All About Hypnobabies (Hypnobaby) Classes — A Complete Guide

As you’re slowly approaching your term, you’ve surely looked up online for all kinds of birth plans to see which one suits you best. That said, the term “hypnobaby” has probably appeared, and it may have caused some confusion, so let’s sort that out!

Let’s sort out one thing: “Hypnobabies” are not hypnotised babies but rather an education programme promoting natural childbirth. If you're a soon-to-be parent or interested in alternative birthing methods, you've come to the right place. We’re going to explore what Hypnobaby classes are, how they work, and what benefits they offer.

You may be considering enrolling in these classes or just want to learn more about this approach to childbirth. By the end of this blog, you can make an informed decision on what to do. So, let's dive into the world of Hypnobabies and discover how it can transform your pregnancy.

All About Hypnobabies (Hypnobaby) Classes — A Complete Guide

Childbirth can be scary, so many expectant parents are looking for methods and techniques to make it as comfortable and as relaxed as possible. The Hypnobabies education programme combines the principles of hypnosis and childbirth education, thus making the delivery significantly easier.

What Is Hypnobabies?

Hypnobabies is a childbirth education programme developed by Kerry Tuschhoff, who combined the practice of self-hypnosis with traditional birth techniques. The programme aims to provide parents with the knowledge they need for a comfortable birthing experience. The core philosophy behind Hypnobabies is that a woman’s body is designed for childbirth, and with the right mindset and relaxation techniques, she can give birth with minimal discomfort.

How Does Hypnobabies Work?

Hypnobabies is based on four main principles. The first is conditioning the mind - during the Hypnobaby classes, women are taught to enter a hypnosis-like state. This is done with guided imagery, positive affirmations, and relaxation techniques, and the goal behind this is to reduce fear and anxiety. The second principle is to let go of the fear that’s associated with childbirth, followed by the third and very important principle - learning to trust the body. If a soon-to-be-mum is aware of what her body can do, she can let go of the tension during birth. The fourth and final principle has to do with pain management. When pregnant women learn the self-hypnosis technique, they can manage the level of pain they experience during birth.

Benefits of Hypnobabies

Hypnobabies comes with a set of advantages for expectant parents. The main benefits you can expect from these classes are reduced pain and lower levels of anxiety. Also, it lowers the need for interventions, which multiple studies proved. And with fewer interventions, there’s also less risk for both the mum and the baby. As a bonus, women who partake in Hypnobaby classes tend to have more control over the entire process, making them more relaxed in turn.

What to Expect from Hypnobabies Classes

If you’re thinking about signing up for Hypnobabies, it’s good to know what to expect from these classes. Be prepared to learn about the female anatomy and how the labour process ensues. As we’ve already mentioned, you’ll need to become familiar with self-hypnosis and do relaxation exercises. One of the most important parts of these classes is partner involvement. Partners can take part in the class and learn how to support the mum.

Practice sessions are also a large part of the Hypnobabies classes. Expectant mothers and their partners have guided practice sessions so they can prepare for the real thing. It’s recommended that parents have at least one session per day. Also, each soon-to-be-mum can create her personalised birth plan during the course. Then, parents can consult the plan on the delivery day and do all the right things.

Hypnobabies Reviews — What Others Have to Say?

If you’re considering Hypnobabies, you probably want to know what kind of experiences others had with this programme. Below, we feature a few reviews to give you a sense of what to expect.

Review 1: Sarah M.

"Hypnobabies was an absolute game-changer for me during childbirth. I was initially sceptical about the effectiveness of self-hypnosis, but the techniques I learned in class made all the difference. The relaxation and fear-release exercises were incredibly helpful in managing the pain and anxiety associated with labour. My birthing experience was peaceful, and I felt so empowered throughout the process. Hypnobabies helped me achieve the natural birth I had hoped for."

Review 2: Michael D. (Partner)

"As the partner in this journey, I wasn't sure what to expect from Hypnobabies classes, but I'm so glad we decided to participate. The classes not only taught me how to support my wife during labour but also gave me a sense of involvement and confidence. Watching her use the self-hypnosis techniques to manage pain was truly impressive. I would recommend Hypnobabies to any expectant couple looking for a more natural and positive birthing experience."

Review 3: David and Lisa H. (Partners)

"We decided to take Hypnobabies classes together as partners, and it was one of the best decisions we made. The classes brought us closer as a couple and gave us the tools to navigate labour as a team. The hypnosis techniques helped Lisa stay calm and focused, and I felt more involved and supportive than ever. Our birthing experience was beautiful and intimate, thanks to Hypnobabies."

These Hypnobabies reviews are just a few examples of the many positive experiences. Even though the results can vary, you can decide for yourself whether Hypnobabies is right for you.

Hypnobabies Tracks & Classes

Hypnobabies offers a variety of tools and resources to help parents prepare for the birth. Two key components of the program are the Hypnobabies tracks and the structured classes. We’ll look into both and explain their role in the birth.

Hypnobabies Tracks

The Hypnobabies programme includes carefully designed audio tracks for self-hypnosis. These tracks serve as the foundation for mothers (and their partners) to learn and practice the techniques – which can be highly effective during labour and childbirth. Besides the self-hypnosis tracks, there are also affirmation and visualisation tracks. The former helps the moms build their confidence and believe in themselves, while the latter talks about the birth so moms know exactly what to expect.

Hypnobabies Classes

In contrast, Hypnobabies classes offer guidance and support for the parents. The first part of these classes is classroom instruction. Parents attend theoretical lectures on all things childbirth. By the end of the theoretical part, attendees should be familiar with the birthing process. The instructors also show the parents how to implement the techniques mentioned in the audio tracks. If a partner attends the course, the instruction will make sure that both parties are well-prepared. Also, it teaches the parents how to collaborate with each other during the process.

Hypnobirthing vs Hypnobabies — How They Differ?

Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies are both childbirth education programmes that include self-hypnosis. But these two approaches have quite a few differences, so let’s look into that.

Programme History: Hypnobirthing has been around since the 1980s, while Hypnobabies is more recent. It was first created in the early 2000s
Programme Structure: The Hypnobirthing classes are less structured and require less practice. In contrast, Hypnobaby classes are the complete opposite - detailed structure and constant practice.
Length of the Programme: Hypnobirthing classes take place over several weeks with each lasting several hours. Hypnobabies classes take longer, usually lasting over a six-week period and include daily practice sessions.
Medical Interventions: The Hypnobirthing approach advises moms to avoid medical interventions whenever possible. This programme tries to make childbirth as natural as possible. Hypnobabies is similar, but it takes a more traditional approach. In the Hypnobabies classes, parents get information for navigating medical procedures.

If you’re trying to decide between Hypnobirthing vs. Hypnobabies, keep in mind the way they differ. Once you weigh all the differences and the benefits of each programme, you can pick the one that sounds like the best choice for your pregnancy.

Closing Thoughts on Hypnobabies

Hypnobabies is a unique approach to childbirth, offering a combination of relaxation, self-hypnosis, and educational resources. This can help parents through the pregnancy and, ultimately, birth. With the help of the Hypnobaby classes, parents can have a very positive and comfortable experience.

We hope that we managed to explain the main points of Hypnobabies in this blog. And now that you know all these details about the programme, you can sign up or opt for an alternative birthing option. For more similar resources, check out some of our other blogs.