This post is part of our ongoing comparison of the best online birthing classes. All prices noted below are accurate as of 2021.

Are you not sure which birth course may be best for you? Check out how the Mama Natural Birth Course stacks up against Hypnobabies Self-Study Course.

How does Hypnobabies Self-Study Course Compare to the Mama Natural Birth Course?

Hypnobabies Self-Study Course is an audio-based course covering birthing hypnosis techniques. Designed to be taken over a six-week period, this eighteen-plus hour program prepares you to harness your inner strength and calm for a stress-free, empowered delivery for $219.95 (hard copy form) or $179.95 (digital).

In comparison, the Mama Natural Birth Course is an eight-class video course spanning ten hours. Using a conversational, talk-show approach, we cover natural birth in hospital, birth center, and home settings and include a section of childbirth affirmations for a happier, more positive delivery experience. Our course comes in at $264.

Hypnobabies provides all necessary information in downloadable audio files or hard copy forms along with a collection of printable materials (digital version) or printed materials and workbooks (hard copy version). Each session features an audio track featuring certified hypnotherapist and hypno-doula Kerry Tuschhoff guiding you into a state of hypnosis, growing deeper with each class until you reach a safe space for relaxed birthing to retreat to when the time comes.

The Mama Natural Birth Course features prerecorded, structured video classes guiding you through delivery and its intricacies in a fun, conversational manner lead by Mama Natural Genevieve Howland and Mara Winkler, CNM, IBCLC. Also included with the course are printable cheat sheets, resource guides, and practice exercises for you and your birth partner to review together, leading to a more informed birth.

Here is an overview of how the Mama Natural Birth Course and the Hypnobabies Self-Study Course compare, using key features we think are essential when choosing the best online birthing course:

Class Specifics Mama Natural Hypnobabies
Course Length 8 classes / 10 hours 6 weeks of classes / 18 hours
Course Access 1 year Lifetime
Instructor Genevieve Howland & Maura Winkler, CNM, IBCLC Kerry Tuschhoff, HCHI, CHt, CI
Taught by a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
Format HD video-based, hands-on Audio
Approach Conversational, informative, “talk show style,” evidence-based Calming, meditative
Printable Worksheets
Real Natural Birth Footage
Community Group Moderated By Certified Doula
Pricing $264 $219.95 hard copy/$179.95 digital
Audio Tracks
Section for Dad                     ✓
VBAC Training
Breastfeeding Training
Accepts FSA/HSA
Donate 10% to Charity
Physical Bonus via Mail
Extras Mama Natural Affirmations App and physical copies, Prenatal workout video, Natural Birth Playbook, and more Workbooks sent via mail with handouts, free online support group, access to home study supervisor for Q&A
30 Day Money-Back Guarantee       Non-refundable

Hypnobabies Self-Study Course is primarily geared toward preparing you mentally for labor, helping you build an inner peace for a stress-free, calm delivery rather than teach you the ins and outs of what to expect along the way.

That aside, there are other shining differences between the two courses, including:

Format

Hypnobabies runs in a strictly audio format, which means listening exclusively for the duration of the course. In contrast, the Mama Natural Birth Course is video-based, giving you sights and sounds to take in, including, yes, real birth footage. The Mama Natural Birth Course also includes childbirth affirmation audio tracks for an empowered delivery.

Instructor

The Mama Natural Birth Course is the only online birthing course instructed by a certified nurse midwife. Maura Winkler, CNM is also an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant who covers breastfeeding in our course as well.

VBAC Coverage

The Mama Natural Birth Course includes VBAC information within its core structure, while Hypnobabies Self-Study Course does not. For the Hypnobabies VBAC Success tracks, you must order them separately for $22.95.

Extras

Hypnobabies includes heaps of printable information sheets for the digital version or printed ones with the hard copy program along with access to a free Facebook support group, but the Mama Natural Birth Course goes above and beyond with our extras. In addition to printable worksheets, you receive Mama Natural Affirmations cards, a natural birth playbook, prenatal workout video, and so much more (including a doula-monitored support group).

Money-Back Guarantee

We believe in the Mama Natural Birth Course so much that we offer a 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee. We believe in our hearts that ours is the best online birth course out there. In comparison, the Hypnobabies Self-Study Course is non-refundable.

Real Birth Footage

Nothing prepares you and your partner like the real thing, but real-life birth footage is as close as you can get. Talking about labor and seeing labor are two very different things. While you and your partner may be a little jarred at first, it’s important to take in labor and delivery and remove the fear and stigma society has surrounded it with.

10% Donation to Charity

We want to make a difference for mamas around the world, which is why we donate 10% of all Mama Natural Birth Course proceeds to charity. No online birth classes follow this trend, and we’re proud to be industry leaders in giving back to mamas.

Accepts FSA/HSA

In a time when you need money for your growing family, paying for a birthing class shouldn’t stress you out. This is why we accept FSA/HSA payment, allowing those with the benefit to have a little extra wiggle room in their budget.

Closing Thoughts

Nothing makes our hearts sing more than seeing mamas take charge and unmask the wonders of birth through classes.

We’ve dedicated our lives to empowering women and shining a light on the positives of birth, which is why we developed the Mama Natural Birth Course. Whether you choose to go with ours or opt for another, we’re proud of you, mama. You’re going to rock childbirth.

The Mama Natural Birth Course