I had always wanted to have a natural childbirth, and I gave it a shot with my first son 14 years ago. But back then, and up until I met Marinda, I thought the way to go natural was to just not have any drugs. After 20 hours of painful exhausting labor with my first, I believed that going natural was something I would never have the strength to do.
After my first interview with Marinda, she answered questions and eased so many fears that I had and I began to believe that maybe I could have a beautiful natural childbirth.
Marinda was so kind and generous answering any questions and helping me though all my fears. She is so educated and there was never a fear that she couldn’t ease by explaining an alternative solution that did not involve drugs, and I ended up looking forward to a natural child birth.
I studied Hypnobabies and Marinda helped me to thoroughly prepare for my birthing day.
On the day I went into labor, I was so surprised at how well Hypnobabies worked for me. I didn’t even believe I was in labor because my birthing waves felt so wonderful and amazing. Nothing like I remembered feeling 14 years ago with my first. I started having pressure waves at 4am. I went to work at 8am and timed my waves, which were 4 and 5 minutes apart. I realized that since that is when most women go to the hospital, I should at least go home. I called Marinda and she came to my house right away. After observing and helping me though a few pressure waves, Marinda actually had to convince me that I was much farther along in my labor than I was willing to believe and so we headed off to the hospital with my contractions being about 1 min 30 seconds apart. The waves still felt so amazing and powerful, but not painful.
We arrived at the hospital at 11:50 and I was assessed by a nurse who said I was only 4+ cm dilated. I began go get scared because I was having all signs of transition. Marinda also believed I had progressed farther than 4+ cm dilated and helped calm me when I felt I was losing my mind. She got me up to go to the bathroom knowing that would help descend the baby down and help me become complete. When I got back to the bed, and a few birthing waves later, I felt the urge to push. The nurse checked me and I was complete. Marinda was so amazing at supporting me through my pushing. She would breathe with me and encourage me to push when and as hard as I wanted too, which pushing my baby down and out was the most beautiful amazing experience of my life.
I had my son 47 minutes after arriving at the hospital at 12:37pm weighing 8lb 4oz and 21 inches long.
Marinda’s support has not only been offered to me, but also to my fiancé. She supported him during my labor and delivery to help keep him calm. She has also helped him, as a new first time dad, on how to handle a newborn and we are both so grateful for her.
I have to thank Marinda and Hypnobabies so deeply. I know I could not have had the birthing of my dreams if it wasn’t for her. Going natural became so much more for me than just not taking drugs. It was a very spiritual, beautiful, empowering experience that I now look forward to experiencing again, which I will definitely have Marinda as my Doula when we have another baby.
Julie
