My first birth was an amazing Hypnobabies homebirth, featured on their blog long ago! I knew without a doubt going into my second pregnancy that I wanted to do everything exactly the same. It was an even more wonderful pregnancy that I could have anticipated, I was energetic and comfortable for the entire time. 38 weeks went by and I was showing signs that it would soon be my birthing time. My cervix was ready, my baby was 0 station, and 3cm dilated.
Bubble of peace
It came as a surprise to me then when I felt my first true discomfort of my entire pregnancy. A sensation in my lower right stomach. Since I had already experienced unmedicated birth, I knew that this was different. As it intensified, I notified my husband to grab the backup hospital bag and take me into L&D, this would be my first time in a hospital!
When I was taken into triage, the sensation was overwhelming. As soon as I could, I began listening to my Hypnobabies hypnosis track to help me be comfortable and communicate with the doctors. To confirm appendicitis, I had to hold still for a 40 minute scan which I could only do while in my hypno-bubble of peace. The radiologists could not believe how relaxed I was and we had a lovely time exchanging jokes and stories.
I had a feeling a change of plans was imminent, so I began listening to my Hypnobabies birthing tracks. In the morning I was assigned a lovely care team that confirmed that it was going to be my birthing day! The positivity was infectious. I was given medication to see if my appendix would respond, and it did. Every provider was working towards my plan of a natural birth and many wanted to hear the story of my home birth with my daughter. The room was kept quiet and calm, lights were lit, and everyone used whisper voices. I asked them to gently touch my shoulder before talking to me so I could move in and out of hypnosis.
Pitocin was not getting birthing waves to start so I was offered the choice of releasing my waters. With confidence I asked them to walk me through the procedure and show me the tools. I was given a mirror and talked through it and it was the right choice for me. As soon as my waters released, my birthing waves finally hit. My birthing time began at 11PM. My waves were extremely powerful, I always knew that this baby was going to come fast even though I also knew he was sunny side up. During this time I was so deeply attuned to him, and I felt him turn and I’d like to think he was politely moving away from my appendix!
I listened to my hypnobirthing tracks. So many nurses and doctors came to see it because they couldn’t believe there was somebody birthing with appendicitis but also doing it without yelling in such a calm setting. Two nurses asked me what program I was using and wrote it down for their own future births! 
My intuition was right, by 12:30AM I was fully dilated, less than two hours! But there was another change of plans, my doctors wanted me to try to rest because of appendicitis. My birthing times have always been very active, I feel most comfortable doing squats and lunges. I knew my body and knew the only way I could rest is if I had an epidural to soften the waves and the sensation in my appendix. So at 1AM I received the epidural.
Well the joke is on me because while it was being placed, my body began pushing on its own! Before it took effect, I felt his head coming out of me. I chose to lay on my side while my husband held my leg in an internally rotated position. I called for the doctor, and due to the nature of my condition, we had a large team come in to provide care if needed. My son decided I was going to get the unmedicated birthing time I asked for!
It was then that my doctor told me she had never caught a baby with the mom on her side. Again, with the confidence from Hypnobabies and my past birth, I negotiated with her to do a single birthing wave on my back. Lo’ and behold, that was the final one. Everyone was so happy and excited, I never thought I’d experience so much laughter and smiling during a change of plans. After only 15 minutes of “pushing” (I had the Fetal Ejection Reflex with both babies), my son was born. And he was born OP! My intuition was correct about everything, including what a sweet gentle boy he’d be.
In total it was just under 4 hours from start to finish with only a few “pushes”. My first baby was born with double nuchal hands and my second was OP. I don’t believe I could have done it without the peace and confidence from Hypnobabies. My postpartum recovery was stupendous. My body responded to the medication immediately and I avoided surgery. By the next morning I was back on my feet and feeling fantastic. In postpartum recovery I had gotten so many visits from providers wanting to meet me and hear my story about both my wonderful births. 
Should we have a third baby, I will plan nothing differently. I have now had a wonderful home and hospital birth with the mindset I gained from Hypnobabies.
