The Too Good Home Birth Blues
I just had my baby.
Yeah, I gave birth at home…
I didn’t need nobody,
I did it on my own.
I was triumphant!
Midwife saw it in my eye.
I was feeling so proud…
now all I want to do is cry.
‘Cus I got the blues…
the I had too good’a home birth blues.
Had it all under control -
things were going so well.
Then my toddler went a stir crazy
and the juggling balls all fell.
My honey went back to work.
And grandma did too…
suddenly I’m overrun -
outnumbered by the two.
And now I’m singin’ the blues.
I musta had too good’a home birth blues.
The older one is acting up.
It’s getting to my head
I want to take my newborn
and spend the day in bed.
They said the birth went real good,
And I agree!
But I need takin’ care of too.
Don’t forget I just had a baby!
Now I’m singin’ the blues.
My doula says “better sit down”
you’ll be payin’ for it tonight.
When I finally got the chance to rest,
oh boy was she right.
Damn, I got blues,
Had such a beautiful home birth too.
Oh me, oh my,
I got some microwaved entrees.
But no one is here to wait on me -
I haven’t sat down nearly all day.
I only wanted a babymoon.
Was that too much to ask?
It’s been a week already -
Time goes by so fast!
I’ve got the blues.
The I had too good’a home birth blues.
I gave birth too good I guess,
no one can see I’m really a mess.
I got the blues.
The I had too good’a home birth blues.
Even with the most beautiful of home birth experiences, mothers can still feel let down or depressed after birth. If you know someone who has given birth at home, do what you can to provide support. Don’t assume that just because a mother looks great, that she feels great.
Home Birth Advocacy, Motherhood
19 CommentsBirth Relaxation Kit
I wanted to write this post to call the birth hypnosis series a wrap.
We’re done until summer with the resident expert series. I’ve tentatively lined up experts for this summer and fall. Stay tuned.
Also, I’d like to take a moment to publicly thank Mavi and Jeremy.
They have contributed top notch content.
It takes a lot of work and time to create the articles and the videos (such good videos). Again, excellent work and thank you for adding value to this blog, this community and the birth community at large. You two are the good guys, and deserve much praise!
I hope this birth hypnosis series has inspired you, as it did me, to take a deeper look at hypnobirthing.
To catch up, bookmark, or reference the series in it’s entirety, just follow this link below:
Birth Hypnosis and Relaxation Series
http://bringbirthhome.com/category/brk/
Sarah, who is one of our BBH Facebook Admins, put it well, when she wrote the following,
“I am now quite convinced that [birth hypnosis] is something all women should at least look into.
I agree. And that was the point.
Our emphasis, first and foremost, has been to spread awareness about hypnobirthing’s methods and skills – in general.
I’m proud to say that Bring Birth Home has become an effective platform for showcasing and highlighting this kind of information. As I mentioned above, we’ll definitely be bringing in other experts so to shine a spotlight on certain aspects of birth.
To conclude, I’m going to call specific attention to Mavi and Jeremy’s product, the Birth Relaxation Kit.
Consider this a little nudge to check out the link to a video below that explains what the Birth Relaxation Kit is and what’s included if you decide it’s something you’d like to try.
This isn’t a hard sell, but I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t connect the dots. Mavi and Jeremy are highly credentialed professionals with personal birth hypnosis experience. They’ve just delivered a 6-part series about birth hypnosis. They’ve created a product worthy of praise on this subject matter.
So, if you’re at all interested in birth hypnosis, and want to make it something you incorporate into your birth, give the presentation your undivided attention by following the link below:
Birth Relaxation Kit
In full disclosure, if you do purchase the Birth Relaxation Kit, I will earn a small commission. It’s not a lot, but I believe you’ve all come to trust me, my judgement and value what is posted here at Bring Birth Home. So I hide nothing.
Regarding the referral of products that could possibly make me a small amount of money, I do want to point out that I have received several emails from BBH readers asking for more reviews and more information about books, programs and products.
I like that idea, and have been wanting to do more of that (but there are only so many hours, you know?) Nonetheless, every now and again, you will see more of that at this blog.
I’ve received books in the mail from authors to review, and post my thoughts here at the blog… I’m getting to that. It’s coming.
Frankly, a lot of things are coming, and I’m excited. I’ve been working on my own project for a couple months now. And have recruited more help from willing BBH mamas and outside coaches and consultants.
I’m more committed to Bring Birth Home, and the cause to empower and educate families about the choice to birth at home than ever. I appreciate so many of you for supporting this and being present for the journey.
Leave a comment, or your thoughts, or anything below …
I want to know you, and hear from you. Take the time to introduce yourself, or just say “Hi.” If you’re a familiar face, take a moment to “high five.”
2 CommentsHow Self-Hypnosis Got Rid Of My Pain (A Man’s Story)
Welcome to the Bring Birth Home resident expert series. This is the fifth of six guest posts from Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht. Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist & Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht. Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist.
Part 1: What Hypnosis Is (And What It Is Not)
Part 2: Hypnobabies Review
Part 3: Birth Hypnosis Case Study
Part 4: 7 Tips for Successful Hypnobirthing
Part 5: How to Self Hypnotize in 8 Easy Steps
After you’ve read the 8 steps to self hypnotize, find the email form below. If you’d like to learn more about Mavi and Jeremy’s product, the Birth Relaxation Kit, enter your email, and you will be redirected to a more in-depth presentation about birth hypnosis and the Birth Relaxation Kit. You’ll also receive more high quality free information about birth hypnosis.
***
I don’t know what childbirth feels like.
I cannot claim to know how painful or not painful it is.
I don’t directly know the joys, fears or excitement that a mother feels during birth. I never will.
I did get to watch my wife, Madhavi, birth our daughter.
It was inspiring to be a part of this rite of passage – to watch this sacred act that all mothers go through. Even more inspiring was how peaceful Madhavi was through each birthing wave, and how comfortable it was for her to birth in our home.
It was also amazing to watch Madhavi’s transformation during pregnancy. She went from wanting a hospital birth, including pain medications and interventions to embracing a natural birth at home.
Hypnobirthing was the catalyst for that transformation.
But this article is not about Madhavi.
I want to tell you about how I learned hypnosis skills from her hypnobirthing CDs, and how I used it successfully when I recently dealt with a really painful injury.
When Madhavi listened to hypnobirthing CDs, I usually practiced with her. I worked on my own scripts. I wrote my own affirmations. I learned how to self-hypnotize.
After the birth, we were so inspired by the experience that we studied and became certified in hypnosis so that we could help other expectant families with these awesome skills. That has been truly rewarding.
My Injury
I spent way too much time on an ergonomically incorrect computer desk.
That, combined with a string of rehearsals and a long New Years’ eve gig tweaked my neck and back so badly that the muscles were squeezing a nerve running down my entire right arm.
I know, a computer/piano injury doesn’t sound intense.
But trust me, humans were not meant to be in these awkward, compressed positions for hours on end without a break.
I can’t remember experiencing such constant, excruciating pain before.
I spent the first couple of days of the new year nearly incapacitated.
I just wanted to lay down and not move. But my arm hurt the most when I laid down. I tried to breathe through the pain. That helped. Then I listened to some hypnosis recordings. That also helped.
My Breakthrough
It happened when I was getting cupping therapy by an acupuncturist (cupping therapy is a method of using glass or plastic cups to create localized pressure by a vacuum).
A couple cupping sessions did help to break up some of the acute muscle tension, but during the process the suction was really uncomfortable, and laying on that table triggered overwhelming pain waves down my arm. I was just counting the minutes until the acupuncturist came back in the room.
That’s when I started my own hypno-induction...
breathing slowly and deeply..
bringing myself down into a trance state.
I was then able use a technique to move the natural anesthesia to all the spots where I was feeling pain.
It was working!
It’s one thing to help others, or to watch your wife labor without pain. But to experience the effectiveness of hypnosis yourself is quite another.
All the while, my eyes were open.
I was staring at the hardwood floor.
I was hearing the flute and string music playing in the background.
I could hear voices in the waiting room.
But I was no longer counting the minutes until the acupuncturist came in to take the cups off and let me get out of this position.
I was not feeling the pain.
I used this technique several more times over the next month, each time with different degrees of success – sometimes helping me escape the pain briefly, and sometimes completely eliminating it.
Anyway, that’s my story of pain management using hypnosis.
I cannot say whether my discomfort was any bit like labor. But especially in those first two weeks of injury, I kept thinking about what childbirth is like.
I thought about what it feels like emotionally when you face an inevitably intense experience. You have a choice to either face it positively or negatively.
When I was negative, I started worrying that I would never heal. I kept wondering if I would have to deal with this pain every time I played the piano.
When I was positive, I self-hypnotized and visualized myself healing. I did things to improve my health. I made an effort to get more sleep. I explored different holistic healing methods like acupuncture and yoga. I could feel myself improving and knew that I would heal.
Having this technique for dealing with any intensely painful experience that may come along is both comforting and empowering.
It works!
Sign up to receive more information about birth hypnosis below:
About Our Featured Experts
Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist. Mavi is a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht.
Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist. Jeremy is one of the most sought after keyboard players in Philadelphia. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning cd, Get Lifted. He’s performed with G-Love, Digable Planets, Zakir Hussain, and has shared the stage with numerous national acts.
How To Self-Hypnotize (in 8 easy steps)
Welcome to the Bring Birth Home resident expert series. This is the fifth of six guest posts from Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht. Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist & Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht. Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist.
Part 1: What Hypnosis Is (And What It Is Not)
Part 2: Hypnobabies Review
Part 3: Birth Hypnosis Case Study
Part 4: 7 Tips for Successful Hypnobirthing
After you’ve read the 8 steps to self hypnotize, find the email form below. If you’d like to learn more about Mavi and Jeremy’s product, the Birth Relaxation Kit, enter your email, and you will be redirected to a more in-depth presentation about birth hypnosis and the Birth Relaxation Kit. You’ll also receive more high quality free information about birth hypnosis.
***
The hypnobirthing tip you will hear us repeat time and time again is practice daily.
The great thing about practicing hypnosis is that it involves sitting or laying down, getting completely relaxed and opening yourself up to positive suggestions for a comfortable birth. It’s really easy.
When starting out with hypnosis, it’s usually most effective when done with a practitioner, a recording or a script.
This is because hypnotherapists are trained and experienced to provide the right hypnotic tone, deepeners (visualizations that get you deeply relaxed), pacing, phrasing, cues and suggestions.
After you have practiced hypnosis regularly, you will be able to hypnotize yourself.
In fact, our goal is for you to be able to enter a deep state of relaxation on your own, and eventually do it instantaneously using cue words.
We know hypnosis is just a natural state we all go in and out of daily (like when entranced by a movie or doing any repetitive task like the dishes).
So, we want to share an easy self-hypnosis session step-by-step so you can try it right away. Here goes…
Step 1:
Find a comfortable position either sitting or laying down.
Ideally you don’t want to fall asleep, but it’s perfectly okay if you do. Try to be in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed for 20-30 minutes.
Step 2:
Decide on a goal for your session.
This will make your hypnosis more focused and effective.
Some suggestions are:
- More restful sleep
- Getting rid of fears or anxiety
- Connecting with your baby
- A healthy baby
- Turning a breech baby
- Comfortable birth / no pain
- Easy birth
- Shorter birthing time
Deciding on the focus of your session will allow your subconscious mind to work on a goal.
Step 3:
Pick a small focal point to stare at in the room, or alternatively close your eyes.
Take in a couple of slow, deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Try breathing in to the count of 4 and release to the count of 8. With each inhale, focus on pure intentions and feelings–positive energy. As you exhale, release any stress or tension you have anywhere in your body.
Continue breathing this way, echoing phrases like, “deeply relaxed” or “releasing tension” silently to yourself. If your eyes are open, eventually let them close.
Step 4:
Visualize your body getting lighter and lighter.
You may want to envision your body filling with warmth and light as you inhale. Let that light spread to different parts of your body–your toes, shoulders, feet, calves, thighs, hips, stomach, face, head–and of course, to your baby.
Step 5:
Imagine yourself at the top of a flight of 10 stairs, leading to an oasis of water.
Tell yourself that you are going to descend the stairs, counting each step down, starting from 10. Picture each number in your mind as you descend the stairs.
After each number you feel yourself drifting further into the deep relaxation. When you get to the fifth step, feel the deliciousness of the water on your feet.
Tell yourself silently that you are entering the oasis.
When you descend the last five steps, feel the water getting higher and higher up your body until you are submerged, completely relaxed and at peace.
Step 6:
At the bottom of this oasis, you can address your hypnotic goal by imagining a box that you can swim to. Inside the box is your goal.
For example, if you want to let go of your fear of a painful birth, imagine yourself swimming to the box and opening it.
Inside, you see yourself birthing comfortably and easily. Notice that your face is serene and your body relaxed.
While opening the box, silently tell yourself “I birth without fear…completely relaxed and comfortable,” or some affirmation(s) related to your goal.
Be sure to use only positive statements. For example, we say, “birth comfortably,” rather than, “birth without pain.”
Repeat your statements several times.
Step 7:
Now swim back to the stairs and begin to ascend them.
Feel the water become lower and lower until you reach the fifth step. Pass the stairs and feel the steps under your feet. As you continue to climb, carry that feeling of peace that you discovered in the oasis.
Step 8:
When you reach the tenth step, open your eyes as you return to a fully conscious state feeling totally refreshed and relaxed.
GIVE IT A TRY, AND COMMENT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION
Sign up to receive more information about birth hypnosis below:
About Our Featured Experts
Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist. Mavi is a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht.
Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist. Jeremy is one of the most sought after keyboard players in Philadelphia. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning cd, Get Lifted. He’s performed with G-Love, Digable Planets, Zakir Hussain, and has shared the stage with numerous national acts.
7 Tips To Ensure Success With Hypnobirthing
Welcome to the Bring Birth Home resident expert series. This is the fourth of six guest posts from Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht. Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist & Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht. Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist.
If You’d Like To Continue Learning About Hypnobirthing…
Mavi and Jeremy have created the Birth Relaxation Kit, an effective, hypnobirthing program for better sleep during pregnancy, shorter labor, less pain in childbirth and an empowered birth.
After you watch today’s video, find the form below. If you’d like to learn more about their product, enter your email, and you will be redirected to a more in-depth presentation about birth hypnosis and the Birth Relaxation Kit. You’ll also receive more high quality free information about birth hypnosis.
Part 1: What Hypnosis Is (And What It Is Not)
Part 2: Hypnobabies Review
Part 3: Birth Hypnosis Case Study
About Our Featured Experts
Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist. Mavi is a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht.
Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist. Jeremy is one of the most sought after keyboard players in Philadelphia. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning cd, Get Lifted. He’s performed with G-Love, Digable Planets, Zakir Hussain, and has shared the stage with numerous national acts.
Interview with Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht. Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist
As you know, Mavi and Jeremy are our resident experts this quarter.
Well, I met up with Mavi by phone several weeks ago with a long list of questions (see list below the interview). I was very impressed with the wealth of information that was offered in this call. I think you will be too, which is why I’m sharing it with you today.
One thing will become super clear to you as a result of listening to this recorded interview…
Mavi (and Jeremy) are passionate for spreading awareness about these methods and skills, whether it is Hypnobabies, Hypnobirthing, their Birth Relaxation Kit program or any other childbirth program that empowers expectant mothers (and fathers).
Mavi (and Jeremy) want what we all want, and that is for everyone to have the positive birth they deserve especially if it means one less expectant mother letting fear guide their birthing decisions.
With that said, click the link below to listen to our interview.
Here are the questions I asked Mavi:
- You had a homebirth, which I’m pretty sure is atypical for a physician. How did you decide on a homebirth?
- How would you describe your outlook about birthing early in your pregnancy? (What was your level of fear about it?)
- What was it that initially made you try hypnobirthing? Was there an “ah ha” moment that it was viable for you?
- Did you feel any immediate changes while practicing hypnosis during pregnancy?
- How did practicing hypnosis affect your pregnancy?
- What is unique about what you and your husband Jeremy bring to hypnobirthing? What makes your Birth Relaxation Kit different from other childbirth hypnosis programs?
- Do you offer hynobirthing sessions or classes?
- Why are you focusing on the Kit and not one-on-one sessions or classes?
- Even though birth hypnosis is becoming more popular, it’s still not mainstream. What are your friends’ reactions when you tell them you hypnobirthed?
- What would you say to those expectant mothers who are skeptical about birth hypnosis?
- In your experience, what is the biggest misconception about hypnosis?
- What’s the difference between relaxation techniques like Lamaze and birth hypnosis?
- Do you think birth partners have to be involved or supportive for hypnobirthing to work?
- Speaking of positive mindset and safe space…You have talked about those things as key ingredients to a positive birth. Can you elaborate on that?
- Do you have any further advice for expectant mothers considering hypnobirthing? Or for all expectant mothers?
Learn More About Birth Relaxation Kit
Mavi and Jeremy are the creators of Birth Relaxation Kit.
If you’ve been loving this content series, and/or interested in birth hypnosis, input your email into the form below. Once you do that you’ll be redirected to new page where Mavi has recorded a presentation with important tips to eliminate anxiety and have the healthiest, most comfortable birth.
You’ll also be given details about Birth Relaxation Kit, and can make a purchase by clicking the link under the presentation. They are passionate about creating an alternative childbirth hypnosis program…to offer additional birth hypnosis options…even a more affordable one.
Part 1: What Hypnosis Is (And What It Is Not)
Part 2: Hypnobabies Review
Part 3: Birth Hypnosis Case Study
We’ll be concluding this expert series next week with three posts from Mavi and Jeremy.
About Our Featured Experts
Mavi Gupta, M.D., C. C.Ht.
Board Certified Physician, Headache Specialist and Hypnotherapist. Mavi is a graduate of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts and The University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee.
Jeremy Dyen, C.Ht.
Certified Hypnotist, professional musician and teaching artist. Jeremy is one of the most sought after keyboard players in Philadelphia. He has recorded on John Legend’s Grammy award winning cd, Get Lifted. He’s performed with G-Love, Digable Planets, Zakir Hussain, and has shared the stage with numerous national acts.
