Our Birth Journey Using Hypnosis For Childbirth
By Madhavi Gupta, M.D., C.Cht.
When I was preparing for the birth of my first child, I was anxious about birthing my baby. All I kept hearing was “birthing is painful so get the epidural”. To help allay my fears, I looked at the various birth programs and options available..Lamaze, Bradley, hospital birthing courses, etc.
I soon realized that classes were not a viable option. I was exhausted after working all day and they didn't fit into my husband Jeremy's schedule. On top of that, these classes were expensive, and it was questionable whether they worked. In fact, many of my friends told me that everything they learned in class went out the window once the contractions started!
We tried a few DVD courses at home, but they made me feel like the process was not in my control. They reinforced the typical birth images: the mother lying on the hospital bed, screaming frantically... the helpless father not knowing what to do. Most of all, it was implicit that if I did not get an epidural, I would be a burden to the nursing staff and that I was out of my mind.
This did not feel right to me. Why was I encouraged to be a vehicle for birth, with my mind separated from my body? What were these drugs going to do to me and my tiny baby? Why wasn’t I encouraged to embrace this important transformation that would change me forever? Was it even possible to birth in complete comfort and feel no pain?
I didn’t know the answer to these questions at the time, but I was determined to find out.
In my search, I discovered the techniques that would completely change my birth experience. I started using guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and positive affirmations to create the birth I envisioned. My husband would often do the relaxation exercises with me at home.
Once we started, the change in our house was palpable. It gave us a sense of peace, control, hope and joyous expectancy. We looked forward to doing the relaxation exercises every day.
These techniques empowered me in more ways that I intended. Once I realized that my birth was in my control, I confidently changed my birth place, chose my birth attendants, and changed my care provider. The birth process was in my hands.
I soon realized that classes were not a viable option. I was exhausted after working all day and they didn't fit into my husband Jeremy's schedule. On top of that, these classes were expensive, and it was questionable whether they worked. In fact, many of my friends told me that everything they learned in class went out the window once the contractions started!
We tried a few DVD courses at home, but they made me feel like the process was not in my control. They reinforced the typical birth images: the mother lying on the hospital bed, screaming frantically... the helpless father not knowing what to do. Most of all, it was implicit that if I did not get an epidural, I would be a burden to the nursing staff and that I was out of my mind.
This did not feel right to me. Why was I encouraged to be a vehicle for birth, with my mind separated from my body? What were these drugs going to do to me and my tiny baby? Why wasn’t I encouraged to embrace this important transformation that would change me forever? Was it even possible to birth in complete comfort and feel no pain?
I didn’t know the answer to these questions at the time, but I was determined to find out.
In my search, I discovered the techniques that would completely change my birth experience. I started using guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and positive affirmations to create the birth I envisioned. My husband would often do the relaxation exercises with me at home.
Once we started, the change in our house was palpable. It gave us a sense of peace, control, hope and joyous expectancy. We looked forward to doing the relaxation exercises every day.
These techniques empowered me in more ways that I intended. Once I realized that my birth was in my control, I confidently changed my birth place, chose my birth attendants, and changed my care provider. The birth process was in my hands.
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On February 7th, in the middle of winter, our daughter Anjali was born at home with our midwives and doula in attendance. The birth of our daughter turned out to be a beautiful, blissful and amazing experience. It was the most intense experience of my life, yet I did not experience pain. I birthed Anjali on the day I envisioned and labored at the time I had envisioned as well, in the peacefulness and privacy of my own home. We felt truly blessed. |
After the birth, my husband Jeremy and I became inspired to train in hypnosis so that we could develop our own hypnobirthing methods and empower women who want to have a natural birth process without fear. We each became certified in hypnosis, accredited by the International Certification Board Of Clinical Hypnotherapy (ICBCH). Our continued work in this field, combined with the feedback we have received over the years, help us continually refine our program.
Unlike most typical hypnobirthing programs, we offer extensive experience in medicine and music in addition to hypnotherapy. I am a board certified physician with extensive pain training, and Jeremy has over 20 years experience composing music for meditation and yoga. We have blended this experience, along with our personal experience using these techniques, to bring you a quality program that will change your life.
We look forward to teaching you these techniques so that you too can banish the fear of birth in your own life and have the birth of your dreams!
Yours for a joyous and fear-free birth,
