My first labour was harrowing. Hypnobirthing made my second like a dream | Amy Fleming

First-time mothers can be terrified because they’re rushed through labour, but I overcame my fears with the help of this meditative practice

I wasn’t surprised to read last week that hypnobirthing is becoming a standard part of birth preparation, with more and more British hospitals running their own courses.

To the uninitiated, the stories of painless, chilled-out labours it has facilitated might sound akin to the orgasmic birth movement, which, let’s face it, isn’t for everyone. But I’ve tried hypnobirthing, and can vouch that it’s a commonsense antidote to how alien and scary one of the most natural things in the world has become for many women.

My husband put his hands on my shoulders and said, 'go deeper' - this was both hilarious and effective

Related: Viv Groskop on the controversy surrounding orgasmic birth

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from Pregnancy | The Guardian http://ift.tt/1Nw8d9o