Tanstar, i read the book loads and also did a CD that a friend lent me.

I though that this was the way to go, the only problem was, my birth partners didnt practice with me and when it came to the labour it all went out the window.

The reason we didnt do any classes or courses was $$ too... IMO i would scrape together the money so that it is consolidated properly in your head and also your birth partners.
Next time around i will find the money from somewhere so that i can give it a proper go... and hopefully get the birth that i wanted first time around

HTH

ETA the book really was great and made me rethink a lot of things... if you have the support and practice together it should make a difference - you can also get hypnobirthing CD's at JB HIFI, dont know what they are like thou