Has anyone had a mom laboring using Hypnobirthing?

fergus51 · May 11, 2004

I've had 2. One it was great, worked very well for her and her spouse was supportive. The other one was screaming for an epidural t 4 cm.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 11, 2004

I used hypnosis over 15 years ago for my one completely unmedicated birth, a VBAC (after 2 C-sections, something that would probably never be allowed in this day and age). In my mind's eye, I spent my entire labor lying on a white sand beach, watching the sun go down over the horizon and listening to the sounds of the seagulls and the ocean. The waves, of course, represented the contractions, and I never even broke a sweat or had labor spin out of control......in fact, I delivered in full makeup, every hair still in place. The nurses had never seen anything like it; two hours after delivery I was demanding to be allowed up to walk down to the nursery and see my son. It was a great experience, and he was so alert that he held his head up and looked around the delivery room immediately after they put him on my stomach. I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in an alternative birthing experience. :)

OBNurseShelley · May 19, 2004

Hi, just wondering if anyone has actually had a patient who used the hypnobirthing technique and how well it worked. And your thoughts on it.
Thanks! :)

Just like all the various methods of dealing with childbirth, it depends on the person. I have taken care of patients that chose this method and found that it worked really well for them, by the end of their labor they were so far out there, it was amazing to watch..........I think it takes a lot of mental control and not something that everyone is capable of, but even so, some of the techniques can be helpful for everyone.

mother/babyRN, RN · May 20, 2004

Several times with only one true success...However, in the earlier stages it really seemed to help all the patients involved.

SmilingBluEyes · May 20, 2004

Yes, and it worked great in some cases, others not. It's like anything, some patients use this successfully (especially when their partners and families are onboard) ---or it does not work. We support whatever choices patients make to deal with labor pain, including hypnobirthing. I have to say, it's REALLY something amazing to see when it DOES work!

BabyRN2Be · May 20, 2004

Hypnobirthing works, only IF you practice. I can't emphasize that enough. It's like all other skills, it does take a lot of time and practice. But in the births that I've seen it work, it's priceless. And the babies come out all pink and alert... :) I love seeing that...

nekhismom · May 21, 2004

I'm interested in trying it if I ever get around to having another baby. Especially since we don't have midwives here, and no whirlpool tubs, and I won't take another epidural. Seems like hypnobirthing is the only way for me.

Gompers, BSN, RN · May 21, 2004

As a NICU nurse, hypnobirthing sounds like a great alternative to pain medicaion. I'm totally planning on looking into this someday. Question to L&D nurses - do you find patients who do this all annoying and high maintenance? I'd think they'd be ideal patients, but you never know. Things like this are considered "weird" and sometimes people just don't like change.

BabyRN2Be · May 21, 2004

As a NICU nurse, hypnobirthing sounds like a great alternative to pain medicaion. I'm totally planning on looking into this someday. Question to L&D nurses - do you find patients who do this all annoying and high maintenance? I'd think they'd be ideal patients, but you never know. Things like this are considered "weird" and sometimes people just don't like change.

I don't know if all of them would really be high maintenance because they have invested a lot of time, and in the case of HypnoBirthing, some money into having the best labor experience they can have. Also, these patients might have a doula along with them to help them with their childbirth goals. Having a doula around might keep them from hitting the call light as much, nurses do appreciate us for those reasons, if nothing else. :)

lady_jezebel · May 23, 2004

Can this be learned simply by reading a book on the technique, and then practicing at home? Or would it require paying for a lot of classes and then getting a doula?

I'm due in Nov. and looking at options other than an epidural, but not sure if I have the ability to do hypobirthing. It sounds interesting, though.

becca.utns · May 24, 2004

Lady Jezebel, if you go to http://www.hypnobirthing.com there is a discussion board and that question has been asked several times with many different helpful replies. I had that question also and basically there are many people who have just read the book, listened to the C.D.s, and practiced at home and were successful (which is what I'm doing). I'm due in Sept. I'm waiting for my book and C.D.s in the mail. From what I've gathered your success is based on how much you prepare and practice.

Good Luck to you & Congratulations!!!

Feel free to e-mail me if you want!