Actual reason why hypnobirthing classes are so expensive?

[erikab922]

Just wondering if there are any hypnobirthing instructors about who can explain why the courses are so expensive. Seems to me such a shame to exclude an extremely useful birthing tool from folks who can't afford it. I know there are self-taught courses, books, CDs etc but everyone who has done it says the courses are the best option.

I had an extremely painful natural birth with with DD1 and would like to try hypnobirthing with DS1 in August but we will not have room in the budget for an actual course at the current prices. If there's a business reason behind it then I can be persuaded the courses are priced right so please clue me in - thank you! (I am guessing the reason is 'because we will always find someone who will pay £££'!).

It sounds stupid, but I really didn't push DS. It was completely involuntary peristalsis that resulted in him crowning (was stood up at the time). I know ALL about pushing, I pushed for six hours with DD before they yanked her out with forceps, after they did the spinal, I pushed so hard I passed out every time, but DS basically just came out. I had to resist the urge to push while they got me up on the bed with his head hanging out (SO elegant) but I just went with what was happening all by itself. Still bloody hurt of course, but gas and air made it bearable, unlike DD where I thought I might actually die from the pain by the end.

Margaret Howell does great hypnotherapy CDs. Specific ones for hospital, home birth and birth centre. Much cheaper and really useful.
The key is to stay as relaxed as you can so stress and fear don't slow down your labour by inhibiting hormonal release.
I used hypnosis techniques with my first but using gas and air made me feel so high I didn't know what I was doing and couldn't concentrate.

The cd I have is the Maggie Howell one, glad to hear a professional recommendation for them! She does a sleep one too, last night was the 3rd time I have done it and I was asleep before the 10 minute track finished and stayed asleep ALL night, which is no mean feat for me at the moment!

just to add I had the Maggie Howell home birth one. There is a bit where she talks about being in your comforting home surroundings. However I ended up with a hospital birth (long story) and it still seemed to work.

I also found the postnatal relaxation one helpful, dd was in SCBU and I was on the postnatal ward for a week and listening to it was the only way I could get any sleep afterwards.

ananikifo elves made me laugh, I needed that! More in a bit, just wanted to say I am really pleased with these replies!

Hi, I'm not sure if it might be a bit late now but you might want to see if there is a Natal Hypnotherapy practitioner running workshops near to you. You might find these are more affordable.

A therapist has to pay to train, have annual membership to the HBI and any other professional bodies, pay to do CPD, professional insurance premiums, website, advertising, marketing materials, room hire (in London that can be £70-100 per half day and some clinics make you commit to a day a week) tea/coffee/bikkies...

It all adds up and if it is your regular income and you haven't a huge client base, then you need to charge a respectively large amount.

It often isn't a 'repeat purchase' so your clients won't be returning for more training.