Although she’s undeniably beautiful, Jessica Alba has always revealed herself to be a rather dimwitted piece of work whose “acting” leaves much to be desired. Most recently and after years of substandard performances and less than impressive box-office pull, Alba decided to diss screenwriters by claiming that good actors don’t use the script unless it’s just phenomenal writing; she then attempted to blame her own failures as an atress on first-time directors. It’s not like Alba never had any say in what scripts she approved and/or decided to actually follow as a “good” actress, right? Anyway, Dame Alba has completed a great portion of her second pregnancy and, as such, has decided to dispense some pregnancy advice to fellow expectant mothers. Surprisingly, she doesn’t sound like a complete idiot here either:
Jessica Alba has some unique advice for other expectant moms.
The 30-year-old actress recommends “hypnobirthing classes” — which are increasingly popular among pregnant women. Hypnobirthing involves the use of hypnosis during childbirth.
“It’s different for everyone, although I do recommend the hypnobirthing classes.” Alba told Us Weekly on Monday at the RIMOWA store opening in Beverly Hills. “I highly recommend it. It just makes you chill.”
The actress wasn’t quite so “chill” before the birth of daughter Honor Marie, 2: “I was freaked out going into it my first time going into labor. Like what if I panic? What if I just freak out and I don’t know what to do?”
So is the second pregnancy easier for Alba? “Oh yeah! But a little bit harder on the body because my daughter still wants to be picked up. Ever since my belly popped, she really is on me!”
[From Us Weekly]
The initial response to most things that come out of Alba’s mouth is to initially discount them. Even I find myself skeptical although I’ve been through one childbirth experience, but a good friend of mine has been through the hypnobirthing classes and insists that they actually do help in easing both the pain associated with childbirth and the actual process itself. In fact, a 2006 NYT article makes a pretty good case for using the “subconscious mind” as a means to relaxing the initial stages of labor. So is Alba crazy, or does she have an actual point? Let’s hear it, bitches.
Photos courtesy of Fame Pictures
I didn’t even know she was pregnant.
She is generally dumb, but this is true. I’ve had two unmedicated childbirths, and doing a variation of this (hypnobabies) for my second was awesome. It wasn’t painless. But it let me relax through a crazy long labor, which made things so much easier.
Well, they use hypnosis in surgeries sometimes, when people can’t be given anaesthetic for whatever reason, so I guess this would probably work. But probably not on everyone, aren’t some people harder to hypnotise than others?
Sounds like it helps to relax and yes, she is still dumb.
I’m sure the hypnosis would help; add in the use of a TENS unit, and it’ll be a breeze!
Hypnobirthing classes are taught where I work and are extremely popular. It’s not hypnosis as in dangling a pocket watch in front of the face. Many women I know love it and recommend it highly.
I’ve taken hypnobirthing classes 2 times for both of my babies non medicated births. I recommend the classes too for ladies wanting a drug free birth.
When the time comes, I’d like to do hypnobirthing too! It’s not anything new, I’ve heard about it for years and years now. It’s quite a big trend in developed countries. So is underwater birth.
Hypnobirthing isn’t as woo-woo as it sounds. It is simply partner guided deep relaxation exercises. It can REALLY help during childbirth – and I say this as someone who had pitocin for 12 hours without an epidural. My initially skeptical OB was astonished, and started recommending the classes to his patients.
She is really beautiful. She should just stick with modeling and forget trying to act. She also has good taste (except for that first outfit with the baggy pants, ick) so maybe she could team up with a designer and make a maternity line.
As much as it pains me to agree with her (because she is supposed to be such a bitch on wheels) she’s right. And I’ll give her props for not doing the Hollywood c-section at 37 weeks to avoid more stretch marks.
I used to get irked by her….but for one, she’s right about the “mindfulness” as I practice it in just about every area of my life….and maybe it’s her becoming a mother or something, but her style and grace seems to be shining though as of late. And it’s won me.
Why, I have my second Hypnobirthing class tonight! It’s not so much “hypnosis” like the guy at the comedy club getting someone to cluck like a chicken. More like deep relaxation, meditation and affirmations to help the mother and her partner remain calm. There is some pretty good science behind it (and hypnosis in general) and it’s less hippy-dippy than some other methods. They also include a lot of information about the actual birth process, again, to minimize the fear of the unknown thing. I went for it because it seems practical to try and be prepared and calm versus confused and scared.
37 weeks? Wouldnt it have to be sooner?
I have not had children so I can’t comment on any of that…but I hate her outfit in the first picture but love the second one.
We’re doing hypnobirthing! Like people are saying, it’s just being calm and measured etc etc. A friend of mine had her second last week using hypnobirthing and said it was completely different from her first (and much better) as she felt more capable and in control. It’s really not as hippie as it sounds, although do bear in mind I just read a book about orgasmic birth as well!
I did hypnobabies as well & loved it! I had to be induced bc of high blood pressure so I didn’t get the homebirth I’d been planning for, but I did successfully use hypnobabies only for a piton induced birth. Felt great (and tired of course) afterward & my sweet boy was wide eyed and alert too. Definitely doing it again for the next one, although hopefully sans pitocin!
I did not use hypnobirthing with my first child, but I did have an unmedicated delivery. I firmly stand by any woman who makes a decision on how she wants to labor and birth. It’s different for everyone. If you find something you are comfortable with, stick with it.
@ Tee hee: A normal pregnancy lasts anywhere between 38 – 42 weeks (I was 41 weeks). Any time before that is considered pre-mature, even if the little bundle is a good weight. Doctors and medical teams try not to deliver a baby before 38 weeks unless there is a medical issue with mother or baby (i.e pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, etc.) because chance of infection and/or illness in the newborn is greater.
Well, that’s how it is up here in the Great White North anyways…
C, I planned a homebirth as well and ended up having to plan an emergency induction with pitocen. He came the day before the induction though. Go you for doing hypnobabies only with pit!
I loved my hypnobabies class. My son’s birth was quick and painless. It was uncomfortable at times but it was everything I hoped it would have been. He came out quiet, calm and alert. I loved it very much.
She’s right on this one. In my opinion, even if you plan on having an epidural or you are having a planned c/section, knowing some of the knowledge gained in a hypnobabies/hypnobirthing course can be invaluable.
You never know if you are going to have a precipitous labor and baby comes to quickly for an epidural, or the anesthesiologist is tied up with other patients. Also, the process of getting an epiduralor spinal placed can be quite an experience also. I used the techniques I learned from hypnobirthing while having my epidural placed for my emergency c/s.
Hypnobirthing and Bradley Method are both amazing approaches to childbirth. She’s not crazy.
She should get back to us once she’s been through the labor and had the kid, so she can say for sure that it works. Jeez.
thesaurophile, she did it with her first child.
my best friend used hypnobabies for her twins. She swears by it and I swear by her opinion.
I want to do this so bad! But the only class near is 3 hours away. I thought about buying the book but I heard it references a lot of what you learn in class.
My SIL suggested we take regular childbirth classes together. I can be her partner, since we’re both pregnant and get 2 for the price of one! haha.
Anyone have any opinions of the book? I’ve heard such great things of this method I’d like to try SOMETHING instead of automatically going for the epidural. Although if I end up with one I won’t be too upset.
I had an elective induction with my first and I’ve heard that getting induced makes your labor more painful and longer. But I’ve also heard it makes your labor shorter? Any thoughts?
Isa, I’m not sure about hypnobirthing but hypnobabies has a homestudy course. I did hear that an induction is a bit harder and stronger due the drugs inducing contractions. I never heard of it making labor shorter though. I would think the length of labor is due to many more things than just how strong your contractions are (baby position etc). If everything is lined up and ready then your labor could be short whether induced or not. Thats just my opinion though.
*shrugs* I’ve heard good things about hypnobirthing. That top outfit is simply tragic. I don’t know how she thought she looked good that morning.
@Isa, HypnoBabies offers a homestudy. I was advised by several Hypno-moms that Hypnobirthing is great *if* you can attend a class, but that the HypnoBabies homestudy is excellent if you cannot.
In the end, it turned out we did have HypnoBirthing classes at our local hospital so that’s why we went that way, but after 2 classes I can tell you that the most important factor is how much you practice at home outside of class. The class is just OK. I see no reason why you wouldn’t have just as much success if you bought the HypnoBabies homestudy and practiced hard.
As others have mentioned, no matter what type of birth you have, this technique is very helpful just to help you remain calm. It’s already gotten me over a lot of fear about labor and made me feel like whatever happens, it will be OK.
Thank y’all so much! I’m gonna check out the homestudy!
I really could’ve used it with my first while waiting on the epidural. I was only a 3 and had to wait to get one until a 4 and I freaked out because of the pain. Tried to get off the bed, told my husband I was going home. I was given a shot for pain that didn’t do anything but made me loopy. My contractions were right on top of each other going from 90-100 on the monitor.
After I got the epidural I went to sleep for the rest of my labor. But this time around I’m not going to be induced unless necessary. And I’m going to try the hypnobabies! 🙂