Testimonials from mums and dads who have used HypnoBirthing®
Mark, Abi and Baby Beaumont (Brighton)
Just to let you know that I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last week - he arrived at 2.27am on Thursday 13th May.
The labour was about 11 hours, but I was so relaxed that the midwives didn't really believe I was in full blown labour until we had about 5 hours left to go! They were amazed when they checked me out and I was 5 cm dilated.
In fact, they said I should just keep on relaxing and sent Ben and I to the pub next to the hospital for an hour!
I had no pain relief at all, although I did jump into the pool, more because it seemed a shame not to when it was there for use!
The slow breathing was what got me through it - it's a godsend.
Ben did a rainbow relaxation when the surges were becoming very intense, which helped - and the arm stroking was a real rock, as was the background CD music.
Elaine Millard, Bicester
I can't rave enough about HypnoBirthing®. My husband and I decided to do the course as I was interested in what it involved.
Don't be sceptical until you have tried it.
We started off with the intention of having our baby in hospital but by the end of our course decided to try and have it at home and hired a birthing pool which was lovely.
As the labour progressed, Andy took me into relaxation which enabled me to relax and even sleep while in the birthing pool.
I did go into hospital as a precaution as I wasn't dilating enough and on entry to the hospital they wanted to give me a c-section straight away, believe it or not. However, I had a fantastic midwife who new what we wanted to do for the birth of our baby and gave us a chance to continue with that as the baby wasn't distressed.
Andy took me into deep relaxation at this point and I actually fell asleep for about 1/2 an hour in the peak of my surges... it was at this point I believe my body had rested and relaxed enough to allow my baby to move ready to be delivered.
I do genuinely believe that if I had not had the hypnobirth experience I would not have realised the potential of my own body and how it needs to be able to 'get on with the job in hand' without the addition of stress which fights it all the way.
When in relaxation I would describe it as that Sunday afternoon sleep that you contently drift in and out of. I could feel the surges and would describe them as the ache you get during your period.
Happy HypnoBirthing®!
Heather and Andy Goram, Northampton
I didn't have any pain relief not even gas and air...I just laid there and listen to my hypo-birthing CD...I felt all the contractions but it wasn't scary I was just relaxed and concentrated on the breathing that I had been taught.
It was really strange when the contractions got really strong and close towards the end I just slipped in and out of a really deep state of relaxation, they said I didn't make a sound. Once it was time for the baby to be born I automatically changed my breathing patterns and breathed him down to be born.
I was supposed to breathe him out as well but the midwife told me to push instead, so I did (wish I hadn't as I ended up with stitches even though I did the massage, baby came out too quick head shoulders and arms)
It was definitely worth having the HypnoBirthing® lessons, a girl that had her baby on Tuesday said the midwives were all talking about it on the labour ward.
Baby Tom was born at 6.40pm on Tuesday 13th October and weighed 7lb 3oz.
Thanks for your lessons, we will spread the word for you!
Lindsey & Tony Lloyd, Northampton
Testimonials from midwives with experience of HypnoBirthing®
I would have to say that HypnoBirthing® is the most amazing phenomenon to observe in action. Women seem to sail through the birthing of their babies, working as a team with their birth partner who is the essential anchor for her.
There is nothing for the midwife to do except sit quietly and watch and wait. The entire experience seems to bring the couple closer together as they share in the achievement and benefit from the enhanced trust in one another that they have developed.
I also think from an educational point of view couples seem to really take on board the physiological process and how a positive environment is essential to a normal outcome.
And finally, I think the real success story for HypnoBirthing® is its benefit to men. Men have the hardest job really, being supportive to their partners but not really having a defined role.
Men's role as HypnoBirthing® partners is clearly key to the whole success story and being actively involved in the birth of their children allows men to bond easily and immediately with them.
Jacqui, independent midwife UK
As a midwife, I feel it is unethical for me not to inform my clients of the benefits of HypnoBirthing®.
I strongly support HypnoBirthing®, having attended a workshop and supporting several women who have employed HypnoBirthing® and shown immense coping strategies and strength.
HypnoBirthing® is not only invaluable in increasing the likelihood of having a natural birth, but also supporting women through antenatal discomfort and when births do not go according to plan.
HypnoBirthing® is also beneficial for birth partners, in particular fathers, as it provides them with a practical role during the labour and birth and enables them to remain calm, informed and in tune with the birth process.
Natalie, independent midwife