HypnoBirthing® UK

[chelleh76]

Hi,
I've been practising "birth breathing" as suggested- on the toilet. I must be doing something right, as it's .. er.. helping in that "department" too. Anyway, I just wanted to see if someone could provide a better explanation to the actual exhale than what is provided in the book. The book says, "Take in a short, but deep, breath through your nose and direct the energy of that breath to the lower back of your throat and down through your body behind your baby in the from of a "J" - down and forward." It also says, "Your breaths are short intakes with gentle nudging breaths downward- nothing forceful."

First of all, when she talks about the "lower back of your throat", is this achieved by making a "hhhaaahhh" sound ,mouth closed, so eventually air escapes through your nose? Obviously no vocal sound, but is that where the air is in your throat? Is it one short breath in and then several short nudging breaths down or just one long breath down? How fast or slow are the breaths in and out? For example, she talks about the counting to 20 breathing in and out for Slow Breathing. (which by the way I found is excellent) How does the birth breathing compare to this?

I would imagine that having this demonstrated at a class would be far easier than trying to explain it here, but I'm too far away from one. If we can't clarify it here, I'm thinking of submitting something on youtube to explain what I mean.

Thanks for your help.

[ockysmith]

Is there really no possibility you could get to a practitioner? we are huge in number now and very geographically spread! this *really* is something that you would be best to have demonstrated to you!

With regards to your specific questions, I'm trying the "haaaah" now and I can't do it through my nose just imagine everything behind your baby and your breath slowly descending a bit like the plunger on a coffee thingummy, until you reach your coccyx and then turning it around into the base of the J.

Re. the count, 20 is an aim, it's a fast count, but the key is as long as possible, calm, controlled, more than specific number.

Sarah

[chelleh76]

Re the practitioner: The closest one to me is about 2 or more hours away and I'd have to go at least twice. I found someone who is willing to do a one on one with me, but it seemed very expensive. (I think about $250? Is that high?) I don't think I could convince my husband to part with that sort of money, especially when I'm not 100% sure how good this lady is and even if it will work for me.

The coffee plunger description is a good one. I'll give that a go next time.

Re the count: if you reckon the 20 count is good, or as long as possible.. that answers that part of my question thanks! One other: is it ONE long breath out, or kind of "nudging" breaths? For example: one long breath in, one long one out OR one long breath in, short breaths out? Sorry to complicate, but hopefully I'm doing it right!

[ockysmith]

Are you in the US? you might want to look at the US site www.hypnobirthing.com. If you used the $ by mistake then £250 is pretty standard, depending on your location. I charge between £200 and £300 (depending on location/course format).

I have taught a couple of people who have combined my course with a weekend stay in a cheap travelodge (£19 per night!) and made a weekend of it (they lived miles from me). In this instance (there being no practitioner close enough to feasibly travel for several sessions) Marie Mongan permits the course to be taught over a weekend. It might be something you want to consider. We aren't permitted to teach a watered down version of the course by the way (so can't just teach you one or two bits).

I'd advise anyone thinking of booking a class to phone several practitioners and chat with them for some length of time, I think it's vitally important that you click with whoever will be teaching you, as you rightly point out it's a lot of money to spend so best to do some research before just opting to go with whoever is closest to you.

Re. it not working, why wouldn't it? you are a woman!!!! again this is the beauty of classes, they build your confidence way more than a book ever could and regarding the cost, how much are you spending on a pram? a cot? baby clothing? your baby's birth will have a lasting effect on not just your baby's life but yours too, a pram, nursery decor or clothing won't! which would be money better spent? food for thought............ also if you think of £250 as £20 per hour that is incredibly cheap for a professional's time. I charge £50 per hour for my other services so that's less than half my hourly rate - plus you get the book, a couple of CDs and loads of handouts in that too, it's pretty good value when you look at it like that!

The outbreath is one continual breath.