Hypnobirthing: A Natural Approach To A Safe, Easier, More Comfortable Birthing (CD is not included) Paperback – December 8, 2015

This got me through 70 hours or hard labor and emergency C-section with grace. Thank you

Purchased this to read based off of the recommendation from a friend of mine that read it during her pregnancy and had an incredible, unmedicated birth experience with her first child! I mostly credit this book to being the reason I no longer fear the upcoming birth of my first child. Highly recommend if you have anxiety about labor and delivery and pregnancy in general. I promise this book makes so much sense. My mom had unmedicated labors with both me and my sister but she reflects poorly on her experiences. She told me I was being unrealistic by saying how good this book was but I convinced her to read it so she could understand why I am taking an approach following the guidance of this book. After she finished reading it, she said she wishes this had been around in the 90’s when we were born because she feels she would have had a completely different experience, in a positive way. You won’t regret buying this book. I did decide to proceed with taking the full course with one of the instructors I located from the hypnobirthing international website which further solidified the confidence I have to give birth and without fear. (Which is saying SO MUCH) considering my history with terrible anxiety and as a nurse with knowledge of “the worst that can happen”. When I signed up for the class I was sent a second book as part of the materials and this is the copy I gave to my mom. I still think it was worth the money to purchase this book ahead of time to read it before the class, it helped me feel more prepared and able to focus on the content provided in class and working on my breathing and meditations.

This book literally changed my life. At 33 weeks pregnant with my first baby I finally wised up to all the nonsense being thrown at me from our current birthing culture, including the stupid hospital based birth class I was enrolled in. I found this blessed book, devoured it cover to cover at least 3 times, and practiced the techniques religiously. Since I didn't have time to take a class (which would've been my preference), I hired a doula who was also a HypnoBirthing practitioner. I ended up having a lovely and empowering unmedicated hospital birth, despite my baby being slightly posterior (back labor!). That experience was so transformative that I found myself becoming passionate about birth, and decided to become a HypnoBirthing educator and birth doula myself. Now I'm in the business of helping other moms experience a joyful, calm birth!

Like others said, they left out a couple things because they assume you'll take the classes. Will have to scour online videos for more details which is annoying. Otherwise, great read.

This book is a game changer! I used to be so fearful of birth but this showed me how empowering the process is in a way that’s unexpected, SURRENDER!

I think there is a lot of good information here. I just feel like a lot is left out when you can't attend classes. There should be more options out there for those that can't go to a class. I feel like I had to do a lot more online research on my own other then reading this book. I think it is important to ignore the author's voice to get the core of the information because at times she is pretty opinionated. You have to just sort through what is important to you and not get hung up on her opinions. It is nice it comes with the CD but personally the music and voice freak me out (I guess to most of the public is supposed to be calming). Even though it doesn't sit well with me, I worked through it best I could and now it does help me fall asleep. I have listened to it for a week and haven't heard both of the tracks yet because I fall asleep so fast. I am excited to see how it helps me through birth.

My birth was literally pleasant. I was laughing and talking through the entire thing (including pushing, crowning, etc.).This book changed my entire life. It completely changed my perspective on birth, mothering, and even just life. I took the Hypnobirthing class at my hospital which was taught by a nurse. That was amazing because she had more of a scientific/medical approach to it. It wasn't anything like a hippy class that I was expecting!The entire premise is that fear leads to tension, which leads to pain. When you're afraid, your body goes into flight or fight mode. Unfortunately when you're birthing, your body can't flight or fight, so it just freezes. Your brain doesn't let your body send enough blood to your non-essential organs, aka your uterus! Without enough blood, it can't do its job, and you have to force your baby out without the help of your body.Hypnobirthing allows you to learn relaxation techniques that will help you during labor. But mostly I appreciated the fear release aspect. I was not at all afraid to give birth, I was excited! Keep in mind that I am the biggest wimp - I cry (literally sob) when I need to get shots! I cried when I got my cervix checked at 37 weeks. I never thought I was a strong person, but Hypnobirthing gave me the confidence to know that birth does NOT have to be painful. It can be a beautiful, pleasant experience and it was for me!Just so you know, I received an epidural after laboring with Pitocin for 3 hours. My husband was walking me through our Hypnobirthing exercises and I literally thought I had been laboring for less than an hour. Nope, I made it 3 hours and didn't even realize it!!!Once I received the epidural, I was still happy and confident that my birthing would be a good experience. And it was! I was literally smiling and laughing the entire time, including the pushing, crowning, and the entire delivery!! Again a lot of it was the epidural, but I credit Hypnobirthing for my birth being LITERALLY 100% PAIN-FREE AND PLEASANT!!!! The second my baby was out, the first thing I said was "I'm ready to have another baby!" My beautiful baby girl was born with no crying or screaming - just a happy, calm baby ready to experience the world!Other moms who have delivered with an epidural all agree that childbirth is painful but worth it. Well let me tell you...it is worth it but it does not have to be painful!! BUY THIS BOOK AND TAKE THE CLASS!!!! It will change your life!!!LITERALLY I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW AMAZING AND WONDERFUL MY BIRTH WAS!!!! The absolute worst part was getting an IV!!!!