Experience with hypnobirthing in Germany

I'm expecting my first baby in January and of course I fear the birth and the pain. I've found out about Hypnobirthing or also known as Gentlebirthing that is offered in the States, Ireland and the UK. I'm interested with it as way with dealing with my fears and perhaps using it as a birthing method as it promises pain free birth.

Has anyone here have experience of birthing this way in Germany and how supportive the midwives and doctors are for this? I've mentioned it to my Frauenärtzin, and she has never heard of it. I've contacted a hypnobirthing practitioner near Frankfurt but I'd like to hear of some real world experiences here from TTers in Germany if any.

I´ve never heard of it, but as a comfirmed sceptic, I have to say that anything promising a "pain-free" birth will make a fortune!
Giving birth hurts, but women are strong and are designed to be able to cope with it - as I am sure you will do!
good luck!

I'm a sceptic normally. However I've read positive birth stories of people who used it on other pregnancy forums but I haven't any experience of support here in Germany for it. It's hypnosis based, and based on the premise that fear and expectation of the pain causes the pain. Why is only humans that have to go through the pain of birth? I've seen animals give birth and it doesn't seem to be as an ordeal for them.

From their FAQ Pages http://www.hypnobirthing.com/FAQs.htm which explains it better than I can.

I've had a D&C before which seemed to cause me unnecessary pain due to the drugs given to relax and dilate the cervix before the operation and the pain killers prescribed didn't help much. I'm sure of lot of this suffering was psychological and if I didn't cope too well with that, how could I cope with childbirth?

After reading the book, I'm of the opinion that if it helps me to stay calm and relaxed and using the relaxing methods practised during the pregnancy, I'm less likely to need drugs, and if I do need the drugs I'll take it but I don't want to be screaming for an epi when I'm only 1 or 2 cm dilated either as I won't get it that early.

This method reaffirms that birthing is a natural and wonderful process, and that are bodies are made for it. I need this.

Birth is natural, yes. Birth is wonderful, yes, especially if you're not the one giving birth.

The reason female humans have pain giving birth, I have read, has to do with our evolution and our development from quadripeds to bipeds. This is why a lot of women find it more comfortable to give birth on all fours. (No, I'm not kidding.)

I gave birth without any medications or other interference. I don't think you need to be hypnotized during birth; your mind switches off to a certain extent anyway. If you are afraid of the pain, read as much as you can about the birth process so you understand what is happening when it happens. For example, the most painful part is "transition," but if you know that: 1) that phase lasts only about 45 minutes, and 2) right after that is the birth, it's much easier to deal with.

Of course, that all applies only to a birth without complications, but I doubt hypnobirthing would do you any good in that case, anyway.

Yes, the bipedal pelvis is more narrow than that of a quadriped, but I can find nothing to suggest that as a sole explanation for pain during childbirth. There are several reasons it is more comfortable to give birth in either a squatting position or a semi-prone position rather than the supine position (which favors the doctor over the mother). There is less pressure on the coccyx, fewer major blood vessels are compressed, not to mention the most obvious...gravity.

One site among many, but specifically chosen .......
http://www.medscape....rticle/558117_6

Hypnobirthing is something you practise and prepare for during your pregnancy and to help you prepare for the arrival in a positive manner. Using these techniques to keep relaxed during pregnancy also. Stress is not good for either mother or the unborn. If complications arise, it enables parents to remain calm, relaxed and in control as they discuss options, evaluate the situation and make informed decisions. The attitude of relaxed calm can help make the mother's recovery easier. To refer back the official website on this point here Can HypnoBirthing be beneficial to someone who has special circumstances or who must have a C-section?

The philosophy of Hypnobirthing is such that the classes concentrate on helping to eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle through the teaching and demonstration of relaxation, self-hypnosis, massage techniques, discussion, lots of videos of birthing and full inclusion of and distinct roles for the birth companion.

We could go deeper into this topic but I hope still to find someone who has some experience of trying this method and how the clinics here support natural births especially for this technique. As long as I can listen to my relaxation CDs and have my partner involved and if the midwives see that I and the baby are coping they'll be less like to interfere.

I'm glad cinzia you managed to birth without any medications or other interference, I just feel to get into the zone, I need to start with a relaxed calm to get into that zone.

linmore, I think you are smart to be thinking now about how you can have a relaxed birth. Just realize that if you are depending on these extra people, music, etc., you might very well get more stressed if they don't work out than if you can get into the zone yourself.

What if the hypnobirthing person can't be there right when you need her? What if the CD player at the clinic is not working or not available? What if you have complications and the clinic can't allow extra people and gadgets around?

In my experience, the midwives will mostly leave you alone if you are doing well, you are right about that.

If I am not mistaken (I only skimmed through the website), the method isn't about extra people, music, etc. I think it is about learning ahead of time how to 'get into a zone' by yourself or with the help of your partner. Which, as I think was cinzia's point, is the most important thing.

If you're not bringing in extra people, though, nobody in Germany is going to care how you deal with the pain. I don't recall anyone asking me when I arrived at the clinic what kind of birth preparation, if any, I had taken.

The website does have a directory of practitioners who will attend births, so that's at least an option with the process.

However, I suspect from the lack of responses given here from anyone who has used the method in Germany, it's not widely available there.

But the good news is, there are a lot of ways to reach the goal of a more relaxed birth.

Unrelated tip for you, linmor: when I was pregnant with my daugnter in Munich, I felt that being more familiar with the clinic itself might help me be relaxed for the birth. To this end, I got acupuncture treatments once a week for the four weeks leading up to my due date. The treatments were done by the clinic midwives on the birthing floor (it was a small clinic.) The midwife for the birth was not one I had had for acupuncture, but it helped that I had been there a few times before the event. So if you can find a way to familiarize yourself with the facility somehow beyond the cursory open house tour, it might help you.

Limor, have you tried looking at a Geburtshaus near you? I think this sort of place might be able to help you get the information you need.

Dear OP, congratulations on your pregnancy!

I haven't done hypnobirthing myself, just followed the more standard German relaxation-oriented birth prep. (For any newbies out there, quite different to the Lamaze [breathing through pain] tradition which is common in the US even today, though most Lamaze courses do incorporate more relaxation than they used to.)

But I see from a quick google search of 'hypnose' and 'geburt' that there are plenty of places to do this birth prep in Germany for those who are interested. You'll find most at hypnotherapy practices rather than at birthing centers. See, e.g. this one in Frankfurt (home of OP, if I'm not mistaken)? You can also look up "Geburt in Trance" or "Sanfte Geburt", which appear to be other terms used in Germany for this same type of preparation/practice.

GL!

p.s. There's at least one hospital in Germany, apparently, where all the midwives are trained in supporting hypnobirthing: see here. So maybe this will be coming to more places soon?

My wife was given a book called childbirth without fear by a good friend which really helped - both of them had 2 easy, happy births.

It kind of involves believing that it won't hurt very much, any pain will pass quickly and it is all obviously natural. Talks about the effect of stress on the muscles around the stomach/pelvis and gets you to meditate during the hard parts, which is kind of self-hypnosis anyway.

My wife however had a prolapsed disk on her spine relating in paralysis when 7 months pregnant (which required emergency surgery) which was the most painful thing she has ever experienced, so she could view birth relative to that.

The friend who gave us the book had her 2nd child in Spain and the nurse came through at one point to ask her to stop shouting as it was disturbing the other women who were all "drugged up to the eyeballs and reading magazines quietly during advanced labour".

However you do it, congratulations and all the best for a happy little baby!!

The key to hypnobirthing is preparation and practise before hand. There is no need for any extras except your own partner to help you with relaxation. He should be part of the process. Being able to play a CD is optional extra. Again, if things don't go to plan, it should help you deal with it. I was talking to friend who requested an epi and the doctors delayed giving it too. She found that one of her regrets of her childbirth experience. So it can happen both ways.

Thanks Cinzia, that's a good tip about getting familiar with the clinic and staff beforehand. It is something I do want to do.

I'll look some of them, I had ruled them early because I was against 'natural birth' in the beginning and no epi option or medical pain relief option. Hey I'm hedging my bets here.

Liebling, those searches were very helpful, at least now when I bring up the topic, they might have an idea what I'm talking about. Hypnobirthing phrase is a registered trademark so perhaps it's not as well know. I know a cynical business out to make money on a miracle cure. But the clincs here do seem to support a midwife process. One hospital I visit they talk about soft lights, bonding time etc, natural alternatives

Thanks Legal Alien, that's another book to add to my growing collection of pregnancy and baby books. Looking at the reviews from Amazon, Grantly Dick-Read the author of the book inspired the hypnobirthing movement.

Thanks BonnBonn for you support too.

As for the epi, yes, I have quite a few friends whose birth plan included an epidural, which didn't work out for one reason or another. Delay was a big reason; unless the clinic has a anesthesiologist dedicated to the labor floor (a rarity), it can take awhile to pull one away from somewhere else and to the delivery room. A lot of women don't feel they need one until they're in transition, which is too late if you have to wait at all for an epi.

I know women for whom an epidural was a godsend, too, but making a plan which doesn't absolutely depend on an epidural is a great idea.

Anyway, good luck! You're on the right track in seeking to have a positive birth experience. I hope your memories of your child's birth are as happy as mine are.