The techniques used were frequently mind numbing and altering, and that's if you were awake. Much of the work behind hypnobirth started with her births and her research into Dr. Grantley Dick-Read's birth philosophy of birth without fear. This total relaxation of the body can help alleviate fear, tension and therefore pain. Mongan points out in her website that the woman is totally aware of what is going on around her during her labor and birth, she is not asleep. The mother and her partner learn the techniques and philosophies behind hypnobirth during four two and a half hour sessions with an instructor.
Small classes can be very helpful in education in general.
This also applies to hypnobirthing classes. Childbirth education classes, whether hypnobirthing or not, are often though of only for mothers who are having vaginal, unmedicated births. This is absolutely a falsehood. Childbirth education has been shown to reduce the length of labor, the fear and actually give you a lot of helpful information. Hypnobirthing classes are no different.