Julian Daniel's Birth Story

At 5:30pm I was awoken from my nap with pressure surges. I got up to do dishes and stopped washing when I felt a pressure surge and leaned up against the kitchen counter.  I then went to the white board in the kitchen and wrote the times. I timed them at two minutes apart, but still didn’t believe it was my birthing time, despite being just over 41 weeks.  After 2 hours of constant 2 minute pressure waves we decided to leave for the hospital to see if it was the real thing. I was very calm, and I truly believe that the birth affirmations helped me the most during this time to stay relaxed. 

We got to the hospital and I was breathing during pressure sensations and closing my eyes. I went to a 'happy place' during each one. It wasn’t the happy place that I used during the CD visualization exercises, but it worked for me. I shut my eyes and distanced myself from the outside world. I had made a music CD of Celine Dion, and slow Elvis Presley music.  I knew this CD would be my 'birthing CD' and I listened to it from start to finish. We arrived at the hospital at 8:15pm, and my midwife had me recorded as in 'active labour' from 9pm on.  After the midwives got to the hospital I went on the birth ball and leaned into the bed that was much higher than the ball.  With each pressure sensation I would concentrate on the music from the headphones and 'dance' with my baby. I rocked my hips back and fourth, sometimes in a circular motion and danced with my birth partner- my baby. I was disengaged from the outside world. During my birthing time I didn’t focus on anything but my inner self. I wasn’t thinking about the birth affirmations per-se, but I know they made a huge difference in my birthing. Subliminally they were working for me. Especially the ones that said that my body knows what to do, and staying relaxed to allow my body to work for me, in harmony with my unborn child. Things got intense around 11:30pm and I was around 7-8 cm's and the midwife wanted to break my water. At first I didn’t want this to happen because the bag of waters act like shock absorbers, and I began to get afraid of pain. I then changed my mind frame and had faith that indeed I would have a baby in my arms in less than an hour as the midwives had said to me. My water was broken and the baby went from -2 station to baby's head pressing against my cervix.  Within minutes I felt the urge to push but had a cervical lip. With the assistance of the midwives I was able to resist my urge to push. The sensations at this point actually felt nice. The pressure increased in my bum and I was checked and was told I was ready to push. I had no pushing urge but felt a lot of pressure.  I pushed for about 10 minutes and at 12:10 am April 12, my son Julian was born.

I posted before that hubby was resistant to Hypnobabies, and that I didn’t think he really had a belief in it. He actually had no preparation - but when it came to the time did a wonderful job to remind me of my wishes of NCB and encouraged me every step of the way. I really found the birth affirmations to be the most useful part of the Hypnobabies program. I also did some reading on birthing in other parts of the world, and how much of a natural event it was. My mind frame during the entire process was that it was natural, my body was working in harmony with my baby, and we did it. Birthing time was a total of 6 hours. During the process it went very quickly. Earlier that day I was a fingertip dilated, and my body knew exactly what to do once the ball started rolling.

I would like to thank Susan for showing me the light and introducing me to Hypnobabies. When I met Susan online my birth plan was 'pain-free by any means' including an epidural if it came down to it. In the end my birth plan was: NCB (Natural Childbirth) by any means!

I would also like to thank the supportive ladies in the group that opened my eyes up to a variety of topics and support when I had various issues come up: Strep B etc. Unfortunately my baby didn’t have time to receive anti-biotics, but in a way it was nice to have such a short birthing time in exchange.

After the birth I felt like I could run a marathon. I have been going strong ever since. Since being home I have returned to my normal self.  I have great memories of the birth and wouldn’t of had my birthing time any different if I could have chosen.  I had no tears, and am wearing my pre-pregnancy clothing again after 6 days post-partum. I am feeling great and have Kerry to thank for making such a wonderful program and being so supportive in this Hypnobabies group. Even without any formal training, just hearing the support on the board and how beautiful NCB can be - is convincing enough that the perfect birth is achievable under the right circumstances.

Thanks again!