Aspen's Birth
I posted about the birth of our daughter, Aspen and included
the link to her birth pictures and the birth story from my husband's
perspective. (www.aspenalanna.com
if you haven't already seen it)
I just wanted to add a few hypnobabies-specific things that I experienced with
this birth from my own point of view.
I wasn't sure how well the program was going to work. I sometimes forgot to
listen to my CDs and I didn't remember to do the finger drop/eyes open
practice 5 times a day. I was worried that because I wasn't as devout as I
had planned to be that it wasn't going to work so well for me. Plus, it
seemed like I fell asleep whenever I listened to the CDs.
Then I went into labor....
I LOVED using the Open and Release Cues. I listened to the Birthing Day Track
several times when I was in early labor, and then I turned it off and listened
to CDs that I used to relax to in pregnancy. While listening to the music I
would pace or sit on the birth ball and say "Open" on my inhale and "Release"
on the exhale of every breath. When I had a particularly powerful pressure
wave then I would also say "Peace" along with the other words. ONE time
during labor I said that it "hurt" and it was early in labor, and I was trying
to lay in bed to rest, but that seemed to be the worst position for me and I
was not breathing or focusing when I experienced it "hurting". I listened to
my instincts and got out of bed. It felt much better for me to be upright
during the rest of my birthing time. This made sense for me, since I
preferred to practice my Hypnobabies with my light switch in the middle anyway
(I did not do well with the switch off).
I wasn't sure that I was really in labor (since I had pre-labor for a week and
there were no other signs like bloody show or anything). When the midwife
arrived at 4:45 am I was hoping she would tell me I was really in labor. She
told me I was 6-7 cm and baby was +1/+2 station. I relaxed even more when I
realized the baby would be here soon. My husband said I used the word "safe"
for the first time after my midwife arrived.
I got in the birth tub at this time. I had about 3 pressure waves in the tub
that were intense, but I found my rhythm easily and they didn't seem any
stronger than before. Once, between pressure waves...I had a conversation
with the baby. I told our baby that the birth would happen soon and that we
were ready for her and that it would be a gentle and wonderful experience for
her. On the VERY next contraction...I felt the downward pressure of her head
in the birth canal. I told the midwife that the baby was coming. I was
amazed that the labor ended and the pushing phase began as soon as we had that
little talk. :0)
I used the AHHHHHHHH exhale pushing. It was great to vocalize. My husband
was a bit surprised since I didn't vocalize during any other part of the
labor. I had read about this technique and planned to use it though,
especially since my 1st dd was born very quickly. When I started to feel the
ring of fire, I just said "Peace, peace, peace" Over and over. At one point
my voice got into a higher pitch and my midwife directed me to look into her
eyes and blow. It was really easy for her to communicate with me and I
immediately opened my eyes and kept eye contact with her. At this point, the
baby's head was halfway out. On the next push our baby was born.
I didn't even realize I was saying the Peace cue during the pushing until I
watched the video. I was also surprised at how in control I felt with the
pushing. Because of the AHHHHH exhale pushing...I felt as if I knew what to
do when it was time to push her out. With my first baby...I just screamed
during the pushing. This time I felt very natural about pushing and like I
had a plan of action instead of feeling out of control.
I would describe certain parts of the birth as intense. But, when I was
checked at 5:00 am, I just wanted the MW to tell me that I was at least in
active labor. I had no idea that 30 minutes later I would be holding our
baby. So, that should tell you how intense (or lack thereof) I experienced
it. It also seemed as if it got easier as the time passed. I remember when I
was pacing, it was most intense...and that is when I was making the first
efforts of getting focused. It never got MORE intense than it was then, even
when I was in transition. When she was being born, it was markedly more
gentle and easier than my first experience. Almost like a more dulled sense
of burning than when DD#1 was born.
So, those are my Hypnobabies-specific tidbits. I just wanted to add to what
my husband told in his story and let you all know how well the program
worked. I also want to say that the fear release was important, as things
came up for me that I didn't realize I needed to deal with (like my mother).
I hope my details are helpful...and if you didn't get a chance to see our
birth pictures/story...you can check it out at
www.aspenalanna.com
Take Care,
Sita