Join us for hypnobirthing class in DC?

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and are due in February. We would prefer not to trek out to the 'burbs for a hypnobirthing class (group or private) as we're already doing that for private Bradley classes. We'll probably do private classes with Katja Brandis in Adams Morgan but we'd really like to experience the class with other couple(s) going through pregnancy, and cut the cost of the class. We've jumped on the whole "birth classes" bandwagon a bit late in the game and with the holidays coming, are finding that most of our options center around private classes...that's fine, but we feel like we're losing out on the sense of community and comradery one gets from taking classes with other couples. Does anyone want to join us?

[Anonymous]

I'd be interested and I'm due in February as well. Why don't you email me at [e-mail]?

[Anonymous]

I am potentially interested as well if you all haven't started yet. I am trying to find classes to prepare for labor and this was one of the methods recommended although I was really set on Lamaze or Birthworks so that my husband would be a prepared coach. How much do you all know about this method? Please share! Thank you.
[e-mail]

[Anonymous]

OP Here... We ended up signing up for a class in the burbs since the DC private instructor never called me back, despite repeat messages -- and the teacher we were in touch with in MD was very accommodating to our schedule and due date. It's a shame there aren't better DC options...

Anyway, to answer your question about what this approach is all about, I would recommend going to the Hypnobirthing Institute website for better answers than I can provide. The main thing I know about this approach is that the belief and orientation to the class is that labor doesn't have to be painful - that discomfort and pain can be minimized through relaxation, mental and physical preparation (bu mostly mental, I think). Pain is caused or exacerbated by fear -- fear causes you to tense up and it's hard to deliver a baby if your muscles are clenched... so it's about relaxation, not hypnosis per se.

BTW -- We're taking a Bradley class (private because we jumped on the whole natural childbirth bandwagon rather late in the game!) and this class, which may be overkill, but I've heard of others doing it as well.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP again... By the way, Bradley and Hypnobirthing both train the husband to be a coach/active partner... Bradley is actually known as husband-coached childbirth and from what I understand of Hypnobirthing, you have to have your partner trained as well. He's an integral part of the success of either approach. At least that's what I understand and why we're doing these classes.