I wanted to let you know that we have a baby! Our daughter arrived on December 29th - 10 days after her guess date.
I am so grateful to report that my experience giving birth was really positive. Prior to taking the Hypnobabies class I had a lot of fear about childbirth. It felt inevitable that it would be difficult/traumatic, that I would need an epidural, etc.
We had the Hypnobabies tracks playing at the hospital, and the whole experience was very calm - which is exactly what I wanted. (In fact, the nurse commented on how peaceful things were in the room!) I was in my own zone - taking the waves as they came, relaxing through things, listening to my body.
They only asked my pain level when I was admitted, and then there was no talk of pain or an epidural. I felt they really respected our approach to birthing!
In retrospect, I should have been drinking more water while laboring at home. I was throwing up when I got to the hospital and couldn't keep down fluids. I was hoping I wouldn't have to have an IV, but my midwife suggested IV fluids and some IV anti-nausea medicine (zofran). The fluids definitely helped me have the stamina to give birth.
My husband was great as a partner. Taking the Hypnobabies class together was huge, as we were on the same page about what we wanted the birthing time to be like. And my mom was also wonderful. Her years as a labor and delivery nurse came right back. She was this quiet supportive presence -- suggesting different things, encouraging and affirming me as things got more intense. The midwife was with us for a good portion of the labor, did counter-pressure on my back, etc. Overall I felt really supported!
(Bubble Of Peace)
When I was pushing, my daughter’s heart rate dropped, and the midwives were concerned about getting her out. They felt that an episiotomy was the right course of action. (An episiotomy wasn't even on my radar screen!) The midwife who did the episiotomy said she had only done 8-10 in her 20+ years as a midwife. But she felt it was the right course of action. So, she used the scissors. And my girl came out with no problems! We had lots of skin-to-skin time, and she nursed right away.
(End Bubble of Peace)
Thanks so much for teaching such a great class! I came out of the class feeling like I could trust myself and my body. The class gave me the tools to do this. So again, thank you!