I have been lurking in the background of this HypnoBabies group for a

few months now, reading the messages and taking inspiration from all

of your stories. My baby boy was born using HypnoBabies techniques on

October 25th, and I am just now getting around to posting my birth story.

I started practicing HypnoBabies home study course at 23 weeks, (this

was my first pregnancy) and went through it faithfully right to the

end. I listened to the CDs, practiced my eyes-open hypnosis, did the

scripts with my husband, held birth rehearsals, and focused on my

special safe place. I found the CDs to be relaxing and inspiring. I

soon discovered that I was having a more confident and healthy

pregnancy because of the practice.

On October 24th, I was officially three days past my due date, but

still feeling good. My only complaint was a mild lower back ache. My

husband and I went in for our regular weekly appointment with the

midwife, and she ordered a non-stress test and a bio-physical profile

because I had protein in my urine. She was concerned about H.E.L.P.

syndrome, and started talking about the possibility of an induction,

which I was thoroughly opposed to.

We went up to the birthing unit and they hooked me up to the monitor

belts for the non-stress test. I pushed a button each time I felt the

baby move, and the monitor showed each pressure wave. As we watched

the monitor, we noticed a pattern developing. I was having a pressure

wave about once every three to four minutes. The nurse called the

midwife in, and she checked my cervix and discovered that I was

already dilated to three centimeters. I could feel the pressure waves,

but they were not uncomfortable, and I assumed they were

Braxton-Hicks. She told my husband that he needed to go home and get

the birth bags. That's when I realized that this was it! I think maybe

all the talk about induction caused my brain and body to begin labor

on my own. It was nothing like we had imagined or planned, but it was

happening anyway.

My husband rushed off home to get our things (unfortunately our home

is 40 minutes away from the hospital) and I relaxed and talked to the

midwife. They decided to rupture my membranes to get things moving,

and by the time my husband returned, I was about six centimeters and

effacing nicely. We had made signs for the birthing room that said

things like "If my eyes are closed, I am deep in Hypnosis" and "If my

eyes are open, I am alert and able to communicate. Please use this

time for any necessary questions or tests." My husband hung up all the

signs and introduced himself to our nurse, and gave her the brownies

that I had baked. The brownies were a HUGE hit with the entire staff,

and I thoroughly recommend that everyone take this little piece of

advice from the HypnoBabies program – it really made a great

impression with the nurses, who in turn went the extra mile for us.

I started the Deepening CD and relaxed through it. I took a shower and

walked around, changing positions frequently – from rocking chair to

bed to birth ball. I was able to rest between pressure waves, and even

slept through most of my transformation. I woke up and had a pressure

wave that felt "pushy" so I told the midwife, and soon I was pushing

with each wave, lying on my side with my husband supporting my leg. At

3:32am, on October 25th, my son was born. It was indescribable. He is

a happy, healthy 8 pound little boy. The comment we keep getting from

everyone who visits is "I can't believe how alert he is!" And he was

right from the start – thanks to a healthy, relaxed pregnancy and

birth using HypnoBabies.

I would recommend the HypnoBabies home study course to absolutely

anyone who was willing to listen. It helped me to have a healthy,

confident pregnancy and be assured of myself throughout my entire

birthing time.