My Review of the Hypnobabies Program for a Pain Free Labor

A pain free labor is what we all dream of when we are pregnant, but is it possible? Here is my review of the hypnobabies program, where many women claim that their labors have been easy, painless and fast. Reducing the amount of pain you feel during delivery is well worth the investment! #naturalearthymama #labor #delivery

The dream of all pregnant women is a totally pain free labor, right? I know it is for me! My experience with this program has lead me to doing my review of the hypnobabies program for a pain free labor.

Please read: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prevent any disease. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

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I ended up choosing to use the Hypnobabies Program after a very tough induction with my first baby.

My experience without hypnobabies

I don’t regret the induction, I had pre-eclampsia and my blood pressure was sky high at 38 weeks, it had to happen and we got through it OK.

What I regret is the feeling of being totally out of control and overwhelmed by pain, despite trying to use the Bradley method of deep breathing and positioning.

They tried 3 times to place an epidural, none of which worked, but I had to lay flat on the bed for the full 3 hours that they were trying.

That was the worst. As soon as I took charge and said no to the epidural and insisted that I got up on to my knees that suddenly it wasn’t so bad.

How I discovered hypnobabies

When we found out I was pregnant with my second baby, I like many pregnant moms started Googling ” pain free labor ” and ” natural ways to have less pain in labor ” and all the combinations that I could think of to find an effective pain management option.

I knew deep relaxation can help during a contraction, but I wanted some sort of painless childbirth program that I could work through.

I read and read and read. And one thing kept coming up – hypno birthing. I read so many positive hypnobabies reviews on forums, that I decided to give it a go.

As it turned out, it worked so well for baby number 2 that I have used it for babies number 3 and number 4 as well.

So here is my review of the Hypnobabies program for a pain free labor.

HypnoBirthing vs HypnoBabies

There are two main hypno birthing programs available – Hypnobirthing – the Mongan Method and Hypnobabies .

The Mongan Method is available in book form, or you could also take classes or see a private hypnotherapist or employ a trained hypno doula.

However, for me, there aren’t any close to where I live, and I prefer the idea of self-study to fit around my life, so I chose the Hypnobabies home study course.

Won’t hypnosis make me act like a chicken in labor?

There is hypnosis that you see at the fair, live shows or on television, where people do all sorts of silly things with some simple suggestions.

This is NOT the type of hypnosis that Hypnobabies uses!

Hypnotic childbirth is a calm, relaxed state that you learn to get yourself into, and it can be helped by a birth partner, or a woman may choose to focus on self hypnosis.

Facts about self hypnosis in labor

  • All hypnosis is self-hypnosis; a hypnotherapist is only a guide.
  • A person chooses to enter into a hypnotic state, remain in hypnosis and come out of hypnosis at will. A birth partner can learn how to support a woman to stay in a hypnotic state, but they themselves will have no control over the woman birthing while she is in that state. She remains in control at all times.
  • Approximately 90-95% of the population can be hypnotized. Willingness, belief and motivation have great influence over hypnotizability.
  • During hypnosis you are neither asleep nor unconscious , and will always “come out” whenever you wish.
  • You are always in complete control at all times.
  • Stronger-minded and stronger-willed people are easier to hypnotize; not the other way around as is usually assumed.
  • You cannot be made to divulge information or do anything against your will while in hypnosis.
  • Hypnosis is not Satanic or religion-oriented at all, just a way to direct your inner mind toward the positive for great personal benefit.
  • We are all in states of hypnosis many times a day already! Like whenever you watch a screen, or when you have been driving and you don’t remember a chunk of the journey, that is when your brain is in the same state as it is during hypnosis.

Why I chose the Hypnobabies Program

I chose to use that Hypnobabies program because it is actually a full antenatal class as well as natural pain relief during labor.

Hypnobabies is a comprehensive home study course that you complete in your own time at your own pace.

I also really liked how it comes as a whole kit, with multiple tracks for different times of your pregnancy and labor.

What is the Hypnobabies Program?

Mothers can easily learn, practice and use Hypnobabies on their own, or you can choose to include one or two birth partners or even a paid trained hypno doula.

The Hypnobabies Self-Study Course comes with a 5 week study guide and workbook, hypnosis MP3’s, a quick reference guide, and multiple handouts including a nutrition guide, handouts for medical personnel at the hospital, information about anterior and posterior positioning, and a bunch more.

There is a huge amount of information in the folder, but it is broken up in to lessons that you just work your way through. Alternatively you can do the online course.

Hypnobabies course options

*ONLINE* Hypnobabies Home Study Course (includes 2 Bonus Tracks)

For moms who want their Hypnobabies course more quickly, want a less expensive option, and/or don’t want to pay shipping charges and brokerage/customs fees.

You will be provided access to your course after your payment clears, usually within 24 – 48 hours. You will then be added to the course by their staff manually during business hours. You will receive several e-mails once this is completed.

Classic hard-copy 7th Edition Hypnobabies Home Study Course

This is the newest edition, all updated, medical-grade, somnambulistic “hypnobirthing … intensified!” hypnosis tracks and written materials for an even easier and more comfortable birthing.

This course includes all Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis printed workbooks, booklets, handouts and audio tracks (on MP3 download cards), shipped to your home.

All aspects of labor and birth are covered in Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis classes , as well as information on:

  • Nutrition
  • Exercise
  • Avoiding Complications
  • Back Labor
  • Fear Clearing Sessions
  • Creating birth plans
  • Consumer Issues
  • Postpartum Preparation
  • Newborn Care
  • Breastfeeding

It really is a full prenatal program as well! One of the keys to self hypnosis working in labor is to not be afraid of the birthing process.

This childbirth education course emphasizes natural, physiological birth, and how when it is left alone to progress naturally, without fear, the pain is significantly less, or totally non-existent.

What does the Hypnobabies Program cover?

The Hypnobabies Program is based on Master Hypnotist, Gerald Kein’s, “Painless Childbirth” program which focuses on natural birth, but is can be used during a csection to calm the mind and ease anxiety as well.

Can hypnobirthing reduce pain?

It is extremely effective at reducing pain in childbirth, or eliminating it entirely, vastly improving the birth experience.

What is eyes open hypnosis?

This is the only childbirth hypnosis program that teaches “Eyes-Open Childbirth Hypnosis“.

This is the hypnosis technique that allows the birthing mother to walk and talk and move around during labor, and yet remain deeply in hypnosis, relaxed and physically comfortable throughout.

It is so important for birthing mothers, to use upright positions to aid with your baby‘s descent and positioning as it makes your labor faster and less complicated.

What do I have do?

What do you, as the pregnant person have to do to reap the benefits of hypnobabies?

Practice

You must be prepared to learn self-hypnosis techniques which you will need to practice on a daily basis until your baby is born.

On the upside, this was my favorite time of day! Either just before, or just after dinner, I retreat to my bedroom for 30-45 minutes and relax to the track. Then I feel rested and relaxed heading in to the evening.

Protect your mind

In the Hypnobabies classes, you are taught to surround yourself with only positive people and messages during your pregnancy, to create a positive view of childbirth and the expectation that your birthing with be a beautiful, peaceful experience.

Write a birth plan

You can add specific requests and wishes to your birth plan, including phrases that you want or do not want to hear in your birthing space. A birth partner or birth doula can become guardians of your space once they know what you want or don’t want to hear or have happen in the delivery room. This can take a lot of pressure off of you in labor.

Make sure you clear your fears

The program includes a fear clearing track. The Hypnobabies “Fear Clearing” hypnosis sessions are integral to this process, since they allow you to address fears, work through possible solutions and then release them.

In labor, fears (even sub conscious ones) can create tension, which creates pain, then more fear, and the cycle continues.

Freedom from fear can make a significant difference in the birthing experience.

What will practicing hypnobabies give me?

By learning and practicing hypnosis daily for the last few weeks of pregnancy, you will be able to enter self-hypnosis instantly, and be able to create your own natural anesthesia whenever and wherever you need it.

A feeling of control

Hypnobabies childbirth hypnosis allows you to remain in control over your body and emotions, and be an active participant in your birth process. Which I LOVE. Feeling out of control in labor is THE WORST.

When you are self-hypnotised, you are always aware of everything around you, and as labor progresses, you’ll go deeper inside yourself, trusting in your body’s natural ability to give birth with ease and comfort.

Your mind is trained and programmed to give you exactly what you need as you give birth to your baby and hypnobabies simply taps in to that.

The birth you visualize

You can practice a birth rehearsal in your mind during the birth visualization tracks and I found that my labors played out very similar to what I focused on during these times in real life.

Does the Hypnobabies Program work?

YES!

I was absolutely dumbfounded at the videos on Youtube of these women in transition, completely calm and under control using their Hypnobabies techniques and tracks.

In a poll of 228 women that used hypnobabies in their labor a whopping 183 said that they wouldn’t have got through labor without it, and only 11 said that it didn’t work for them.

Does hypnobabies get rid of the pain of labor?

While I found that it didn’t totally stop the pain, it did help with the speed of my labors and the real feeling of control and awareness of the process.

The power of visualizing labor

With my second birth I knew that my labor would be during the weekend, during the day (this would make is easier for childcare for her, and my hubby would be home). I envisioned the labor being fast and easy. And boy was it!

My second baby, my waters broke at 1pm, labor started at 3pm and she was born at 4.05pm. You can read the birth story here.

For my third baby I envisioned my labor happening in the small hours of the night while the children slept, also on a weekend, and I wanted it to be a little longer this time as we needed time for the pool to fill at home.

Sure enough, exactly what I envisioned during the self hypnosis sessions happened. At 2:30am I woke with contractions, I rang the support crew just before 3.

The pool was full at 3:50, and Baby was born at 4:20 am. We had just tidied everything up at 6am when the girls woke and came through. You can read this birth story here.

With baby number 4, during these times I knew he was coming very fast and knew he would be born on the bathroom floor before the pool was full and before the midwife was here. And that is exactly what happened.

I attribute all of these labors to the visualization sessions. I cannot wait to see what happens with labor number 5!

How was the Hypnobabies Program in labor?

Personally, I didn’t totally follow the hypnobabies birthing tracks in labor as I prefer to listen to my own (very loud and bass driven) music.

However, I did use the breathing and relaxation methods and found them to be incredibly helpful. The visualization prior to labor was super beneficial, and my labors went right to plan, with fast, easy unmedicated birth.

The Hypnobabies Program Website has some very useful statistics for how other women have found their program during their labor:

Statistics: The following are statistics for Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis:

1) Very Comfortable births – 70-75%. Women who report that they felt mostly pressure, tightening or mild cramping sensations.

2) Comfortable until transition – 15%. Pressure only, until the 10-60 minute transitional period, with mild to intense degrees of sensation thereafter. “Very manageable.”

3) Comfortable until active labor – 10%, with mild to intense degrees of sensation thereafter. This group can have any number of things that affect their birth experiences; prodromal labor, posterior or asynclitic presentations that do not resolve, other labor complications, emotional issues, lack of support, or they simply did not do their homework!

Hypnosis for childbirth won’t help a mother or a couple that is not willing to do the work involved in preparing for their baby‘s birth. You do need to set aside 45 minutes per day to practice these methods.

When should you start the Hypnobabies Program?

Hypnobabies is 6 week childbirth hypnosis course. This means that it takes 6 weeks to *learn* the deep hypnosis techniques that will enable you to have a much easier and more comfortable birthing, and then you will need time to *practice them* as well for several weeks.

For the best benefit, it is actually optimum for you to have at least 2 months or more time to complete your Hypnobabies course and to practice your hypnosis cues and techniques.

Ideally you should order by (at least) 7 months of pregnancy to allow for enough time to complete and practice the childbirth hypnosis course materials and techniques.

How was the Hypnobabies Program in pregnancy?

Personally I found it brilliant. There is so much useful information included, it is well thought through and it all fits well together.

The sheer volume of content can be overwhelming, and it isn’t super well organized but all the information you will need is there, and you will find it as your work through the program.

Can you do Hypnobabies online?

Thankfully, the hypnobabies crew have stayed up with the times, and you can do all the study online and get the audio tracks in MP3 format.

They also offer online coaching and a Facebook group. You can also sign up to do actual physical hypnobabies classes if you prefer.

Is Hypnobabies covered by insurance?

Maybe!

You may be able to receive reimbursement for purchasing your Hypnobabies Home Study Course.

Please check with your insurance carrier to see if they will reimburse you for your Hypnobabies course – many companies will pay for childbirth classes/courses now.

The insurance CPT codes for childbirth classes are: S9436 and S9442, and you are responsible for your own insurance claims.

You may also be able to use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Some Hypno-families have used their Flexible Spending Accounts for their Hypnobabies classes too, so make sure and check out yours to see if you are covered.

Overall review of the Hypnobabies Program

The script cues were awesome and really helped me relax. I was not able to remain in hypnosis the whole time, but even so, the relaxation was so beneficial.

Also, I love the Fear Release script. It helped me so much overcoming my first birthing experience.

“What you dwell on the most will indeed come to pass, so make it positive.” This is what she says at the end of the Joyful Affirmations track and I think that statement can sum up the program.

You are essentially training yourself to turn all the negatives that are already ingrained in you into positives and learning to relax deeply at the same time.

If you are keen to find out more about the Hypnobabies program, you can check it out here or buy it here.

A pain free labor is what we all dream of when we are pregnant, but is it possible? Here is my review of the hypnobabies program, where many women claim that their labors have been easy, painless and fast. Reducing the amount of pain you feel during delivery is well worth the investment! #naturalearthymama #labor #delivery

 

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