HypnoBirthing: A Celebration of Life

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Summary: Hypnobirthing a celebration
Review: A regurgitation of other hypnosis materials without the understanding of the birthing process.As my mid wife said "HYPE No Birthing"Poorly written. Alice

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Summary: no explanation of how to use,confusing
Review: as a physician I found this not very ,clear, and not specific enough. I found the Hypnobirthing method by a PhD, R.N. much more knowledgeable and helpful. This apparently is written by a lay hypnotist with no awareness of a woman's psyche during pregnancy and birth. Leclaire obviously has a grasp of what it takes. Sorry, I felt I had to let the public know. Stick with those in the know. Sincerely, Kay

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Summary: Med free for me thanks to this!!
Review: Because of this book and a hypnobirthing class I took, along with the help of God, my husband and hypnobirthing instructor (and a great doctor and labor nurse) I was able to deliver my daughter without any medication and very little intervention. She was turned around so I did have horrible back labor but they said I was still "limp as a ragdoll" and they couldn't tell I was in pain. I spent most of the labor in the shower in the birthing room at the hospital. (My labor broke at the beginning of labor and so I was in the hospital most of my labor but they were great about catering to my wishes -- due partly to a three-page birth plan!). I was able to be so relaxed and I have no doubt that it helped tremendously! This book is very well written and easy to follow and remember.

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Summary: what I wish I had known before buying this book
Review: First off, this book is meant to be a companion to a course. I bought the book thinking it was something I could read and study at home. That is not what it is meant for. There are many references to class handout materials and audio tapes that I don't have. As far as I can see, the handouts aren't sold seperately on the website (they are bundled with the book) and I can't seem to find where there are classes in my area.
I took great offense to chapter 2 of this book where the author outlines her view of the history of pain in childbirth. She basically blames Christianity and the Catholic church. I just didn't need to pay money to be insulted.
There are many exercises that I can practice at home (so its not a total waste), but I have no idea if I am doing them correctly as the book is not meant to stand alone.
I have yet to give birth, so I can't comment on the course's effectiveness.

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Summary: A brilliant resource
Review: I aquired this book when a friend whom I had helped several times professionally as a hypnotherapist asked me to help her prepare for natural child birth.
The book proved invaluable not only in the way it assisted in the deprogramming of the negative expectations and fear of chilbirth pervading our culture, but also as a basis of ideas from which to negotiate and plan a bespoke approach to preparing her and her birth team for the big event.
It's not complete in itself and really does need to be used by someone competent in hypnosis, (we used other techniques form other disciplines as well) but it's a superb resource and I envision recommending it to many more people.
And by the way, my friend felt no need to use pain relief, reported no pain, only "sensations", and she wasn't in any way attempting to mask the pain and the midwfe recorded second stage as lasting approximately 2 minutes!

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Summary: Great Book but Wish for Matching Hypnosis CD!
Review: I bought a few hypnobirthing CDs, and books from different sources. Mongan's book is great and very practical to use for any type of person. I wish she had a package you could buy with a hypnosis CD or two. Of all the products on this topic, hers was the best. Unfortunately, hers is the only one I bought used. I wasted a lot of money on inferior hypnobirthing products elsewhere. There was one other site which I enjoyed; they were guided imagery tapes from www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk

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Summary: Be aware
Review: I discovered after purchasing and reading this book that there is no point in buying this book unless you intend to take the hypnobirthing course with a qualified instructor. They have website etc for information. The author outlines this in the opening chapter. And after making enquiries about taking a hypnobirthing course I found out that they give you the book and tapes for free anyway(ie; it's included in the price of the course). Had I know this I wouldn't have bought the book. However, the course is quite expensive so although I am intrigued in taking it I'm not sure if I want to spend that kind of money.

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Summary: I'm no longer afraid of my upcoming birth!
Review: I feel I have benefitted so much from this book, I wish it could be made required reading for every Mom-to-be. I'm due at the end of June 2002, and this book, the accompanying course, and the tapes are really changing my entire perspective on this experience I'm approaching.
I was dubious at first, but as I've practiced more and more and begun really INTERNALIZING the ideas and concepts, I find the fear and anxiety being replaced by an overall calm and sort of peaceful expectation. I'll let you now how it goes. :))

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Summary: HYPNOBIRTHING A CELEBRATION of LIFE
Review: I found the book disorganized and a bit fluff filled.I expected something more to grasp on to. This is my second baby so I have read alot.Not a good grasp of the material.

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Summary: All pregnant women should own this book
Review: I found this book to be extremely helpful, even without taking any hypnobirthing classes. The Hypnobirthing book shows you how to prepare mentally (with focus and relaxation techniques) and physically (with stretching exercises and instructions for perineal massage if you want to try it) for childbirth; it teaches you what all of your muscles are doing during labor to help you work with your body, which decreases the pain you experience; it suggests better positions for labor and delivery than the standard flat-on-your-back position; and it explains to you why childbirth doesn't have to be (and shouldn't be) a painful or scarey experience. I studied this book religiously before the birth of my second child, and that birth was so much easier and more peaceful than my first. I delivered my son without any medication or intervention, thanks to Hypnobirthing.