Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better

Product Information

I'm a little disappointed in this book even though it was recommended all over the internet for those who want to have a natural birth. I do congratulate the author on giving woman other options than medication to deal while the pain of labor. The problem is her biased narrative. Specifically, the chapter on the history of childbearing is bogus. With HypnoBirthing, I was able to truly empty my mind and breathe my way into birthing our baby,” shares Iradis Jordan, who chose the method for her baby’s delivery. “It allowed my body to relax to the point where any pain was dimmed out. I felt my body respond how it was meant to.”

The Hypnobirthing Book - Childbirth with Confidence and Calm

Whereas hypnobirthing and meditation may be useful tools to aid the pains of birth, the author fails to describe the evidence for this in a convincing manner. Instead, it advertises a pseudoscientific approach to birth that is not just poorly documented but also chemophobic, technophobic and on the verge of charlatan's talk. The book teaches you how to understand the changes in your body so you can make informed decisions, as well as practising relaxation skills, mindfulness and meditation so you stay focussed and calm during labour. This has helped readers feel less anxious about giving birth. The Positive Birth Company is on a mission to support you from the moment you start thinking about planning for a baby, to the day they eventually go to school. We do this through life-changing online courses, incredible online communities and access to some of the best minds in the fields of birth, health and psychology. Our resources are affordable and accessible to all, no matter where you are or how busy your life is.

I am reviewing this book very harshly, but I just can't believe that so many people accept these ideas. The chapters on self-hypnosis worth good and worth reading. She does continually say that one needs to practice this to use it well. This does contradict her assertion that it is instinctual. The stages of labor and the ideal way it should proceed was interesting as well. It does give a pretty and relaxing image of birth to contradict the terror-ridden blogs covering the internet. I think this book would have been much better if it had been half its size. Focusing on positive thoughts and words is another useful technique. Instead of using the word “contraction” to describe the tightenings during labor, you might say “surge” or “wave” for a more positive spin. Another example is replacing “rupture” of the membranes with the word “release.” Guided visualization In fact, HypnoBirthing may not include much information about different complications during pregnancy, interventions during birth, or other possible dangers. Its focus is primarily on relieving fears through relaxation and hypnosis.

Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better

More than 500 news organizations — including Good Morning America, The Today Show, Dateline, The Richard & Judy Show, Time, Newsweek, Parenting and Better Homes & Gardens — have joined the movement for better birthing. There are some great options on this list, but if you’re looking for a great all-rounder that covers your entire pregnancy from conception to birth, The Positive Birth Book is a great choice. Having worked with celebrities including Fearne Cotton and Giovanna Fletcher, Hollie de Cruz is a renowned hypnobirthing coach. Anyone who has given birth without drugs and tells you "It didn't hurt at ALL..." is FULL OF POOP (and you can tell them I said that). Newsflash: having a baby hurts! PAIN... That's what happens when something the size of a watermelon comes out of a hole the size of a quarter.Hypnobirthing uses breathing techniques to gently encourage a baby out rather than pushing. Traditionally, pushing encourages you to hold your breath, whereas hypnobirthing teaches you to trust your body to be able to give birth and use breathing techniques to gently encourage your baby out. How do you breathe during hypnobirthing? Written specifically for men, this book is an excellent read for fathers-to-be who want to be more involved in their partner’s pregnancy or a good book to give to your other half to help them understand some of the physical and mental changes you’re experiencing during pregnancy.

Hypnobirthing by Siobhan Miller | Waterstones Hypnobirthing by Siobhan Miller | Waterstones

If going number two is your number one concern, these doula-approved tips will help you go. READ MORE Combining hypnobirthing, mindfulness, breathing techniques, meditation and affirmations, the GentleBirth app is suitable for all kinds of births. The app sends daily recommendations to help you feel more calm and relaxed, and prepare you for childbirth. This includes playlists to help you sleep and manage anxiety and the app can also be used to support you during labour and even after your baby is born.

Some people struggle to learn the relaxation techniques so allowing yourself plenty of time to practise is better, but if you decide later in the pregnancy that you would like to learn about hypnobirthing you can still practise some of the exercises in time for your birth. Can you teach yourself hypnobirthing? Whilst not the most detailed of texts, and covering mostly pregnancy and pre-birth content, this is a lighthearted and informative read suitable for even the most reluctant of readers. I don't regret reading this book, but as with all alternative medicine that paints the medical community as the enemy, one has to read this with caution. The medical community saved my son when he was born extremely premature. It was their knowledge, experience, and educated guesses that kept him alive. Doctors and nurses are not there to be the enemy. It is fine to turn down their care, but I wish books like these would give Siobhan Miller is an expert hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company. In this book, she aims to make hypnobirthing more accessible for every mum and every kind of birth, whether at home or in the hospital. You'll also find this book topping our guide to the best hynobirthing book as recommended by Mumsnet users. We are on a mission to show people everywhere that birth can be better. And not just better, but amazing!

Best Pregnancy Books UK 2023 | Mumsnet The Best Pregnancy Books UK 2023 | Mumsnet

However, the author does tend to show a view of a natural childbirth and says what health care providers do and seems to suggest they shouldn't. Mainly at the end of the book where I think her opinion needs to be toned down as it makes the book less impartial. Also assumes that everyone is breastfeeding. Some things she said raised more questions for me and suggested further reading rather than being supportive and helpful made me worry more. Using a range of techniques, including self-hypnosis and visualisation, the book can help you feel more calm and confident during labour, leading to less chance of intervention and reduced pain. How we chose our recommendations Recommendations from parents KATHARINE GRAVES has personally taught over 1,000 mothers and her methods are taught internationally. She is a qualified advanced hypnotherapist and a qualified doula, having trained with Michel Odent, the internationally renowned obstretician. Katharine is a member of the International Advisory Board of the HypnoFertility Foundation of America, the Maternity and Newborn Forum of the Royal Society of Medicine, the Association for the Improvement of Maternity Services, and an associate member of the Royal College of Midwives. She has four grown-up children and five grandchildren. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20044568 Varner CA. (2015). Comparison of the Bradley Method and HypnoBirthing childbirth education classes.

What to look for in a pregnancy book

There are also things in this book that make me cringe. It's a good thing that this is based on her own experience and not on any research, because real research is clearly not a priority here. Her chapter on the 'history' of childbirth pain was more painful, I think, than giving birth could ever be. I was literally yelling at the book and went off on a first class rant to my husband about why I would fail this if I got it as an essay. I might actually assign that chapter to my students as an exercise of finding everything wrong with it that they can. That in itself makes me doubt the validity of any of the science, as Mongan clearly is not interested in researching her topic before committing it to press. Childbirth is not something to be feared; it is a natural expression of life. With HypnoBirthing, your pregnancy and childbirth will become the gentle, life-affirming process it was meant to be.