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Has anyone done a calmbirth course, and if so, how did they find it, was it beneficial for labour?
Also, question from the ignorant first timer - how is this different from hypnobirth, and PinkKIt and some of the others, there seem to be so many out there, which ones are better?
any help or comments or experiences appreciated!!
Thanks!
I did Calm Birth and thought it was ok - I loved the visualisations, learning about why you feel 'pain' and breathing techniques to get me through the contraction BUT after the course I felt as though I still lacked something (if I lost it with the breathing and found it hard to regroup, I had nothing to fall back on IYKWIM)
So I looked for something to compliment it and found JuJu Sundin's Birth Skills.....
They work beautifully together because whilst breathing and visualisation is great, I needed some physical things I could do if it got all too much (or too boring)
I used the breathing at the beginning and the end and in the middle a few techniques from JuJu Sundin....
So I definitely recommend Calm Birth BUT would say buy the JuJu Sundin Birth Skills book to round it out and compliment it.
As for the difference between Calm Birth and Hypnobirth - I downloaded the entire Hypnobirth course and hated it. It's different because HB basically requires you to take yourself through a completely guided hypnosis and refers to it as the "anesthesia". I liked that with CB it basically goes through the physiology of giving birth and explains why you feel what you do and gives you practical breathing exercises and visualisations vs hypnotic meditations.
I'm not familiar with the Pink Kit so can't help with that xxx
ETA - and as to how I went through labour - I didn't realise I was in labour til about an hour prior to the birth. I called my midwife and told her I'd been having regular BH contractions for an hour every 3-4 minutes, she said to come in, I was checked and 7cms, 10 minutes later it "hurt" for about 3 contractions and 7 minutes after that my DD was born......so yes, I swear by both CB and Birth Skills used together!
I'm a hypnobirther (using the Marie Mongan techniques) - I understood hypnobirthing was "US (as in America) inspired" whereas calmbirthing was "Australianised". Could be wrong though - just what I've heard.
There's heaps of previous threads on hypnobirthing and calmbirthing, I'd advise you to have a search as you'll see dozens of posts. Suffice to say, I found hypnobirthing wonderful as it helped me stay relaxed during contractions (surges) which I'm sure helped make my sons' birthing experiences easier and calmer. Hypnobirthing classes also take in breathing exercises and visualisation, how the woman's body works during, how to stay as relaxed as possible and, importantly, builds your confidence in your ability to birth naturally (if that's your desire).
Each to their own (obviously :D) but my experience wasn't about "anesthesia" - that term was never mentioned, nor any inference made. Our hypnobirthing course was over four weeks, with an absolutely wonderful instructor. We went through relaxation exercises during our classes, which we could do at home, but the idea was to focus on relaxing and being confident in your ability to birth. It wasn't about relaxation being a "pain killer" iykwim - though you may know certain words aren't used in hypnobirthing ("pain" being one of them), not sure about calmbirthing though.:
Some hypnobirthers birth in a meditative state, and good luck to them! Others, like myself, use the techniques to be "Master and Commander" of our birthing experience, as you feel very empowered to birth the way you want to birth. I most definitely was not meditative throughout the final stage of birthing my babies, but I was able to stay calm and focused and I guess, self-centred, for want of a better word.
Whatever you choose, I think you'll find both calmbirthing and hypnobirthing will lead you down the same path. To feel (and be) more relaxed about your birth, to be empowered to birth the way you want to birth, and make choices as they relate to you and your baby during your birthing experience.
Good luck with everything :D
Thanks Andie & Mummato2!
I am also limited as to what is available in our area (in the sticks!). And I have decided that if I was to do it self-directed at home, it probably wouldn't happen. We have found that we can do a Calmbirth course, without having to travel too far, so look like we'll be heading down that road. I guess I just wanted a bit of reassurance before we forked over the money! ;)
Thanks again :hug:
I think you'll find it's money well spent! We did Calm Birth classes and loved it.
Goodluck :)