Since before becoming pregnant I knew I wanted to have a different experience than those many horror stories we hear all the time. I wanted my birth to be beautiful, peaceful and quick like my friend's birth. When we finally became pregnant I knew I wanted to try my friend's method of hypnobabies and put fourth all of me so that I may have a great experience, one I would be proud to share and one that I could have as much control as possible. We left our OB to go with a Midwife group but @ 20 weeks I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and risked out of that group. We found a new midwife group that did see high risk patients. We saw a specialist for diabetes and a nutritionist and followed my diet because in my mind I wasn't going to do anything that would jeopardize my baby's health or giving birth the way I had been envisioning for quite some time now. Just because I started eating better did not mean I wasn't a ball of anxiety, I stressed and worried constantly about anything and everything that could go wrong because it took us so long to conceive I still couldn't believe that I was growing my baby inside me and the overwhelming sense of fear plagued me until our hypnobabies class started.... Pregnancy affirmations, fear clearing were a god sent! Just after our first session I felt so confident and relaxed there were days I heard my pregnancy affirmations once, other times 5 times a day. As the time got close for our birth day we were told by our midwives that I would need to be induced because having gestational diabetes your chances of complications on/or after 40 weeks increases...tentative given induction date THANKSGIVING a day I had envisioned since my very first OB visit.
From week 32 I had weekly midwife followups and biophysical ultrasounds to track baby and placenta due to my gestational diabetes.
Monday before Thanksgiving Day, normal followup with midwives to solidify induction which I decided I wanted the day after Thanksgiving not on Thanksgiving Day. As we sit down to get my blood pressure checked it's very elevated, they double check after a little while and no change, they gave me a list of Preeclampsia warnings signs and things to keep an eye on and schedule me back on Wednesday to double check blood pressure.
Wednesday, follow up with midwives, given pre eclampsia diagnosis because my blood pressure is still high. I haven't had any issues or symptoms yet but blood pressure still high. We confirm we are still set on Friday induction.
Thursday, Thanksgiving at about 8PM my husband and I decide to go to our neighbors to hangout, after only being there 5 minutes I started to get a piercing headache, very intense pressure on my temples. My husband insisted I call our midwife, so I did an hour later :-) she stated that because of my preeclampsia and gestational diabetes she wanted me to come in to Abbott where we were set to give birth to be evaluated. I had already packed and loaded all our bags into the car a month earlier (sorry type A personality :0 ) all that was left to load was our tech bag so we quickly were on our way to "be evaluated" once we arrived all was confirmed my blood pressure was up, baby and I were still doing great. We discussed our options, go home and return 12 hours later to be induced or stay and be induced now. Our midwife stated that with preeclampsia things could turn for the worse from just a few hours or days before. That was not a risk we wanted to take and decided to stay at the hospital and be induced via cervical ripening. Cervical ripening was done at 1 am and we went to bed. Slept through the night, woke up had breakfast and took a long shower, excited for my birth day, the day I finally get to meet our baby girl, excited to implement my hypnobabies I felt confident and in control.
Our birthing day
We spent the day walking, chatting with my midwife and just a non eventful day. My pressure waves were constant and very bearable. At about 3 PM we agreed to start pitocin to hopefully get bigger more intense waves. Again we started walking and just enjoying every moment. I had a baby monitor strapped and therefore I always felt very relaxed knowing she was doing good. As time went on I started to feel more aware, with each wave I felt that much more in tuned with my body and my baby . With each wave I felt more confident that I would have the birth I always wanted because everything to this point had been extremely manageable, I had zero discomfort. At exactly 6:01 I had a very strong pressure wave that literally felt as if someone given me a huge hug around my belly with a light squeeze no discomfort and I felt a trickle run down my leg, I soon realized I couldn't stop "peeing" and was mortified. My wonderful doula said to me "I don't think you peed yourself let me get your midwife". She was right, I had not peed my water had just broken, even that was not what I thought it would be no huge gush, no discomfort just a gentle squeeze then oops water running down my leg! Awesome! Yay!! Sheer focus came over me, I was like READY GO TIME! I put my earphones on and listen to easy first stage, and got into a comfortable position on the hospital bed giving everyone my back and resting on the back of the bed. This is where my day gets amazing, I was in Barbados on a hammock with my husband and baby girl feeling the Breeze (AKA my happy place) every so often I would get whiffs of citrus scents among other very appealing scents that each time I inhaled a scent my body felt that much more relaxed and limp just the most relaxed feeling I'd ever experienced. The Barbados sun started to warm me up (AKA transition)which was perfect because just as I was feeling uncomfortable warm I felt cool compressions on my face and neck ( my fairy doula) At some point (and I don't recall doing so) I asked my husband to change my track to pushing baby out. I was feeling the urge to push and was feeling some pressure in my bottom.
***Warning Bubble of peace***
Our families had been asked not to call my cellphone but someone did and we never thought to put my phone on airplane mode!! All of sudden my phone rings super loud in my ear snapping me back to reality and in that moment I felt pain with my wave followed by a tremendous gush of water, I declined the call only to have the caller call right back! I was beyond ticked and frustrated in that moment but my husband quickly put my phone on airplane mode and focused really hard for a few minutes to pushed the incident out of my mind and refocused and relaxed again because I did not want to feel that again. I was no longer was in my happy place, I was in my body..... It was strange and extremely interesting my mind was clear, I felt so peaceful and with each wave I could feel my daughter move from high in my ribs to my lower abdomen then I could feel her in my pelvis, at some point I felt my lower back shifting almost like the turning of a rubik's cube but never feeling any discomfort or pain. I opened my eyes for the 2nd time during my birthing only to find myself sitting on the toilet with my entire crew looking at me....eek! I remember feeling very comfortable to push while sitting on the toilet which each pressure wave I would naturally push and instantly relax after the wave and smile as I'd been telling myself for 6 weeks I would do. After a while I was asked to go back on the bed and as they laid me down on my back I once again switched into a position I wanted to be in. I felt it was time, I no longer felt her high in my belly and I grunted and bared down because that's what I instinctively did, there was no manual to read, I had completely let go and allowed my body to do what it was intended to do knowing and trusting that my body & instincts knew what to do. I was told I pushed for 20-30 minutes.
On November 28, 2014 @ 9:22PM I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Arabella Sadie, 8lbs 11oz, 20 inches!
Bubble of peace****
Turns out my baby girl not only loved hiding from the weekly ultrasounds by putting her hands on her face but she decided that's how she would come into this world, problem was she was a bit stuck and even though it took a bit to free her from the birth canal I did not tear, I did not loose control or freak out because I was in a deep relaxation enjoying every minute of my day that I had no idea what was going on behind the scenes and I wouldn't have it any other way. Prior to my birth day I had pressure waves that were intense and uncomfortable and in hindsight I truly believe the only reason they were uncomfortable was because I allowed fear in but on my birthing day I was prepared I knew we were in the hospital to meet our baby and we'd meet her no matter what method as long as it was safe & best for us and I anticipated some discomfort and my end result was a very relaxing fun day, very little to no discomfort, during my birth and I did it naturally.
I learned a few things as I gave birth
1) Mind over matter is a true thing
2) When you let go of all fear and insecurities you can accomplish anything
3) My body had control not my type A personality mind
4) Doulas are a god send! How she knew the perfect scent to use at the perfect time, when and how to massage and those heaven sent cold compressions that never wavered=very comfortable and easy birth day
5)My husband truly loves & trust me, he never left my side and although I had my eyes closed I could feel him, sense him and was comforted by his love & presence.
6) I can see and feel everything with my eyes closed and my mind focused on one task.... Now that's powerful.
During my pregnancy I listened to my pregnancy affirmations and I repeatedly stated I would have a quiet, quick, peaceful and easy birth. That is exactly what I got. I was confused by the time on the wall clock because this experience felt like it had only been 20-30 min but it was 3 1/2 hrs.
I am truly grateful to our friend who introduced us to hypnobabies, my husband for going through with this idea and always having confidence in me and keeping me accountable and our amazing instructor Lindsay for providing the tools necessary to get us to where we wanted to be to ensure a beautiful birth. People love to share their not so great birth stories and it is very empowering to share our very relaxed, easy, beautiful, smooth birth story.
Monday before Thanksgiving Day, normal followup with midwives to solidify induction which I decided I wanted the day after Thanksgiving not on Thanksgiving Day. As we sit down to get my blood pressure checked it's very elevated, they double check after a little while and no change, they gave me a list of Preeclampsia warnings signs and things to keep an eye on and schedule me back on Wednesday to double check blood pressure.
Wednesday, follow up with midwives, given pre eclampsia diagnosis because my blood pressure is still high. I haven't had any issues or symptoms yet but blood pressure still high. We confirm we are still set on Friday induction.
Thursday, Thanksgiving at about 8PM my husband and I decide to go to our neighbors to hangout, after only being there 5 minutes I started to get a piercing headache, very intense pressure on my temples. My husband insisted I call our midwife, so I did an hour later :-) she stated that because of my preeclampsia and gestational diabetes she wanted me to come in to Abbott where we were set to give birth to be evaluated. I had already packed and loaded all our bags into the car a month earlier (sorry type A personality :0 ) all that was left to load was our tech bag so we quickly were on our way to "be evaluated" once we arrived all was confirmed my blood pressure was up, baby and I were still doing great. We discussed our options, go home and return 12 hours later to be induced or stay and be induced now. Our midwife stated that with preeclampsia things could turn for the worse from just a few hours or days before. That was not a risk we wanted to take and decided to stay at the hospital and be induced via cervical ripening. Cervical ripening was done at 1 am and we went to bed. Slept through the night, woke up had breakfast and took a long shower, excited for my birth day, the day I finally get to meet our baby girl, excited to implement my hypnobabies I felt confident and in control.
Our birthing day
We spent the day walking, chatting with my midwife and just a non eventful day. My pressure waves were constant and very bearable. At about 3 PM we agreed to start pitocin to hopefully get bigger more intense waves. Again we started walking and just enjoying every moment. I had a baby monitor strapped and therefore I always felt very relaxed knowing she was doing good. As time went on I started to feel more aware, with each wave I felt that much more in tuned with my body and my baby . With each wave I felt more confident that I would have the birth I always wanted because everything to this point had been extremely manageable, I had zero discomfort. At exactly 6:01 I had a very strong pressure wave that literally felt as if someone given me a huge hug around my belly with a light squeeze no discomfort and I felt a trickle run down my leg, I soon realized I couldn't stop "peeing" and was mortified. My wonderful doula said to me "I don't think you peed yourself let me get your midwife". She was right, I had not peed my water had just broken, even that was not what I thought it would be no huge gush, no discomfort just a gentle squeeze then oops water running down my leg! Awesome! Yay!! Sheer focus came over me, I was like READY GO TIME! I put my earphones on and listen to easy first stage, and got into a comfortable position on the hospital bed giving everyone my back and resting on the back of the bed. This is where my day gets amazing, I was in Barbados on a hammock with my husband and baby girl feeling the Breeze (AKA my happy place) every so often I would get whiffs of citrus scents among other very appealing scents that each time I inhaled a scent my body felt that much more relaxed and limp just the most relaxed feeling I'd ever experienced. The Barbados sun started to warm me up (AKA transition)which was perfect because just as I was feeling uncomfortable warm I felt cool compressions on my face and neck ( my fairy doula) At some point (and I don't recall doing so) I asked my husband to change my track to pushing baby out. I was feeling the urge to push and was feeling some pressure in my bottom.
***Warning Bubble of peace***
Our families had been asked not to call my cellphone but someone did and we never thought to put my phone on airplane mode!! All of sudden my phone rings super loud in my ear snapping me back to reality and in that moment I felt pain with my wave followed by a tremendous gush of water, I declined the call only to have the caller call right back! I was beyond ticked and frustrated in that moment but my husband quickly put my phone on airplane mode and focused really hard for a few minutes to pushed the incident out of my mind and refocused and relaxed again because I did not want to feel that again. I was no longer was in my happy place, I was in my body..... It was strange and extremely interesting my mind was clear, I felt so peaceful and with each wave I could feel my daughter move from high in my ribs to my lower abdomen then I could feel her in my pelvis, at some point I felt my lower back shifting almost like the turning of a rubik's cube but never feeling any discomfort or pain. I opened my eyes for the 2nd time during my birthing only to find myself sitting on the toilet with my entire crew looking at me....eek! I remember feeling very comfortable to push while sitting on the toilet which each pressure wave I would naturally push and instantly relax after the wave and smile as I'd been telling myself for 6 weeks I would do. After a while I was asked to go back on the bed and as they laid me down on my back I once again switched into a position I wanted to be in. I felt it was time, I no longer felt her high in my belly and I grunted and bared down because that's what I instinctively did, there was no manual to read, I had completely let go and allowed my body to do what it was intended to do knowing and trusting that my body & instincts knew what to do. I was told I pushed for 20-30 minutes.
On November 28, 2014 @ 9:22PM I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Arabella Sadie, 8lbs 11oz, 20 inches!
Bubble of peace****
Turns out my baby girl not only loved hiding from the weekly ultrasounds by putting her hands on her face but she decided that's how she would come into this world, problem was she was a bit stuck and even though it took a bit to free her from the birth canal I did not tear, I did not loose control or freak out because I was in a deep relaxation enjoying every minute of my day that I had no idea what was going on behind the scenes and I wouldn't have it any other way. Prior to my birth day I had pressure waves that were intense and uncomfortable and in hindsight I truly believe the only reason they were uncomfortable was because I allowed fear in but on my birthing day I was prepared I knew we were in the hospital to meet our baby and we'd meet her no matter what method as long as it was safe & best for us and I anticipated some discomfort and my end result was a very relaxing fun day, very little to no discomfort, during my birth and I did it naturally.
I learned a few things as I gave birth
1) Mind over matter is a true thing
2) When you let go of all fear and insecurities you can accomplish anything
3) My body had control not my type A personality mind
4) Doulas are a god send! How she knew the perfect scent to use at the perfect time, when and how to massage and those heaven sent cold compressions that never wavered=very comfortable and easy birth day
5)My husband truly loves & trust me, he never left my side and although I had my eyes closed I could feel him, sense him and was comforted by his love & presence.
6) I can see and feel everything with my eyes closed and my mind focused on one task.... Now that's powerful.
During my pregnancy I listened to my pregnancy affirmations and I repeatedly stated I would have a quiet, quick, peaceful and easy birth. That is exactly what I got. I was confused by the time on the wall clock because this experience felt like it had only been 20-30 min but it was 3 1/2 hrs.
I am truly grateful to our friend who introduced us to hypnobabies, my husband for going through with this idea and always having confidence in me and keeping me accountable and our amazing instructor Lindsay for providing the tools necessary to get us to where we wanted to be to ensure a beautiful birth. People love to share their not so great birth stories and it is very empowering to share our very relaxed, easy, beautiful, smooth birth story.
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