Tuesday 4 September 2012

Natal Hypnotherapy

After feeling like all of my power was being handed over in the birth of my son due to having a c-section, I was thinking about how I could regain some of this power. Although I couldn't do to much about my body, I thought there was nothing stopping me and my partner doing some relaxation CDs to be really chilled and happy for the birth.

As I have had so much surgery and the c-section will be in a theatre it was feeling like I am going for another procedure or more surgery rather than the birth of my baby. I started looking for relaxation CDs for birth and came across this web site http://www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk /. On the website it has great testimonials from people that have used these CDs including lots of midwives that support the use of them.

I mentioned them just after my pregnancy yoga class and a lady waiting to go into the normal yoga class after me said she had used the CD's when she was pregnant and thoroughly recommended them. I also went onto the Netmums forum and put in Natal Hypnotherapy in the search bar and lots of people on there had used them and again recommended them. There was also an interview with Maggie Howell, the founder of Natal Hypnotherapy which was a really interesting read. 

I had heard from my cousin regarding her experience of Hypno birthing. She has had 4 children, the first two in hospital, the third was a water birth at home and her last was also at home using hypno birthing. She said she really wished she had known about this for the births of all of her children as the last was by far the best experience of the four.

What I was surprised about was a there was a CD for preparing for a c-section. I thought it was only tailored towards giving birth naturally. 

So I ordered two CD's, relaxation in pregnancy and preparing for a c-section. I have been listening to the relaxing in pregnancy while having a lay down in the afternoon. I completely zone out or fall asleep not sure which and only wake up or become aware when I hear 321 but either way I am feeling relaxed after doing it. Maggie says not to worry if you fall asleep as you will still take in some of the suggestions.

 I am about to start listening to preparing for a c-section, so I will report back on how I find it.

I have also started working with a Natal Hypnotherapy practitioner, Himalee Rupesinghe, she is also a doula. Weirdly my partner happened to spot her facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AllAboutBirth through a colleague liking the page so he contacted Himalee to see if the workshops being run nearby would be relevant to me. Check out her website for more information and for Natal Hypnotherapy courses http://www.allaboutbirth.co.uk/
As I am having a c-section a lot of what would be discussed would be about giving birth naturally so she suggested that it may be more beneficial if we work one to one for a few sessions. 

Its strange that we happened to see this page when we did and I believe it was meant to be as another time I wouldn't have thought much about it. Right from the first e-mail Himalee was really friendly and easy to talk to. During our first session together we spoke at length for ages and I could of continued talking to her.

As this is already a lengthy blog post I will continue about my experience in a couple of days time.

I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts or experiences on this

Lily Lou x