Are you curious about either the hypnobirthing or the Hypnobabies programs but not sure what the difference between the two is? Or what do the two courses actually cover?
While both hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies are childbirth education programs, where parents learn practical and empowering techniques for achieving a satisfying, relaxing and stress free birth, they are not the same thing. So, I have put together here a comprehensive analysis of Hypnobabies vs hypnobirthing.
Hypnobirthing vs Hypnobabies: the Different Philosophies
Lets start by understanding what the two programs philosophies actually are. What hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies mean and what their programs include.
Hypnobirthing Philosophy
Hypnobirthing is a childbirth preparation course that focuses on teaching special breathing, relaxation, visualization and meditative practice techniques, so that the body can relax and overcome the fear of pain or birth complications. This then results in a confident, calm, peaceful and often pain-free childbirth.
The main idea behind hypnobirthing is that childbirth is not intended to be painful, but it became so after hundreds of years of teaching women how to birth the wrong way, and making them fear the whole labor and delivery process. In fact, fear creates tension in the body and draws blood and oxygen away from the uterus, which can results in a very painful and prolonged birth.
It’s important to note that there is a difference between hypnobirthing and HypnoBirthing: while they seem to mean the same thing, the capital letters in HypnoBirthing have an actual meaning.
HypnoBirthing is the “original” hypnobirthing method, founded by Maria Mongan, an award winning hypnotherapist. After that, other hypnobirthing methods have come to life, each one of them claiming to be a bit different. And, while the content amongst the different courses can vary, they all follow the same principles.
Some of the most popular hypnobirthing courses are:
You can find out more about hypnobirthing here.
Related:
- Hypnobirthing 101 – the basics for a positive birth experience
- How I had a Natural and Pain Free Birth thanks to Hypnobirthing
For some inspiration, you can read my birth story here: How i had a natural and pain free childbirth thanks to Hypnobirthing.
Hypnobabies Philosophy
Hypnobabies is a more complete childbirth preparation course that teaches expectant families comprehensive childbirth education and somnambulistic hypnosis techniques, as well as imagery and birth visualization to “re-program” the inner mind in a very positive way. This helps to lessen, and in some cases eliminates, fear and discomfort from the birthing experience.
Contrary to hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies doesn’t have different methods. Instead, there’s only one program that’s taught consistently by all Hypnobabies instructors.
Basically, both programs teach you very similar techniques to use during childbirth. The main difference is that hypnobirthing believes that pain is not a necessary part of birth and, if you master their techniques, your body will be able to birth with ease and little to no discomfort. Whereas Hypnobabies believes that pain, for most people, is indeed part of that process: eradicating fear is helpful in lessening pain, but does not ensure pain elimination.
You can find out more about Hypnobabies here.
What’s included in their Courses?
Hypnobirthing Courses
Because hypnobirthing is split in many different programs or methods, it’s hard to list exactly what’s included in a hypnobirthing course. It really depends on what course you enroll into.
However, in general, all courses include a certain number of hours of face-to-face or video lessons during which you’ll learn about:
- The history and physiology of birth
- The different relaxation, breathing and visualization techniques
- The importance of birth affirmations
- How to massage the perineum
- How to conquer and release your fear of birth
All courses usually include some free audio tracks that you can use to keep practicing the hypnobirthing techniques as you approach your due date. And if you enroll in a HypnoBirthing course, Marie Monga’s book (HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method) is often included.
Hypnobabies Course
Hypnobabies classes are fairly similar to hypnobirthing, covering the history and physiology of birth and the different techniques for an easier labor. However, the Hypnobabies course also covers a lot of topics that are usually covered in more standard birthing classes (but not in hypnobirthing classes).
These topics include:
- How to stay healthy and safe during pregnany
- Pregnancy sleeping and resting positions
- Prenatal exercises
- How to create a birth plan
- Signs that labor is starting
- Postpartum care
- Breastfeeding
In this sense, Hypnobabies is way more comprehensive than hypnobirthing, and many parents don’t really feel the need to take a separate birthing class when enrolling in this course.
Both hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies courses focus on the importance of the partner being involved in the birthing process, and will also teach them techniques to help you during labor.
Related:
- 20 of the Best Online Birthing Classes
- Best Pregnancy & Antenatal Exercises safe for all Trimesters (and for easier labor!)
Who are Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies Instructors?
Both Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies instructors are all trained and certified in their respective programs. And anyone can become a Hypnobabies or Hypnobirthing practitioner.
A list of all certified Hypnobabies practitioners is available on their website. For certified Hypnobirthing instructors, you need to look into the different programs and make sure that the teacher has the required qualification.
Some of the world’s most popular and trusted hypnobirthing programs are:
The HypnoBirthing emblem is a sign of both credibility and professionalism for Educators of the Mongan Method internationally. Make sure they display the gold emblem on their website!
To find hypnobirthing classes near you, the easiest way is to search on google for hypnobirthing classes in your town. For Australia though, there’s a handy link with all locations displayed on a map on the Hypnobirthing Australia website. KG Hypnobirthing, with teachers all over the world, also has an interactive map to find instructors near you.
To find Hypnobabies classes near you, you can use the search tool from the official Hypnobabies website.
Are there Hypnobabies or Hypnobirthing Online Classes?
Most Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies classes are taught face-to-face. However, more and more practitioners are giving the option to also opt for Hypnobabies or hypnobirthing online classes that are interactive and usually held on Zoom or other online platforms.
Hypnobabies also offers a Self Home Study Course, that you can take at your own pace. And the same is available with some hypnobirthing programs such as KG Hypnobirthing.
Related: Top 5 Online Hypnobirthing Classes
How long do these programs last?
The Hypnobabies program lasts for 6 weeks (3 hours a week), unless you take the Self Home Study Course, which is done at your own pace.
The length of hypnobirthing courses varies. However, most of them last for around 12 hours. These can be spread in different ways depending on what the practitioner offers.
How much do these programs cost?
The cost for Hypnobirthing classes varies depending on the practitioner. However, most classes I found charge around US $250. But can also cost as low as US $150 or as high as US $400.
Hypnobirthing programs taught online seem to be cheaper, for even less than US $150.
The following hypnobirthing courses also offer free hypnobirthing classes online (previews of the full course):
For a cost comparison of Hypnobirthing Online Classes, also read: Top 5 Online Hypnobirthing Classes
The cost for the Hypnobabies programs also varies, with most prices I found being between US $375 and US $425. The Hypnobabies Home Study Course costs US $179.95.
All classes include supporting materials such as books or CDs with audio tracks.
When to start Hypnobabies or Hypnobirthing classes?
Both programs can be started at anytime during pregnancy. However, they both suggest starting as soon as possible – anytime after the first trimester is the right time!
This is because the success of both these methods rely on doing a lot of practice for all the different techniques that are taught. And the more you practice, the better you become at it 🙂
Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies Birth Stories
Take a look at my articles covering Positive Birth Stories from women that did either a Hypnobirthing or a Hypnobabies course. For more positive birth stories, read this article here.
Hypnobirthing vs Hypnobabies: Final Thoughts
Here it is mama, all the differences between hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies! I really hope this article could answer all your questions with regards to the two different birthing philosophies.
In summary, both hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies can prepare you for a calm and comfortable (if not pain free) birth by teaching you different techniques to practice while still pregnant (including self-hypnosis techniques). They will also both teach you how the birth process naturally works and how you can work with your body instead of against it.
The main difference is that Hypnobabies also covers aspects of the birth (and postpartum) that are usually part of standard birthing classes. Hence the reason why Hypnobabies courses last longer and are a bit more expensive. So, if you took a hypnobirthing course, I would also encourage you to sign up for a birthing class separately (which is what I did).
Also, Hypnobabies has one single program, taught consistently amongst all the different practitioners. Whereas hypnobirthing comes with different programs that are similar but not exactly the same. So you need to personally investigate what each program includes.
For more information about hypnobirthing, you can also have a look at the following related articles:
- How I had a natural and pain free birth thanks to hypnobirthing
- Hypnobirthing 101: the hypnobirthing basics for a positive birth experience
- Top 5 Hypnobirthing Online Classes
- Best Free Hypnobirthing Apps
- Hypnobirthing breathing techniques
- The Most Powerful Birth Affirmations for a Positive Birth Experience
- Perineal Massage during Pregnancy: increasing your chances of an Easier Labor
Finally, if you are curious about hypnobirthing and want to learn more, you can sign up for my FREE introductory course to hypnobirthing below.
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Hypnobabies does NOT believe “pain is a normal part of birth.” That is an incorrect statement.
HI Heather, thanks for pointing that out! I have changed it to: “Hypnobabies believes that pain, for most people, is indeed part of that process: eradicating fear is helpful in lessening pain, but does not ensure pain elimination.”
Taken it from their website here 🙂 https://www.hypnobabies.com/just-relax-pain-childbirth-1/
Other programs and books teach that since childbirth is a normal physiological process, there is “no physiological reason for childbirth pain” and that pain is caused mostly by fear and therefore eradicating fear in childbirth will eliminate their pain. In reality, women are moving a large object through and out of their bodies when they give birth, and there are many sensitive nerves, muscles, ligaments, organs and other body parts being pressed on, pushed, and stretched to amazing lengths during this process. The big bag of muscles we call a uterus has stretched to the size of a large melon and the contractions that tighten these muscles up are extremely powerful. Pain for most people is indeed part of that process, and eradicating fear is helpful in lessening pain, but does not ensure pain elimination.