I did my last birth with a modified form of hypnobirthing - I say modified as I did it by myself not with someone leading me through - although my doula did offer words of guidance with some of the contractions often I did not hear her as I was so inwardly focused.
Personally I don't think the issue is whether it hurts or not it is how you manage the pain and realising the pain is not something to fear.
It is the fear element that is the problem with obstetric lead birthing these days. The pain is pushed by many obstetricians and some midwives as a bad thing something to be feared but that can be overcome with drugs etc. I personally believe from my own three births that we women need to be taught to accept the pain, however it feels to us, to work with it in order for our bodies to open up and to be supported and guided that any pain we do feel is both normal and productive. This was the difference with my last labour, it hurt less than my first two labours because I did not have fear, I relaxed with the contractions and I was supported and encouraged by those around me. It didn't matter to me that I still felt pain but my attitude to that pain did matter.
Debby
>From: "Larry & Megan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>To: "ozmidwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: [ozmidwifery] pain or hypnobirth
>Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2002 22:05:53 +1030
>
>Can't resist adding my bit to this.
>I've had 1 baby on land and 2 babies in the water and wouldn't birth
>anywhere else(by choice). Waterbirth allows the baby to come out with its
>weight supported by the water allowing mum time to reach down and bring baby
>up to the surface without feeling like she'll drop it. I loved it!
>I also would not choose to birth "pain free", yeah it hurts a bit, but what
>an experience to feel your own body working towards birthing the baby inside
>of you. I was strenghthened by my labours, such power in what the body goes
>through.
>Must add that excellent midwifery care during pregnancy makes for reassuring
>childbirth. No tricks in that.
>So Frank,
>Does hypnobirthing allow the woman to stay connected to her labour? Saw on
>TV where a woman birthed with hypnotherapy (not sure which style) her focus
>was on listening to her hypnotherapist, laying in bed hanging off his every
>word, and it ended up she needed an assited birth. How would this compare to
>hypnobirthing? To me you would still need to know about active birthing etc.
>
>cheers
>Megan
>
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