Listen to my voice...You are getting sleepy

This week Mr. Cob and I attended our first birthing class. As I've mentioned before, we decided to take classes in HypnoBirthing, which is one of a handful of childbirth classes out there. (The other "main" ones are Lamaze, Bradley, and Alexander). We decided upon HypnoBirthing, rather than the other methods, for a few reasons: 1. My sister-in-law and friend L both took the classes (but from a different instructor) and had positive experiences (though L is currently, at this moment, in the process of birthing her baby, so we may have to get an update from her about how the HypnoBirthing actually worked in labor/delivery); 2. I have some fear surrounding labor and delivery and from what I've heard, Hypnobirthing helps you feel empowered as a woman and teaches you to let go of the fear; 3. I read too much and have been reading about the pros and cons of natural childbirth versus "a medicalized labor with pain medication" and I really want to attempt a natural childbirth, but fully understand this will require serious preparation and commitment; 4. I believe there is a strong mind-body connection and the mind is more powerful than we give it credit for and HypnoBirthing helps you tap into this connection; and 5. Our insurance will reimburse us for the class.

The first class was great. Our instructor, Fran, has been teaching HypnoBirthing (“HB” for short) for over 10 years and is a certified hypnotherapist. I especially liked the fact that while she told us that her bias is for a natural childbirth, she knows everyone and every birth is different and that you can still use the HB methods regardless of the type of birth you end up having. Phew, so I don’t have to 100% commit to this natural childbirth plan right now. Although, I get the sneaking suspicion that I’ll be slightly brainwashed into believing I can do a natural childbirth before the course is over, which to be honest, is part of the course. The biggest point that came across from our first class was that you have to let go of the fear. Fear = tension = pain. If you don’t have fear, your body can remain relaxed and do what it is meant to do. So I’m working on releasing my fears. Fran gave us a history of childbirth through the years and why it is thought of as such a painful experience in our culture. Her goal is to get us to have a birth that is not “unduly painful.” I’m all for that!

Aside from the historical walk down birthing lane, we also saw video footage of two live births from women who practiced HB. First off, this is the first time I have ever actually seen a baby coming out of a woman. WOW. So while that was an interesting sight in and of itself, I was more taken aback by the calmness in these women. Their bodies stayed relaxed and limp throughout the labor and delivery. As each woman would have a contraction, it appeared that she entered into a trance-like state and just calmly laid there through the contraction. No moaning, no grimacing. They each had absolutely no outward appearance of pain. It was enough to make me think there is something to this HB and want to learn as much as I can.

Towards the end of the class, Fran lead us through a guided relaxation. Or, as I think its more accurate to say, she hypnotized us. Well she hypnotized me. Mr. Cob, not so much. There was one point in the process where she told us our legs were getting heavy and that once she got to the count of zero we would not be able to lift our legs. I was very skeptical. But she counted backwards from 5 to 0 and told us to try to lift our legs. Sure enough, mine were “glued” to the floor. I tried with all my might to move them, but could not. She then went through the same exercise with our eyelids and I could not lift those either. So apparently, I’m easily hypnotized, which for HB, is not a bad thing. I’m just not sure how I’m going to be able to self-hypnotize in an instant when I’m in labor, but I suppose that is what we’ll learn over the next four weeks.

We have some homework assignments to help with the process. Each day I have to listen to a guided relaxation/hypnosis CD; affirm that my baby is moving into the perfect birthing position, and listen to a CD of affirmations. We also are reading the book, Hypnobirthing: the Mongan Method, which supplements the HB information we learn in class. And I have to do deep breathing exercises each day.

I’m convinced the HB is going to work and that it will be extremely helpful for Lukas’ arrival. I’ll let you know how it goes as we continue with the course and I practice self hypnosis. For anyone in Atlanta who is interested, we are taking the class through Stress Management Resources.