I'm just wondering if any of you are going to do it or are doing it and roughly how much the courses are, also if there is anyway you can learn it online for free. Trying to cut back.costs xxx

Yes we are - but we arent doing the course which costs £250. You can get the book online and there are several cd courses you can buy which dont break the bank (have a look on amazon). Would have loved to have done the course but we cant justify the cost when other things need to be bought - plus we dont have a babysitter for midweek.
Tanni

I was super lucky and won a course of hypnobirthing sessions in a raffle - I was so pleased as I just couldnt justify the £300 for the course, but brought a raffle ticket for £1!!

My course starts when I am 20 weeks in May. Am really looking forward to it especially as my pain relief options are limited as I am allergic to anaesthetics.

I got a hypnobirthing book and cd from the library for free. I'll give it a try and if I don't like it, I'll find a better one online and im willing to pay for it. So far, it just seems like meditating and visualizing through labor.. Seems pretty basic.

I got a 4 cd set on amazon (can't remember the name, perhaps effective birth preparation) but it's by maggie Howell) I have just listened to the pregnancy cd so far (there's pregnancy, birth, and post partum CDs as well as birth music) and I love it. Really relaxes me. There's a book that goes with it, which I have just started reading and I find it makes me feel very positive. There is a website with samples of the CDs so you can listen before you buy...might be worth having a look? Hope this helps x

I'm planning to, Charlotte. The course costs around £250 where I live, so I'm not sure that I'll be going for the course. I'm still thinking about it, but it's a lot of money!
The other option, as others have mentioned, is the book and CD.

I got the book and CD last pregnancy and will probably root it out and start listening to it again. I ended up having a planned C-section last time as he was breech, so I've no idea if it would have been effective. I did look into doing the course but I couldn't justify the money - I was glad I didn't bother because I never got to use it in the end anyway!

Ive never heard of this. How does this work exactly?

HypnoBirthing� is a complete birth education programme, that teaches simple but specific self hypnosis, relaxation and breathing techniques for a better birth.

HypnoBirthing is much more than just self hypnosis or hypnotherapy for childbirth.

With HypnoBirthing you'll discover that severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labour You'll learn how to release the fears and anxieties you may currently have about giving birth, and how to overcome previous traumatic births HypnoBirthing lets you discover and experience the joy and magic of birth - rather than the horrific ordeal everyone else seems hell-bent on telling you about

Most importantly, you'll learn how to put yourself back in control of your birth - rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife.

HypnoBirthing doesn't mean you'll be in a trance or a sleep. Rather, you'll be able to chat, and be and in good spirits - totally relaxed, but fully in control. You'll always be aware of what is happening to you, and around you.

HypnoBirthing doesn't require any particular belief system, or prior experience. Some of our mums (and especially their husbands!) have been very sceptical at first - until they experience it for themselves.

In fact, the more sceptical they are to start with, the more evangelical they are when they discover the power of HypnoBirthing

Just imagine welcoming each surge! Feeling peaceful... relaxing... and even smiling as your baby comes closer to you!

In short, HypnoBirthing allows you to experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of your body from functioning as Nature intended them to.

Funny I started a thread about this last week. I'm looking to find it online too, found some bits but guess I'm gonna have to buy the book and CD, defo not payin 285 for sessions which only amount to a total of 12hours!! So!! If you find anything let me know =)