Practising Hypnobirthing - do I need to bother with the standard 3 antenatal classes?

Jayneypops · Feb 1st, 2012, 13:25 PM

Hi,

My Husband and I are practising Hypnobirthing techniques (through reading the book, listening to cds and well..practise!)

I have found that we are both now much more aware of what can happen in labour, and both are more relaxed and actually excited about the big day. we have been booked in to go to the 3 standard parent to be classes locally (Labour & Birth, Breastfeeding and Babys first days at home), but I am wondering if the Labour & Birth class may actually do more harm than good - in terms of scaring us by all the medical talk, complications etc....

As Hypnobirthing is very much about a mind set and positive thinking, I worry that attending one of the midwife ran sessions may undo all of our work so far?
Any opinions?

Also, my Husbands work is terrible and he will have to make up the time he takes to come with me and thats something we could do without when the baby comes!

Has anyone else done Hypnobirthing AND standard antenatal classes?

Jims_Girl · Feb 1st, 2012, 14:08 PM

I didn't go because i knew i would be told all the things that go against hypnobirthing.... Which I felt would hamper my birthing experience.....

Eala · Feb 1st, 2012, 14:46 PM

I did a hypnobirthing course with my first baby. I went to the first NHS antenatal class, and didn't bother going back to the others. I just didn't feel that it fit in with that attitude I wanted to have, and I found the attitudes of some of the other Mums really annoying

Jayneypops · Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:54 AM

thanks ladies - thats pretty much how I feel about it. Im getting myself into a positive 'hypnobirthing' mindset and Im sure the classes will go against that by telling me all the things that could go wrong!

I'll be skipping them too :-)

lalitas charm · Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:59 AM

I would go to the classes so that I had an awareness of how the hospital does things so you aren't in for a surprise when you arrive. The antenatal classes I attended when I was pregnant with DD weren't at all what I expected, it was more a lesson about how your body works and tips on how to manage labour and there was a tour of the facilities.

If you don't want your experience to be tainted by other ladies less positive feelings then just ignore them.

Oh and my DH was away for work so I had to attend the classes on my own which was pretty strange but it was fine

Hutchess · Feb 3rd, 2012, 04:49 AM

I found my classes excellent! The time with the physio especially informative and not against any hypnobirthing techniques - quiet complimentary actually.

Plus the post labour info has been great, very realistic but not scare monger like I'd heard. I'm really glad I went plus I've met some lovely girls in my area too.

justkitty · Feb 3rd, 2012, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eala

I did a hypnobirthing course with my first baby. I went to the first NHS antenatal class, and didn't bother going back to the others. I just didn't feel that it fit in with that attitude I wanted to have, and I found the attitudes of some of the other Mums really annoying

Same here!

tarabecon · Feb 4th, 2012, 20:18 PM

You are absolutely right, there is no need to attend the Labour and Birth segment. Your HypnoBirthing classes and book have covered it all.
HypnoBirthing Works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a beautiful one........................

ttclou25 · Feb 5th, 2012, 15:31 PM

im in two minds too - i have my first antenatal appointment tomorrow and im not sure what to do. Im also doing hypnobirthing classes and its all fresh in my mind from yesterday im worried by doing the nhs stuff its going to put me back from my positive thinking. Like for instance your taught in hypnobirthing to breathe your baby out not push and that you use surges instead of contractions - i end up all confused having the nhs one i think.

But saying that i have looked on my list of the 3x courses and course 3 is probably one to attend as its about after the birth and when baby is here.

Jayneypops · Feb 7th, 2012, 12:05 PM

I think I may skip the classes. My midwife is very supportive of our home birth/hypnobirthing goal and has said that if for any reason we miss the classes (work, baby comes early etc) she can always do a home visit to run through the basics anyway. Shes lovely.

I think I might ask her to run through some info with us, but make her aware that we wont be following the 'push.....pant......push' approach! :-) Hopefully she will avoid any negative descriptions that way!!

Thanks ladies xxxxxx

Feb 1st, 2012, 13:25 PM	#1
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	Practising Hypnobirthing - do I need to bother with the standard 3 antenatal classes? Hi, My Husband and I are practising Hypnobirthing techniques (through reading the book, listening to cds and well..practise!) I have found that we are both now much more aware of what can happen in labour, and both are more relaxed and actually excited about the big day. we have been booked in to go to the 3 standard parent to be classes locally (Labour & Birth, Breastfeeding and Babys first days at home), but I am wondering if the Labour & Birth class may actually do more harm than good - in terms of scaring us by all the medical talk, complications etc.... As Hypnobirthing is very much about a mind set and positive thinking, I worry that attending one of the midwife ran sessions may undo all of our work so far? Any opinions? Also, my Husbands work is terrible and he will have to make up the time he takes to come with me and thats something we could do without when the baby comes! Has anyone else done Hypnobirthing AND standard antenatal classes?

Status: Offline

Feb 1st, 2012, 14:08 PM	#2
Jims_Girl Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 801	I didn't go because i knew i would be told all the things that go against hypnobirthing.... Which I felt would hamper my birthing experience.....

Status: Offline

Feb 1st, 2012, 14:46 PM	#3
Eala Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Glasgow Posts: 8,444	I did a hypnobirthing course with my first baby. I went to the first NHS antenatal class, and didn't bother going back to the others. I just didn't feel that it fit in with that attitude I wanted to have, and I found the attitudes of some of the other Mums really annoying

Status: Offline

Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:54 AM	#4
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	thanks ladies - thats pretty much how I feel about it. Im getting myself into a positive 'hypnobirthing' mindset and Im sure the classes will go against that by telling me all the things that could go wrong! I'll be skipping them too :-)

Status: Offline

Feb 3rd, 2012, 02:59 AM	#5
lalitas charm Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 3,785	I would go to the classes so that I had an awareness of how the hospital does things so you aren't in for a surprise when you arrive. The antenatal classes I attended when I was pregnant with DD weren't at all what I expected, it was more a lesson about how your body works and tips on how to manage labour and there was a tour of the facilities. If you don't want your experience to be tainted by other ladies less positive feelings then just ignore them. Oh and my DH was away for work so I had to attend the classes on my own which was pretty strange but it was fine

Status: Offline

Feb 3rd, 2012, 04:49 AM	#6
Hutchess Waiting To Try (WTT) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Glasgow Posts: 288	I found my classes excellent! The time with the physio especially informative and not against any hypnobirthing techniques - quiet complimentary actually. Plus the post labour info has been great, very realistic but not scare monger like I'd heard. I'm really glad I went plus I've met some lovely girls in my area too.

Status: Offline

Feb 4th, 2012, 20:18 PM	#8
tarabecon Other New BnB Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 5	You are absolutely right, there is no need to attend the Labour and Birth segment. Your HypnoBirthing classes and book have covered it all. HypnoBirthing Works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a beautiful one........................

Status: Offline

Feb 5th, 2012, 15:31 PM	#9
ttclou25 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sussex Posts: 634	im in two minds too - i have my first antenatal appointment tomorrow and im not sure what to do. Im also doing hypnobirthing classes and its all fresh in my mind from yesterday im worried by doing the nhs stuff its going to put me back from my positive thinking. Like for instance your taught in hypnobirthing to breathe your baby out not push and that you use surges instead of contractions - i end up all confused having the nhs one i think. But saying that i have looked on my list of the 3x courses and course 3 is probably one to attend as its about after the birth and when baby is here.

Status: Offline

Feb 7th, 2012, 12:05 PM	#10
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	I think I may skip the classes. My midwife is very supportive of our home birth/hypnobirthing goal and has said that if for any reason we miss the classes (work, baby comes early etc) she can always do a home visit to run through the basics anyway. Shes lovely. I think I might ask her to run through some info with us, but make her aware that we wont be following the 'push.....pant......push' approach! :-) Hopefully she will avoid any negative descriptions that way!! Thanks ladies xxxxxx

Status: Offline

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