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Clarissa Naomi's Birth Story By Vicki |
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Birth Stories -
Hospital Birth Stories
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 11:46 |
My first labor with my son, Zachary, was induced four days prior to my original due date, because the doctor thought he was going to be over nine pounds. I wanted a natural birth so we went to LaMaze classes but ended up with Stadol and an epidural, two hours of pushing and a very, very sleepy baby who wouldn't nurse. My husband and I were not looking forward to a repeat birthing experience. Luckily enough, we happened to catch an episode of Dateline where this doctor used hypnosis on his patients as a form of pain relief. I looked at my husband, Brian, and declared "I want that doctor!". Instead, I hopped on-line and investigated hypnosis as a form of pain relief. I found a hypnotherapist in my area trained in a method called HypnoBirthing. I started the training in October. My due date had been changed early on in the pregnancy according to an ultrasound. The new due date was around Thanksgiving but it came and went.
Twelve days past my due date and the night before my orginal due date, I noticed I was having a ton of BH contractions. I mentioned it to my husband who asked if we should time them. I said no, figuring it would be a few more days. We settled in for the night and he took it upon himself to time the contractions. He looked at me sideways after an hour or so and told me they were exactly 8 minutes apart. He scurried about, picking up and packing last minute stuff and called his mother to warn her this may be the night. Whenever I got up the contractions would slow down so I still was not convinced. After sleeping for an hour or so I woke up and thought I had to use the bathroom. After settling back in, I had that feeling again. This time though, I had the bloody show. I woke up Brian telling him he was right. He timed the contractions. They were two and a half minutes apart. He practically had to convince me it was time to call his mom so she could stay with our son. I took my time and showered, still not totally convinced I'd get to the hospital and they'd let us stay. When we finally stepped outside, I was shocked to find our porch icy and snowy. Isn't that funny, I thought, we've been having great weather all autumn and my baby decides to come during the first ice storm of the season.
I used my HypnoBirthing relaxation techniques in the car and got to the hosptial between three thirty and four in the morning. They got me on the contraction monitor and of course, no contractions. The nurse said I was probably in early labor but they would have the resident check me. I was happy to hear I was at 5-6 cm dilated and 100 percent effaced. We were admitted at 4 a.m. Everything in our birth plan was adhered to. We kept the lights off in the room, no IV, no unnecessary interruptions, no artificial breaking of my water. The nurses addressed questions to my husband out in the hall so as not to disturb me. They all thought I was sleeping but I was just listening to my Walkman and was thoroughly relaxed. With HypoBirthing there isn't any huffing and puffing. It is just all slow deep breathing which comes more naturally. They checked me only when I asked to be checked. At the next check, I was at 6-7. More relaxation and a shower later I was at 9 and half. A couple of surges later I felt something coming down. It was my bag or waters, which promptly broke. During the next surge, my body started to push. It was as involumtary as blinking. They checked and told me I was good to go (no, really?) and the baby was at -1 station, but that they didn't think it would take long for her to come down. I'll say. I had a pushing contraction and asked Brian if he wanted to look. He was in disbelief when they said, "There's the baby's head!" I was rather surprised myself. One more contraction and she was out. Five and a half hours after getting to the hospital, six minutes after my water broke and four minutes of pushing. Absolutely no real pain, just pressure. It was great! Our 8 pound 11 and 1/4 ounce daughter Clarissa is our last one but I'd have ten more if we could afford it! It was truly a beautiful moment. There were only three staff people in the room. The certified nurse midwife and two nurses. One of them later told me she felt honored to attend such a birth. Same here! Thank you HypoBirthing!
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