This week’s birth story comes from a lovely lady all the way from Florida USA, who purchased The Calm Birth School book. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us.
When I first learned about hypnobirthing, I knew it was something I wanted to try. I purchased The Calm Birth Method book and started practicing the breathing techniques during my second trimester. I also listened to guided meditations. I am so glad that I did!! It helped me to be very relaxed during my pregnancy.
My EDD was October 14, but it came and went. On the evening of October 15, my waters released while my husband and I were having a dance party. I felt shocked, nervous, and excited all at once. I could tell my adrenaline was getting going, so I immediate got on my birthing ball and began my breathing techniques. This really helped to calm me down. I called my midwife and she wanted me to come to the hospital within the hour. I had tested positive for Strep B, so they wanted me on antibiotics (not part of my birth plan, but hypnobirthing taught me to be flexible).
I arrived at hospital around 9:30 pm. Our doula met us there. My surges were coming strong every 5 minutes. I sat on the labour ball, with my head on the bed, pretty much all night long. With every surge I imagined a wave coming closer to shore and crashing at its peak. I took deep breaths (in for 7 seconds, out for 7). This helped tremendously. By morning I was 3 cm dilated. Not the progress I had hoped for. The hospital staff was very supportive of my birth preferences, so they never pressured me or asked me about my pain level.
My surges stayed 5 minutes apart that day. By evening (24 hrs) I was 5 cm dilated. I didn’t want to have another sleepless night, so I began considering an epidural. This was an extremely difficult decision for me, as my wish was to have an unmedicated birth. Thanks to The Calm Birth School, I knew how to use the B.R.A.I.N acronym to help me with this decision. I determined that a good night’s rest was a major benefit that outweighed the risks, so I decided yes on the epidural. Thankfully the medical staff did not pressure me whatsoever. I was in complete control.
Shortly after I received the epidural, I learned that my baby girl had flipped around and was no longer posterior facing. They said I could still deliver vaginally but it would be harder and likely take longer. We tried various positions, and waited it out, but when I reached 40 hours of labour she was still poorly positioned, and I was 7 cm dilated. They had tried giving me pitocin to increase the frequency of my surges. They would get closer together, but then space back out. My husband and I talked and decided that a c-section was our best option for delivery. No one pressured us into it, or even suggested it. We asked the surgeon questions, weighed all the risks and benefits, and made the decision ourselves. I felt so empowered and so excited to meet our baby girl! I got to listen to The Beatles in the operating room and at 1:07 pm, on October 17, 2019, Kathryn was born to “Here Comes the Sun.” It was a beautiful experience. When they pulled her out, they noticed the cord was wrapped around her twice! She was so tangled; I likely wouldn’t have been able to push her out. I’m so thankful we followed our instincts and didn’t end up needing an emergency c-section.
Thank you to The Calm Birth School for giving me the tools to turn what could have been a long terrible labour into a calm, beautiful, empowering experience!
If you want to create your own positive birth you can start today!
Sign up for our FREE Hypnobirthing Videos here or get in touch with one of our Instructors here
