Home birth and Hypnobabies went hand in hand for me, I could not have done one without the other. Early on in my first pregnancy my chiropractor and friend mentioned a home birth midwife and everything about birthing at home seemed right. As I began to show, and people knew that I was indeed pregnant, the question began to arise “So, where are you giving birth?”, especially since I work in a hospital! The surprised reactions and horror stories, began to stir around in my mind, “should I really be doing this?”, “am I brave enough”, “should births really be in the hospital?”, “can I really do this?!” ​Enter in Hypnobabies... ​

My birthing time started when my water broke spontaneously. The first pressure waves started within an hour, and I started listening to Your Birthing Time Begins and followed up with the Fear Clearing track. My husband was working from home that day and asked if I could just give him two hours to finish up a project. I didn't mind at first, because I had plenty of tracks to choose from, but the pressure waves became fairly intense faster than I'd imagined. Soon enough we were working together through a Miles Circuit and various other positions, and after about four hours, I got in our bathtub and listened along to the Deepening track. That track, along with the warm water, really helped calm me down and focus my attention on the hypnosis. (possible Bubble of Peace) After getting out of the tub, however, I became really nauseous and started vomiting. The pressure waves were down to three minutes apart, and at that point, we called the hospital and my midwife told me to come in immediately. ​

Dear Mateo,
 
This is the story of our very first adventure together and how you entered this world.  I’m writing this to remind you how fiercely I loved you right from the start.  Not to mention, it’ll also serve as a nice little reminder of why your mama deserves a little respect when you’re an angsty teenager.  
 
So let’s start at the beginning.  Towards the end of December 2015, I had a gut feeling that I was pregnant.  I took three tests and they all came back negative.  I knew it to be true so I took another test early January and there was a VERY faint line, meaning it was positive but it was so faint I couldn’t be sure.   I of course spent hours googling what it could mean but I still couldn’t be sure.  I took two more tests a few days later just to confirm. After the sixth test and a very dark “positive” line, I finally knew for sure!  We felt surprised, overwhelmed, and full of joy all at the same time. ​

This story was originally shared to our Hypnobabies Twin Cities Facebook page and is reposted here with permission. You'll have to jump back over to the post here to watch the amazing video! 

So I'm finally writing out the birth story of our beautiful #rainbowbaby 🌈 daughter Lyra Joy born 7-12-17 at 42 weeks in hope of encouraging some mamas who are feeling pressured when they are past their guess date.

No BOP needed this is a joyful story of how well hypnobabies worked even when passed a guess date. Give yourself some space and grace and maybe a nice bubble bath. You got this mama!

My guess date was June 28, 2017 that was the day I had my membranes swept in hopes of having my birthing time start...... ​

Introducing my hypnobaby, born at home in the water on Sunday, July 2 at 8:38 pm. 8 lbs 10 oz 19.5" and perfect in every way!

I awoke at 3:00 am at 40+4 with stronger pressure waves than any of the practice waves I'd been having, and thought this could be it! 

So I put on my tracks and ended up sleeping through them for another 4 hours or so. At around 8am I noticed they were getting more powerful and knew today would be it! I started timing them, ate a good breakfast and got a shower in while playing tracks. I live alone, so about 9:30am I called my mom and sister to come over and began my early birthing time tracks. The tracks were amazing as I began to experience feelings I hadn't before! My Hypno-Doula, Aileen Larson, showed up around 12:30 and immediately assisted me with my peace and relax cues during each wave. My sister ended up carrying around my bright orange hypnoanesthesia towel around on her shoulder as I found comfort in that. They continued to get stronger, a sensation I feel I couldn't have prepared for being a first time mom! I was very vocal, but apparently (I'm told) I was quite serene in between each birthing wave. My tracks were constantly playing for me all throughout the day and served me as a powerful guide and something to focus on. After about 12 hours of active birthing time I pushed for an hour when I felt the urge and out he came! It was an instant relief and I suddenly felt very normal, like I had just come out of another dimension  

It was the most intense day I've ever had, but I'm so proud to say I had the birth I envisioned at home in the water completely naturally. It's fun to put on tracks or relaxation music now and see my baby respond to it. I think he likes Kerry's voice better than mine!

It was the last full week of October and I was busy counting down the last 2 weeks of work.  Our baby had been posterior or “sunny side up” from about 36 weeks so I had been spending lots of time on my hands and knees, doing inversions and seeing a chiropractor for some Webster technique adjustments. At our appointment at 37 weeks and 6 days we found out that he had turned anterior! Later that evening I went for another chiropractic adjustment and our chiropractor Rochelle said that things felt good. She also thought she could feel his hand by his face. I went to bed that evening and then awoke at midnight to my water breaking. I was so surprised! ​

OK, so we’re having a baby. That’s amazing! But now what?! As a first time dad, the process and experience of childbirth education, the birth itself and caring for a new little one can definitely be overwhelming.  But don’t worry, I’m here to tell you that with a little bit of preparation and gained confidence, I was totally ready for the joys and craziness that I now can cherish forever. Everyone’s birth story is different and unique and maybe that is what makes it so special. This is our birth story, from my perspective as a first-time dad.