Can you do hypnobirthing without classes?

MothyrGrimm · April 2011

I'm VERY interested, but I have no idea where to start, what to read, how to get materials etc... There are absolutely no classes offered where I live, so that's way out the window... can I still do it, except more so coaching myself or going all "lone wolf" style... sorry if I sound silly. Just COMPLETELY lost.

sophabelle · April 2011

i'm doing hypnobabies which you definitely can do on your own. i think you can do hypnobirthing on your own as well but i'm not 100% sure.

MothyrGrimm · April 2011

...oh wow I so need to go read something... I thought they were the same thing? What's the big difference between the two? DH is NOT liking the idea of me spending extra money to go med free.... so hypnobabies isn't looking like a good option...

gatorlove05 · April 2011

I'm no expert on the main differences between the two. But you can tell your husband that the money you spend on the home study may be less than you would pay to attend a class.

Since you're only 15 weeks you have time to find someone selling their hypnobabies course before you need to start. It's recommended to start around the beginning of 3rd tri. And if you're interested I'll bs ready to sell mine one about 10 weeks

CaseBride · April 2011

You can look at their respective web sites... they are not exactly the same.

However you might also talk to your DH about not thinking of it as "extra" money - in some places an epidural can cost $3000-5000 or more... I have no idea what your insurance is, but if you are paying even 10% of that cost and you are able to avoid the epidural then you would come out ahead...

Just a thought - most women give birth only a very few times (maybe even only once) so any money you spend to make it the best experience possible for you is (at least IMHO) worth it... I don't want to have any "what if's" after it is all over...

erinb31 · April 2011

We got the book and a CD, and we're planning on a hypnobirthing waterbirth without going to a class. We do practice breathing. visualizations, and read our affirmations (some we have gotten more from Mind Over Labor than Hypnobirthing) to prepare, though. I've even been doing some birth art (as in Birthing from Within). Talk to your midwife about it-- she should have some good pointers for preparing without a class.

sschwege · April 2011

I think you could do hypnobirthing without taking a class. I would read "Hypnobirthing The Mongan Method." Also I think the "Rainbow Relaxation" CD is very helpful: https://store.hypnobirthing.com/rainbowcd.aspx The first track is affirmations, which help to encourage a positive mindset around labor and delivery. The second track is meant to put you in a state of hypnosis.

The other CD I really liked was Comfort Zone:https://store.hypnobirthing.com/comfortzonebystevenhalpern.aspx It's just music (no talking) recorded to a hypnotic rhythm. I listened to it the full 17.5 hours I was in labor.

Here is a link to a quick overview of what Hypnobirthing is about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7kA3PMJwA8

Lady713Luck · April 2011

I'm doing Hypnobirthing without the class!!! I've been practicing the relaxation and breathing techniqes for around 5 months and I feel very confident about my up coming birth! I'll be sure to post my story a soon as baby comes! I also love the Rainbow Relaxation CD, and I did make my own playlist for when I'm in labor just in case the RR CD is not what I want to hear when I'm poppin' out a baby! Good Luck and it's for sure possiable with out formal classes just PRACTICE EVERYDAY!!!!!

Cilley · April 2011

I used the Hypnobirthing book by Mongan. It has a CD which I never used, but the relaxation and visualization techniques are easy to learn and practice. GL

kammmmay · April 2011

CaseBride:
You can look at their respective web sites... they are not exactly the same.
However you might also talk to your DH about not thinking of it as "extra" money - in some places an epidural can cost $3000-5000 or more... I have no idea what your insurance is, but if you are paying even 10% of that cost and you are able to avoid the epidural then you would come out ahead...
Just a thought - most women give birth only a very few times (maybe even only once) so any money you spend to make it the best experience possible for you is (at least IMHO) worth it... I don't want to have any "what if's" after it is all over...

I am also doing it without the class, but I agree with PP. DH may not be thinking about the costs of the epidural and any procedures that would need to be done because of an epi. I would definitely talk to him about the risks that medication put on you and your little one. All intervention leads to a higher risk in C-section, which is the main reason I am preparing for a med-free birth.

I have been reading the book and practicing and totally feel prepared. You can do it too! I had totally been in the mindset of getting drugs to make it easier on me, but the hypnobirthing book totally changed my perspective. I wish I would have picked it up earlier on. I might have even tried the hypnobabies. I hear that course is much more in depth and has a better success rate, so I will definitely try that with my next one. But I wouldn't worry about an extra couple hundred dollars when it means the health of you and your baby, a cheaper hospital bill, and the accomplishment of going natural.

You may also progress too quickly, in which you would be unable to get an epidural, so it is always good to prepare. Check your library to see if they have any of the materials you are looking for too. It may help, since you have plenty of time.

sophabelle · April 2011

also another thing about trying hypnobabies is that it resells VERY well so you shouldn't have a problem getting most of your $ back if you decide to go that route! just something else to think about! :-)

DaisyJanie · April 2011

Here's a link from someone who has done both hypnobirthing and hypnobabies methods (and was forwarded to me by my hypnobabies instructor, so obviously it's more pro-Hypnobabies). I'm in my first week of Hypnobabies classes, and I really like it! My instructor (before she became an instructor) did the home-study course and loved it. Good luck!

ETA: Duh, maybe I should put the link in there: https://www.birthnaturally.org/hypnobirthing.htm

MothyrGrimm · April 2011

Awesome! Thanks so much ladies! I'm probably going to stick to hypnobirthing without the classes. Hypnobabies is still more expensive then any procedures or anything since we have medicaid. lol

Blessed1018 · April 2011

I did hypnobirthing on my own and had a totally awesome hypnobirth. Listen to that CD every night, and read the book. Go back and read once a week or so, marking the pages/exercises that make you feel the best. GL! You can do it.

bluerevolution9 · April 2011

I also live in an area with no classes but really want to try hypnobirthing after my MW suggested it to me. I just ordered the book and CD so it was good to read here that other women were able to do it without a class.

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