unexpected unassisted homebirth
Hello everyone,
I rarely
post but have to share my hypnobirth story. A week later I'm
still in
awe at how wonderfully easy and pain-free Lucas' birth was.
This story
is also a warning - Hypnobabies works too well! This is
how my
planned homebirth became my unassisted homebirth. Please don't
continue to
read if you have any fears about unassisted birth.
The birth
of Lucas, 4:20 am, March 28, 2006.
Last
Monday, March 27, I lost my mucous plug and started to have some
warm-up
surges. They were manageable and infrequent. I went about
the
business of the day and didn't bother using my lightswitch. With
my first
birth, I lost my plug and then had the baby two days later.
I know that
every birth is different so I figured that I couldn't
count on
the baby coming in two days. I figured that it would be even
longer!
Nevertheless, I started cleaning the house and getting the
supplies
out for our homebirth.
As I was
cooking dinner that evening, I started having some irregular
pressure
waves. I put my lightswitch in the center and kept cleaning.
Around 9 pm
it was time to put my 2-year old son to bed. He nursed
throughout
my pregnancy and this night was no different. Nursing in
the last
few weeks had brought some warm-up surges that were light and
manageable. On this night, his nursing caused some big waves! I
wasn't
prepared with my lightswitch and I reacted by abruptly ending
the nursing
session. The wave was no fun when I wasn't using hypnosis.
It didn't
feel nice but it boosted my confidence in hypnosis. I put
my
lightswitch in the center again and became determined to finish
cleaning up
and getting things ready.
My
irregular waves became more regular but were still far apart. I
called my
midwife about 11 pm and told her that things had begun. She
told me to
take a shower or bath and go to bed and get a good night's
sleep. I
had a nice hot bath with my lightswitch in the center and
finally got
to bed about 12:30 am.
From 1 to 4
am, I slept on and off through waves that
were very
regular.
Whenever I would wake up with a wave, I informally kept
track of
just how regular the waves were becoming. I listened to the
Birth Guide
over and over. I don't remember my dreams now but they
were mixed
in with the Birth Guide and the waves. I was definitely in
another
place in my head but to another person I would have looked
like I was
just sleeping. I started to become aware of my uterus
opening
up. I could feel only the pressure of the uterine muscles
moving up
like a blind being drawn. It was the most interesting and
unique
feeling. I'm so glad that hypnosis allowed me to experience
the
movement of my muscles without feeling anything more than
pressure.
I was so aware of everything my body was doing and am in
such awe at
what a wonderful thing it is and what it can do!
Around 3:30
I noticed that my waves were very regular and about two
minutes
apart. I was so comfortable and sleepy that I didn't want to
get up! I
kept repeating to myself, "Open," and "Welcome Lucas
Joaquin."
I was aware of the baby moving into place but could only
feel
pressure. It was extremely intense but not painful. Finally, I
remember
thinking that I must be pretty far along, about 7 or 8 cm and
should
really get up and call the midwife. I decided to get up at 4
am and
call. I woke up my husband and said, "We'll be having a baby
in about
two more hours." He was a little surprised as he had gone to
bed only a
few hours earlier and nothing much was happening. In
hindsight,
I should have had him call the midwife right then.
Instead, I
decided that I'd do it after I went to the bathroom.
I went to
the bathroom and heard a popping noise. I looked down and
saw that my
amniotic sack had just broken. I checked to see that it
was clear
and it was. I started to feel very pushy all of the sudden.
This was a
new sensation for me because I had never had the urge with
my first
son. I remember my mind being very clear and focused. I
felt no
pain and was only anxious to see my baby. We had been doing
focused
work together for the last three hours and I really wanted to
see him. I
stood up over the toilet and put my hand between my legs
to check
and see if I could feel his head. I could! I began to
loudly call
my husband's name. He didn't answer so I called a little
louder.
Finally, I was yelling. I yelled for him to call the
midwife. I
pushed again and I felt all of his face. I pushed two
more times
and the baby was out!!!! I caught my baby in my hands and
was was too
in-the-moment to be shocked. My husband finally came from
the garage
and saw me with a baby in the bathroom. He was amazingly
calm and we
focused on the baby. He got a warm blanket and we covered
the baby
who was skin to skin at my chest. We checked the cord and
that he was
breathing. I easily birthed the placenta and we wrapped it
in a chux
pad. I sat down and the baby took to the breast without
difficulty.
My husband and I had a quiet moment together with the
newest
member of our family. I never expected to give birth in our
tiny
bathroom! At least I had cleaned it the day before. The midwife
soon
arrived and we cut the cord.
I felt
wonderful but everything was very surreal. I gave birth
without
pain and without anyone coaching me! My legs shook a little
bit as I
stood up from the toilet but I easily walked and soon felt
famished.
Baby Luke weighed 8 lb 8 oz and is healthy. I thought my
first
hypnobirth was a positive experience but this one was amazing.
I am a true
believer in Hypnobabies.
Now, if
only the women I know would stop thinking that I am just one
of the
"lucky" ones who can give birth easily, I'd be even happier.
Lots of
practice with Hypnobabies is the reason for my success. I
wasn't
perfect at my practice and often fell asleep during the CDs. I
even had a
toddler who often interrupted my practice. Despite me not
doing the
program as regularly as prescribed, I was able to use
hypnosis
very successfully during my birthing time.
Amy