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April 15th, 2009, 02:54 PM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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Ps an update on the calm birthing side => Calm birthing is pretty much the same just the Aussie version started over here by Peter Jackson who was tought by Marie Mongan (founder of HypnoBirthing)
__________________  Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 15th, 2009, 06:05 PM
|  | Loving my baby boy!! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in blissful ignorance
Posts: 861
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Fantastic to see people having a really great conversation about all this.
I can say that I did Calmbirth (and by the sounds of it was taught by the same person as you BabyQ) and my birth did not end up as the all natural, intervention free birth that we all hope for, but I still look at it as a positive experience which I am sure I wouldn't have had it not been for these classes. You can read my birth story via the link in my sig.
My baby wasn't in position when my waters broke which meant that I was on a time limit and had to be induced. The calmbirth techniques and philosophies helped me through that, as anyone can tell you, when you are induced it is full on labour from the get go, so no build up. I don't know if this makes any difference to those that get the build up but it does come as a bit of a shock. I got through 9 hours of just breathing and going with it, without any drugs and with a difficult midwife.
In the end I knew nothing was happening and I made the concious decision to go with a c/s. But I fully believe I would not have handled it at all well had it not been for the Calmbirth. I was fully alert in theatre, I knew my rights so I wouldn't let them take my baby away while I went to recovery (believe me this is a big one to remember!! If there is something wrong and bub needs to go to special care or something then fine, but otherwise do not let them take the baby away, it is not necessary) and I knew I made the decision to be there.
The next day I was up and about and by the day after I was on no painkillers apart from panadol, and even that was just to keep the nurses happy. And the honest truth is I really didn't need them. I can only attribute that to the positive thinking and calmness that surrounds you by taking this approach. My obstetrician told me I looked well and said that I was right to drive in 2 weeks. I had the same ob as my SIL who also needed a c/s and she was told not to drive for 4 weeks. She didn't do Calmbirth....
So enjoy your classes and if you open yourself up to it you will be able to handle any situation you end up in. Plus the added benefit is that you aren't afraid to go through it all again, even when you have just given birth.
__________________ Mummy Tummy DH (35)  Me (33)
Jett Dion 6/8/08  Birth Story  |
April 15th, 2009, 08:37 PM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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Fantastic story Mummy Tummy, I know the delivery didn't turn out as you planned it but you have taken the good bits and focused on them.
Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful masterpiece. 
__________________ Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 15th, 2009, 08:58 PM
|  | Random Act of Kindness Recipient | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northcote, Melbourne
Posts: 2,089
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I didn't do hypno/calmbirthing so hope you don't mind if I pop in here.
I believe any techniques that will help you manage the pain (or surges) will be very helpful. I didn't do hypnobirthing because relaxation/visualisation techniques tend not to work on me very well because I find it really difficult to switch off and relax.
Instead I used pain management techniques outlined in a book by Juju Sundin that were more suited to me - and I found those very helpful.
However, if I do have another child, I think I'll look into hypnobirthing too - the more techniques and tools in the toolbox, the better, I say.
What I would say, however, is that no techniques can guarantee you a "perfect" birth. What they will give you is a sense that you have done your best and that you have tried everything you can. That was the best thing that I took from the techniques that I used. The knowledge that I had given it a red hot go.
The thing to remember is that every labour is different. Someone who has a 10-hour drug free labour cannot compare her labour to someone else who has a 36-hour labour and opts for an epidural. It is not about pain thresholds or mind over matter in a lot of cases but simply how long the labour takes - and although certain things can reduce the length of the labour (such as being active) - a lot of it is in the lap of the gods too.
Keep us posted on the hypnobirthing - I'm sure it will be very useful and helpful.
__________________ Fiona Me: 40 (if life is just beginning, what was the last 39 years about?) Handsome Partner: 46 DD: 15/08/2007  |
April 15th, 2009, 09:34 PM
| | Loving my baby boy!! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in blissful ignorance
Posts: 861
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fionas  What I would say, however, is that no techniques can guarantee you a "perfect" birth. What they will give you is a sense that you have done your best and that you have tried everything you can. That was the best thing that I took from the techniques that I used. The knowledge that I had given it a red hot go.
The thing to remember is that every labour is different. Someone who has a 10-hour drug free labour cannot compare her labour to someone else who has a 36-hour labour and opts for an epidural. It is not about pain thresholds or mind over matter in a lot of cases but simply how long the labour takes - and although certain things can reduce the length of the labour (such as being active) - a lot of it is in the lap of the gods too. |  Absolutely. At the end of my 9-hours I was physically exhausted. If a labour takes that long it is going to be alot easier to get through, but longer than that other measures may need to be taken. But as long as you are fully informed of them and any side effects to you or the baby you know you will be making the right choice for you at that time. I was given the option to continue my labour on the proviso I take some sort of pain relief as my body was physically exhausted which can compromise the second stage. I was given this choice, but I started at 3cm, and was still only 3cm, so I made the decision to go straight to c/s as I really thought I was going to end up there anyway due to the position of bubs. My Ob thought the same thing so he told me later!
But as FionaS said - "the more tools in the toolbox" the more power we have over our birth choices.
ETA: Thanks Leonie. I wanted my story to be positive for others because there aren't nearly enough positive stories going around. And it really was positive, even though it wasn't to plan!
__________________ Mummy Tummy DH (35) Me (33)
Jett Dion 6/8/08 Birth Story |
April 16th, 2009, 08:17 AM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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I am so glad that women are starting to take their child's birth into their own hands wherever possible.
It has been so empowering to research this then stand up and say no I don't want you to cut me open again, I want to use this more gentle approach to birthing my baby and then if all does not go to plan then and only then you can step in. I think it is important to keep a positive view on things whilst also having a realistic overview that like Fiona said not all births go perfectly but you have given your child the best you can at having a positive birthing experience.
Fiona: I don't have the ability to visualise and also find it difficult to switch off but I am simply going to practice and give it my best shot. I went into my first labour scared and with no tools in my belt this time I do have some and I am just hoping I can control them.
__________________ Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 16th, 2009, 08:30 AM
|  | Being the coffee bean | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gawler, SA
Posts: 884
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MummyTummy - Thanks for your story - I've just had my second hypnobirthing lesson and have 3 to go and am trying for a VBAC. We know there is a slight possibility that I will need a c-section and it is nice to know that these techniques will help if that happens. I was so scared last time, it would nice to be more in control.
An update for the others: course on tuesday night was about breathing and deeping the relaxation you feel when doing these exercises. Well they worked for me, I nearly fell alseep in the chair! I also gives a script for your birthing partner and a bunch of affirmations to avoid the negative self talk which I am very good at. Next week they'll be focusing on the baggage that we are brining to the birth from our previous experiences such as prior births, our own birth, stories we've heard and other things like that. should be an interesting challenge...
I'm feeling much more positive about the birth experience. We had our appointment at the hospital yesterday and the consultant told me all the same things about a 'trial of labour', no baths, continuous fetal monitoring, artificial rupture of membranes, time limits, not allowed in the birthing centre. And the thing was that I completely didn't worry about it and let it all go straight over my head. My midwife said that she is happy for me to be in the bath, avoid CFM and ARM and let me go as naturally as I can. I think the practicing with hypnobirthing helped me ignore the things that weren't helpful and focus on what I wanted and why my midwife is going to let me do.
So there are benefits already, which is nice to see a return for the cost of the program, which I was really worried about to begin with!
Will keep you updated.
__________________
Cat (31)  Hubby extraordinaire (36) with DD1 "Lumpy" 14.9.03 Emergency C-Section, DD2 "Fred" 1.7.09 Empowered C-Section
 In difficult situations you have three choices: be a carrot, egg or coffee bean. In hot water; the carrot goes soft, they give up; the egg goes hard, they loose their soft side;
but the coffee bean makes coffee, they change the situation they're in. |
April 16th, 2009, 10:45 AM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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[QUOTE=ryatha;1750216]MummyTummy - Thanks for your story - I've just had my second hypnobirthing lesson and have 3 to go and am trying for a VBAC. We know there is a slight possibility that I will need a c-section and it is nice to know that these techniques will help if that happens. I was so scared last time, it would nice to be more in control.
I am in the same boat except I'm planning a vba2c.I am hoping that the fact that this philosophy focuses on gently letting your body do what it is designed to do will help my chances of a safe labour rather than pushing and increasing the risk of rupture. Well thats my logic anyway and I'm sticking to it. 
__________________ Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 16th, 2009, 04:40 PM
| | Loving my baby boy!! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in blissful ignorance
Posts: 861
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Nope that is perfect logic Leonie.  That is why they liken the whole labour pushing thing to having a poo. Pushing and straining to get your poo out doesn't necessarily get it out any quicker, causes more distress and pain not to mention cause physical damage. If you just go with the flow and let it happen it still takes just as long, you are less distressed and there is less risk of physical damage.
ETA: When I was doing my calmbirthing I wanted a thread for people doing or who had done the same thing to talk to, for support and encouragement but there wasn't one. Would others be interested in this? I might ask the mods if we can have one set up, as I really felt it would be beneficial to share this experience.
__________________ Mummy Tummy DH (35) Me (33)
Jett Dion 6/8/08 Birth Story |
April 16th, 2009, 05:53 PM
|  | Because the bear was chasing Bertie....... | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Melbourne
Posts: 5,029
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Great idea MT, I love it!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________ Me & DH The love of my life
Angel baby 12/07/06 @ 11 weeks, Tiny angel Jan 2009 DS 29/04/07 - Breastfed for 2 years and two months!  "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened" |
April 16th, 2009, 05:56 PM
| | Being the coffee bean | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gawler, SA
Posts: 884
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excellent idea MT - I'd certainly find it really useful
__________________
Cat (31) Hubby extraordinaire (36) with DD1 "Lumpy" 14.9.03 Emergency C-Section, DD2 "Fred" 1.7.09 Empowered C-Section
In difficult situations you have three choices: be a carrot, egg or coffee bean. In hot water; the carrot goes soft, they give up; the egg goes hard, they loose their soft side;
but the coffee bean makes coffee, they change the situation they're in. |
April 16th, 2009, 07:40 PM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 55
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Great thinking. I would definately be apart of that thread....
__________________   |
April 16th, 2009, 08:35 PM
| | Loving my baby boy!! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in blissful ignorance
Posts: 861
| |
I've asked the mods so we'll see what they say. Good to hear you'd like to be part of it, I really think it would be worthwhile for everyone who has gone through it, going through it and those considering going through it.
__________________ Mummy Tummy DH (35) Me (33)
Jett Dion 6/8/08 Birth Story |
April 17th, 2009, 09:09 AM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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Well this kind of ended up being a bit of an impromptue discussion site with quite a few participants so I think there would be quite a bit of interest in an official thread. Great!!!
__________________ Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 27th, 2009, 11:41 PM
| | Loving my baby boy!! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: in blissful ignorance
Posts: 861
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Still haven't received a reply to the request for a dedicated support thread.... perhaps we should just start one? I'm just not sure where the best place for it would be.
__________________ Mummy Tummy DH (35) Me (33)
Jett Dion 6/8/08 Birth Story |
April 28th, 2009, 07:13 AM
| | Being the coffee bean | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gawler, SA
Posts: 884
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I was wondering about that. I have a session tonight and was going to update you all on it. BTW - hypnobirthing is the best money I have ever spent in regards to childbirth: now that I know the benefits before, during and after birth. just thought I'd share...
Would alternative birthing such as lotus and water birth be the place? Seems like hypnobirthing and waterbirthing go together very well...
__________________
Cat (31) Hubby extraordinaire (36) with DD1 "Lumpy" 14.9.03 Emergency C-Section, DD2 "Fred" 1.7.09 Empowered C-Section
In difficult situations you have three choices: be a carrot, egg or coffee bean. In hot water; the carrot goes soft, they give up; the egg goes hard, they loose their soft side;
but the coffee bean makes coffee, they change the situation they're in. |
April 28th, 2009, 03:52 PM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Edens Landing, Yes its actually a place
Posts: 187
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I know it's not on this site but I got a special thread put into BubHub for HypnoBirthing/Calmbirthing. It is in the birth/pain management section of Pregnancy and birth. Quote:
Originally Posted by MummyTummy Still haven't received a reply to the request for a dedicated support thread.... perhaps we should just start one? I'm just not sure where the best place for it would be. |
__________________ Me 30 DH 32 DS#1 Joey 3/11/04 DD Lilly 12/12/05 DS#2 Thomas 1/6/09 |
April 28th, 2009, 04:05 PM
| | BellyBelly Member | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne
Posts: 233
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Hi everyone,
Been a while since I posted in this thread. I'm intending to start Calmbirth instruction with a friend who is a teacher next week 9we have to get on to it cos she's 34 weeks gone herself!). So far I've just read the book but I'm keen to learn the actual practices. I second the notion for a dedicated thread
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