How to Afford a Hypnobirthing Class
"I want to do HypnoBirthing, but we can't afford it"
Does this sound like you?
Raquel Knowles Photography
Too often I read about parents who want to take HypnoBirthing, but feel it's not within their budget, or more frequently parents who didn't see any value in the class and as a result were left feeling confused and scared about their labors and births. I sympathize completely with families who already feel stretched thin financially, or their schedules won't allow for a 5 week series. There's a huge sense of overwhelm during pregnancy and it is hard to gauge what's a necessity and what is a luxury, with so much unknown in the future.
I'm here to say that making a HypnoBirthing class a priority is a decision you will NEVER regret. Here are 3 reasons why:
Birth has a lifelong imprint on parents, and can absolutely impact the birthing person's physical health for many years following that "one day". 25%-34% of parents are describing their births as traumatic, and postpartum depression rates are around 1 in 7 women. These pivotal events shape who we become from that point on, which in turn shapes the children we are raising. This moment goes WAY beyond just a brief experience.
Healthier families. Our current maternity care system leaves a lot to be desired. With 1/3 babies being born surgically (and the WHO suggesting that only half of those are necessary), and other intervention rates sky high, it's so important to feel knowledgeable and confident navigating the "system" and making informed decisions. Despite spending the most money on maternity care, the US has pretty dismal maternal and infant mortality rates to show for it. HypnoBirthing not only gives you information about being an informed consumer, but also tools to stay calm and relaxed during labor no matter what needs to happen for your optimal health. When you have a happier, healthier pregnancy, chances are your labor and recovery will be healthier as well.
Partners need knowledge/support too. Partners who haven't put much thought into childbirth (i.e. most men) often go into the birth space with a lot of FEAR. HypnoBirthing allows partners to not only turn that fear into confidence, but it teaches them proven tools to help birthing people instead of hinder them. Intimate partners have the potential to make a massive positive impact on welcoming their children into the world, and they deserve that chance but they may not know how to get there. This type of information is also generally better received from a professional instructor, rather than a nagging spouse.
Convinced it's worth it but not sure how to swing it financially? Don't worry I've got you covered! Here are 3 ways to afford a HypnoBirthing class:
Register for it! Your baby doesn't care what kind of fancy stroller or swing you buy (chances are they may even hate it). Ask friends and family to pitch in for a class that provides you with a LIFETIME of valuable skills, and is guaranteed to have a positive effect on you and your babies' health.
Ask for a payment plan. Most instructors (myself included) are willing to divide up the class tuition into smaller payments, especially if you sign up early in pregnancy. Don't be afraid to ask about this option!
Get insurance to pay for it. That's right! Call your insurance company and ask if your plan covers Patient Education Classes. Birth class will fall into this category and with a receipt from you instructor you can submit the fee for partial reimbursement. If your plan doesn't cover this, but you have a FSA/HSA account, you can always use those funds to pay for the class tax free!
