HypnoBirthing® UK

[Stix]

Hi all,

I am a newbie to this site. My partner and I did the hypno classes back in Nov and I am currently 36 weeks pregnant. I found the hypnobirthing programme really helpful and whilst my husband and I really got into the practising, I really started to feel at ease about the birth.

Unfortunatley, circumstances have changed and I am now in a position where my husband is no longer interested in the whole hypnobirthing thing. We havent done any practise sessions together for about the past 6 weeks ( apart from 2 random occassions). I do still try and do the affirmations/rainbow daily, but due to general stress I dont feel I am getting into the same level of relaxation as before. I feel that I am regressing back to prior to the course. I feel really let down at this late stage in the preganancy.

The question I am really asking is, is it sufficient for me to be doing the the affirmations/rainbow on my own? Should I try and find another birth partner ( although I have no idea who that would be?) If my husband is present at the birth, would the relaxation that has already anchored help me during the birth?

Can anybody shed any light??

Thanks

[elwilson]

Hi,

Welcome to the HypnoBirthing Forum.

I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling stressed and less confident about things. There are a few things I would suggest to you, this is certainly the advice I would give to any of my HypnoBirthing clients.

* You don't 'need' Dad to practice with you, although that is the idea scenario, you can still practice on your own.
* However, that said, it sounds like your confidence has taken a wee dip. I would phone your HypnoBirthing practitioner & see if he/she would be willing to do a 'catch up' session with you. As you did the course back in November maybe you need a wee positive input again - I offer this as a matter of course to all my clients, but everyone is different. If you explain your situation, I'm sure he/she will be sympathetic.
* Considering the support you will get on the birthing day is, as Im sure you know, really important. It sounds like your partner was really into it & involved previously.....maybe he needs that boost too or has something specific changed?
* You mentioned you can't practice due to stress? Is this something you can work on or is it linked to lack of practice?
* Is there someone else you could ask to be your birth companion - mum, friend, hire a doula for example? Has your partner said you should get another birth companion?

Sorry for all the questions, but it helps to better advise you. As a first port of call, Id get back in touch with your HypnoBirthing practitioner to ask for a catch up session if possible.

If I can give any more advice, please don't hesitate to contact me via pm or email.

Warm regards,

Leigh Wilson - HypnoBirthing Practitioner
E: info@ayrshirebabies.co.uk

[Danielle]

I teach HB and used it for the birth of my first baby, my partner was in Iraq and never practiced with me, he came back to england about 2 weeks before the baby was born, he then 'had' to rush round seeing family, put cot up. SO I pretty much did it by myself, I was induced and had lots of gas and air, but he was so amazed-so for baby two he was much more on board.

I have taught several other mums who had been by themselves, sometimes had a mum or friend, others have done the class by themselves, on hubby-I met him once when I went to their house, took me to one side and told me he had seen his ex wife in labour and she needed epidurals all 3 times and he didn't expect this wife to be any different (the mum was under consultant care as she was 'old and several other things), 45mins after the baby was born he called me to say it was unbelievable, they had only just made it to hospital, she was calm-I stil get referrals from him several years later.

Anyway back to the point yes you can do it by yourself, it helps to right down the names of the breathing and your method to get relaxed quickly on a piece of paper and explain to who will be there you would like to be reminded of those. Also I'm not a doula but I love going to births so maybe you could give you practitoner a call and see if they are willing to come to support you (I don't charge because I can't guaratee I will be there-others may charge for this).

Hope this helps
Danielle