hi all. i am a hypnobirth mum (little miss born in NZ, last year!) and my experience was pretty good. i think hypnosis in general works but what they said in our classes was that when it comes to the power of suggestion, the last suggestion that was given to you while you were in hypnosis is the one that will come about. a woman in labour is highly suggestible and if doctors or obs make a suggestion that the labour isn't progressing or that she is in lots of pain, then the woman will experience exactly what the doctor suggested. so therefore, hypnobirthing works if you're able to block out the suggestions from caregivers that might have you feeling pain.
my hypnobirth wasn't exactly as i planned, but once i got into the relaxation and my
DH interpreted messages fromt he midwife and doctors for me (using positive imagery rather than medicalised terms) i responded much better and
DD was born
without severe pain.
i think that hypnobirthing for pain relief is possible, although i think it would be a lie to say that you won't feel anything! i was in discomfort, and by the end I was in incredible discomfort, but never in serious pain per se.
- trace
Hypnobirth not for everyone, but still pretty good. 
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