Emy’s First Baby: Hypnosis- and Water-birth!

• Posted on July 16, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Emy was a single mom at the time she contacted me. She surprised me with an unusual common sense and such strong determination to “do the right thing” for her baby’s sake! She had a lot to be scared about but she was extremely wise and smart in choosing her “helpers” in this fantastic journey! She chose Dinah Waranch, a nurse-midwife owner of The Lover’s Lane Birth Center and opted for a waterbirth! She also learned self-hypnosis and the “Quantum Birth” program with me. Her baby boy was born Thursday at 5:21 AM in the water after only a few hours of active (strong) labor.

Here is her story in an email she sent me a few months after:

“It was such an amazing birth!”

“I started feeling the first signs of labor at about 11:30 Tuesday night, very mild contraction.[That is what is called early labor, no need to change anything in your routine]….[Sonogram appointment on Wednesday, doctors want to induce, midwife said get a good night sleep, we'll do it tomorrow... ] At 11:30PM on Wednesday night, my water broke and it was obvious no induction would be needed.

The hypnosis worked wonders during the first 24 hours of labor. In fact, sometimes I wasn’t completely sure if I was really having any contractions because as soon as I felt something I would relax and all of a sudden it seemed to disappear. During the stronger labor, it took a lot more effort and concentration but I still think it went absolutely amazing.

It was more tiring than anything I have ever done which is pretty much a given with something that works you out like labor. I was already about 5 centimeters dilated when I got to the birth center which was an hour or two after the strong labor started up. It went so quick from there. I was only in the strong labor for about 5-6 hours.

Sometime during that time, I have no idea what time exactly because I was so zoned out, I decided to get into the water and it helped a lot. I remember thinking how I was afraid Dinah (my midwife) would think it was slowing my labor down because it was so relaxing. I could feel the contractions but they weren’t near as intense. I got out of the water at one point so I could lye on my side in the bed and then all of a sudden I just felt the need to push and started doing it.

At that point Dinah called her assistant and I went back into the water, it just felt right to birth him there. It was amazing feeling him come down the birth canal. I could actually feel him move back a bit when I closed my legs after a contraction so I had them hold my legs apart in between contractions (I was laying on my side because that kept me underwater best). Then I pushed him out with this energy that I have no idea where I got it from and I remember feeling this movement and I assumed it was Dinah doing something and I asked her not to do it because it hurt and she told me that it was the baby moving his head, how cute! And with the next contraction he was out.

I asked my mom about how long I was pushing and she said it was about 10 minutes. I remember feeling him being put on my chest and it took me a few seconds to open my eyes because I was just so focused on the feeling of him being pulled up and set onto me.

After a few days, I started thinking how I can’t wait to have another one…. I think a big part of what made it so amazing was the fact that I did it myself. I had assistance when I needed it, but I still did it myself, no one did it for me. I honestly don’t think I could’ve had a better first birth experience.

The one thing I would change about that day is maybe with the next one I’ll get more sleep once the baby goes to sleep. I was too excited and kept staring at him and didn’t take advantage of the opportunity for sleep.

Well, I’m really tired and must get some sleep. Can’t wait to see you!”

 

Emy

Dallas, February 10, 2006

 

For the record, Emy’s baby was 8lbs10oz and she had just a little tear that did not need stitches. I have seen it over and over again: small women can birth big babies, if they are in the right (relaxed) environment, and allowed to follow their body’s lead in terms of position, “pushing” and everything else at the time of birth!

Also, it is more difficult to stay in the pain-free “zone” all the way without a partner or a doula trained in hypnosis… (More on the important role of the partner in another blog)

Comments? Questions? Do you have a similar story you want to share?

 

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• Filed under:
  • 1 - Natural Birth,
  • 1a - Natural Birth Stories
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  • Dallas Natural Birth,
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  • hypnobirthing,
  • labor pains,
  • Natural Childbirth,
  • pain in childbirth,
  • quantum birth,
  • self-hypnosis,
  • waterbirth