First Time Mom Chassidy’s Hypnobabies Birth
“As my pressure waves picked back up, I listened to Easy First Stage (Hypnobabies main birthing day track) for that extra oomf. My husband was amazing through this stage ensuring I stayed hydrated, fed, switched positions, and went to the bathroom.”
Pre Birthing Waves – June 21st at around 3AM I had my first pressure wave (Hypnobabies term for contraction). I hadn’t had any practice waves yet so I was a bit suspicious. Then they started to come every 15 minutes or so. The sensations were so mild I could barely tell the start and end to most of them. This lasted all day. We still went on with our daily living per usual. I listened to Your Birthing Time Begins (Hypnobabies reminder of all the tools for birthing). As we went into the evening, the sensations were getting slightly closer together and more intense. I took advantage of this early birthing time (Hypnobabies term for labor) and went to bed early to get some rest while I knew I still could. I woke up early in the night and decided to listen to Deepening Your Hypnosis (Hypnobabies track to deepen the level of hypnosis) to try to help me sleep. This definitely helped and I was able to rest in between waves.
Early Stage – June 22nd at around 2AM I woke up again and was not able to go to sleep. The sensations were still manageable but had for sure picked up with intensity. I decided I would light some candles, jump in the bath, and listen to Easier, More Comfortable Childbirth. After my bath I timed a couple waves before waking up my husband to let him know it was time to go. I chose to listen to Birthing Day Affirmations on the way to the hospital because I wanted some positivity. It really gave me confidence going into the hospital.
I was immediately taken back to triage where I had my first cervical check ever. During the check, I felt an immense amount of pressure and really struggled to stay in hypnosis. I was being asked several questions, they were going through consent forms with me very quickly, and it took 8 attempts to get my hep lock. I was extremely overwhelmed and my headphones had come out. The good news was that I was dialated to 5cm and would be admitted and sent to my birthing suite immediately! By this point the anxiety and adrenaline from the admission process had slowed down my pressure waves. The anxiety had also caused me to have high blood pressure which was a first for me. I knew I needed to relax and recenter myself. I took advantage of the slowed waves and rested while listening to Fear Clearing (Hypnobabies track to release any fear) to try to recover. After resting and listening to my tracks, I felt like I was getting back on track. My blood pressure had also came back down!
As my pressure waves picked back up, I listened to Easier First Stage (Hypnobabies main birthing day track) for that extra oomf. My husband was amazing through this stage ensuring I stayed hydrated, fed, switched positions, and went to the bathroom. I used birth balls, the shower, and tub. This first stage was the most enjoyable portion of my birthing time: feeling my husbands love and support, feeling so strong and powerful, and experiencing the unique sensations of my body bringing my baby into the world. I knew I was gradually progressing due to seeing more and more bloody show as well as my pressure waves intensifying. This was encouraging.
Later that afternoon I agreed to a cervical check. I was 8cm dialated, +2 station and 100% effaced! At this point I was about 40 hours into my birthing time and we were starting to worry I wouldn’t have enough energy for the pushing stage if I continued at the pace I was going. I then consented to taking sugar water to try to progress things. After a few more hours, there wasn’t much action. At this point, my midwife asked if I wanted her to break my water. I remembered BRAIND in the moment which was very handy and led me to make an informed decision. I had my water broken then things picked up very quickly.
Transformation – There was so much fluid I knew I immediately wanted to shower. At this point I had the relaxation background music on. While I was in the shower, I did a lot of rocking and swaying. This is really when I had to vocalize while my husband used the RELAX cue (Hypnobabies cue for deepening hypnosis). My waves quickly were turning into pushing waves. I never knew what moms meant by “urge to push” until this moment. I told my husband it was time. I rushed out of the shower and threw on my nightgown before rushing to the bed. My midwife came back and checked me again. I was at 9cm and had a lip of the cervix. She wanted me to try to wait. I was feeling the fetal ejection reflux. I couldn’t wait.
Pushing Stage – I got on all fours because that’s what felt right. My body led the way. It knew exactly what to do. I grabbed on to my husbands legs in front of me. I pushed with my body. I felt a lot of pressure around my baby’s head. Once her head was out, her body followed swiftly and easily.
Within thirty minutes of starting to push, Josephina Marie was born at 10:50PM 6/22/24 8lb 1oz 20in.
Unfortunately one of my biggest fears came true, I had two tears. The sensations while being stitched up as well as the fundal pressure were sensations I was not prepared for. I consented to receiving fentanyl to help get me through this challenge. Looking back, I think it would have been beneficial to put on a track during this time. In this time, I did use my PEACE cue (Hypnobabies cue for instant physical comfort) while my husband comforted me with the RELAX cue. At this point I was hemorrhaging and consented to receiving Pitocin and Cytotec to slow down the bleeding. My midwife and nurses had such great composure and spoke lots of encouraging words.
Some takeaways:
– I used my hypnobabies tools in ways that worked for me and I didn’t stress if it didn’t align 100% with what was suggested in the course! Ex. I did not follow the exact order of the tracks. I listened to what felt special or right to me in the moment.
– Hypnobabies helped me be well informed and gave me the confidence to advocate for myself!
– Hypnobabies really did make time fly! I mean how else could I have gotten through a 43 hour birthing time haha!
– Hypnobabies allowed me to nap during my birthing time even while I was 5-6cm dilated. Otherwise I don’t think it would’ve been possible to rest through pressure waves.
– Being relaxed and so positive in between waves made for such a powerful bonding experience with my husband. As well as him having a distinct role in the birth which I know we both appreciated so much.
– If you fall out of hypnosis or have a change of plans, you CAN get back on track!!
💗 You deserve a more peaceful, empowering birth too — and Hypnobabies can help!
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