HypnoBirthing – “Ommm”

When Stacey first proposed to me that she’d like to do her birth by “HypnoBirthing” I immediately thought: “Has she gone mad?  How can you give birth while hypnotized?  Has my hippy sister got to her!?!?  Does pregnancy make you crazy???”

 

Of course, no to all questions.  This week I’ve learnt that I’m totally ignorant to the latest techniques in birthing sweeping the world and have had my first formal lesson to bring me up to speed.  Stacey has been introduced to HypnoBirthing by her teacher at the prenatal yoga class she attends at Pure Yoga.

 

So, what is HypnoBirthing?  HypnoBirthing teaches techniques for relaxation and visualization, along with physical exercises and good nutrition that will help the mother to ease through a happy, healthy pregnancy and childbirth.  How can a mother “ease” through pregnancy I hear you ask?  Well, you’ve got to see it to believe it.  In your first lesson you see a few videos of mothers going through pregnancy with Hypnobirthing and you discuss current perceptions of birthing and what should happen.  It’s certainly eye-opening.  Fyi – our class is taught by a very nice Australian registered nurse who reminds us a lot of my sister, Sam.

HypnoBirthing is designed especially to serve the 95 percent of families whose pregnancies fall into the normal, low or no risk categories.  It is also not an approach that recommends birthing without medical supervision.  Hypnobirthing is “a natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing”.  Oh … it also happens to be the most expensive prenatal class in Hong Kong – more than that of the Matilda Hospital!  No wonder Stacey chose it!

Monkey had a scan this week.  He now weighs ~1.5 kg (~3+ lbs!) and his head has turned to the right direction - all good news.  I also asked about the “safety” of the Babyplus system (remember the crazy heartbeat thing that Stacey uses day & night?!)  Dr. Ma reckons Monkey would prefer classical music (and so would I!).  Attached is Thursday’s scan (the right picture is his head and the left one is a bit blury but I think it’s his spine and stomach):

   

Meanwhile, much love from Hong Kong and Stacey is growing well at 30 weeks..