Customer Reviews

Hypnobabies Home Study Course for Expectant Mothers Plus 2 Bonus Cds

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this course because I really wanted an unmedicated labor and I needed reassurance and confidence that I could get through it since it was my first child. This course really helped me to feel confident enough to get through the whole thing without any fear whatsoever, but I had no interest in using the Hypnobabies techniques during my labor because it was much easier for me to relax when I didn't listen to anything or anyone.

For confidence, Hypnobabies is great. However, I don't want women to think that the only way they can get the labor they want is with Hypnobabies. In reality, I didn't need to buy this kit in order to avoid an epidural. I don't think it really made my drug-free labor possible, but it may have helped. I followed the course faithfully and practiced regularly, but my labor was not pain-free. Hypnobabies never attempts to tell you that back labor with a posterior baby is pain-free. Instead, it tells you techniques to get the baby turned around. Unfortunately, none of those techniques got my baby turned, even with a doula helping. I don't blame Hypnobabies for this. My baby was just too low to be turned. I can honestly say I felt no pain at all in my belly for the entire 8 hours of my labor, but I felt such strong pressure on my back that the only thing that helped was counterpressure. Luckily I had a good husband and doula to push on my back and knees for 5 hours straight.

My biggest complaint about Hypnobabies is the way the handbook is written. It's extremely unprofessional and I had a hard time taking it seriously. Everything is underlined, asterisked, capitalized, bolded, and exclamation-marked. I almost wished I could write them a letter asking if I could rewrite it for them. It also had a lot of filler that you can find in just about any book on labor. After I had my baby, I took the important parts and wrote it up for future reference, which ended up being about 2 pages long.

So, buy this if you need confidence and reassurance, but don't expect a professionally made course on hypnosis. Also, don't worry about the price because Hypnobabies will buy the course back from you for $75-$85, even if you buy it through Amazon.

UPDATE: Hypnobabies no longer buys it back, but the resale value is still high through other sources.

During my first pregnancy I took a live class from a different hypnosis for birth program, and was very disappointed. So I really did my research into all the available options before investing in the Hypnobabies Home Study. In my opinion, it is so far above and beyond anything else available on the market that it is in a category all its own. The Hypnobabies Home Study is amazingly complete, easy to learn and use, and resulted in an amazingly enjoyable birth! The natural childbirth information is invaluable and the self-hypnosis skills have been life-changing. They worked powerfully during my baby's birth and I have discovered many wonderful ways to use them daily since then. They are excellent birth and pregnancy skills, but also life skills that I use to eliminate stress, improve my sleep and handle daily discomforts for me and my family. My husband loved the fact that even though his schedule didn't allow him to be very involved in my preparation for the birth, he was able to quickly learn very effective and simple ways to play a huge role in my comfort during our natural birth. During the birth, my caregivers were amazed by how calm, happy and interactive I was. They nearly sent me home because I was "too happy to really be in labor". They realized their mistake moments later when they discovered I was fully dilated and ready to birth my baby! They now recommend Hypnobabies to all their moms who are interested in having a truly comfortable, enjoyable birth. It's amazing!

After 3 medicated births that were not what I wanted out of my birth experience I did some major research for my fourth baby. I found Hypnobabies and ordered the home study course. WOW!!! What a difference. I felt so in control and empowered. I had a pain free birth that was more than I could have dreamed for. In fact my husband who is an OB/GYN and has seen hundreds of births said, "I didn't know childbirth could be like this." I make sure I tell everybody I know about Hypnobabies because I know what an amazing birth experience it gives to Moms and their babies. I don't think there is a better gift to your baby than being able to bring it into the world gently and joyfully without any drugs in their system. It's a gift I'm thankful for everyday

Wow, I just had to leave a review because of how amazing this program is. I admit I had my doubts while I was studying it but I am so glad I stuck with it and put my faith in it. My daughter was a planned midwife assisted homebirth. Pressure waves started, I put my headphones on, called the midwife an hour or so later to let her know I was in labor, told her not to come yet since not much was happening, and then 45 minutes later I was pushing! My husband caught my daughter while my mom called the midwife! It was an awesome wonderful birth. I had zero pain which is why my midwife did not make it. The pressure waves were incredible; I actually looked forward to each one. Ironically I had an epidural birth for my first baby and it was excruciatingly painful. Funny how the one without meds was totally pain free.

I used the Hypnobabies method to birth my second child in March of 2008. What a difference!!! Many of my friends looked at me like I had a third eye when I told them I was using hypnosis for a pain-free birth. I promise, it is nothing like stage hypnosis! This is the most relaxing, normal thing you could do to prepare for birth. Just spend about 45 minutes a day for the six weeks leading up to your baby's birth listening to a CD and practicing some very easy hypnosis skills. I did this when I laid down to sleep at night... EASY! A great side benefit was I had some of the best pregnant sleep ever (if you have pregnancy insomnia, you know how horrible it can be). I also conquered my fear of needles and can now have blood drawn without fainting using my hypnosis techniques. You will not regret buying this if you commit yourself to the preparation outlined in the program! Try it and see how amazing your baby's birth can be. :)

First of all, birth is different for every woman. We experience life, birth, and everything in-between though our out eyes and body. As a doula working in Los Angeles, I'm thrilled with the hypnobabies program for four reasons.

1. My clients tend to be, more than with other programs, looking forward to the act of birthing. Not just looking forward to the baby, but looking forward to going into labor.
2. Having the hypnobabies tracks playing in the background lowers the drama in the rest of the room. It calms the mom, partner, hospital staff, and since we're "busy" we tend to be left alone to birth more.
3. Having the tracks playing brings the mom's stress level down. So each wave starts from a much lower stress point, which makes the waves more manageable for longer (both the duration of each wave and the further along in birth).
4. Because the childbirth education aspect is so complete, I don't find myself explaining basic concepts of birth. My HB clients have thought (not just memorized) about different possible directions birth can take. When birth ends up taking an unexpected turn, they are well prepared to make their own decisions about their own birth.

As a doula, I am VERY concerned about how empowered she feels to make decisions, ask questions, and advocate on her own behalf during birth.

I have seen Hypnobabies help empower women to find more a supportive care provider, plan their VBAC, ask important questions in the birth room, choose a cesarean when medically warranted and avoid one when it wasn't.

Hypnobabies is useful if you choose a surgical birth for medical reasons, plan for an epidural or a home birth, have a long pregnancy, are pregnant with multiples, are scared of birth, are of advanced maternal age, are a teenager, or are a first time mom looking to make the most of this time in your life.

chelsea
westsidedoula. com

I used the Hypnobabies program with my second pregnancy and birth and could not be more thrilled! My first baby was born naturally, but I basically 'muscled' my way through on sheer will power (30 hours of back labor and an hour of pushing while the doctors and nurses yelled at me to push harder). When I got pregnant the second time, I knew I wanted things to be different this time around. I did a lot of research on hypnosis for birth, and chose Hypnobabies because it was the most complete program I could find. I started using the affirmations early in my pregnancy, which really helped put me in a positive state of mind. I loved all of the CDs and looked forward to listening to them, and had a truly PERFECT birth. My birthing happened exactly as I had visualized (using the Visualize Your Birth hypnosis script)... starting in the early morning, getting stronger in the afternoon while my son napped so I could use my hypnosis without interruption, then birthing at dinnertime (I was only off by 27 minutes on the birth time from what I'd visualized!). It was around 11 hours from my first pressure wave to birth, and only 6 hours of active birthing, with just 11 minutes of pushing. I felt calm, comfortable, confident, safe, and lovingly supported the entire time. My husband knew just how to help me because of the great tools Hypnobabies provides for birth partners. The only sounds while I was pushing this time around were my husband reading me birth prompts, and me using my 'peace' cue to move my anesthesia around my body. It was so peaceful and beautiful, and I felt so connected to my baby and the entire experience - absolutely exactly the way I wanted it! I showed my birth video to my family last weekend, and my Grandma said, "I never knew birth could be like that!" My sister-in-law said, "Natural birth doesn't look so bad with hypnosis." And she's right - my birth was perfect! Thank you, Hypnobabies!

Not only did I use Hypnobabies myself, but my doula clients have as well. I turned to Hypnobabies after two typical hospital births with an epidural. In my case, the epidural didn't work! I became highly motivated to find a better way to birth when expecting my third. I didn't want a repeat of my prior births, which were long, and excruciating.

My first Hypnobaby was a surprise unattended homebirth, it was that easy! My second Hypnobaby we had at home. There seemed little point to risking a birth on some freeway when we could do it safely at home. Both births were painless, wonderful, and I felt so good afterward. I've had workouts that were harder!

My clients who have done Hypnobabies have all had wonderful births themselves, peaceful and completely comfort.

There are several keys to the success of Hypnobabies. First, it's a complete childbirth program. There is no need to take another class, thus introducing the very fear of birth you're working to eliminate. Second, it's the only program that uses up to date medical hypnotic anesthesia to give you the tools to control what you feel during birth. Third, there is a bounty of information on staying healthy and optimizing your chances of having an easier, shorter birthing by using diet, exercise and even physics (interesting that we forget that physics applies even in utero)! I have yet to see a more thorough program.

I am a HUGE skeptic of things like this, but after reading the previous reviews I thought I would give this a try.

The materials arrived pretty quickly- a day earlier than expected- nice! Well-packaged and organized- professional looking kit. One reviewer noted that the typography was distracting because too many things were bolded and in all caps- I am a graphic designer/art director- and this has not been a problem for me (I'm the first one to pick out poor quality). I almost didn't order this out of fear this was not a professionally produced kit- glad I ordered it anyway- not a problem. Maybe they revamped the kit since then.

As for the disc content... I completed the first lesson (reading and disc tracks)- Week 1. It is not what I thought- which is a good thing. The approach is logical, practical, and doesn't insult your intelligence. She has a great voice for helping you to relax. I have several more discs to go, but so far I am very pleased. I have been suffering from a sinus infection with horrible sleep for a few weeks. The nights that I listen to the tracks- I do get better sleep- (I used to get up 2-3x and awaken at least 5x- with the HypnoBabies disc 1, I get up 1-2x and don't wake up otherwise.) I tend to fall asleep listening- which they say is okay.

I will post updates as I experience more of this course. I rely on Amazon reviews and I hope that this review can be of help also. A little about who this is coming from... Born-Again Christian, carrying my first child (as of today 30 wks), age 37, married, college educated, highly analytical, very low-key, and a research geek. Maybe this can help you judge who this is coming from a little better.

This program is an absolute God Send. I studyed this program very carefully while working full time and taking care of a pre-schooler. I birthed by myself with help from my doula and this program helped me to have control over myself and my body. I did not have ANY interventions at the hospital and my birthing was miraculous. If you would like to know more about my experience please contact me, I love to talk about it! I would suggest this to anyone who is willing to put forth the work to make it happen and to experience the way God intended for you to birth!!!! LOVE IT!!!!