Hypnobirthing Experiences

1. Juli Butler of Odenton, a labor and delivery nurse at AAMC, took classes from Ms. Lasner and used the technique for the births of both her children. Ms. Butler now is among three nurses certified in HypnoBirthing at the hospital.

   "I have full confidence that every woman out there has the ability to mentally prepare for childbirth," she said. "For all intensive purposes (when I had my children), I appeared to be resting peacefully, so when it was time for the babies to come, they came out easily."

   While the women who use the technique are deeply relaxed, they aren't so tuned out that they're unaware of their surroundings. They can respond to questions.

2. "There's nothing I would change," said Cara Bergman of Severna Park, who gave birth to her first child with HypnoBirthing 13 months ago. "It was just wonderful. That's what I want to give to anyone pregnant (the same experience). To me, there's nothing greater in the whole wide world."

   Ms. Bergman said that instead of being tired after labor, she was energized. "I felt like I wanted to do it all over again!" she said.

3. "I thought if nothing else, it was going to lead to a more relaxed, fearless birth process," said Tina Dickey of Arnold. She is expecting her second child at the end of the month.

   Ms. Dickey didn't use HypnoBirthing for her first child six and a half years ago and said the experience was stressful and left her exhausted.

   "It's working well," Ms. Dickey said. "Usually at this point in pregnancy, I have problems sleeping. I'm more relaxed (and) I feel much more prepared."

4. Heather Smoll of Cape St. Claire is taking the class with her mother and said practicing the skills has given her a lot of comfort as the due date for her first child looms. She found out about HypnoBirthing at her birthing center and said she knew it was for her.

   "I think it's awesome," said Ms. Smoll, who practices diligently. "The philosophy is totally up my alley - peace and calm. Just letting it flow and letting it go."

5. Kathryn and Dan Hope had daughter Charlotte 10 months ago using HypnoBirthing and related their experiences. Ms. Hope weathered three days of labor using the technique.

   "I wouldn't have made it without it," Mrs. Hope said. "They kept telling me I should be in more discomfort than I was in. It kept me calm and relaxed."

6. When Marija Trieschman gave birth to her daughter three years ago, she felt no pain. But it wasn't a drug that helped her cope. She credits hypnosis.

   Trieschman, a horse trainer who uses herbal remedies and other alternative therapies, began attending twice-a-week HypnoBirthing hypnotism classes when she was three months pregnant.

   At her Harwood home, Trieschman practiced hypnosis every day for six months, and when she finally delivered at Anne Arundel Medical Center, she was able to focus so intensely on her breathing that she put the pain aside.

   "You get into this mental state of peace," said Trieschman, 40. "My body just took over and let it happen. There was absolutely no pain at all."