Maura Jo L. reviewed on 1/29/2010 + 18 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Hyponosis in childbirth, even practicing visualizations and guided meditations or touch relaxation can be a very positive and empowering practice for the laboring mom and her partner(s) in the birth room. My only issue with the Mongan Method, and Hynobabies as well, actually, is the use of the word "anesthesia" as part of the scripts. For a mom, such as myself, who was exploring hypnosis for my second birth, after a nonmedicated first birth, I *knew* I didn't need any Anestehsia! I found it really presumptious and distracting, so I subsitituted "Great Calm" or some such (same word everytime) as I used this book, and later (also second pregnancy) with Hypnobabies scripts. Worked fine. Please note, that while both Hypnobabies and Hypnobirthing claim to be "complete childbirth education," as a Certified Childbirth Educator, I really object to this claim. My suggestion would be to take an Independent (out of hospital) Childbirth Ed Series (through ALACE/ International Birth and WEllness Project (IBWP) or CAPPA or Bradley, for examples)*before* working with the Hypno-whichever curriculum/books, as an "Early Bird" student and then begin the Hypno in the second or third trimester. The big thing with any relaxation/hypnosis practice is just that -- PRACTICE. If you do not "program" yourself to relax with daily practice-- WITH your birth partner(s) some of the time,it is unlikely that hypno or visualizations, etc. will be very helpful in the birth room from Transition on. Having said that, many women find this sort of "programming" very helpful in early labor and in prodromal ("practice" labor than can last, yup, days, prior to "true" labor kicking in) labor as well. Best wishes for joyous birthing!
Maura Jo, MA, CD, CCBE

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