Testimonials
Laura's Story
| In the middle of the night on Thursday, February 6th, I started to have contractions. My Braxton Hicks had gotten much stronger lately, but I knew that night that things were truly beginning. We had a pretty significant snow storm that night, so Kevin got right to shoveling by 6am, not knowing when we might need to make a hasty departure. My contractions went on intermittently throughout the day. I did some work at home on the phone and the computer, and laid down to rest with my HypnoBirthing® tapes a few times. Things started to heat up by 4pm - I took a shower and readied myself for the next few hours. |
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Although my surges got stronger and more intense, they never got very regular - so although I knew I was progressing, I couldn't be sure when I should go to the hospital. My water broke around 8pm - which I was thrilled about since this didn't happen naturally with my first birth. My surges became a bit more regular and we left for AAMC around 9pm. So far, everything was very relaxed, I wasn't in a lot of pain and I felt very comfortable with what to expect. I think my HypnoBirthing® had a lot to do with my state of mind, as well as the fact that this was my second birth. I was only about 3cm dilated when we got to the hospital, so the nurse suggested we walk around for a bit and get re-checked in an hour. So, we took a lot of tours through the lobby. With every surge, a gush of water came out, which was a bit strange - and by 10:30, I knew it was time to get comfortable in a room. The surges were coming much more closely together, I think I had five or so on my way down the hall to my room. My doula arrived shortly thereafter, and my room was arranged according to my brithing plan. Low lights, quiet - and no IVs or constant fetal monitoring for me. They really respected my wishes. My labor nurse had also HypnoBirthed both of her children, and having her there was fantastic. I spent some time on a birthing ball which was helpful, and had my music playing softly in the background. When I was ready to change positions, the nurse helped to adjust the bed so that it was at a perfect angle which mimicked how I would lie in bed at home when I listened to my tapes. Kevin then read the Rainbow Relaxation script to me and both Kevin and my doula said that I was definitely in a very deep state of relaxation. I remember this period as being the most intense part of my labor, but I was able to slow breathe through the surges very well and this helped me to stay grounded while I labored. When I roused from this state - I needed to use the bathroom, and it was at this time, around 12:45am when I knew the big event was getting close. The doula helped me back onto the bed and I squatted on my knees with my arms and head resting over the top of the raised bed. I started to feel the urge to push and asked them to call for the doctor. The doctor had not come in once to check on me - and I didn't miss her. The nurse checked me, Jess was already crowning. Jessica was born at 1:20am. I pushed for only about 20 minutes. With Brendan the pushing lasted a little over an hour. Kevin and I were so completely overwhelmed that she was a girl that we must have said "It's a girl!!" about 50 times. They laid her on my chest - she was so tiny - just 5lbs 8 ozs. She started to nurse and they left her with me all snuggled up for what seemed like a very long and wonderful time before they took her away to clean her up. It was so calm, peaceful and wonderful. I was able to get up after the birth and use the bathroom. I have a picture of Kevin and I flanking the baby warmer shortly thereafter. I don't regret for a second that I didn't use drugs - well maybe just that moment right before I started pushing.... All in all, it was an incredible experience, and it went down in exactly the way I wanted it to. Thank you for sharing HypnoBirthing® with us. It truly helped to make my birthing experience a wonderful memory. Return to top of page |
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Jennifer
I woke up around 2:45am on the morning of September 20th to mild surges about 5-7 minutes apart. I immediately put on my HypnoBirthing CD that Kim gave me and tried to get some more rest. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I finally got up and took a shower. Surges were now a steady 5 minutes apart, but still very mild. I played the HypnoBirthing Affirmations tape while I took a nice long shower. I then sat down to watch a little tv (it was now about 6am). I apparently fell asleep and woke up about an hour and a half later and surges had stopped!
I called the midwife to explain what was happening and she said to "wait and see." Throughout the morning my contractions came and went, quite sporadically. I continued to listen to the CD and tapes. Finally around 1:30pm contractions had picked back up again. They were still about 10-15 minutes apart, but a bit more intense.
I called the midwife who suggested I come in to the Birth Center just to be checked. I went in and she said I was only 3 cm dilated and didn't seem to be in active labor as I was too calm and the contractions were too mild and too far apart. I went home a little frustrated.
My husband and I took a nap and I awoke 40 minutes later "feeling differnt." I told my husband we should go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 3pm. My husband was saying all the 'HypnoBirthing stuff." I was definitely having more intense surges, but they were still no closer than 5 minutes apart, if that. Upon checking into the Labor & Delivery floor, I was 7 cm. and they ushered me into a room and called my midwife. About 15 minutes later, the midwife arrived and checked me to find that I was fully dilated and ready to push. I pushed a few times but the midwife and attending nurse said I was "too relaxed" and actually needed to "get more into it in order to get the baby out." I pushed two more times and out came baby! Joy Carrie Macris was born at 3:43pm, only about 45 minutes after I arrived!
The whole experience was wonderful. Although not entirely painless, it was definitely managable. I think this was due to the HypnoBirthing. My husband said I was incredible to watch. This was my fourth child, and by far the easiest birth. My recovery has been so minimal, people can't believe I just had a baby. I feel great! I think this is a result of the HypnoBirthing too.
Thank you Kim! Your training helped me have a wonderful birthing experience, and I learned a great set of "life skills" for relaxation. i still like to listen to my tapes!
Return to top of pageLeeAnn
I Became suspicious of labor on 2/25/03 At 1330 when I noticed I was having more surges than normal. I was at work and covering lunches for Kelly and Carla. Renee was in charge. I had a lot of energy and was accomplishing many tasks. I became excited but was reserved and did not tell anyone. The surges were not painful and felt like a tightening in my upper abdomen. I worked an 8-hour shift and went home. I had a normal evening and informed my husband that I was having surges. He was curious but reserved as well. That evening I prepared my labor bag and Don made his up also. I briefly spoke to my mother and we joked about me going into labor. I really started to believe that I was in Prodromal labor so Don began timing my surges. The kept getting closer together but were the same quality. By the time I went to bed at 2230 I was having 10 surges in an hour.
I slept Peacefully until 0330 when I woke to use the bathroom. I noticed I was still having surges and that they were more intense. Now I was feeling a stretching sensation in my lower abdomen. I was able to sleep for another hour and awoke at 0430. I told Don what was happening and we decided to get up and attempt our normal morning routine. I ate breakfast on the labor Ball and Don timed my surges as 2-4 minutes apart. We showered and that felt wonderful. At about 0630 the surges intensified more and I was feeling somewhat afraid. I wanted to use the Hypnosis. Don went off to work for a couple hours.
I set myself up in bed in a left side lying position with my CD player and Hypnobirthing CD at hand. I used the CD that my instructor Kim had made for us. Each track was about 30 minutes so I listened to a track and then went to the bathroom. I found the rainbow relaxation to be helpful and I recall listening to the red and then coming out of hypnosis at the blue. Not recalling anything in between. Getting up to the bathroom was hard. It was uncomfortable and broke my concentration, however I was quite pleased with how I was doing. The surges were intense and I was guessing I was in active labor. At about 0900 I began making phone calls. I called my Doula, Kim and the midwife (David). I told David that my surges were 3-6 minutes apart but I was not sure because of the deep relaxation. He recommended that I call back when the surges were more intense and regular. I chuckled to myself because I new they were pretty intense. Don told me that he would be home soon.
After all my phone calls I began to feel a little out of control. I was ready to ? Check out ? at this time. The surges were so intense and it was very hard to focus. But nevertheless?I did it! However still no pain. Don got home at 1100. I figured I should eat something. After he changed and made the food I began to shake. I new I was in transition. I was so proud of myself! At 1130 I felt my water break. I told Don to call the midwife . I Know would meet my daughter soon. I went to the bathroom and saw meconium on my pad. Don told the midwife. We proceeded to make our way to the birth center. It had just begun to snow and there was a coat of slippery snow on the road. I was in the car chanting ? Just drive Careful? Don was doing his best but as we approached the stop sign at the bottom of the hill at the entrance of our neighborhood we began to slide and Don could not break. He started saying ?I am going to hit him?. And sure enough we gently slide into the silver Surefire.
I calmly told Don, who was upset, that we really couldn?t do this right now and to tell the driver I was in labor. Don proceeded to assess the damage (a small dent) and speak with the driver. I calmly told them to exchange information and we would call him tomorrow. I was becoming worried about a car delivery but I was clam rocking and breathing through the surges. Early on I started using the slow breathing technique from 1 to 13. I average three breaths per surge. I started feeling pressure in my rectum when we got to the Annapolis and told Don I would have her soon. He said oh my god and touched me. I told him not to. I was praying we would make it in time and was visualizing a closed Cervix.
Whew, We made it at 1220! David was preparing the room. I told him to turn on the Jacuzzi and he told me that he had to check my vital signs. Fetal heart rate and cervix first. I stared at him in humorous disbelief as he checked my blood pressure. He left the room and I proceeded to take my pants off. When Don saw the large amount of blood on my pad he frantically asked, ?What do I do?? I told him to go get David the Midwife. David came and checked me and to his disbelief I was 9 cm. I sent an uncomfortable 10 minutes on the bed and then went into the Jacuzzi. That was wonderful! I did a lot of rocking. The surges were intense but still non painful. I began to breath the baby down. I screamed with each push but not out of pain. There is just so much energy and intensity that screaming was an outlet. Kind of like screaming down a roller coaster. I love the tub because I could keep my lower torso afloat without much effort. I held Don and my nurses hand as I pushed.
I found comfort in making eye contact with my care givers as they told me everything was okay and that I was doing great! Michelle the student nurse midwife received my baby Kayla at 1250 and placed her on my chest. There is not any other feeling like thaShe felt warm and little. I was so proud and fearless. I will admit that her crowning did burn but that feeling resolved quickly. We then proceeded to the bed to deliver the placenta and collect her cord blood. Everything went perfect. It was truly a miracle.
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