Fiona... IKWYM. I think we take from it what we will use & then leave the rest, as far as the book was concerned I felt a bit "let down" because there is no way I can nod my head & agree to everything written in there. But the classes & the practice sessions have been great.

The affirmations, like I mentioned earlier, I have had to rewrite so they work for me. Listening to them doesn't help because I can't help but laugh at some (my cheeky side) so I just did a list of ones that were what I need to hear & listen too. I believe that every surge is helping me get one step closer to meeting my baby and some of the others will really help and I use them now. I feel funny speaking things out that I may not fully trust yet, but I use this in parenting too. I often say things in the positive for Matilda and we use positive affirmations all the time in parenting Matilda even when I feel so cranky with her. Sort of like "positive reinforcement" training for dogs... So I do the ones that ring most with me & I know will help me in labour & preparing mentally for labour.

I listen to the relaxations and those help HEAPS. I have had a few anxious episodes in the last few weeks which I have never experienced in life before, and the relaxations have helped me calm down & relax so fully its fantastic.

When I have had more full on BH's (I had a few last week) I deep breath as I would for the relaxations and I stand & rotate my hips or I move slowly & surely, but during it I suddenly am able to concentrate on what I am doing rather than the uncomfortable feelings going on. In this I feel best prepared, because I am able to change the focus from the "fear pain" to the relaxed preparations. Does this make sense???