HypnoBirthing® UK

[AliR1980]

Hi everyone,

I'm definitely set on using Hypnobirthing, but after contacting the practitioner in my area I'm a bit disappointed with what she offers, and was after some advice.

So on her website it details that the courses are 4 x 3 hour sessions, and can be in a group with other couples or, she could also offer it in our own home. I emailed and explained I was very keen on having at home, as hoping for a home birth and would like mother-in-law as well as husband to attend the training.

She rang me last night, and said that she would prefer to offer it in a group because she's very busy, and that she actually would offer two intensive days instead of the sessions spread over 4 occasions.

I'm not really happy, as the groups she holds are 45 minutes away, and she said on her website she did home courses in my area. Also, I don't like the idea of cramming it all into two days, instead of having four seperate sessions to digest it all in.

Has anyone else had an intense course over two days? Was it difficult to take in?

I was planning to do NCT classes too to meet people in our area so meeting people on this course isn't a priority.

Any advice much appreciated!

Ali

[ockysmith]

Hi Ali,

She isn't actually allowed to teach over two intensive days *unless* there is no other way for you to take the course (i.e: you live 100 miles away from a practitioner or are 39wks pregnant) - as a norm HypnoBirthing should only be taught in 4 sessions of 3hrs or 5 sessions of 2.5hrs.

By offering this she is breaking her terms of agreement as a HypnoBirthing practitioner. You are quite right that it is less than ideal to learn over two intensive days.

If you feel strongly about this you can report it to: hypnobirthing@hypnobirthing.com (Marie Mongan)

Regarding groups/private classes or classes in a practitioner's home versus your home I have to say as a practitioner I hugely prefer teaching group classes in my home (or venue) as I find the dynamics work very well, the teachings are livelier, more interactive, more interesting for the men who tend to take more of an involvement with other men there and also you get the support from the other members in your group after the course has finished (and during).

Regarding venue I think it also works better in a venue of my choice as I am in complete control of the environment, there are no distractions for me or the client either. These are all personal though and if my diary allowed and finances were OK I would do anything possible to fulfill a client's wishes. Sadly though I do turn quite a few people away requesting what you are requesting as I just do not have the time to travel for individual classes. I will just say don't let distance put you off, I regularly have clients driving for an hour or more to my group classes because for some reason they feel they will work well with me and it is only on 4 occassions, perhaps there is another practitioner in reasonable driving distance of you?

Sarah

[eleanorcopp]

hi !
as a midwife i would say these classes are more benficial to labour and birth than nct , though nct is great for meeting folks undoubtedly . hypnobirthing is more pertinent in terms of relaxation and confidence.
if this practitioner is unavailable to you and there is no one else locally who is trained i would suggest looking at the national council hypnotherapists and seeing if there is someone in your area specialising in childbirth . give them a ring and ask them what they can offer you .
its an awful shame if you dont get the benefit you really want to , and this would be one way around it .
in my hospital work i see the women who have accessed some hypnotherapy are far better prepared than anyone else .
Eleanor

[bernieUK]

Hi Ali,
What a sensible, focused person you sound - this is exactly what HypnoBirthing should be doing - preparing you slowly and accumulatively for a positive birth that you take control of!
You're quite right that it doesn't sound good to cram it into 2 days and i echo Sarah's response about this; in fact we have just had quite a debate in the practitioner's part of the forum about 2 day courses being offered, which is against our ethical code and the design of the programme - usually once women are aware someone offers this, they jump at the chance of a fast-fix, often unaware of the pitfalls.
I know it's difficult, but i would try and find someone prepared to teach you one-to-one at home, even if you have to invest a bit more which will increase the value you put on your birth. I would offer this to you and generally do my courses in client's homes individually, but am nowhere near you unfortunately! But i wish you all the best.

May i take this opportunity to acknowledge the folks who sent me private messages on this rather delicate subject! But i can't find how to do this "PM" thing and therefore haven't been able to answer your comments - i'm sure someone out there will enlighten me.

Many thanks and all the best Ali,
Bernie.

[bernieUK]

. . . . dosey devil!

i've just found it! you won't believe how many times i've looked for a way to respond via PM . . .oh well, just learned another thing today.

Cheers all.
Bernie again.

[DebS]

I chose a practitioner who was a qualified hypnotherapist and psychologist because, as a psychologist, I felt a little anxious about hypnosis by someone with other background(& we all stick together ) It did mean she was absolutely comfortable with working with just me and my husband and it gave a really personalised service, lots of attention to our needs, worries and questions; and she came to our home. I would say I missed contact with others doing just what we were doing and having no pregnant mums around not startled by the idea (not counting my midwife who was pregnant and a HypnoBirthing mum )


- whatever you decide use a practitioner you are happy with and who is offering the full course - to pinch a dodgy catchphrase - because you, dad and baby are worth it (and it's fab)
Deb

[kaz]

Ali, at the moment I only do one to one like Bernie, so what a pity we live at opposite ends of the country! I would absolutely agree with the previous comments about it being worth you oersevering to find exactly what you want, with a practitioner who suits you and whom you like. Rapport is incredibly important in any hypnotherapy, including HypnoBirthing.

Oh and I also agree about finding a practitioner who runs the full 12.5 hr course, over at least four or five sessions!

Good luck x

[Alyson]

Hi

Ali - I think I might have been in touch with the same practitioner as you. Me and my husband are both very keen to use hypnobirthing techniques so I contacted the only practitioner listed in the 'Tyne and Wear' area via the Hypnobirthing UK website. We are happy to attend small classes but we were also told this will be in 2 sessions, not 4. I did not realise that practitioners had to give classes over 4 sessions but now I realise they should I am worried that we are being 'ripped off'!! I have not paid any money as yet...thankfully. I would be grateful if anyone has any advice on what we should do now!

Alyson

[AliR1980]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. I had another look at the list of areas and found that there is another practitioner who is based in Durham, about 30 minutes away from me. I contacted her by email and she invited us to go and meet her. We got on straight away and I booked up there and then!! She offers the course over 5 weeks with one 2.5 hour session once per week. She gave me the book to read in advance and the CDs to listen to. We had a lovely chat and the practice was really warm and welcoming. I start in November. She was really flexible around what my husband and I wanted, and my mother in law is welcome to come along to the sessions. She didn't seem fixed on keeping her options open to get the most people on the course as possible thankfully... So we're really pleased. Alyson - hope you read this too. I recommend Chris! Just look in the Durham section on the list of areas.