HypnoBabies Prenatal Visits?

[happydoula]

Hi all of you Hypnodoulas out there...

I have a client who is doing the HypnoBabies self-study course (on bed rest, so she can't get out to class) and has decided to hire me as her doula! I ordered the HypnoDoula packet from HypnoBabies, and I have started reading it, but I figured I'd throw out a couple of questions in the meantime about prenatal visits!

I'm wondering what exactly I should do! We have our first prenatal visit scheduled for next week, and I want to be prepared :o) I usually go over the birth plan (which she has created already, so we'll review and make sure she understands completely) and answer questions in the first one and then go over comfort measures, interventions, etc. in the second. Is this still right for HypnoMamas as well? What do you all do?

Thanks so much!

[FLLucinda]

Here is a link for Hypnobabies home study course. I would think this is what she should be doing. She doesn't need to get out to go to classes. From what I understand the home study course takes 5 weeks. You could work along with her with the hypno-doula guide. True hypnosis birthing takes much dedication and practice. It will all depend on what she wants from her birth.
Check out the site and please have her do the same. There are FAQ's and a lot of other great information. Good luck!


http://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.php?id=3812

[happydoula]

Thanks, Lucinda! That is what she's doing - she's on week 4, I believe! And I have the Hypnodoula study guide (just got it on Friday!), but I was really wondering about what others discuss at their prenatal appointments?

She's going to do a "practice labor" with the local hypnobabies instructor, I believe, and has invited me to come along (which I will). I guess I'm just wondering what exactly I should make sure to cover and not to cover, since I'm not super familiar with Hypnobabies (even with the workbook!)

Thanks!

[Garden Doula]

Certified Hypnobabies instructor and Hypno-Doula here

Language is very important- Read the portion called the "Power of Words" and begin working the terminology into what you will talk about. Ctx become birthing/pressure waves, etc...

Regarding talking about interventions, she will get a thorough run down in week 3 if she hasn't gotten to that point yet. I might just ask if she has any specific questions or concerns that weren't addressed by the content. And maybe talk about where she is birthing specifically if you have any special knowlege of their "policies" on certain interventions (IV standard, Pit for third stage, etc). The key to talking with a hypno-mom (and any mom, really) about interventions is to NOT personalize them. Say things like "Some women choose..." or "This choice can lead to..." INSTEAD OF "If you choose X, then Y could happen", etc. It makes a big difference to depersonalize the negative or potentially negative.

Discussing comfort measures... she is using her relaxation and hypnosis as her comfort measure. Position changes will be for aiding baby's descent and for changing... not for pain management of distraction. So talking about different positions would be great and even demostrating them for her. She will always want to have a way to go "limp and loose" during her pressure waves, so positions should always allow her to have a place to be supported when she needs it. (IE ,standing with a partner nearby to lean on during wave, if sitting on birth ball, have pillows stacked nearby to lean on, etC)

Since you are going to be with her during her birth, it might be nice to do a script together. You could read to her the script that she is working on that week/day. that way, she can get used to hearing your voice and associating it with comfort. And you can get some practice on how to read cues, prompts, etc to a hypno-mom.

you are going to do GREAT! Follow mom's lead and listen to your instincts, just like with any client. Thank you so much for supporting this hypno-family and helping them to have a wonderful birth! They are lucky to have you

[mamamicky]

With Hypnobabies moms, I just ask if they are doing their Homeplay, if they are enjoying it, where are they having challenges? What tools are their favorites or seem to work the best for them, make them the most relaxed? You could ask her to share her special safe place so you can guide her there if she needs/wants you to.

I also talk about a lot of logistical issues: Have you mapped out hospital route 1, 2, and 3? Have you discussed Hypnobabies with your care provider? Have you made arrangements for dogs, cats, kids, etc?

Depending on why she is on bedrest, we might discuss how we are going to continue with her Hypnobabies program despite challenges. We can talk about how we have the Change of Plans Script if we need it. I had one client whose baby had some in-utero problems. So she continued to plan on Hypnobabies, but we knew we were probably looking at an induction. So, we talked about how she would still move around, lay down and use her off and center switch even hooked up to everything and near or in the bed.

I also spend a lot of time these days on relationship issues. If there is a relationship involved, we talk about baby care in the postpartum period, love languages, showing appreciation for each other and stuff like that. They REALLY like the opportunity to focus on them and their relationship. It also helps them begin to realize that life is GOING to be different.

Breastfeeding information is always good too. Does she know where to go for a breastfeeding help? Mother to mother support? Clinical lactation support in or out of the hospital? Breastpumps?

Hope this helps,
Micky

[Hypno-Doula]

Hi,

I'm also a certified Hypnobabies Instructor and Hypno-Doula (hence the handle!).

I agree with everything that Micky and Vanessa have said, but I wanted to reinforce the Power of Words issue. The words that you choose to use with expectant moms and especially those using hypnosis, is so important. Understanding the cues (Release, lightswitch, Peace, etc) is also of great benefit to your client so that you can help guide her into hypnosis and deepen her anesthesia.

It sounds like you're really gung-ho about learning how to assist Hypnobabies students and its great that you've ordered the Hypno-Doula workbook.

Just a piece of encouragement, I was on bedrest while learning the Hypnobabies Home Study course (my water ruptured at 30 weeks and we had to induce birth at 32 because my son was not doing well in utero anymore) and it was great to have that to focus on and it was something that I could DO to prepare for the birth when I felt so helpless. My doula had no experience with Hypnobabies and little with hypnosis for birth in general. She and my husband had no idea why I kept lifting and dropping my finger. So although it is possible to have a great, very comfortable birth using Hypnobabies with absolutely no help (and my experience was so great that I became an instructor and doula!), it is better having someone there to help and you'll do that wonderfully for your client!

Morgan

PS- I don't know why your client is on bedrest, but I assume its probably some sort of preterm birthing wave issue. We have a great supplemental CD called "Baby, Stay In!" that she can order from the Hypnobabies website. For future reference, we have several CDs that address specific issues such as VBAC, twins, etc. If I'm not mistaken, there's a CD that comes with your workbook that you can listen to that will help you to the be calm, confident, wonderful doula that you are! Make sure you post after the birth and tell us all how great it went!

[EnjoyBirth]

I just wanted to add another link for more information on being a hypno-doula.
www.enjoybirth.com/FAQ-hypno-doula-tips.html

[mamaKdoula2B]

I was just asked to doula-in-training a hypnobirth in Jan. This is timely information. Thanks.