HypnoBirthing® UK

[fontenay08]

HI there

MY name is nathalie and I am 31 weeks pregnant with my first child. I completed my first hypnobirthing class this week and was feeling really positive. I am petrified about giving birth as so many people have shared horror stories.... However my first session did make me think that perhaps these classes will help ease a lot of my fears which in turn will allow me to have a calm and relaxed birth. My midwife gave me a badge to wear (Please... only happy birthing stories... my baby listening). I have been wearing it with some pride actually but everyone today has laughed or been cynical. I have found it undermining and it has really annoyed me. Has anyone else expeirenced this? Even my best friend whose house I was supposed to be sleeping at - when I asked him for a cd player for my room so that I could listen to rainbow relaxation - he sent me a text back with some sarcy comment. Why do people behave like this? Other people have said 'oh well good luck with that... Ill have a chat with you after your birth and lets see how calm it was!!' I feel, to be honest, a bit upset about the reaction.
Anyone got any advice for me???

Hope someone is listening out there

nathalie x

[Danielle]

Hi
Sometimes its just easier not to tell people than put up with all their negativity about it. I had similar comments from people, including you'll be begging for an epidural etc. Even my mum doubted I could do it.

Please see the first birth story on www.hypnobirths.co.uk/BirthStories.aspx this mum also had similar comments and I love her bit 'I'm now enjoying everyone eating their words as most people thought I was deluded!'

I used to put my hands on my bump and say 'my baby does not want to hear this' when people started telling me negative stories, they would just look at me like I was mad and shut up.

As I'm writing this it s my sons 5th birthday today, he was born at home, no pain relief and weighed 9lb 4 (and I'm a size , it is possible
Best wishes
Danielle

[sam333]

Hi Nathalie,
Be confident. My boyfriend, mum and nanna were really supportive and helped me through the negative comments as much as they could. My advice would be to believe in yourself. I asked over and over am i naive to put my faith in this method. In the end I decided to just believe. Prepare yourself and practise your breathing techniques daily. Learn this method to the point where you'd be able to feel confident giving birth alone if you had to.
Even after my baby was born i still had negative comments. one lady said "no wonder it didn't hurt look at the size of her head, it's tiny". It's not important now though. All that matters is you and your baby. I didn't even set out to prove these people wrong to be honest. I just set my mind on what I wanted. Maybe this would help. I gave birth in a hospital birthing centre so i had medical staff to fall back on if need be. I felt I needed this probably due to the negative comments. I hope it helps you to know that after my first hypnoBirthing experience, I would absolutely feel confident to have a home birth. I know now I could give birth alone, in the middle of nowhere, confidently if needed. If you learn this method and read ALL the info given to you I believe you can do it too!! As hard as it is to ignore the negative comments, please try. Your body was made to do this.
My only regret is not having our birth on camera. If it's something you've considered just go for it. You can always edit or delete if you don't want it but ours was so amazing. I'd love to watch it back now.
Stay relaxed and enjoy
Sam xxx

[shanna]

Hi Nathalie,

It's so frustrating when people try to force their cynicism onto you. Your birthing method is your choice and no one else's. I agree that it's often easier to not discuss the topic than it is to defend yourself. Avoidance can be a helpful tool! I think the most important thing is that your partner and your doctor are in agreement with your goals. That's really all that matters. Make sure you talk about all of this with your midwife and doctor and if they disagree, find one who does agree with you. You can find information on all sorts of doctors online at sites like www.locateadoc.com.