Hypnobirthing Part I

Last night was our first hypnobirthing class. Our instructor came to our house around 6:30 and brought us all sorts of reading materials, cds, dvds and other fun stuff. After quick introductions we got down to the business of learning all about hypnobirthing. Our instructor is an RN and teaches both hypnobirthing and traditional Lamaze courses so she brought us materials from all of the birth education classes she teaches. We went over different birth preferences (e.g. intermittent vs. constant fetal monitoring) and what they mean for the labor and delivery process. She encouraged us to make a birth preference/plan sheet and have it ready to take with us to the hospital.

We did a candle relaxation/visualization exercise that was very relaxing, and learned all about how the body works best when it’s completely relaxed during the birthing process. For homework this week we have a dvd to watch of various hypnobirthing couples and their experiences with labor and delivery. We also practiced two labor positions (from the handout we received at our B.A.B.I.E.S. class) while Jered did a guided relaxation exercise with me.

My favorite part of the lesson was the individualized attention we received- she emphasized that we have to find positions and ways of relaxing that work best for us and that we have to practice them daily. She brought us two cds with birth affirmations (essentially these are a way of positively reframing the birth experience into something manageable and do-able) and relaxation exercises to listen to. I like the hypnobirthing approach as it emphasizes that birth is a natural process that our bodies are made to do. It encourages confidence and relaxation rather than focusing on risk, fear and tension. So far Jered and I are both very impressed.

Possibly one of the most helpful parts of the evening was when she showed us how to use an excercise ball to get into a position where my belly can actually lean forward. We have a sheet with various labor positions on them, but these are merely drawings and my spatially inept mind can’t really make sense of what they look like in “real life.” By leaning forward the baby is encouraged to move into a more favorable position for birth. Right now the baby is head down, but its arms and legs are facing to my left- according to our instructor we want the baby’s arms and legs pointing to my right side. This position makes for a simpler and less painful birth and one of the ways to try and get the baby to move into this position is by sitting with my big ol’ belly leaning forward (easier said than done!).

After 3 hours of hypnobirthing class I’m already glad that we chose to do this on top of the other class we took. The things we are learning are giving us great insight into how to work with our caregivers at the hospital to maximize the chance of a natural, med-free birth. You can learn more about hypnobirthing if you’re interested, or send Jered or me an e-mail if you have any questions on what we’ve learned so far!

Filed under Pregnancy by esther |