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Not sure hypnobabies worth it?

Manderlin923Manderlin923 member
in Natural Birth

Okay, here's the thing- we have a health savings/spending account thing with a credit card that can be used to cover certain medical expenses. I called three times to the company to make sure that hypnobabies would be covered since it's a home study course (there are no classes around me and after they did some research, said yes, it would be covered since it's "intended to reduce labor pain". Now the sticky situation is that in order to be reimbursed for it since they don't accept either amazon.com or the hypnobabies site as places to purchase from, I'd have to buy it myself and send them a receipt...the problem is that they want an itemized receipt saying who the provider is, the dates of services, etc- the issue is obviously I'M providing it to myself and there are no "dates" of service since it's not a class- I'm just doing it on my own. I tried explaining this on the phone but he just kept repeating what I'd need to be reimbursed.

So, do I suck it up, buy it when we are already spending a ton on a doula, and then risk not being reimbursed with my normal receipt, or do I just not do it?

FWIW- I'm a second-time mom, delivered my son med-free at a birth center but this time I'll be in hospital. I've been considering hypnobabies because I'm worried about how intense a second-time labor could potentially be and last time I didn't really feel like I knew how to handle the contractions or pushing. Thoughts?

 eta- and obviously I gotta get going if I'm planning to buy it! I don't have much time left.

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Re: Not sure hypnobabies worth it?

  • bumpuser3037700bumpuser3037700 member

    Is there any way you can get the book/notes/relaxation tracks from someone who's used them before? That would be less outlay and then it doesn't matter so much if you use it or not.

    We did a hypnobirthing class and got a lot of material that came with it. I thought it was great but I struggled to find the time (without any kids to look after) to do the relaxation/meditation every day to practice so when the time came, I wasn't really "in the zone" or anything but I was able to be relaxed and I had a fairly quick labor (~7 hours) and a fast delivery (maybe 20 minutes).

    Her method really recommends doing as little as possible during the pushing phase, just trying to relax and work with your body to let it do the hard work for you. Our instructor recommended a warm compress when the baby is crowning to prevent tearing.. I did not have my husband organised well enough to do that but it is apparently really successful.

    The book we used was Hypnobirthing by Marie Mongan, plus notes from our instructor, but really most everything was in the book anyway, and you already know what to expect about the nitty gritty birth details etc. You can get the book on Amazon for only $12 and I think it comes with the Rainbow Relaxation CD. I had it on my ipod during labour on repeat and I think it did help in some ways.

    I also used a TENS machine to help with the contractions. I think if you've done it med free before though, you probably have a decent pain threshold!

    HTH, good luck!

     

     

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  • lioness13lioness13 member
    I agree that the book with the CDs and practicing will help you more than anything. I'm taking a class now and It's basically everything in the book. I could probably have skipped the class.
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  • hollandmamahollandmama member
    I am doing the hypnobabies home study and I am loving it! I got it for 70 USD from another bumpie, you should probably try to find a second hand... as it's not very expensive you wouldn't be so harmed if they don't reimburse.
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  • clarec216clarec216 member
    I did the class, and I think the homestudy would be worth it.  Hypnobabies has helped my anxieties and fears of a hospital birth a ton.  However, don't plan on getting reimbursed.  I have the same flex spending medical credit card and it's a pain in the to get them to reimburse me for any claims.  I'm resubmitting a claim for the 3rd time today, still not sure if they will pay.  I'd get it used for cheap and if they reimburse you great, if not, it's a worthwhile investment.  
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  • opheliainwadersopheliainwaders member
    I second the option for buying it used. I got it for $60 from someone in my neighborhood who was done with it. Maybe check craigslist and ebay if you don't have a neighborhood listserv?
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  • starshineamatorstarshineamator
    Personally, I think it is worth it. We spent the extra money on the actual course (it was $400) and I'm so, so glad that we did. I love the program and really feel confident about giving birth. It was a pretty big expense, and one that we didn't plan to have, but I have already found it to be helpful and I haven't even given birth yet! 
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  • starflower00starflower00
    Why is hypnobabies better? Was leaning toward it anyway, just curious. Also considering going to a certified hypnotist though that's expensive.
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