HypnoBirthing® UK

[marylou242]

Hi, I just wondered how much hypnobirthing preparation people generally do for second babies? I did the affirmations/rainbow relaxation every day last time, but that was when I didn't have a two year old keeping me busy. This time, I only seem to be managing every other day, is this enough? I'm due in November.

I had a successful hypnobirth last time. I didn't feel any pain (apart from when I lost the plug which for some reason was a bit painful!). Things didn't go quite to plan as DS had the cord around his neck and was a bit distressed with meconium in the waters. Even so, I was calm and quiet throughout the whole labour. I had a TENS machine mainly because I'd been in early labour for 5 days and was getting pretty tired. I had to lie flat to try and get DS out as if I was upright his heart rate would dip. This wasn't my preferred position and it took 2 hours.... Also I had to have an episiotomy which I think was mainly due to me having a full bladder which I didn't realise, as well as being flat on my back and DS having a head size at the top of the graph! I can't fault the midwives. They only did what they had to at the time and didn't pressure me into anything. And to be fair they had checked that I'd been going to the toilet but I don't think anyone realised how much water I'd been drinking. It was a hot July day in a hot hospital room..

I'm not concerned about the next birth but the 'complications' are bothering me a bit and I don't want it to affect things this time. I'm not sure why I couldn't tell I needed the loo, but want to try and avoid that happening again. I'd love a water birth which was the plan last time.

Sorry this is long, any thoughts welcome!

[mia]

Hi Marylou,
Congratulations on your pregnancy. It goes quickly the second time, doesn't it?
In answer to your question, I usually offer people a 2 hour refresher session (some choose to do the whole course again). This is for births that went great the first time - we do a review of the last birth, we form a new practice schedule, and finish with another fear release or visualisation. In your case, I would want to spend quite a lot of time on fear releases, so maybe an extra session, or a longer one.
I think that listening to your cd every other day is fine - you're doing well to have actually started that, but my advice (for what it's worth) would be to book in with a local practitioner and get that extra fear release sorted. Good luck!