Anybody take a hypnobabies class?

[Anonymous]

I'm considering taking a hypnobabies class and would love to hear from women who used hypnobabies as a birthing method. Did you have a positive experience? Were you able to have a natural, unmedicated childbirth, if that was your goal? Did the pain management techniques work? Also, who was your instructor, and would you recommend her (it doesn't look like there are that many in the DC area)? Thanks

[Anonymous]

We did hypnobirthing with Lakshmi in Bethesda on East-West Highway. I think her outfit was called Yoga for Life or something like that. (A google search should find her) Anyway, we also did a Bradley class and had a doula. I found all of it fairly helpful and informative (Bradley more than Hypno, but enjoyed both and found value in both and just in being very, very prepared... Highly recommend the book The Thinking Woman's Guide to Giving Birth.)

I think what I learned at hypnobirthing was helpful and I'm glad I took the class. That said, if I was only going to take one class, it would be a Bradley class. Or have a doula. Or both. And definitely read the above book. Hypnobirthing would be third on my list of class-like options. But if it appeals to you, go for it. I'm glad I did.

[Anonymous]

I just finished taking a Hypnobabies class. Although I can't speak to what my labor is like (yet - still have a couple of months left to go) I will say I felt the class was worth the money. I chose Hypnobabies instead of Hypnobirthing because I felt the *babies class also included a lot of information that the Bradley class includes - sort of 2 classes for the price of one. The hypnobabies class covers in depth not only the hypnosis part, but also the nutrition, birthing, , etc.

The instructor I used was Rose Quintilian of My Gentle Birth. Her email address is [e-mail]. Her website is www.mygentlebirth.com. She is great.

My husband went along with me - at first just because I wanted to do the class. He had joked that if it seemed to hippyish (sp.) that he would bolt. He was pleasantly surprised and really liked Rose.

Last week I ended up in the hospital (early pre-term contractions) and used my hypnobabies during different uncomfortable procedures and noticed that I didn't feel pain as much as just pressure. That experience really boosted my self-confidence.

Also, I live in Reston but the class is in Md. Totally worth the drive for me.

[Anonymous]

Funny aside here: My mom used self-hypnosis to deliver her babies in the 50's and 60's because she hated the twilight sleep used for her first baby that was the norm. back then. Her OB was very supportive! She also used self-hypnosis during dental visits and never needed novacaine.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to contact Rose Quintilian. I saw an article about her in the Gazette (that's where I first heard of hypnobabies). I'm glad to hear the class isn't too hippyish.