Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, but meant to be used with other course materials
Review: I highly recommend Marie Mongan's HypnoBirthing course, which I took in Februrary 2000. I had a painless 18-20 hour labor. I did feel pain for the first "surges" when I was home, as I scrunched my eyeballs, went into the fetal position and tensed my entire body. But as soon as I relaxed my entire body and went limp like a rag doll (as I learned to do by listening to the Rainbow Relaxation tape every day for a month prior to my due date) the pain stopped. Any time I felt a surge, I stopped what I was doing, leaned over, relaxed and breathed deeply. I never asked for or needed an epidural. At times, I also felt endorphins, which the book claims is the bodies "natural anesthesia." My son's labor (our first baby) was a wonderful, transformative, spiritual experience and I cannot wait to go through labor and give birth again.This book (with a number of relaxation/self-hypnosis exercises to be practiced alone or with a partner) is a course workbook to be used in conjunction with course materials. When I read it, it occurred to me it would have made little sense without the benefit of taking the class. Note, however, that the author is the first person to admit that it was never meant to be a stand-alone book. Another book I highly recommend is CHILDBIRTH WITHOUT FEAR by the late, great Dr. GRANTLY DICK-REED. One of the refreshing things about Marie Mongan is that she credits Dr. Dick-Reed with inspiring her to create the HypnoBirthing program. Dr. Dick-Reed's book (unfortunately out of print, but I found it at my local library) explains in greater detail all aspects of labor and delivery (actually the best description I have ever read.) He is the one who theorized that releasing fear and tension during labor is what enables women around the world to have a painless labor/birth experience. Reading THAT book will help to understand and appreciate Marie Mongan's book (especially if you don't have a HypnoBirthing practioner near you) and the other course materials she created.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but meant to be used with other course materials
Review: I highly recommend Marie Mongan's HypnoBirthing course, which I took in Februrary 2000. I had a painless 18-20 hour labor. I did feel pain for the first "surges" when I was home, as I scrunched my eyeballs, went into the fetal position and tensed my entire body. But as soon as I relaxed my entire body and went limp like a rag doll (as I learned to do by listening to the Rainbow Relaxation tape every day for a month prior to my due date) the pain stopped. Any time I felt a surge, I stopped what I was doing, leaned over, relaxed and breathed deeply. I never asked for or needed an epidural. At times, I also felt endorphins, which the book claims is the bodies "natural anesthesia." My son's labor (our first baby) was a wonderful, transformative, spiritual experience and I cannot wait to go through labor and give birth again. This book (with a number of relaxation/self-hypnosis exercises to be practiced alone or with a partner) is a course workbook to be used in conjunction with course materials. When I read it, it occurred to me it would have made little sense without the benefit of taking the class. Note, however, that the author is the first person to admit that it was never meant to be a stand-alone book. Another book I highly recommend is CHILDBIRTH WITHOUT FEAR by the late, great Dr. GRANTLY DICK-REED. One of the refreshing things about Marie Mongan is that she credits Dr. Dick-Reed with inspiring her to create the HypnoBirthing program. Dr. Dick-Reed's book (unfortunately out of print, but I found it at my local library) explains in greater detail all aspects of labor and delivery (actually the best description I have ever read.) He is the one who theorized that releasing fear and tension during labor is what enables women around the world to have a painless labor/birth experience. Reading THAT book will help to understand and appreciate Marie Mongan's book (especially if you don't have a HypnoBirthing practioner near you) and the other course materials she created.
Rating: 
Summary: Should be used in conjunction with classes
Review: I liked this book, but it is really meant to be a supplement to the hypnobirthing classes. I opted for the book instead because the classes were almost $500. This book serves a good guide to relaxation and preparation for childbirth. But, I would recommend The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears as a more thorough guide to natural childbirth. Or cover all your bases and buy both of them.
Rating:
Summary: The only way to give birth
Review: I used hypnobirthing for my first child and it was the most amazing experience. Although my labor was over 14 hours long and 3 hours of pushing I felt no real pain. Although my daughter was stuck for 3 hours she had no cone head because I was so relaxed. The labor and delivery was truely relaxing and beautiful. My husband, midewife, nurses, and myself spent the whole time laughing and enjoying the birth experience. It provided my husband with a way to get involved in the pregnancy, labor and delivery. Also it helped us bond with our child. This book is so amazing that I am in the process of getting certified to teach hypnobirthing. This is the only way to give birth.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Birth Experience!!!
Review: I used the theories and practices in this book for my 4th child. It was wonderful! Even though there wasn't an instructor available in my area, I was able to use the book effectively. I has an exceptional experience! I used NO drugs and pushed 3 times. Of course, this was my fourth so it had to be easier, it was the best experience. Please try this if you are expecting!!!
Rating:
Summary: IT WORKS. PERIOD.
Review: I was a skeptic. But with my first pregnancy, I had so many problems with drugs *not working*. The epidural wore off. Twice. And the third time it never took. I had other drugs on top of it, and they ran through me like water. The doctor said my adrenaline was running so high, it didn't seem like anything would take. And when it finally came time to push, I was so exhausted, they had to use forceps to keep me from a c-section. And I felt every bit of it. So with the second pregnancy, I knew better than to rely on drugs. I had to learn how to deal with it on my own. At first, I was panicked. And then I read this book. I thought they were crazy. But what the heck - I gave it a try. I labored at home for 18 hours without even having to call my doula yet. My husband watched football playoff games!!! But be careful - you can cut it too close! I genuinely felt very little pain! But if I had it to do over again, I would have gotten to the hospital just a bit sooner, because my daughter was born only 20 minutes after I got in my hospital bed! I was not in near the amount of pain after delivery, my daughter was very alert, and best of all, I had - I still can't believe I'm saying this - a WONDERFUL labor and delivery. It reaffirmed for me what we are really capable of handling - not just having handed to us, but *handling*.
Rating:
Summary: IT WORKS. PERIOD.
Review: I was a skeptic. But with my first pregnancy, I had so many problems with drugs *not working*. The epidural wore off. Twice. And the third time it never took. I had other drugs on top of it, and they ran through me like water. The doctor said my adrenaline was running so high, it didn't seem like anything would take. And when it finally came time to push, I was so exhausted, they had to use forceps to keep me from a c-section. And I felt every bit of it. So with the second pregnancy, I knew better than to rely on drugs. I had to learn how to deal with it on my own. At first, I was panicked. And then I read this book. I thought they were crazy. But what the heck - I gave it a try. I labored at home for 18 hours without even having to call my doula yet. My husband watched football playoff games!!! But be careful - you can cut it too close! I genuinely felt very little pain! But if I had it to do over again, I would have gotten to the hospital just a bit sooner, because my daughter was born only 20 minutes after I got in my hospital bed! I was not in near the amount of pain after delivery, my daughter was very alert, and best of all, I had - I still can't believe I'm saying this - a WONDERFUL labor and delivery. It reaffirmed for me what we are really capable of handling - not just having handed to us, but *handling*.
Rating:
Summary: Some great techniques helped me labor drug-free...
Review: I'm grateful to this book for giving me a couple of excellent relaxation techniques we were able to use during my labor, and for the positive outlook it lends to our increasingly tech-dependent birth system. It's not quite as helpful, thorough or organized as the hypnobabies.com home-study course, but as an introduction to self-hypnosis in birthing, it's valuable. I should stress that your support in the birthing room is the most important thing... everyone attending needs to be in agreement w/ your decision to go natural because a little negativity or doubt can really affect a birthing mother and stall labor.
Rating:
Summary: Hypnobirthing reminds us of our natural mind-body strength.
Review: In the passed 100 years, birthing has landed in the hands of the medical establishment, leading to disempowerment of mothers, fear, and unnecessary interventions. Birthing is not primarily, or secondarily, a painful experience. It is Transforming, Powerful, and Awe Inspiring.
I had a beautiful, calm birth because of the perspective I gained from Marie Mongan's Celebration of Life Hypnobirthing book and audiotapes. I listening to the Rainbow Relaxation tape during first stage labor.
I hope this way of bearing our young becomes the paradigm, connecting us to the sacred and natural process our bodies are prepared for.
Rating: 
Summary: hypnobirthing a celebration of life
Review: it wasn't well written and didn't prepare me,i also got The Hypnobirthing Bundle for Happy Hypnomoms and Blissful Hypnobabies which totally transformed my anxiety and prepared me for all the physical and emotional stages of pregnancy and birth. check it out .it was amazing . bennids
|
