Sceptical Partners and who to take to Classes

[Juju]

I wondered if you could go to these Hypnobirthing classes alone or with someone who will not be my birthing partner, or would this defeat the object of them saying the right things at the right time during labour?

My partner is very sceptical and poo poos the idea, he said he would come with me but I feel that it could jepordise how I get along in the sessions. Has anyone else had this with their partner and got over it? Does anyone know of any classes in the Yorkshire area who does this?

[gordon_mullan]

I'm sure one of the practitioners or other HypnoBirthing couples will be along shortly to answer this but I thought I'd offer a comment.

It was my wife Jenny who taught the couple featured on Richard and Judy, and Steve was very sceptical when he first came to the classes.

Many of the husbands come along with a very sceptical attitude but they often end up the most evangelical about it in the end.

On a more practical note, whoever attends the classes with you really needs to attend the birth too. The techniques are taught to you both, and the support of your birthing partner, whoever that happens to be, is very important to your success.

We have had women do it alone successfully but you really want to be able to relax and have someone there to support you who knows and understands what you are trying to do.

As for classes in the Yorkshire area, I presume you have filled in this form on the website?

The HypnoBirthing Institute in the US holds the master list of practitioners - hence our needing to channel all enquiries through them.

Hope that helps

Best regards
Gordon

[Marilyn]

Hello Juju,

Please don't be put off by your partner's initial reaction. It is a very special time for both you and your partner in preparing for the birth of your child. His initial feelings are natural part of his make up. Help him to help you. The classes are designed so that he has a big role to play during the pregnancy, labour and birth process. It will bring you both closer together and closer together with your baby. Find out what his concerns are and talk about it with your HypnoBirthing Practitioner . As Gordon has mentioned to find your nearest practitioner, you will need to fill in a form with your information so that the Institute can give you the names of those who are practising in your area.
I hope that this site has helped alay your concerns.
Marilyn

[kathie]

I have had women in my classes who come alone for a variety of reasons, and they havedone well in birthing. I have also had women who come with a trusted friend or family member who will be with them during the birth.

If your husband is skeptical, I agree that he will most likely come around. I had one dad in class who continued to voice his doubts (he had one child by another marriage and the birth was not good.) I finally told him that he really did not need to believe in the techniques being taught, but that he could choose to keep his opinions to himself and do what was needed to help his wife. He did exactly that, and was a tremendously helpful partner to her during a difficult, stressful birth. She was able to birth a healthy son without pain meds, and the dad is rightfully proud of the role he played. He now tells everyone how wonderful HypnoBirthing is.

Warm wishes for a wonderful birthing!

Kathie

[Juju]

Thank you so much for your replies.....

My partner has agreed to go with me if I still want to do it, but with the understanding that "You know what I think about all this kind of stuff". Well we will see how it goes if I decide to go ahead with it, like someone else said, its a lot of money if you dont have it for the normal things in life. I am hoping that he will give it a good go, hes not that kind of person to put a downer on it, or ruin it for anyone else thankfully.

Kind regards to all.
Juju

[Nell]

Is my hubbie a bigamist. Are we married to the same man.

I can totally relate. My hubbie usually makes final decision in most things but I have managed to get him to realise that birthing is one area in our life that I will have to take final decision. yes, he sulked and we had the odd fight, but he has realised now that we will try for a homebirth and do hypno (it is our 2nd child and he did not let me do homebirth 1st time)

I agreed to pay for it (if I had to wait for him to pay I think he'd have used lack of money etc as excuse) so I used savings. You might have to show him your commitment by paying and doing all arrangements.

I arranged it all and did all research (dont expect him to show interest yet)
tell him just to come and see. We have been to 1 class. I leave the book out and he has had a bit of a look "but I fell asleep" it must be working then!!
he was a bit obstructive at class, but I was honest with therapist that I had dragged him along. At end of class he said he enjoyed it more than expected. I told him that I had realised that I can take a horse to water but not make it drink. I told him that he needs to read book and decide if he wants to be my HB partner. i said he would not be pushed out of birth, but I'd have to get someone else too if he is not commited to do work. I told him that given I'd spent over £400 I really needed him to help me get value for money and not sabotage. he said he wants to try. It is working but slowly. i am a little worried about how I actually get him to do practice. I might have to bribe him with SEX

[WendyWoo]

I agree the importance to telling them how much you value them coming along - you cannot stress enough how important it is for you. My husband was very skeptical when we started the class and actually felt very nervous about the breathing (he actually kept holding his breath at the first session and started to hyper-ventilate).

After the second class though he said he really enjoyed it and understood how much it could benefit me.

I am due any day now and I can honestly say that no matter what happens in the birth I have benefited sooooo much from the classes and exercises (which I practice every day). I am so relaxed and really looking forward to meeting my baby.

Hope the classes go well

Wendy