfully.

[franno]

Hey there,

Great post. I did calmbirth before the birth of my daughter now 3 and cannot recommend it highly enough. I look back on labour as a positive experience and as I had to be induced 8 days late with a large baby that wasn't engaged the odds were against me being able to do it naturally. I think it is mind over matter and the course trains you how to use your mind. I feel without the skills I couldn't have done it without the drugs.

I did have some gas at 8.5cm dialated which was great. Depends how you classify it as drugs as it doesn't cross the placenta.

My daughter was born 3.93kgs after a 10.5 hour labour.

I am in touch with a lady in HK at the moment to arrange a refresher for my next birth (I now live in Singapore). I attended Peter Jacksons class in Bowral.

Good luck.

[Belf]

I did calm birth before the birth of my first baby, but was unable to utilise the skills I learnt as I was just in too much pain. I was induced at 42 weeks, and the synto drip contractions were beyond hideous. I ended up with an epi.

I gave birth to my second baby 9 weeks ago, and was able to draw on the calm birth skills, and it was a much more positive experience. I could definitely breathe through the pain, and it was only the last 45 mins or so where it got pretty bad.

I would recommend the course, definitely.

This post has been edited by Belf: 28/06/2012, 03:39 PM

[tilley1019]

I did a hypnobirthing course and I couldn't recommend it highly enough!
It made me so excited about labour, and I was looking forward to seeing how my body handled the challenge of birthing my baby.

I was definitely relaxed during my labour, and found the breathing so helpful. I ended up having a drug free 5 hour labour and for the most part I actually found it didn't hurt (except for crowning, but nothing's going to help there!). I was relaxed and focused and breathed through contractions that were uncomfortable but not painful. I do think that being so relaxed sped up my labour.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck. I never thought I'd say this, but I loved giving birth and I'm sure that so much of that is due to my frame of mind after undertaking hypnobirthing.

[Livsh]

Hey!

I did hypnobirthing for the birth of my twins. The birth did not go particularly well (car crash in fact) BUT the hypnobirthing techniques were fabulous!

I was able to use them to relax in the lead up to the birth...that is ACTUALLY get some sleep with my enormous twin belly! I was able to go 7 hours of induced contractions with a hyperstimulated uterus and I found the techniques worked very well. I lost it after this as my kidneys were failing, I started feeling very ill and I'd only gone from 2cm to 3 cm!

I'm not sure about a painless birth, but it definitely gives you some 'tools' you can use to cope with contractions AND to help you through if things don't go as planned.

I know the course is expensive but you get a lot out of it, much more than reading the book.

[Spring Chickadee]

Has she explained to you the reasons why you may want to avoid drugs (Shorter labour, less likelihood of forcepts/CS, Better Bonding, Higher chance of successful Breastfeeding etc).

It's in my nature to research everything to death (and it's a big part of my day job) so When it came to thinking about the birth of my child I wanted to know everything and every option I had. I went in assuming the more medical intervention the better, But after immersing myself in books and dozens of large studies I realised the best possible thing I could do If go Drug Free (unless serious complication arises). the moment I accept drugs I'm significantly increasing the likelihood of a cascade of problems.

I'm now at the point where I am certain that I want to do everything I can to increase the likelihood of an intervention free birth, but haven't started working on the techniques yet. I have enrolled in a Calmbirth Course and am really excited about learning those techniques. I'm already feeling confident and calm about the prospect of birth as from a purely scientific point of view- there is a very high chance I can do this!

An example of one option you have is to get an epidural. Once you start looking into teh details of this you realise it's actually not as uneventful as you would hope. Here is a great article written by a Dr who also has a book called 'Gentle birth, Gentle mothering' That I highly recommend. A documentary that you may be able to find online is 'The business of being born' and the makers of that also have a book 'Your best birth' that is great. I have also just begun reading 'Ina Mays Guide to childbirth' which is written by a very well known midwife who has a massive drug free birth rate and understand the techniques that can help you achieve one. I'm told 'Birth Skills' Is also great for an active birth.

Also, Hop onto Youtube and search drug free birth, waterbirth, homebirth etc and you will see real videos of women giving birth without drugs.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

This post has been edited by Spring Chickadee: 28/06/2012, 03:47 PM

[CherryAmes]

I did calmbirth and I still don't know whether it was any good or not. But I definitely don't hold with the "all pain is caused by fear" thing; I was never the least bit "afraid" or anxious, and it still hurt like hell!

I actually would recommend looking at Juju Sudin's "Birth Skills", which accepts that birth hurts but you can distract yourself through the contractions with some practical steps.

I had no drugs but ended up with a caesarean after 3 days of a posterior labour, ending with a stuck baby.

I think the truth isn't that birth doesn't hurt - maybe for a small minority that's true - but that most people can get through the pain. Best thing? Really, really hot water, so stay at home in the shower as long as you can!

[boatiebabe]

I did something very similar to calm birth for my first and then did the hypnobirthing home study course for child number two.

I had two really lovely births and I remember both as being very calm and positive and empowering.

The first was a text book type birth and really I just got out of the way of my body and let it do its thing. I have nothing negative or bad to say about the birth. It was truly a joyous experience with very little 'pain'.

The second birth was a far more intense experience. My waters broke over a day before any contractions started and once they did in earnest I basically went straight into transition and had probably only 1 hour of active labour all up. I probably would have lost my mind due to the speed and intensity of the birth had I not been doing hypnobabies.

I can't recommend hypnobirthing more highly. The good thing I also found was that if I had needed medical intervention in either birth then I was also quite accepting of that as I knew that it would have been necessary and I would not have felt any 'less successful' for the interventions.

[LouwithTwo]

Hi there,
I did Calmbirth - and they saved me!!!!!!

I had just turned 22 with no sisters or friends that had given birth, even my mother had 4 C-sections, so I had little idea (except what I had read myself!) as to what to expect.

I utiised Calmbirth and had a 5-hour, drug free labour. The only real pain a felt was in my back as baby was posterior - but I managed just fine. (Even with the stress of being labelled a "High risk", having the professionals come in and out the check on me (I only know this because my partner told me. I was so focused I thought there was only 3 people in the room the whole time hehehe) and being transferred hospitals "just in case" an hour before active labour started!!! In fact, I didn't even give pain relief a thought the whole time...

Most importantly, Calmbirth was AMAZING for my partner... (I mean there aren't too many 22 year men out there that know what to do in labour I don't think :-P). We did not attend hospital birth classes because I felt so prepared just having used Calmbirth!

One of the most important things I think (and I'm no health care professional or anything!) but to feel you are in control. Not ruling out pain relief completely - (the last thing you want is to feel like you "didn't succeed" or "follow the plan") but in sounds like you're open to that already!

I hope what ever you choice works for you :-)

PS. A few books I found really useful regarding the pain and fear concept were anything by Ina May (Spiritual Midwifery, Guide to childbirth - totally hippy, but cool books to read!) and Childbirth without Fear by Grantley d*ck Read.

[Born Three]

I did a hypnobirthing course and I couldn't recommend it highly enough!
It made me so excited about labour, and I was looking forward to seeing how my body handled the challenge of birthing my baby.

I was definitely relaxed during my labour, and found the breathing so helpful. I ended up having a drug free 5 hour labour and for the most part I actually found it didn't hurt (except for crowning, but nothing's going to help there!). I was relaxed and focused and breathed through contractions that were uncomfortable but not painful. I do think that being so relaxed sped up my labour.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck. I never thought I'd say this, but I loved giving birth and I'm sure that so much of that is due to my frame of mind after undertaking hypnobirthing.

This is my story!

I've had two natural drug free births and can't wait to do it again. I had so much anxiety leading up to my first labour due to all the war stories and did Calmbirth. Best money spent ... Both myself and partner found it invaluable. Knowing exactly what was happening, having tools (such as breathing, visualisation) to cope with the pain prepared us and calmed us. With my second birth I found reading 'Birth Skills' helped give me a few more ideas when the breathing just didn't cut it.

Hopefully you are in the majority and will have an uncomplicated birth - of course if intervention is required you'll still be able to apply those same tools to get you through. I found I was so empowered leading up to and during the birth.

As you know there are no medals at the end and when it comes to birth always be sure to do what is best for you and your baby. Of course with the knowledge and recommendations from medical staff. You and your partner will at least be in control and informed to make decisions if the need arises.

I also did the hospital run birth classes which right from the word go they explained how they manage a birth. Thank goodness for Calmbirth or I would never have thought my births would be possible!

This post has been edited by 2 Bubbas: 28/06/2012, 04:05 PM