We had our second Hypnobirthing class last night. I used to think most people knew what that was, but am finding that many people I talk to don't. When I was about 16, I saw a segment on 20/20 about this method and decided then that I was going to use it when I gave birth. But I suppose maybe you didn't see that particular segment.Hypnobirthing is part-pain management, part-breathing method, part-life philosophy that holds as one of its core messages that giving birth doesn't have to be excruciatingly painful or traumatic. The "hypno" part refers more to learning to self-hypnotize, or really just relax to a point of letting go of the fear and tension that usually accompanies birth, thus decreasing the pain. There. Now you know.
So. The one thing I worried about with this method was that I didn't think I could "let go" enough to self-hypnotize. Thus, it might take me a little more practice than someone else.
Mike, on the other hand, has proven on more than one occasion that he is very much able to be hypnotized (he has some pretty hilarious comedy club stories along these lines). Also, the sleep aid he takes is technically a "hypnotic," and we all remember how that affects him. I've learned in our classes that the correct word to describe this ability of Mike's is suggestible. Mike is highly, highly suggestible.
Last night's class was a sort of wake up call for me. Firstly, our instructor led us in a relaxation exercise, and quite literally, by the time she was 10 seconds into it, Mike was almost snoring. Not only is this just AMAZING, but it distracted me to the point that I had a tougher time getting into it. I just sat there thinking, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS GUY !
Later in the class, we saw a video of some births. Now, they showed us births last week, but I see now that they started with the easy ones to trick us into thinking it wasn't so bad. This week I think we got a little closer to reality. So I'm sitting there, watching these births (after a lengthy discussion about the perineum that left me hyperventilating) and it really, truly, finally dawned on me:
I'm going to GIVE BIRTH! And there is no way around it! In roughly 10-14 weeks! That's it! No turning back!
So here's what I think. Since mister snoozefest over here seems so able to relax, WHY DOESN'T HE DO IT INSTEAD? It makes perfect sense to me!!
I'm still working on how we're gonna make that work. I'm highly suggestible to any ideas you might have.
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3 comments:
the first thing you can do is to take back the evil "mark is pasty" remark.. that may help clear your mind to allow for further light and knowledge.
perhaps "mark is tasty" is what you meant..
That is HILARIOUS about Mike! I do recall his benedryl episode in Montreal way-back-when. Seems he is VERY suggestable, as they say.
I have to add that you are very brave to try the self hypnosis birthing method. I would fail on that. I tried the doctor-induced epidural method and even had trouble with that. I do not personally believe in "no pain, no gain." But I support you in your experiment and will pray for you. (Mike will pray for you too, only it will look like he's sleeping?)
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