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Progress

went to see ob/gyn today. i'm 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated, and the cervix is softening. so there's hope that baby Osten will make his appearance in the coming week (or two)...although some women go for weeks at 1 cm! trying to stay hopeful. (will have to post mimi doing her imitation of the baby's heartbeat...it's so dead on that it's comical!).

decided to try to incorporate relaxation techniques to birth baby 2. something called hypnobirthing. am going to see a hypnobirthing therapist on sunday to learn deep relaxation. i read a book by maria mongan about hypnobirthing and it was really an amazing, very enlightening read. also viewed some of these 'calm' births on youtube...one gal was just nonchalantly carrying on a conversation with her doc, meanwhile the baby is crowning! i'm not sure if i can bring myself to THAT level of relaxation to block out anxiety/fear/pain, but even as i practiced the techniques, i found myself getting calmer and less anxious. so even if this doesnt work out for me in Labor and Delivery, i can see how i can still apply these relaxation techniques in other areas of my life to live life with less stress response.

so here's what my therapist has on her website to explain what hypnobirthing is about. i guess it might sound like a bunch of malarky, but after reading the book and the research, i can't help but believe there's truth in it. i have also heard testimonials from two other parents at mimi's preschool who used hypnobirthing and they both tell me they pretty much laughed through their labor and deliveries. so it's worth a shot! :)

HypnoBirthing returns to a woman the art of birthing in a way that allows her to summon her natural birthing instincts. HypnoBirthing is based on the belief that severe pain does not need to be a natural accompaniment to labor.

How will HypnoBirthing Childbirth Preparation benefit you?

~ Teaches you to eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during and after labor

~ Eliminates the need for chemical anesthesia in most cases

~ Shortens the first stage of labor by several hours

~ Eliminates fatigue during labor

~ Brings together the mother, baby, and birthing companion in a wonderful pre-natal bonding experience

~ Invites the birthing companion to be an integral part of the birthing, not an onlooker or coach

~ Postnatal recovery is rapid & easier

~ Birthing is returned to the beautiful & peaceful experience that nature intended

What will you learn?

~ Techniques for safe, shorter, and more comfortable birthing through guided imagery, visualization, and special breathing

~ Relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques to eliminate the fear and tension that cause long labor and pain, replacing it with confidence, calm & comfort

~ An understanding of the body’s natural process during labor in order to be able to create your own natural anesthesia and work with your body instead of against it


Comments

  1. Katharine GravesJune 25, 2008 at 12:51 PM

    You're absolutely right; there is a truth in it. I jsut wish every mother could do HypnoBirthing because of the difference it makes, both to mother and to her baby.

    You'll enjoy the course immensely, and, what's more, you'll enjoy the birth.

    All best wishes

    Katharine Graves
    Katharine Graves is a HypnoBirthing teacher in London

    ReplyDelete

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