Sierra’s Hypnobabies Hospital Waterbirth
“The nurses and my midwife didn’t realize how far along I was, as I had just been peacefully laying in my bed and was also able to talk calmly between birthing waves (thanks to Hypnobabies)”
I am really excited to share this birth story.
This was my second Hypnobabies baby (I only have two children and used Hypnobabies with both). My first baby came all on her own and I birthed for 21 hours. My second baby was so different! I had signs of my birthing time (Hypnobabies term for labor) during weeks 37 or 38, but nothing happened. We were sure she’d be here early, but I was 41 weeks and 2 days- still pregnant! I went to my appointment on Tuesday and my midwife (who is very experienced, and I trust full heartedly) recommended induction, as my baby was looking to be 2lbs bigger than my first and I am very petite. I was devastated. I never thought I’d agree to an induction but felt this was the right call in my gut. Baby was sunny side up and not dilating my cervix (.5 cm for weeks) and I had been so uncomfortable with lots of discomfort in my back and bladder. So, I very sadly, agreed to an induction.
The plan was to go to the hospital and use cervical ripening the next day. When I got there late Wednesday night, they told me I had dilated to 3cm and was 65% effaced and didn’t need that, so the DR said we should start Pitocin instead, since I still wasn’t actively in my birthing time. I was so exhausted and was not prepared for that. I told him no and decided to walk and pump but was getting so tired as the night went on. I called my midwife who came in and advocated for me to be able to sleep a little, as I had almost been up 24 hours and there was no way I could start my birthing time on Pitocin with that mindset. I literally felt I was living a nightmare. I never wanted to be induced and I knew I couldn’t start the process with no sleep. I was able to sleep for about 3 hours. I woke up, spoke to my midwife who helped me think positively and decided to start Pitocin, but first spent an hour listening to my hypnosis.
They started the Pitocin at 9:30 AM and I laid in bed for hours doing hypnosis. Nothing was happening so the nurse wondered if I was so relaxed doing Hypnobabies that birthing waves weren’t starting. I decided to walk around and listen to my hypnosis around 12:30 pm. I instantly started having waves (Hypnobabies term for contractions) and they were quickly progressing. I couldn’t believe how strong the waves were becoming so fast, as with my first it was a 21-hour process. The nurses and my midwife didn’t realize how far along I was, as I had just been peacefully laying in my bed and was also able to talk calmly between birthing waves (thanks to Hypnobabies). But I knew I was in transformation (Hypnobabies term for transition), so I told my husband to get my midwife. I asked the nurse to blow up the pool, but she wasn’t sure it was time. I was checked and was 8 cm! I didn’t think they were going to get the pool blown up quick enough. They stopped the Pitocin and I got into the pool. My baby girl was born at 2:55, in the pool-less than 2.5 hours after my first birthing wave!!
In between my birthing waves, I was able to say things inside of my head like, “this is temporary”, “I am safe and loved”, “I’ll soon meet my baby” and pray. This is very different from my first birth where I had very scared thoughts during transition/pushing.
I listened to my body so much more this time and didn’t push just to get my baby out. I waited for the pushing reflex and although it was very intense, I was able to push when my body told me to. My baby came out, 8lbs 11 oz very easily! I only pushed about 4 times; I believe.
Everyone was so amazed at how I managed my birthing time. I felt so proud and empowered. I know this is all due to Hypnobabies (and Jesus!) I wasn’t sure that Hypnobabies was going to help as much this time, as I often fell asleep during my hypnosis practice (I have a 2 year old after all..LOL) but it helped me tremendously! I was able to get my mindset right when I felt so sad about our change of plans and managed my birthing time well. I feel so empowered and thankful for this program!
