Joanna's Birth Story: A Christmas unlike any other!

My husband Risshan and I spent Christmas Eve delivering goodies and taking Pregnancy photos.  I was 39 week but felt agile enough to spend the night with our close friends Bri and Conner since both of our families are out of state and we want to spend Christmas with loved ones.  The whole time we were out and about I felt like I had menstrual craps and thought I was just a little gassy.  When we got back to their house I drank a bunch of water and went to bed at about 10:00pm.  In only a couple hours around 12:00am I was woken up by some tightening of my stomach and a need to use the bathroom really bad.  So I went and noticed some color and realized that little Elijah was working himself down and thinning out my cervix, which made me really excited that things were moving along!  It wasn’t painful, just tight so I decided to drink more water and go back to bed.  I was thankfully able to sleep well and just woke up about every two hours to go to the bathroom and breathe through a couple of surges.  When I woke up about 7:30am and the tightening was pretty consistent so I did my surge breathing.  This breath was amazing because when my stomach tightened I would go completely limp and when the surge ended it felt amazing, really as if my stomach was filled with a bunch of air, like a balloon. 

When Risshan woke up and heard me doing my surge breathing he figured out that I was having surges and asked how I was doing.  I told him I was fine, but that we should probably head home so we would be closer to the hospital.  We told our friends that we wouldn’t be able to spend the day with them because we might be having our baby.  Everyone was really excited.  We did stay for a high protein egg casserole breakfast and opened a couple presents.  My surges were about 4 minutes apart and I would just stop whatever I was doing and do my surge breathing until they ended.  I wasn’t nervous; I was just excited and kept wondering if we were really going to have a Christmas baby.  After we said our goodbyes, I called my Doula Amanda to tell her that I might be having Elijah today since my surges were still pretty consistent.  She told me another mom’s (whom we took HypnoBirthing with) water had broke the day before and she would contact her backup (our HypnoBirthing instructor, Care) just in case she couldn’t make both of our births. 

I remember thinking that my surges might lighten up on the drive home, but this was not the case since they actually got closer together.   When we got home I took a shower, which felt wonderful and then we decided to open presents.   It was pretty funny because we would open a couple presents and then I would give him the signal that I was having a surge and he would time it, while I did my breathing.  After it was over we would continue opening presents.  The tightening sensation was becoming a little uncomfortable, but we were laughing and telling jokes between surges.   We did a deepening relaxation technique and then I labored on the back of the toilet.  The toilet and being on all fours were my favorite positions to labor in.  Since the surges were closer together, about every two minutes we called Amanda and she said she would come down.  Once she got to our house I labored for about 30 minutes in the living room, then felt the need to go to the bathroom and that’s when things really started to move along.  Within about 15 minutes of laboring on the toilet my surges began to blend together lasting about 2-3 minutes long and then my water broke.  At this point we decided it was best we head to the hospital.

On the way to the hospital I felt the shift from tightening to bearing down, which basically felt like I needed to poop really bad.  I didn’t do any birth breathing as I didn’t want to have him in the car.  We got to the hospital and they took me up to the triage room where they wanted to check me.  I was facing the back of the bed with my hands on the edge of the bed and by butt in the air.  The RN told me I had to turn around because she wouldn’t check me in that position, I was annoyed because I knew she could, but after a few moments I turned and she discovered I was dilated to a 10 and at a +2.  She then went into the hall and told them to get a room ready RIGHT NOW!  I walked to the room and was asked if I wanted to take a shower, I just shook my head and climbed onto the bed and took my previous position.  In the process of getting on the bed I threw off my hospital gown as it felt cumbersome.  I did birth breathing for about 30 minutes, which was just really deep grunting sounds that felt great, other than that I didn’t have to do anything because my body was moving Elijah down… as we were hearing on the heart monitor. 

Risshan and Amanda were rubbing my back and giving me apple juice, which was delicious.  Then a midwife came in and said she hadn’t delivered in this position, but if I was okay she was up for it.  After she got ready she told me I was ready to push.  I didn’t really know what was going on behind me because I was facing the back of the bed, which was great because it helped me stay focused.  As Elijah crowned I felt a burning sensation, which lasted all three times I pushed, until he come out.  Once he was out I turned over and saw my beautiful little boy.  He was put right on my chest and didn’t leave there for two hours.  We found out his plumbing worked right away as he pooped and peed within the first few minutes.  He also began to latch on within about ten minutes.  I tore a little bit and had to have some stitches, which after getting a local shot still didn’t feel good.

My little Elijah Forrest Leak weighed 6 pounds 3 ounces, 18 inches long and was born on Christmas at 3:50pm. He was perfectly healthy and the most beautiful baby I have ever laid eyes on.  I am so thankful that I labored at home as long as I did.  I was only in the hospital for 50 minutes before he was born and I didn’t even get a port.  Not once throughout my labor did I feel like I couldn’t handle the pain, or needed a way out, I just allowed my body to do what it was made to do while I stayed relaxed and trusting.  By taking HypnoBirthing classes and having a doula really empowered and prepared me, and helped me create the natural birth I wanted.  Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to share how having a baby naturally doesn’t have to be something we fear, but something we are fully capable of and can do without medical assistance.

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Months before Alyssa’s due date, someone gave me a book on writing your birth plan.  I realized that it didn’t occur to me that there were so many options out there that one would need to write a birth plan.  I began bringing this up to my mid-wife letting her know my interest on a natural birth and then I enrolled in a course through the hospital.  The description was C-section, epidural, pitocin etc., and I was amazed that they didn’t even mention natural birth, like it was out of the question.  My mid-wife then referred me to Care and HypnoBirthing.  My husband called immediately and talked to Care for an hour and we were able to sign up for the course that started that week and ended three weeks before her due date.  Care sent us our homework, and I began reading the book…I was hooked.  It was everything I was looking for, someone who believed that I could give birth naturally and made it apart of life and not a medical emergency.

 Our first class we met with four other couples who were trying to achieve that same thing, to give a natural, peaceful birth.  It was awesome to be finally surrounded with other couples who felt the same way and not look at you like you were crazy to think you can possibly give birth without pain medication.  I began doing all the exercises as well as sit and bounce on an exercise ball. 

 With my “due date” on May 31, I thought I had plenty of time to practice.  To my surprise, at my doctor appointment on May 6, I was already 3 cm dilated.  That Saturday was my last class with Care, which was perfect because at this point I figure I may give birth at any time.  I went into work Monday and had a great night sleep for the first time in a long time, a full eight hours without waking up to use the bathroom.  Then Tuesday morning, May 11 at 6:11am, I woke up to get ready for work when I realized that my water had released!  I gently let my husband know(since he was use to waking up much later) and told him that I was going to take a warm shower to relax.  An hour later I felt my first surge, I began to breathe up as I was taught. With every surge I kept myself relax and breathing with my husband at my side massaging me.  By 9:45am, the surges were coming very frequently and I felt the need to begin breathing down.  I gave my husband the sign that I felt like it was time to head in to the hospital.  He looked at me like it was too soon especially since we didn’t see any birth show yet, but I let him know that my breathing was changing.  We got to the hospital past 11 am and when we got there I was 9cm dilated and ready to go.  I felt like everyone went into emergency mode trying to get us to the room to get ready for birth.  They didn’t even ask questions, so my husband stepped in and informed everyone to their disappointment that we wanted a natural birth.  Just like that, all the nurses left except one who used all the gentle words familiar to us.  The nurse even had my doctor go into the hallway so he didn’t rush me to give birth even though I didn’t felt ready to actually give birth.  With a couple of breaths, I finally felt ready to become a mom and at 12:55pm, Alyssa was born. She was 7 lbs 7 oz and 18 inches long and she was still sleeping!!

My birthing experience was more than I hoped for.  It brought my husband and I even closer together.  Even thinking about it today, the memory makes me smile.             A & B, San Diego

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     My mother had always told me that I could have a natural birth without any problem, birth was an amazing experience especially with unnecessary intervention.  I was blessed with a legacy of healthy, natural childbirth that had been handed down to me by my grandmother and mother. 
Shortly after we were pregnant, I began speaking with other mothers about natural birth and reading books on it.  When I read HypnoBirthing, it clicked and I knew this was the method I wanted to prepare with for the birth of our baby.  HypnoBirthing used many of the same techniques I use in my job as a child life specialist with patients in the hospital. Use of soft language, guided imagery, touch, and learning specific coping strategies to overcome difficult procedures.  I found San Diego HypnoBirthing and when I spoke with Care I became even more excited and knew that we had to take her class.  It was obvious she was warm and fun during our conversation and I signed up shortly after.  My husband was so supportive of whatever I felt I needed to be successful as I researched classes.
    I had heard stories from friends about boring or scary classes, some that were so unhelpful they only went to the first one, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with the Hypnobirthing classes other then I knew I enjoyed and believed in the principles of the book.  My husband and I quickly learned the classes were not only incredibly informative and helpful, they were actually fun!!  The classes gave us an opportunity to pause each week, learn about natural childbirth and relax together.  I had never heard of another child birth class in which you listen to soothing guided imageries and just practice relaxing - amazing!  The focus on providing a gentle birth for our baby was exactly what we wanted!  The classes gave my husband ways to help me, not only during birth, but also in preparing for it.  These relaxation exercises created such a great time for us throughout the week.  My husband tells people (and he tells any pregnant mother/husband he can) about how amazing the classes were and always says everything Care said is “gold.”   She was so excellent, I knew I had to have her for my doula and lucky for me she was available!
    I spoke with my grandma during the month we were taking the classes and she talked about her childbirth experiences.  I found out that the book written by Grantly Dick-Reed, which HypnoBirthing is based on, was the one which she and my mother used to prepare for childbirth.  Another sign that it was the right method! Here is a picture of Four Generations of HypnoBirthing!
    As I waited for the birth of my precious baby, and I waited a long time as she ended up being 12 days past her guess date ( its truly just a guess), I would practice the relaxation exercises and felt like I had tangible ways to prepare for the birth.  During this time, I was especially glad that we had taken the class, as my provider discussed “stripping” my membranes, Bishop’s score, and ways of inducement.  I understood the ramifications, terms and medications they discussed and felt like I could make an educated choice rather than one out of fear, which was to wait and allow the baby to take the time needed and not rush anything.  It definitely helped to have Care giving encouragement to me as my doula, she was an awesome support!  Her website is a wealth of information, I highly recommend reading the articles posted!
    Finally, without any medical intervention, it was birthing day!  I knew immediately when the surges started and were no longer practice labor and I was excited, my baby was finally coming!  The surges progressed quickly, within a short time, they were 2 minutes apart.  During this time, I was breathing through them, as I had practiced, and felt totally prepared.  I was focused as my baby was moving down and my husband and Care were such excellent supports.  We left for the hospital about an hour and half after labor had started.  I had my guided imagery playing during the car ride and once we got to the hospital.  I was excited to learn I was 9 cm dilated!  I truly believe that “pain” is completely the wrong word to describe labor.  It wasn’t like anything else I’ve experienced, it was intense and powerful!  My husband was incredible and was as much a part of the process as I was. He was the greatest support ever!  He felt like the class really prepared him and gave him ideas for how to best support me during labor.  Our daughter was born just 5 hours labor had started, healthy and perfect and in her bag of waters, which never would have happened if they’d stripped my membranes.  It was such a gentle, beautiful birth, just as we had wanted and prepared for! 
The class was so instrumental in providing us with the education, tools and support we needed.  I have recommended all my friends to San Diego HypnoBirthing!  
                                        Love - Angela

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     After 3 births with epidurals I wanted to experience what "natural" birth would feel like.  I found Care's website and immediately knew that I wanted her to be my doula.  She was fabulous!  She is so much fun, yet so relaxed at the same time.  She spent hours talking to me on the phone before I even agreed to sign up for her class.  She cares so much about each mother and wants each one to have the most amazing birth experience possible.  She was very flexible with her schedule and even came to my house for private classes.  She made each class interesting and exciting and gave my husband (Chad) and I the confidence we needed to have the birth experience we hoped for.
The month leading up to my delivery we talked often on the phone.  She would always call or email to see how I was doing and how each doctor appointment went.
    At midnight my water finally broke.  Having never experienced my water breaking spontaneously, I wasn't sure what to do.  I called Care and she told us to go back to sleep and get as much rest as we could.  Chad and I went back to bed and I lied there listening to Rainbow Relaxation.  Over the next 7 hours my surges became more consistent.  In the morning our mothers came over to play with our daughters while Chad and I labored upstairs in our bedroom.  I sat on the birthing ball on the edge of our bed while we played Yahtzee.  We talked and laughed and held each other...it was so peaceful, serene and above all, romantic.
    At 10:30 I was no longer able to focus on the game and my husband I started our relaxation techniques.  We called Care and she arrived at 11:45.  I wanted to labor at home as long as I could because I didn't want much intervention once I got to the hospital.  My biggest fear was waiting too long.  Care told me that I would begin to feel the baby moving down the birth canal.  The next surge I felt exactly what she had described.  This being my fourth baby, and a history of quick births we decided it was time to leave.  Ten minutes later we were at the hospital.  Since we had pre-registered and I was obviously in active labor I was sent directly to a birthing suite. 
    The nurse hooked me up to a monitor to make sure the baby wasn't under any stress. As soon as they allowed me to be unhooked from the monitor I asked to get out of bed and sit on the birthing ball.  On the next surge I felt the baby's head crowning.  I was put back onto the bed and with one leg on and one leg off the baby's head came out.  With one push on the next surge our healthy baby boy came into this world!  Care and my husband were by my side the entire time.  Because of all that Care taught us, we were able to have the birth experience we had hoped for.  My husband was the most amazing birth coach I had ever imagined.  With the touch of his hand I was able to go into a deep relaxation and let my body work.  It was so empowering to deliver a child without any drugs, void of yelling, screaming, sweating, etc.  Just relaxed breathing, soft-touch massage and the sweet sound of a newborn cry.      Thank you! -Jeri

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Even though I gave birth via cesarean, I am glad I took your class because it gave me great coping techniques for stress (finding out she was breach when I was 11 days past her due date) and pain management for the external version & recovery. It also gave me confidence to ask questions, stand up for ourselves & our baby, and try alternate options (acupuncture, homeopathic treatment, etc...)
So, thank you for that. Thanks also for the cute onesie, as you can see Fiona is a fan.

Warm regards,
Carrie

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   It was great to talk with you last night!  I hope
you can recover well from your three births.  Thinking more about what I shared with you, I realize that I should explain that I feel like the class helped prepare me very well and that I got out of it exactly what I put into it.  I experienced an easier, more relaxed and more comfortable birth and it was an amazing experience.  I know that more relaxation and deepening practice and stricter adherence to the principles taught would have helped me to be ahead of those intense surges that last hour or so, so that I would have been able to choose how to interpret or feel them. 
   I'm still soooo happy with how everything went and feel like I'd do it again tomorrow.  I was surprised to find that the nurses and even Karen Brown(UCSD) were all really impressed with how the birth went and how remarkably calm I was.  I guess I expected that most of the births in the birth center would be that way, but some of them told me, "No.  Yours is as good as it gets."  I guess it's just the perfectionist in me that immediately starts to think of what I could do better next time.  One nurse asked to know more about HypnoBirthing and I let her borrow the book for a few hours.  Another nurse said, "Oh yes, those HypnoBirthers always do so well!"  I thought that was great feedback to pass on. 

Well, thanks for your support
Love, Jenica

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HypnoBirthing with a C-Section
   
     So I began my search for the “perfect” doctor.  It took about 12 OBGYN  interviews to realize that these doctors didn’t care about me or what I wanted-which actually turned out to be a blessing. I am a self-proclaimed hippie when I can be but I am not very fond of pain. After my search and overwhelming tiredness from being pregnant, I just wanted a doctor that knew what herbs I was taking and could tell me what I could keep doing and what I should stop doing. Finally I did and he recommended that I take a HypnoBirthing class. Well that sounded right up my alley but I was a little skeptical because I didn’t want to commit to the absolutely no pain method without some thought. I talked it over with my husband and we decided to take the class and he would support me if we used it or not.
    The Class was amazing and nothing really that I expected. I had purchased the book in hopes we wouldn’t have to take the class, but my husband thought it would be better to do the class. THANKFULLY we enrolled and off we were to 3 hours a night together once a week in a birthing class.  I didn’t know what to expect and thought for sure it would be strictly a class with just information thrown at you and my husband would be so tired and bored. I was delighted at how supportive my husband was and how we both really looked forward to spending that night together and enjoyed-(yes both of us) the class. There were such bonding exercises in each class that really brought us closer together and on the same page. There is no way just the book does this method justice without the class.  By the end of the series I was so completely convinced that I could do my birthing this way, but more than convinced, I was excited and really wanted to.
    I had had some complications during my pregnancy and in the end the baby was a few days late as in most first time pregnancies, which, thanks to my HypnoBirthing class, did not worry me in the least. I had visited the doctor and he sent me immediately to the hospital for a c-section and so that was how it was going to be. The HypnoBirthing class helps you accept everything unexpected and gives you the confidence to not worry about anything and trust it will all go well. Just the info alone about what drugs do what helped my husband and I talk to our doctor about what we didn’t want as a part of birth and it still applied for when I had the c-section. It’s not how I wanted to have the baby, but I am so pleased, even ecstatic about how the whole process turned out. My husband was with the baby the minute he was delivered until this day 5 months later. We refused unnecessary drugs and I used my breathing techniques to help with my recovery, (which is the worst part). I thought I would be disappointed that I didn’t do a natural childbirth but I wasn’t. It was amazing for how it all worked out. It really is all about the preparation we did in the HypnoBirthing class. It gave both my husband and I information we could discuss and confidence for me and him. I want to take the class again even though I’m not pregnant. It was that good. Thanks for everything Care!  Love - Amy

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     Monday, November 22nd wasn’t a great day.  I had a doc appt where I found I hadn’t progressed any from the week prior (1 cm dilated and 50% effaced) – my fluid levels, while within range, were low and the nurse seemed to be concerned.  I had an induction scheduled for Friday, November 26th and I really wanted to go before then.  I had an acupuncture appointment that afternoon and cried in the doctor’s office.  I was so discouraged and fearful of the induction.  She administered the labor promoting treatment and I really felt things while in her office, had a number of strong Braxton hicks and felt a lot of pressure.  At the end, she told me to do whatever I could to help stimulate oxytocin, she said anything that made me feel safe and loved.  That night, before going to sleep, Tim and I just hung out and cuddled – something we hadn’t done in a while.  We talked about a lot of things and it felt good to be connected physically. 

     I woke up about 2:30am on Tuesday, November 23rd with my first “real” surge of my entire pregnancy.  Up to that point, I’d only had Braxton hicks with a lot of pressure.  This was the real deal and I immediately recognized it.  They were coming anywhere from 15 – 20 min apart, not super intense, I was able to sleep between them.  At about 430am, I got up to use the restroom and there was my bloody show.  I knew then that things were happening!  I woke Tim up to let him know – we were both so very excited and relieved.  We got up and Tim hastily cleaned the house and made me breakfast, then started talking about leaving for the hospital at 6am to avoid traffic.  I laughed and told him to calm down, they were still quite far apart – I knew we had some time.  We got back in bed and started timing them, they were 10-12 minutes apart at this point and getting a bit more intense. I was starting to get anxious about my coming labor so I put on my HypnoBirthing affirmations and it really helped me to relax and focus on the birth I wanted. 

     Jane got up around 6:45am and came into our bed as she does every morning.  We lay there together for about 15 minutes and then I called my mom’s house to let them know what was happening and that Tim would be bringing Jane by soon.  We told Jane the baby was coming today and her eyes got big and round!  I called Robin, our doula, to let her know and that I’d call her when they were 8-10 min apart.  Well, the next three were 8 minutes apart!  So I called her back and told her to come over now – Tim took Jane to my mom’s, I kissed her goodbye while having a surge. She asked me “mommy why does your face look so scrunched up?” 

     Robin arrived around 8:30 and my surges stalled – didn’t have one for almost 30 minutes.  It seemed they came more regularly when I was lying in bed so I got back in bed and put my HypnoBirthing back on and they started to come again more regularly, every 9 minutes or so.  They were getting more intense and I felt I needed some help, so I joined Robin and Tim in the living room.  I sat on my birth ball in front of the couch and piled up pillows to lean on.  We labored like this for an hour or so – they were coming every 5-7 min, then every 4-5.  I decided I wanted to take a shower, and while in the shower they were coming even faster.  I could hear Tim and Robin rushing around the house getting things packed up to go.  We got in the car to go to the hospital and things slowed back down to 8 min apart, but they were intense. 

    I listened to my HypnoBirthing some more and talked to Tim in between.  I was nervous that when I got to the hospital they’d tell me I was only 3 or 4 cm dilated so when we got there, I wanted to labor in the car for a bit, but after two very intense surges, we decided to go in.  Got up to triage and they checked me – 7.5-8cm!  We were so happy!!  (as happy as one can be between pretty strong surges!)  They asked me if I wanted a wheelchair to take up to delivery and I said I’d rather walk, the triage nurses all looked at me as if I was crazy!  Got up to our delivery room and there were probably 8 nurses there, said they all wanted to see the woman at 8 cm who was walking up to the delivery room!

     They got me on the bed and needed to take blood because of my gestational diabetes….as normal, had a really hard time finding good veins and had to stick me a lot.  They started talking IV and heplock and we started to refuse, but one of the nurses made the point as my veins were so small it would be good to get a heplock in now in case something went wrong and they couldn’t find a good vein in the middle of an emergency – that made sense to me so I agreed.  The nurse tried my right hand first, and I heard her say “I hit a valve” but wasn’t really paying attention.  Heard from Tim and Robin later that she stuck me in the wrong place and blood was gushing out.  It took probably 20 minutes for them to draw blood and get a heplock placed, I was trying to listen to my HypnoBirthing relaxation, but they kept asking me questions and I was very distracted.  They were finally done and I decided to try a new position as sitting in the bed was not comfortable.  Tried standing up but that was no good, so I ended up back on the birth ball leaning over pillows stacked on the bed. 

    The surges were coming quickly now, some were manageable but most were very intense with multiple peaks.  I was quite vocal at this point, as I had been with Jane, lots of moaning, singing, some yelling.  Hands were rubbing my back – didn’t’ know if it was Tim or Robin.  I was able to rest a bit in between.  I think I was checked once more and was still at an 8+ - I was discouraged as time seemed to be dragging.  Things were intense and there were a few times when I thought to myself, “okay, I’ve had enough, I did it naturally once, it’s okay if I ask for drugs this time.”  But I knew that - a. the fact that I felt like I couldn’t take it anymore meant I was close to the end and  - b. Tim would probably have said no. 

    The surges kept coming and one point it occurred to me that all of my Braxton hicks had been more uncomfortable when I had a full bladder, so I decided if I peed, the surges would be more manageable.  I told Tim and Robin I needed to go to the bathroom and Robin recognized I was ready to go and indicated as much to Tim.  He came with me to the bathroom, I peed, and then stood up and was hit with a very intense surge and the STRONG urge to push – I’d never had the urge to push with Jane and I suddenly understood what everyone was talking about.  I yelled “I’m pushing!” and Tim grabbed me and yelled at me to breathe.  Robin ran into the hall to get our nurse and told her I was ready – she came in to check me, it took me 3 surges to allow her to, and I was pushing with every one.  They told me not to, but it was virtually impossible.  She confirmed I was a ten and things got nuts – doctor was called, they started breaking down the bed. 

    Robin and Tim kept telling me “this is it!  You’re almost done!” and I remember thinking “Um, NO, I still have to push the dang baby out!”  The doctor arrived and immediately asked me what position I wanted to birth in, we decided Tim would sit behind me so I could sit up and lean against him and he could hold my legs.  I asked the doctor about my bag of waters as my water hadn’t broken yet, and I was so glad to hear her say that it wasn’t blocking the baby, so I could just push.  Next surge, I pushed –  I was screaming “get it out!” and then relief as the head came out, Robin and Tim were both crying and saying “the baby’s here!  The baby’s here”  Then another surge came and everyone was telling me to push again and I said “ but I thought the baby was here?” and they told me the head was out but I needed to push the body out, so one more push, and baby was REALLY here, Robin and Tim were both crying, they immediately brought baby to my chest, I looked down and said “it’s a girl, right?” nurse checked, and sure enough, another beautiful baby girl. 

    We were checked into the hospital at 11:45am, and less than two hours later, with only two pushes, Evelyn Todd Treadwell joined our family!
Love you - Ashley

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I've been composing this email in my head now for several weeks.  I wanted to share our birth story with you and thank you for your guidance in this beautiful process.

I awoke around 3am (Dec 8) to go to the restroom and returned to bed. At my 39 week check up earlier in the day (dilated to a whopping 1 and 1/2 cm!) When I returned to bed, Drew asked if everything was alright.  I said, "yeah, I think so."  My liner was then suddenly soaked.  I went to the restroom once again and had a small amount of clear fluid leak.  I was not fully convinced myself, however, I returned to bed and said, "I think my water just broke."  We talked about it for awhile.  I sat debating which co-worker to awaken during this ungodly hour to notify them I would be missing my final scheduled day of work.  Finally, I called in stating that I would come to work later, if it wasn't really labor.  The phone call was all it took.  I went to the bathroom for the third time and my water broke.  It was the real deal-more like the stereotypical gush.
Drew told me to start relaxing and listen to rainbow relaxation.  I just needed to do a few things before I could relax.  I packed some final things on my list while Drew prepared food and his overnight bag.  Then, I could relax.  About halfway through rainbow relaxation it was on.  I was having surges that seemed to last about 5min with only 30 sec break in between.  I was confused.  I wanted  it to be the other way around.  I tried showering.  Standing was the only way I could feel "comfortable" and breath through the surges.

After 2 hours (plus) of standing in the bathroom and some phone calls by Drew, our doula, Kayti, said we should meet at the hospital.  Just to keep it exciting, she was pulled over and ticketed for not being hands-free.  Despite her attempts to get out of it, the cop was not convinced.

I had this elaborate plan to use my hospital ID to park in MD parking.  After all, it's the closest lot and FREE.  That lot NEVER fills up at 830AM!  Of course we circled for what felt like hours (only two surges, which were regulated the second we made the decision to go to the hospital).  We decided to give valet a shot, unfortunately there were no workers at the stand.  My car sat in front of the hospital for a good 3 hours.  (Again, have to make it a bit dramatic, because it really was smooth.)  We proceeded to L&D with my strict instruction to not make eye contact with anyone screening for swine flu...just flash the badge and go.

Fairly simple from here.  I was checked (dilated to 10cm +2 station).  (Didn't know it).  I was immediately moved to the delivery room.  The doctor said, " You can push if you want to."  I did not feel that urge, but began breathing the baby down and visualizing the flower opening.  I was really able to keep calm and relaxed between surges.  The surges were trickier, but doable with support from Drew and the doula.  I had finally found a position I felt comfortable in-lying on my backside.  I didn't want to change it up, since I was tired from standing and laboring for so long.  After 2 hours of breathing the baby down, the MD checked again.  This time she encouraged me to push, since no progress was made.  I pushed hard during surges for over an hour-maybe two.  No drugs, small tear, constant heart rate -by 130 PM the baby came!  I felt like there was a strong team effort from Drew, Kayti, and Dr. Cunningham.

So, I felt like the HypnoBirthing was very effective.  I had the natural birth that I wanted.  Drew was amazing and so was Kayti.  They were my advocates and support.  We only had two negative comments during the process, but Drew "fired" the first nurse;)  Our focus remained on how beautiful the birth process was.

Soren (nameless for 24 hours) came out perfect and healthy.  We were able to leave the next day.  He is thriving.  We are both so in love.  I remember repeatedly saying, "I can't believe you are on the outside."  Even though, I am nowhere near ready to do it again, I am motivated to continue the HypnoBirthing process for the next one.

 Thank you for everything!
Sarah

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Care was an absolute asset to my birthing team. I experienced a heartfelt connection with Care during my pregnancy. Care's authentic and genuine nature made it easy to get to know and feel comfortable with her. During my labor, Care maintained good strong positive energy - both physically and mentally. She kept a professional rapport with the hospital staff while we cracked each other up - we all had a great time during my labor! And it didn't matter that she had been up with us all night, when the time came to push, Care was present and focused on what we needed. She was professional, informed, confident, nurturing, fun, and supportive. Care was all the qualities I was hoping to find in a doula and I look forward to a second delivery with her. I loved working with Care and highly recommend her doula services! Sincerely, Allison

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Hey care. I just wanted to send you an email thanking you for all your support. Brooklyn was born July 18 at 7lbs 8 ozs and 20 inchs long. She's absolutely everything I could have ever wanted. I actually ended up having to change my birth plan but honestly I enjoyed every second of my labor and birth. I never had stomach contractions, just back labor. I stayed home for twelve hours of labor, no rv was needed, although I was handling my pain with my breathing, I couldn't stop throwing up and by the time I got there I was too dehydrated and my body was really weak. I opted for the epideral. But honestly, it let me rest. Which was needed since I hadn't slept in two days. Within three hours I was pushing and out came Brooklyn. I just thought I'd tell you that I appreciate all your help. Here's a picture of us: thanks again! I did want to say the best thing I took from your class was that by knowing what my Body was doing I never had any fear. Which allowed me to enjoy everything, even the pushing. It was fun knowing exactly what was happening and feeling my body working. Oh I had them ween me off the epidural for pushing, so I could feel it. :-) Love you - Shannon

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Oh dear where do I begin? Maybe I should start with how blessed and grateful I am for meeting Care Messer. Such an amazing and beautiful woman. Thanks to her for my easy breezy birthing experience. Had I not met her I don’t think I would have been prepared for what was to come.
   Not only did I have a tough pregnancy but I found out 3 week before my Birthing date that my baby was breech. At first I was sad and I shed some tears at my OBGYN’s practice, but I called Care and she reminded me of what I already knew, so I remained calm and did what I had to do as an expectant mom. I allowed nature to take it’s course and not stress my baby.
   I still think this day that “true HypnoBirthing” would have been an amazing experience and my womanhood would have been tested, unfortunately for me I would have to wait for that experience. As my baby Lua wasn’t ready to come out but the Doctors felt like - and it was time he came out. Nonetheless I know that it was meant to be this way. On August 17, 2010, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy called Lua at 8 pounds 4oz  (my joy and pride). And my Hynobirthing Instructor/ Doula was with me all the way and seeing her there assured me that all was well. I believe it to be such a blessing for us women to be the carriers of our children. We are beautiful, strong and capable and we should celebrate that everyday.

FIONA LIBA,  SAN DIEGO

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Hi Care,
 
We are happy to announce that our little guy was born this week too on April 20th! Wesley Fitzgerald was born at 7:06pm, 6 lbs. 14 oz., 19.5 inches long. My water released at 6:30am, I labored at home for 9 hours using  our HypnoBirthing breathing, rainbow cd, birth ball, and labor/yoga positions. We delayed going to the hospital until 3:30-ish when my surges were 5 minutes apart. We met  Dawn at the hospital at 4pm, hung outside for a half an hour, and checked in at 4:30. I was 5cm dilated and fully effaced at that point. My labor progressed quickly from there and little Wesley was born 2 and a half hours later. I used the breathing techniques and rainbow cd in the hospital but I was not prepared for the intense shaking and vomiting I experienced though as things moved so fast! Dawn(my doula) was an amazing support and really helped me get through labor. I am so glad we were able to have a natural birth and I felt very supported by Dan, Dawn, and the hospital staff. Your class was amazing and Dan and I really feel like it helped us prepare for the labor and birth of our amazing little miracle... :) We can't wait to introduce him to you at the reunion! Dan will send you some pics in a separate email. Thanks again for everything!
 
Hugs,
Kelley & Dan

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Hi Care -
Just a quick note to let you know that baby Evelyn was born 11/23 after a pretty quick labor - 2 pushes and zero medical interventions or meds. Robin and Tim did a fantastic job as labor partners/coaches and this birth went much more smoothly than my first. We are home and settling in and in love with our new family member.
I will send you the full birth story when I have a chance to write it up - but your help and our HypnoBirthing practice helped - throughout my pregnancy, preparing for birth and during.
Thank you for all that you do!

Ashley


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Dear Care,
    I hope you had a great thanksgiving! Fareed is 2.5 weeks old now, it is crazy to think that the birth was only 2.5 weeks away, it feels like so much longer! I have been wanting to tell you all about it, I actually can't wait to write down my birth story, yet I still can't find the time :(  But all I can tell you is that things worked out exactly as I wanted them to. 
    It was a long and hard labor but it was truly a labor of love.  I would not have wanted it any different and it feels so wonderful and empowering to be able to feel that! To think back and say yes, it all worked out and it was all meant to be that way!
     I am soooooooo grateful to you and HypnoBirthing!!! I feel that every step along the way to the birth was sooo meant to happen and simply for the best!
On Thanksgiving, I would like to thank you for being such an inspiring, incredible hypnobirthing instructor! (And I still owe you and myself a birth story!)                                    Love, Dalia