Thursday, April 28, 2011

How doulas prepare for birth

How doulas prepare for birth

If a parent wanted to know how a doula prepares for a client’s birth, they could easily find lists of things they put in their “birth bags”, but unless they put asked an individual doula what she does in the weeks and days leading up to a birth, they would be hard pressed to find out. So here is an idea of the steps I take ahead of time, as a birth doula.

Prep work with the client. I meet with my clients and their partners to find out what they want from me, what they want from the experience, and address any fears or concerns they have about birth in general. This helps my clients, but it also helps me to individualize the care I give them.

Arrange for childcare. At this time, my husband is doing handyman-type work, and he is able to watch our kids when I get called, but most doulas have to find a babysitter to be available around the clock during the clients’ due month.

Research. My favorite book to read before a birth is The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simpkin, but I do a lot of reading for each client to make sure they have all the information they need to make informed choices, and to get my mind in the game, so to speak.

Pack my birth bag. I include personal items, everything I need to stay clean and comfortable for a long shift, as well as my client’s chart, and comfort items for her.

Pray for her. I am a Christian, and I pray for each of my clients, that they will have a good birth experience, for safety and satisfaction, and that God will provide me with wisdom and intuition to provide my clients with the very best care I can give.

Try to get more sleep. I say try because getting a good night’s sleep with three little kids to care for is not easy, and there is almost always a project I want to work on in the evening, but I do attempt to rest up because if a client’s labor is long, I am then abe to think more clearly and be more relaxed for her. Since most of my clients don’t know when they will begin labor, it’s not like I can just rest up the day before!

Visualize. I advise my clients to visualize themselves giving birth because it is proven to make the actual experience easier, but I also do some visualization myself. I visualize my clients having normal births, and imagine how I would assist her if there was a complication or variation from average labors. This helps me to clear my mind of other things going on (even on the way to the birth!) and reminds me of all the things I can do to promote a good birth experience.

Keep my cell phone charged and at my side 24/7 from 36 weeks of pregnancy until the birth of the baby. I never know when I’ll get the call!

Once my client calls in early phase of labor I put my plans for childcare into action, finish packing my bag, eat, shower, and head over the client’s home or hospital when we feel it’s the right time.


http://birthamiracle.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/doulas-prepare-for-birth/

Thursday, April 21, 2011

If We Don’t Tell Women the Truth about Natural Childbirth Then They’ll Never Know!

I ran across this article today, and I completely fell in love with it. It is very true and heartfelt and I think every expecting parent should read this.

http://mynaturalchildbirth.org/natural-childbirth-2/

We Choose Natural Childbirth Because We Know What Goes On in the Hospital


The other night a guy friend of mine who saw the content of my Facebook page asked me, “so what’s the big deal with all these women and natural childbirth? And why do they feel the need to constantly talk about their birth and to get people to watch their birth videos and stuff?” My first reaction was to say, “You won’t get it, it’s a girl thing and it’s WAY too big of a topic to even get into.”

But then it occurred to me how little the average person knows about the current state of birth in our country. And that the only way to change that is to make it common knowledge and the only way to do that is to speak up and spread the word!

The truth remains that in our society most of us are either uninformed or misinformed. And most of what we think we know has been implanted into us not for the safety and well being of ourselves and our babies but for the monetary gain of the HCA (Hospital Corporations of America) one of the richest and most fraudulent corporations of all time.

I can’t keep quiet any more, this information is too important not to be shared. Women deserve to be given all of the information, only then can they be expected to make truly informed decisions.

Only when women are acting from a place of knowledge and not from fear will we have a real chance to reclaim birth as the sacred and empowering journey that it is meant to be and not as the dire medical emergency that is leaving millions of Mommas traumatized.

We Choose Natural Childbirth Because We Know the Facts

Natural ChildbirthNatural Childbirth

FACT #1- The Current Medically Engineered System of Birth Is Failing Us

In our country we treat birth as if it’s a medical emergency. Instead of allowing normal birth to follow it’s natural process doctors are interfering and are taking over with their own man made technology centered system of birth. As if they can somehow do a better job than nature. These methods are highly intrusive and dangerous. Over half of the women who give birth in the hospitals are leaving feeling abused, mistreated and traumatized. This system is failing us in a BIG way!

  • The United States lags behind most other industrialized and even some developing countries in maternal mortality, currently ranking 50th out of 171 countries
  • Our current C-section rate is 33% and rising

We Choose Natural Childbirth because it is Our Bodies, Our Babies, Our Experience and Our Choice

Natural Childbirth

FACT #2- “Birth Rape” is Real and It’s Common

Since I have dove into this birth world I cannot believe the stories that I’m hearing every day. We’re seeing our fellow women, our sisters, and our friends going into the hospital to have their babies and coming out completely traumatized by what went on!

They say that they were manipulated by the hospital system and bullied into accepting unnecessary interventions and even c-sections without sound medical reason. The feelings some women have about their negative experiences are overwhelming. Many are claiming birth abuse, and some would even go as far as to say birth “rape” especially if they had instruments placed inside them without their consent.

This (rape) can include having Q-tips, speculums, scissors, forceps, vacuums, fingers, hands, and other objects inserted into a woman’s vagina or being given an enema, IV, epidural, or C-section without their consent.

Having one’s water broken without consent is another example of doctor’s taking control, which is basically what rape is all about. Being coerced, manipulated or deceived so that one will be obedient and go along with these treatments is another form of birth rape. Some even consider making rude and discouraging remarks to influence the mother rather than empower her to be included in the definition. Moving a mother into certain positions without asking and telling her what to do are further examples of mistreatment.

Some deny the existence of birth trauma in mothers or believe that they or exaggerating, especially being that misconduct is rarely reported.

Some 54% of women in one study had grounds for a complaint but did not file.

We Choose Natural Childbirth Because We Will Not Allow Ourselves to be Operated on For Profit

Natural ChildbirthNatural Childbirth

FACT #3- Despite the Poor Quality of Care, Business is Booming & Profits Soar for the HCA (Hospital Corporation of America)

One of the largest hospital operators is a gigantic corporation called the HCA (Hospital Corporation of America) it is one of the most profitable and corrupt multi-billion dollar corporations of all time.

Before you decide to hire them to be in charge of one the most important and monumental experiences of your life, the birth of your child there are a few things that you should know about them.

  • The HCA has been investigated by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Health and Human Services who served search warrants at Columbia/HCA facilities and on dozens of doctors with suspected ties to the company. Following the raids, the Columbia/HCA board of directors forced Rick Scott to resign as Chairman and CEO. Who despite his wrongdoings still made off with $350 million dollars. In 1999, Columbia/HCA just simply changed their name back to HCA, Inc. and went about business as usual
  • HCA also admitted fraudulently billing Medicare and other health programs by inflating the seriousness of diagnoses and to giving doctors partnerships in company hospitals as a kickback for the doctors referring patients to HCA. They filed false cost reports, fraudulently billing Medicare for home health care workers, and paid kickbacks in the sale of home health agencies and to doctors to refer patients. In addition, they gave doctors “loans” never intending to be repaid, free rent, free office furniture, and free drugs from hospital pharmacies.
  • 2000 and 2002, Columbia/HCA pleaded guilty to 14 felonies.
  • In late 2002, HCA agreed to pay the U.S. government $631 million, plus interest, and pay $17.5 million to state Medicaid agencies, in addition to $250 million paid up to that point to resolve outstanding Medicare expense claims. In all, civil law suits cost HCA more than $2 billion to settle, by far the largest fraud settlement in US history.

All of these crimes appear to be aimed at making more money from each patient as possible. Apply this to birth and suddenly the reason for a 33% cesarean rate becomes clear. They have no interest in a simple, intervention free birth but have such a huge interest in interventions that they are willing to risk a $2 billion fine as just a small cost of doing business.

Fact #4- Hospitals Make More Money Off of Birth Than any Other Condition

Natural Childbirth

They have twice as much money coming in from each c-section birth than each natural vaginal childbirth, some employer based health plans give doctors an extra bonus of up a $750 per C-section.

This is a scary thought. We are putting our faith and trust into a system that is not working for us but rather for themselves. This is why you need to analyze for yourself everything that these doctors tell you. They can be crucial in spotting and helping with severe issues, but they also have a terrible record of inflating very minor differences into surgery requiring problems.

Most midwives on the other hand have nothing to gain from advising an intervention, their only motivation would be the wellbeing of the mother and child. This is a crucial separation of interests; it is never good to have the person with the most to benefit from a bad outcome as an advisor.

Hospitals most profitable service is birth; they’re charging a fortune but are delivering poor service. If they were a restaurant chain they would have gone out of business years ago.

But they are a multi-billion dollar business and they have something very powerful on their side: billions of dollars, enough to hire the most expensive cut throat financial consultants there are, people sitting at desks doing nothing but figuring out how they can make the hospitals more money!

They have the ability to manipulate using the oldest tactic in the book, by feeding off of peoples fear. They do this by creating the illusion of danger, they tell us that for one reason or another our bodies are broken but we are in luck because they are there to offer the solution to it, and one they get paid for.

We Choose Natural Childbirth Without Fear

It is the most natural thing in the world for us to have fear about birth. It is something that is huge! We’ve never done it before, it sounds impossible that our bodies would be able to pass another human through them. And then the pain, all the pain we’ve heard about, the anguish the horror stories, and then there are the movie scenes that all tell us that birth is scary and painful! Women are scared to death of giving birth.

And that is why WE are here!

We Share Our Natural Childbirths because…

If We Don’t Tell Women the Truth about Natural Childbirth Then They’ll Never Know!

Natural ChildbirthNatural Childbirth

“Pregnancy is Not a Condition and Birth is Not an Emergency”

I and many other women know this to be true! We know how profound, amazing, empowering, beautiful and completely encompassed in love natural childbirth can be! It is so powerful I feel like it has changed me right down to the core, it has awoken me to this powerful woman that I always thought that I could be but that I now know that I am.

I choose natural childbirth because I want to pass on to my daughter that she too is strong, and to lead by example that when you are faced with the unknown the answer is never FEAR, it is always to trust and believe in yourself.

Natural Childbirth

Why do you choose Natural Childbirth?

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

5 Doula Myths Debunked


As doulas become more common on birth teams around the world, I get fewer blank stares when I tell people what I do. Most people have at least a nominal sense of what a doula does, even if the lines are a bit fuzzy for them. Over the years, however, I've noticed some common misconceptions about doulas and their role in birth. Because I hear these myths again and again, allow me to debunk a few for you.

Myth #1: A doula would interfere with the bond between my husband/partner and I in labor.

Your partner in life makes an ideal birth partner. He or she knows you best, and that bond can't be replaced by a doula - or anyone else - in labor. Doulas don't come into a birth and take over.

A good doula actually facilitates involvement. We can remind your partner about what you learned in class. Hips hurting? Here, I know a great technique for that. Dad, try this. We can also complement a partner's strengths. I've been to births where the dad fell into a really natural role as mom's physical support, and I offered more verbal reassurance. Even with great prep beforehand, he just might not know what to say.

Because we've studied and often seen a lot of births, doulas can be invaluable in unexpected situations. Has labor slowed down? Dad might not think about nipple stimulation, stair climbing, acupressure, visualization or thumb sucking (yes, thumb sucking). We also carry a great bag of tricks. My own doula bag includes goodies like tennis balls for counterpressure, peppermint oil to combat nausea, a gardening knee pad for kneeling dads, and mouthwash to refresh anyone on the birth team when mom's senses are incredibly heightened.

Doulas make sure dads take care of themselves too, with comfort measures and breaks during a long birth. Even the most amazing birth partner needs to eat and pee every once in awhile! We can reassure him when things are going normally, and help interpret and demystify hospital protocol. We're his doula too.

And finally, if the two of you are working beautifully together, we're skilled at backing off and letting that happen. I don't feel lost in moments of just observing. There's still real value in simply honoring and protecting a couple's birth space.


Myth #2: If I have a midwife, I don't need a doula.

Most of my clients birth with midwives. While it's true that doulas and midwives do share some common skills and goals, their roles are actually quite different. A doula is your sounding board from the minute you hire her. She'll help you process your hopes and fears about the pregnancy and birth, answer questions and connect you with resources. If you just need to talk every day for a week, she'll be there. You never have to wait for your next scheduled visit.

And unless you're having a homebirth, even the best midwife won't meet you in your living room and support you through early labor. Doulas often connect with their clients at home, laboring with them there, and helping them with the transition to the hospital or birth center. After arriving at your birth place, a midwife can't guarantee you'll be her only patient in labor. Your doula is there for you, and only you.

Midwives offer birth knowledge and suggestions for coping with labor, as do doulas. However, a midwife's final responsibility rests with the health of mom and baby. At a certain point in almost every birth (and sometimes at many points), a midwife must turn her attention from support to the medical aspects of birth. She watches for complications, advises on interventions or approaches, and serves as medical guardian.

A doula doesn't perform any clinical tasks and stays focused solely on support. She nurtures you in the calm and beautiful spells, and also if there are any frantic, scary moments. "You're doing such an amazing job, this is normal." "I trust your decision-making process." "Stay strong, you're almost there." "Listen to your body." "Don't be scared, we're here with you."


Myth #3: My doula will protect me against the hospital staff.

Not even the best doula can "save" a couple from an interventionist doctor, midwife or hospital. It is up to you to advocate for yourselves, and make your wishes known to the staff.

First of all, a doula can be kicked out of a birthing room very quickly if she steps on any toes. Second, we might have to work with these same people again next week or next month—to serve our clients well, it's best not to have an antagonistic relationship.

That's not to say that a doula can't play a more subtle advocacy role. The first thing we might do is to help you figure out if the practice you're with is a good match for your birth goals, and if not, help identify another provider who might be more complementary. We'll also encourage you to talk with your provider about all your hopes and expectations beforehand, so there's less chance of any surprise at the actual birth.

During birth, we can remind you of your birth plan, share what we know about options, suggest questions, and help you sort through your feelings and priorities. I've also given couples a gentle "heads up" when I've seen a medical intervention about to be performed without their consent. And when the pressure is on to make a medical decision, assuming it's not an emergency, a doula can suggest some time alone to think and talk. Just removing the pressure of someone standing over you, waiting for an immediate answer, can help a couple think through their options and priorities with clear heads.

Myth #4: I can't afford a doula.

We spend incredible amounts of money on preparing for a baby in this country. Dare I say it, many of those dollars go toward unnecessary accoutrements. Pretty much, for a newborn, you need diapers, some onesies and a breast. A sling is handy. That's it. Your baby will never miss that fancy diaper stacker, sticker-shock crib, or those adorable matching baskets. By comparison, women process their births for their entire lives. And unnecessary interventions can have long-lasting emotional and physical effects for mom and baby. We get one chance to birth our babies. So for many couples, affording a doula is merely a matter of shifting priorities.

In almost every community, if you truly want birth support, there is a doula in your price range. Doula work is demanding and doesn’t usually pay very well. Still, many are willing to adjust their fees on a sliding scale for low-income mothers. Bartering and payment plans are also common. If the doula you first approach doesn't do pro-bono work, or has reached her limit, she can usually help connect you with a new doula who will work at a very low cost as she gains experience. Call doula certifying organizations like DONA International for a list of doulas working toward certification, or visit DoulaMatch and DoulaConnect to find doulas working in your state and local area.

Myth #5: All doulas wear patchouli and long skirts and they only like natural birth.

This one's easy to debunk, since I'm living proof. Patchouli gives me a headache, and I can't remember the last time I wore a skirt. Some doulas are crunchy, some look a lot like your grandma or your banker, and some of us are more of the soccer-mom set.

As for going natural, you can find doulas who had medicated births or cesarean births themselves. Many doulas feel comfortable supporting any couple, no matter what kind of birth they're hoping for.

Others, and I include myself in this group, have a true love for natural birth, but also a strong sense of compassion for women faced with challenging situations or true medical complications. We're not in your body, and we can't completely know what the labor experience is like for you. Medications and interventions, while vastly overused, certainly have their place. The core of a doula's role is support - support for your decision-making process and your innate wisdom about the best path for your birth. I've witnessed some truly beautiful births that included Pitocin, narcotics, epidurals, and even c-sections.

A good doula nurtures and supports you on your birth journey, wherever it leads you. One of my clients told me after her VBAC that during her birth she felt surrounded in love. That's much more important to me than whether someone experiences my idealized version of a "perfect birth." If every family I work with feels surrounded in love, I've done my job.

http://www.drmomma.org/2011/04/5-doula-myths-debunked.html

Monday, April 18, 2011

Upcoming Classes In Pleasant Grove Utah


April Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 3 spots left

April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28

June Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 5 spots left

June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9


Thursday, April 14, 2011

A Birth Story - Hypnobabies with Back Labor

I love this birth story and how it clearly shows how the way we view birth can have a profound influence on how we EXPERIENCE birth. Amazing story-

Enjoy!

~

I'm so excited to share this part of my journey! My first birth was just the birth that I had wanted and envisioned. Completely natural, no medications, no I.V., not one intervention. I thank my amazing husband, our wonderful doula, and our kind, knowledgeable midwife for this amazing experience.

I'll begin with Hypnobabies . . . please understand that Hypnobabies became an integral part of my pregnancy, birth and life, so you'll see it a lot in here.

In my 29th week of pregnancy, I took my first Hypnobabies class. I remember calling Kelly, our teacher and getting signed up, I wasn't sure it would work out, because classes were starting in just a few days, and it was the last opportunity I would have, but after Rachel (my midwife) had recommended Hypnobabies, of course (I spend a significant amount of time researching nearly everything), I had been googling away and I was REALLY interested. The stars aligned, and I was able to make it to the first class. I had called Kelly the day of and asked if Travis was supposed to join us. She emphatically told me yes! I guess it was pregnancy brain, but for some reason, I wasn't sure.

I got the beginning CD's the day before class began, so I only had time to listen to one of them. The special place CD. I remember this vividly. When I sat down on the couch, and listened to Kerry's (the creator of Hypnobabies) voice, I started crying. I cried the entire way though the session. I sobbed. It was so strange. It must have been a release of all the tension and anxiety I had felt throughout pregnancy . . . that I didn't even know I was feeling.

The night of our first class, Travis and I headed out to Rexburg, in the sun of the evening. Classes were at Kelly's house, and I'll admit, I was a little nervous. This was a whole new experience for me! In meeting Kelly, all of my fears were washed away, she was kind, and knowledgeable, light-hearted and warm. There were 3 other families also taking the class. I quickly found that Hypnobabies was much more than self hypnosis for childbirth, it was actually a class! There was a wealth of information, and lots of homework! After receiving our work books, and going through the materials for the first lesson, we had our first hypnosis session. This was a session that Dads also did with us. On the way home, Travis told me this was the perfect fit for me, and that it was going to work so well! This was so encouraging! My husband was in full support, and truly, without him, it would have been a struggle.

I started listening to the tracks and doing my studies. I absolutely LOVED the pregnancy affirmations every day. I would listen each day as I was getting ready, what a great way to start my day. I also really loved my time in hypnosis, I was so calm and relaxed. It was a great time for Travis and I to bond, and really prepare for our baby. I, being my typical over-achiever self completely embraced the studies. We would all laugh in class, because I was the mom who brought her own little sticky tabs and highlighters. You should see my work book. I think I'm leaving those stickies in there as long as I can. It's so funny.

Hypnobabies is also more than just hypnosis. It was an eye opener. It was a confidence builder.

On Thursday, November 11, 2010 I had my weekly appointment with our midwife. We saw Helene, and I declined any internal exams. I didn't want any pressure or anxiety. I was also planning on being at least a week past due, (my estimated due date was November 18, 2010) so I wasn't really even thinking about going into labor. Kelly, our doula, had asked me if I would be comfortable with her taking a day trip on Friday, the 12th and I said yes. I really didn't feel like this baby was ready to be earthside. I just felt pregnant, and normal. Travis and I ate lunch and went back work. I had a stack of work, and a nagging feeling that I should get my files in order. Thursday came and went, uneventfully.

On Friday, November 12, 2010 I woke up, and felt just the same as I had all of the other days. Kelly was on her day trip, and life was good. I got ready, went into the office about 10:30 am (ish) and went to work. I did notice that I had started to lose my mucous plug, but I still didn't think anything of it. I knew this could happen days or weeks before the birth. I made phone calls, and in the afternoon, I FINALLY took the time to get my files in order. I made a calendar with notes, and phone numbers, marked the significant dates and added all of my notes. I prepared for a showing that I had scheduled on Sunday, the 14th. I got a text message from my amazing friend, Cindy, asking if I felt like I was going to have my baby. I told her no, and that I didn't think it would be any time in the near future. At about 4:30 in the afternoon, I was feeling sort of tired, and I had a backache. I left the office, and went to the shop to tell Travis that I was headed home to put my feet up. I was getting pretty crabby, and I don't remember exactly what I did say to him other than "I'm going to sit down, my back hurts, and I'm not standing here to talk to you anymore!"

Travis came home and made dinner, spaghetti. We ate, and sat down to watch a movie. My backache persisted, off and on, so I heated up my bucky (buckwheat heating pad) and settled down for the movie. I started to pay attention to the backache, and looking at the clock. During the movie, it would come and go every 6 to 7 minutes or so. After the movie, I told Travis, and we called the midwife, Rachel about 11:00 and told her that I thought I might be having early birthing waves (contractions). I explained to her that it was only in my back, and that Travis couldn't feel any tightening in my belly. She said it was certainly "suspicious" and that we should keep an eye on it, calling her if there were any changes. We decided to head to bed, and try to sleep, if this was "it" we wanted to be rested.

On November 13, 2010 I had a hard time sleeping, my backaches just weren't easing up. At about 2:00 am I got out of bed, grabbed my Hypnobabies bag and took it into the bathroom. I started filling the tub, and I would lean with my head on the counter and sway each time I would feel a birthing wave. When the tub was full, I put on my headphones and started listening to my birthing time affirmations, then my deepening track. I'm pretty sure I actually fell asleep in the tub. If I didn't sleep, I was pretty darn close to a sleeping state. After a little while, I needed to get out of the tub, I called to Travis, because I was pretty sure I would need help getting out of the tub. Before I could get out, I calmly told Travis that I was going to get sick. Sure enough, I threw up that spaghetti that I had eaten a few hours before. I then climbed out of the tub, and laid on the bed, asking for a back rub.

So that you understand what my birthing waves were, now is probably a good time to mention the fact that I experienced "back labor". I really don't remember a tightening in my belly, ever. My birthing waves came from my back and stayed in my back. It was like a cramp in my back that would come on in a rush, then move through my lower back, into my pelvis and move back into my low back before leaving. Rachel and Kelly hypothesized (after baby was born) that my back labor might have been because my height (I'm somewhat, ok, really petite). We really don't know. I also really didn't have any experience with this, or really know what it was. I had this intensity in my back for the duration of my birthing time.

I moved down into the living room, about 3:30 am. I remember going to the bathroom, and telling Travis that I was really losing my mucous plug. It wasn't, I would later realize that was my bloody show . . . I had no idea. I decided that laying on the concrete floor in the bathroom felt nice, to that's where I laid for a little while, then I felt cold, and moved back into the living room. At this point we were both sure that baby would be here in the somewhat near future. At this time, my birthing waves were about 4 to 5 minutes apart. I mentioned calling Kelly, but I really hadn't seemed to progress much, so we decided to wait. I would walk around the living room for a little while, then lay down in the family room. Our dachshund was with me the entire time. She would not leave my side. When I was in the bathroom, she was standing guard by the door. When I was on the couch, she was on the couch. She was a huge source of comfort and support.

Between 4:30 and 5:00 am we decided to call Kelly. My birthing waves were coming at 3 to 4 minutes apart. Travis talked to Kelly, then said he needed to run into town, he had left his computer on and needed to shut things down at the shop, making sure it would be good for a few days absence. He made a nest of pillows for me on the couch, and I laid face down in it I listened to my birthing day affirmations, and my Easy Birthing track. I really started relaxing. I honestly am not sure how long it took Travis to get home. I really didn't pay attention to time. Kelly called and said she was on her way, at about 5:30 to 6:00 am. At that time, I was really starting progress with birthing waves about 2 to 3 minutes apart. Travis told her that we would likely be heading to the hospital when she got to our house, so we decided she would meet us at the hospital (we lived nearly an hour away from Kelly and our hospital). Travis started packing up between the birthing waves, and it took us a little longer than we expected to get out of the house. He would run up the stairs when a wave ended, grab stuff, take it to the car, and then help me through my next wave. He would help my putting pressure on my forehead or my shoulder and provide relaxation cues. When we finally got into the car, and left for the hospital, it was about 7:30 am.

Travis started making phone calls (Rachel the midwife being the first), and I listened to my Hypnobabies. I also remember telling him to call my friend Penny, because I had planned on going shopping with her that day at 11:00. The car ride was probably the most uncomfortable part of the birthing time. I was unable to move in ways that felt good, and being confined in the car, with the pressure on my pelvis took extra concentration to relax. During the car ride, when he could, Travis would put his hand on my forehead and help me breathe through the birthing wave.

We got to the hospital at about 9:00 am. Travis walked into the hospital to get me checked in (I had already gone in and given all of my information, he just needed to do the official check-in). Kelly came right out to the car, at a moment when I felt like I might lose it. My Hypnobabies track had just ended. Being alone was scary, even if it was literally for a few seconds. Kelly put her hand on my shoulder and gave me some relaxation cues, I felt myself instantly melting. The nurses came out and after the birthing wave, I got into the wheelchair. As they were taking me up in the elevator (Travis was still upstairs and Kelly was parking our car), one of the nurses said I should be taken to triage (I'm guessing because I was so relaxed and quiet).

The other nurse said I was beyond that point, and that they would just give me a room. When I got into the room, I got onto the bed and felt sick. The nurse held out my little bowl - the one that had come from my house with me. I had carried it all over the house before we left, (a talisman, if you will) which I proceeded to miss and gracefully projectile vomit all over the floor. During this time, (I think it might have been transformation) my hips would shake. I wasn't in pain, I was just shaking. Kelly would apply pressure to my hips and that would help me stop shaking. I was still being touched and given the relaxation cues, so I was really focusing on simply relaxing. I honestly don't know a whole lot about what was happening around me.


Between Birthing Waves

The lights were turned down low, and I was hooked up to the monitor for a few minutes, to check the heartbeat of the baby, and all was good. Rachel then asked if she could check my dilation, and I said yes. I was dilated to 7 cm. During the entire process, all of the nurses, and especially Rachel (who was already familiar with Hypnobabies techniques) were completely respectful of me when I had a birthing wave and turned my switch off, they would wait. It was never as if I were inconveniencing anyone. Rachel asked if I wanted to get into the tub, and I thought that would feel good, so I said yes.

Rachel also had to help another mom who was giving birth. She went to check on the other mom, and fill the tub. When she came back, she told me the tub was ready, I was waiting for a birthing wave to end, but then I had the urge to push. I started pushing from my right side. My hip started hurting, so I moved onto my hands and knees. I tried to use the birthing ball, but it didn't feel comfortable. Kelly then raised the bed so I could rest my head on it. Both Travis and Kelly were so supportive! Kelly would heat up the bucky and Travis would provide relaxation cues.

When I started pushing, I actually felt better! I wasn't in pain, I wasn't even uncomfortable. I think it took me a few tries to figure it out. I felt like I was working hard, like a workout. I stayed this way for several pushes and with the encouragement of Kelly and Rachel, I made great progress. I think it was really helpful during this time that I only received encouragement, no specific direction on pushing. No counting to 10, no screaming or frantic yelling like you see in the movies. I was asked if I wanted the mirror to see, and I said yes, so that was brought into the room.

I don't know if this is in my head, or if I said anything out loud, but I remember feeling loud during my pushes and apologizing for being loud. Travis later told me that I wasn't loud at all. I started feeling tired, so I wanted to lie on my left side. I only pushed a few more times, and baby was almost here. Rachel was in the other room at the time, and Kelly and the nurse (I think her name was Jessica) agreed that we needed Rachel in the room. Travis said it would likely be two more pushes. He was so encouraging! I remember smiling at him, and feeling so excited. I also remember thinking "Shouldn't I be feeling the "ring of fire" or something painful now?" It was not painful. I thought to my Hypnobabies training, and thought about the "flood" of hypno-anesthesia that I should imagine, but either I didn't need it or I had already programmed my subconscious mind to focus the hypno-anesthesia there. I didn't feel pain. Not at all. No joke.


Moments Before Baby was Born!

I started pushing and Rachel ran into the room. The baby was crowning and she threw on her gown, asking me to stop pushing me if I could. I could not. Rachel literally caught our baby with her bare hands, it was so fast! There was no time to position the mirror, no time to "get ready", it was just like "Poof" he was here! I had a slight "moment of weakness" when I pushed the shoulders out. She asked for one more push, and I said I couldn't (because I was tired, not in pain) but it really wasn't difficult. At 10:10 am our sweet little boy was born. I had been in the hospital for right around an hour. I had started pushing about 30 minutes prior. I didn't know any of the times, I was told all of this later, because I was so focused on the birth, I really didn't pay attention to much more than me and baby. We also hadn't named him yet, that happened as we were leaving the hospital.


The moment our son was born.
Brand New Baby!

From this moment on, it seems as though time passed very quickly. Baby was put right onto my chest, I remember saying "Happy Birthday Baby!" When it stopped pulsing, Travis cut the cord. Baby was a little blue, so the nurses held some oxygen near his nose, and he nursed right away. A few minutes later, the placenta was born, and we got a chance to look at the amazing organ my body created to feed and grow our baby. After nursing and snuggling, our nurse took Baby to the other side of the room to do measurements, and his initial checkup. He weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces, and was 19 inches long. He was not crying, he was not distressed. He was right there with Mom and Dad, and he was happy. He was never left alone. We declined most of the newborn treatments (eye ointment, Hep B vaccine, and bath). Kelly rubbed my feet. My poor swollen feet. It was heavenly! Our son was given back to me immediately, and we snuggled. It was absolutely wonderful and amazing.

My birth changed my life. It changed me in a way that I never imagined . . . I'm stronger, more knowledgeable, and more of an advocate of informed health care than I thought I'd ever be! This amazing experience has changed me for the better. In my first experience as a mom, I know I did the best thing for my baby and for me. I had a birth the way that it was supposed to be, natural, joyous and calm. For that I'm thankful.


Our sweet baby, Born 11/13/10 @ 10:10 am.

- As a side note: When I went back to see Rachel for my post pregnancy checkup (on my due date), she told me that she delivered 4 babies the weekend my baby was born. None of those moms had an epidural! Hooray for saying "no" to intervention!

- One more note: We found out later in the night (when we bumped into them at the hospital) that the other mom having her baby, was another "Hypnomom" from our class! We were "due" a day apart, and we ended up having our babies 30 minutes apart. I think this is just so cool!

http://mamabirth.blogspot.com/2011/04/birth-story-hypnobabies-birth-with.html

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Upcoming Classes May-June

Sugar House Salt Lake City Utah:
May Class:
Wednesdays from 6-9pm 5 spots left
May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8
June/July Class:
Wednesdays from 6-9pm 5 spots left
June 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27

Murray/Salt Lake City Utah:
May Class:
Fridays from 6-9pm 5 spots
May 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17
July Class:
Fridays from 6-9pm 5 spots
July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12

Pleasant Grove/Provo Utah

April Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 3 spots left

April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28

June Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 5 spots left

June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9