upcoming classes and a new location!!

Upcoming Class Dates:
March 2, Sugar House, Wednesday Evenings**
April 1, Salt Lake City, Friday Evenings
April 2nd, Pleasant Grove, Saturday Mornings

For more dates/times, visit www.thedoulahouse.com

**Newest Location!!

Another Hypnobabies story, from France!!

Kerry received this email from a mom in France who did the home-study course!

Hello,

I’d like to take a minute to thank the Hypnobabies team for helping me have the best birth experience of my three children.

I live overseas in France and had to go through my first pregnancy without the help of my mom, sister or good friends. I was learning lots of pregnancy related vocabulary in French, trying to navigate through the medical system here, and in retrospect, I was like a little girl who did what everyone said without really thinking about what kind of birth I wanted to have. I had an epidural (after having been stuck 4 times with the needle) and my son was born early in the morning.

I never thought that the birth of my next child would be much different, but my water broke first and we arrived at the hospital to wait while the anesthesiologist was busy with an emergency c-section. I hadn’t taken any birthing classes since my first pregnancy and wasn’t mentally prepared to handle a natural birth. I panicked and didn’t know how to breath or focus. By they came for the epidural, I felt like my body was going to be ripped in half. They tried 16 times to put the needle in my spine before I told them to stop and examine me – my daughter basically came flying out as soon as I lied down on the table. I had less pain the next day than with my first birth, but the 16 holes in my back made me promise myself that for the next children, I would do things my own way.

When I found out I was pregnant last November, I decided that I wanted a natural, home birth. I called all the midwives in my area, but unfortunately in France, there are few midwives who agree to this because they are not insured for home births. I next looked into birthing clinics but they only exist in the larger metropolitan areas. The midwife that agreed to do my birthing classes gave me the alternative – have the baby at the hospital and leave the next day if both the baby and I were healthy. The midwives then do the check-ups at your home for the next 4 days. In order to really prepare for the birth, I started looking into more methods for a pain free birth that I could do at home. That’s when I stumbled on to the Hypnobabies website. I really enjoyed the testimonies from other moms and when I started listening to the CD’s, I really felt at peace with my choice.

So on August 18th I woke around 7:30 with a contraction that was slightly painful…since I was just 4 days from term I had a feeling that this was going to be the day. Throughout the morning, I prepared breakfast for my two older children, husband and parents-in-law and did some cleaning around the house. At lunch I told my husband that the contractions were getting stronger and that if they continued then the baby would certainly come that night. He was very glad that the birth happened while he was on vacation! After lunch, I dropped my kids off at a friend’s house and she said that she could bring them home if I had to leave for the hospital. All this time, the contractions were coming about every 20 minutes and I kept using the Hypnobabies technique that minimizes the pain but lets you move about and talk to others.

I returned home and decided to take a bath around 4:30 and listen to my favorite Hypnobabies CD track. My husband had left to help a neighbor get a load of firewood, so I told him to keep his phone on and to hurry! At 5:00, I called my husband and told him he had better hurry home…then I called the hospital and told them I would be arriving in the next 30 minutes. My contractions started speeding up and I was using the Hypnobabies techniques, walking, and a gym ball during each contraction. Then my husband took a quick shower, but our friend called and couldn’t bring the kids home so my husband went to get them and I started panicking because I felt something like the head. I checked myself and wasn’t sure what it was, but later the midwife told me it was the water bag. She said I was very lucky that it didn’t break or I would have had the home birth I so wanted! So I was finally able to leave for the hospital at 6:00 and the whole time I kept praying there would be no traffic jams and I held on the handle in the car to keep from sitting completely down.

We arrived at the hospital 20 minutes later, directly at the emergency room when I felt my water start to break. The nurse wheeled me to the maternity level and directly into the delivery room, where I barely had time to get undressed before my water starting trickling even more. The midwife examined me and said that I was fully dilated, so she had me lie down and said not to do anything so she could get ready. Well, my baby didn’t agree with that…he was ready! The water bag had completely descended and burst and three pushes later, my second son was born. My husband arrived on the second push…he had to park the car. I asked the midwife to let the cord continue to beat until she cut it, which she did.

My son barely made a sound when he came out – a small cry and then he snuggled up to me. I do like this hospital because they leave you, the baby, and the father to bond for about 30 minutes until they come back to deliver the placenta and clean up. Our little Owen was so calm that I had to ask if he was even breathing! I believe that my birthing choice and the fact that I was able to stay calm, focused and in a hypnotic state had an enormously positive influence on my son. I honestly feel like I was in charge of this birth. I was able to keep it natural with no epidural, no perfusions, no exams every 30 minutes. The choices were mine and I was able to leave the next day. Owen is a wonderful addition to our family and we can’t wait to complete it with a fourth baby in the next year or two.

My midwife asked if there were any plans to translate the CD’s – she enjoys learning about new techniques to include in her birthing classes. If you ever are interested in that, I do translation work here in France and would be happy to discuss that option.



Cordially,

Merry Gilliot

Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, France

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=11688&post=75355&uid=216516692353#post75355

Do Epidurals affect Babies?

While some medical professionals claim that epidurals have no affect on babies, others say that epidurals do reach babies. What do we know about the way babies are affected by epidural analgesia?

Epidurals are administered to a growing number of women in labor today. A frequent question women want to know is whether an epidural will affect their baby.

Recent statistics show that anywhere from 60-90% of women today choose epidurals for labor. Though epidurals have been called the "cadillac" of medications due to their ability to reduce labor pain, controversy exists about whether or not epidurals affect the baby.

Epidurals do have the potential to affect a baby in two ways: either directly by crossing the placenta into the baby's bloodstream and/or indirectly by affecting the health of the mother.

Indirect effects to the Baby from Epidurals

One of the ways that epidurals can affect babies is if the mother's blood pressure drops during labor. Regional anesthesia tends to dilate a person's blood vessels, which can sometimes cause their blood pressure to drop. This is generally more of a risk if the mother already has low blood pressure. A drop in a mother's blood pressure in labor will cause the baby's heart rate to fall as well.

Epidurals cause the mother to lose most or all of her sensation and feedback to push. So, another indirect effect of epidurals to the baby is when mothers cannot push effectively. Research does show that women push longer when they have an epidural. Between exhaustion and not having feedback to push, instruments are used more often to help get the baby out, such as forceps or vacuum extractors. The use of these instruments are both considered to be "complicated vaginal deliveries" and can cause bruising and/or swelling on the top of the baby's head.

A 1997 study in Pediatrics has shown that epidurals are more likely to cause the mother's temperature to increase. In this case, medical staff is required to out rule that the mother may have an infection. So another indirect effect of epidurals can lead to a 350% higher chance of the baby being tested for infection (called a sepsis work-up) and 400% higher chance of being given antibiotics. In most cases, no infection is found in the baby.

Direct effects to the Baby from Epidurals

One way to look at the potential effect of epidurals on babies is to study their behavior as compared to babies from non-medicated labors. Researchers in Sweden have discovered that epidurals and other medications do affect babies in the first hours after birth with regard to pre-breastfeeding, latching-on and other behaviors. In a 2001 study published in Birth, infants were videotaped and their behaviors were recorded. The study showed that compared to babies whose mothers did use use pain medication, infants whose mothers used epidurals or a combination of epidurals with other medications:

Made significantly less hand to mouth movements

Touched the nipple and areola much less

Did not remained attached to the breast

Cried more

Had significantly higher skin temperatures

Researchers concluded that, "Spontaneous breast-seeking behavior in newborns is part of the interaction between the mother and her newborn and is based on coordination of body movements, sensory stimuli, and communication behaviors. This study indicates that maternal analgesia during labor might disturb and delay the important aspects of the newborn's interactive behavior and increase the newborn's skin temperature and crying."

According to authors Jensen, Benson and Bobak, (Maternity Care, the Nurse and the Family) analgesics and anesthetics do cross the placenta. "Many drugs cross the placenta readily (e.g., antibiotics, narcotics, analgesics, anesthetics)."

The medication used in epidurals (local anesthetics such as bupivicaine) crosses the placenta by diffusion. This means that when epidurals are administered, the medication rapidly diffuses across cell membranes, crosses the placenta and enters the bloodstream of the baby. According to one study, bupivicaine (administered via an epidural) was found in blood samples taken from newborns after the mothers had an elective cesarean.

While it is clear that epidurals cross the placenta and reach the baby and can both indirectly and directly affect babies, we still don't know exactly how epidurals can affect the baby in every situation and for every mother and baby.

http://www.suite101.com/content/do-epidurals-affect-babies--a8281

Hypno-Mom Kari shares her third daughter Chloe's Hypnobabies Birth Story!

Chloe’s Hypnobabies Birth Story

Wow...I can't believe the time has come for me to post my very own birth story! I wasn't sure I was going to have a very exciting birth story to tell... it was!!!

This was my third baby girl, but my very first all natural Hypnobabies birth! I'm so happy to be a part of the elite women who have a natural birth, it's very empowering!!

Chloe's ETA was September 22nd, but I had anticipated her arrival to be the weekend before, sometime between the 17th and the 19th. I even told my best friend the month before to make her trip out from Utah that weekend... so she did. We usually have our babies on weekends and I couldn't imagine her coming the weekend AFTER her guess date so it had to be this weekend!

I kept myself SUPER busy all week walking with friends, doing pre-school stuff with my 4 yr old, and making hair-bows for my THREE girls! I decided to make the last days nice and fun! I'm SO glad I did.

I had a Dr. appt. on Friday the 17th, where the doctor checked me and I was 60% effaced and 2 cm (nothing different for me during the last weeks of pregnancy). I ran some errands with my mom, Home Depot, health food store, etc. (We live in the San Bernardino Mountains in California, so trips up and down the mountain take about 45 minutes, so we do major shopping when we're down there). I had been experiencing lots of Braxton Hicks all week (as well as other changes in my body that told me she was coming soon) nothing to complain about, but they were starting to change a bit while walking around with my mom. I didn't think much of it though, didn't want to get my hopes up. I wanted Chloe to come when she was ready...even though I had felt ready for a while! We got home about 7 pm. On the drive up I felt the PW's (pressure waves) had more of a pattern and they felt a bit more like real PWs, but still didn't think this was it. I picked up my two girls from my dad and took them home to get ready for bed.

Once home I just did all the normal stuff, feeling the waves but not really giving them much thought. After my girls were in bed, my husband and I watched TV and I told him that maybe we should get some stuff packed because I was having waves about every10 minutes. So I started getting my things ready. I decided that I should try to sleep a little and listen to Hypnobabies. I did for a bit, but had to keep going to the bathroom. So, I decided I should get my kids bag packed. As I was walking around getting things together for them I started feeling them very close together, but thought it was just because I was walking a lot (they felt like a side ache from running, just in the front lower part of my abdomen.) I still was unsure if this was it! I told my husband I was going to call his mom, he told me to wait because he didn't think it was time yet either. But, I called her anyway around midnight she is a Labor and Delivery Nurse and I told her I wasn't sure if I should go down to the hospital or not. She asked how close together they were and I told her they felt about 1-2 minutes apart. I was starting to have to focus now. She told me she would come to sleep with my babies and that we shouldn't wait around any longer. She lives 5 minutes away, but in the meantime I decided I should try to make the nurses some brownies to keep my mind off of the PWs. She arrived and told me she would finish the brownies for me and we needed to go. I called my sister and parents and told them we were going down, that my waves were about 1-2 minutes apart and I'd call once I knew if this was it or not.

My husband and I left about 1 am. The car ride down was a little rough with all the turns, but I listened to Hypnobabies and held my lavender and chamomile pillows to my face. I remember feeling SO good once a wave had passed and making sure my body was nice and loose during them. I told myself to "open".

We arrived at the hospital about 1:45, they checked me and I was 5 cm! "What, really??" I still couldn't believe this was it! My parents and sister arrived about 10 minutes after us, then soon after them my brother and his wife showed up. (Even though I told them all we'd call them... oh well, it was good they got there when they did!) My PWs were starting to come one after the other. I was so proud of how I was handling them. I felt a little agitated with my family just sitting there starring at me. I really only wanted my sister and husband in there but I felt bad because I didn't want to hurt my mom's feelings (she'd been there for my other two, so I just put the pillow over my face and stayed inside myself. At one point my mom said, "You can always change your mind and get the epidural!" Annoyed, I told her to "Shush or get out!" I wasn't in that kind of pain, I was just very focused and occasionally moaned and whispered "relax, peace, peace, peace, peace". I told my mom that the moaning was helping me feel better, I wasn't doing it because I was in excruciating pain.

I could feel my body trembling a bit and new that my body was entering transition. I was looking forward to it, but not sure what to expect. The nurse came to check again, I was a 6 with a bulging bag. She asked how I felt about having my water broken because sometimes things can slow down because the baby's head can't get into the birth canal with the bag in the way. I was starting to feel like I wanted this to be over very soon so I said sure.

The Doctor came in and checked me about 5 minutes later, I was a 7 and the water broke, Right when that happened my body went from having PWs to a HUGE pushing feeling which was extremely intense. I had never felt what it was like to feel the pushing waves and I got a little scared. Right after the 1st pushing wave the doctor still had her hand in there and said, "Whoa, this baby wants out NOW!" She said I was now a 9 and she was stretching things out...it was VERY uncomfortable and I told her to get her hand out of there! She apologized and began getting ready for the birth.

With each pushing wave my body just pushed on its own. With the first one I lost my focus and never really got it back because everything was happening so fast. My husband, sister and mom had never seen me birth this way so they didn't really know what to do or say so I had no one to help bring me back and try to relax me more. The sensations were very intense and I definitely was not quiet throughout them, I have to admit I let out a few choice words (and I'm not a "truck driver" kind of person) and about 3-4 pushes later Chloe was out! No tearing or anything! I was VERY happy that I had her naturally. Actually even though it was quick and intense I was happy it was quick rather than LONG and intense. MY husband joked that he'd stood in longer lines at Disneyland!!

Chloe Lynn Cummins was born at 3:36 am on September 18th, just two hours after we arrived at the hospital! She weighed 8 lbs and was 21 inches. She's the perfect mix of her older sisters Madison (4) and Riley (2). She's the sweetest little baby... We're all obsessed with her! Everyone was amazed that I predicted her birth so well, especially my friend who drove all the way out from Utah!

I loved Hypnobabies! Everything happened almost EXACTLY how I had visualized it. Funny enough the only thing I had trouble visualizing throughout my pregnancy was the pushing faze, which ended up being the part where I lost focus. Even though I couldn't think and get myself back once pushing it was a godsend during my pressure waves and made my entire pregnancy much more enjoyable. I couldn't believe how relaxed I was, which made everything move so quickly. For my next birth I NOW know what it's like to FEEL the baby coming out and I can focus more on making that experience a little less intense using my hypnosis. I still feel it was a WONDERFUL experience and a GREAT birth!

I also loved being a part of the Hypnobabies Mom’s support group and hearing all of the wonderful birth stories! If I could offer any advice to future Hypnobabies moms, it would be to really practice your visualizations and know that they make all the difference.

Love, Kari

http://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.php?id=6293

Rub It In: Making the Case for the Benefits of Vernix Caseosa

I just found this article, and LOVED it. Great read on the case for keeping the vernix on the baby.

____________________________________________________________________

Rub It In: Making the Case for the Benefits of Vernix Caseosa

December 3rd, 2010 by Kimmelin Hull

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Childbirth educator, doula and midwife apprentice Cole Deelah recently posted her thoughts on the beauty of vernix caseosa on her blog site Sage Beginnings. Referencing a 2004 study published in ACOG’s Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Deelah reminds us of the protective benefits vernix provides to the fetus and newborn–some of which include antimicrobial activity and maintenance of skin hydration following birth. I’d like to look a little deeper into the benefits of vernix, and make a case for rubbing in versus washing off this innate host defense substance.

The 2004 study, referenced above, came out of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital by Dr. Henry Akinbi, et. al, and looked at the type, function and distribution of antimicrobial peptides (protein building blocks) contained in both vernix caseosa and amniotic fluid (AF). Despite some concerns[i] over this study, I found the methods of analysis and conclusion intriguing: in the [suspected] absence of chorioamnionitis, vernix and AF contain a mixture of antimicrobial peptides which are biologically active against several common bacteria and fungal agents. Specific antigens tested included E. coli, Group B Strep, Staph aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Listeria monocytogenes, Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumonia. Without diving into the microbiology of these nasty agents, I will simply remind you these make up the lion’s share of microbes that can cause severe diarrheal illness, pneumonia and meningitis in the newborn (or anyone, for that matter). The assumption this study was chasing involved the idea that the sebaceous (oil) glands of the fetus produce these peptides during the third trimester to act as a host defense mechanism, providing a barrier-type protection from the above-listed agents while in utero. Of interest to me, was the discovery that the combined amount and distribution of these peptides (think: natural antibiotics) in both AF and vernix were found to be most effective against the bacterial and fungal microbes when compared to the successful antimicrobial activity of each peptide subset, alone.

Likewise, another interesting finding brought forth in the Comments section of the study was the fact that the immune proteins found in vernix and AF are similar to those found in breast milk. The researchers linked this to the evolutionary similarity between mammary glands and cutaneous (skin) glands.

Furthermore, it has been known for some time that as pulmonary surfactant levels increase in the amniotic fluid, vernix begins to detach from the fetal skin—increasing its components into the surrounding AF.[ii],[iii] As the fetus continues swallowing and “practice breathing” in the womb, this antimicrobial peptide-rich mixture enters the fetal lungs and digestive tracts. The postulation I draw here, which is also hinted at in this study, is the likelihood that the vernix-AF antimicrobial peptide mixture prepares the GI tract for acceptance of the similar peptides found in breast milk—thereby preparing for the process of establishing normal flora within the gut (and perhaps digestion processes, themselves) and prepping the immune system for an important, pending transition. In short, a heightened defense mechanism plays a key role in making the transition from purely innate defense barrier mechanisms to adaptive defense mechanisms.

These findings are furthered by this 2005 study which appeared in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 2005 (62: 2390-2399). With the goal to not only confirm the presence of the 20 different protein host-defense-enabled-proteins which had been isolated in previous studies, this study also looked at the interaction between proteins and lipids (fats) found in vernix. We have known for some time (and likely taught to our pregnant students/patients) that the fatty, creamy nature of vernix acts as a moisture protectant to the fetus while in utero—not to mention (if rubbed into the skin immediately following birth) a wonderful emollient to prevent excessive drying of the newborn skin in the days following birth. But this study by M. Tollin, et. al discovered that the lipid component of vernix actually enhances the functionality of the antimicrobial peptides.

One of the peptides identified in the process of Tollin’s study is the Human Cationic Peptide LL-37. This particular peptide works both as an innate defense mechanism and an adaptive one. As a result, vernix caseosa contains a microbiological element that helps a fetus (and then, newborn) bridge that gap between basic and complex(adaptive) immune function.

The Tollin study proved to have some additional methodological benefits. While still small in numbers (vernix samples were analyzed from eighty-eight newborns; n=88) the analyses were done following vaginal births and vernix-AF analysis was completed on like mother-baby duos. Similar to findings in the ’04 study, the interaction of antimicrobial peptides in both the vernix and AF displayed heightened effectiveness in comparison to isolated peptides from AF and vernix samples alone. Because the 2004 study examined AF and vernix samples from immediate post cesarean birth participants, and the 2005 study assessed samples from vaginal birth participants, an appropriate follow-up study might be to compare innate and adaptive antimicrobial effectiveness between babies born via cesarean section versus vaginal birth.

The second study discussed here revealed similar results in the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity against several bacteria and fungi—found to be colonized on the newborn skin within minutes of birth (samples were collected immediately following birth, before any wiping/washing off was performed). Additionally, the study authors postulated that

“The antimicrobial property of vernix may also act to facilitate colonization of normal flora following birth and to block colonization of unwanted microbes or pathogens. For example, psoriasin which is identified in vernix, directly kills E. Coli…”

So…how do we implement all of this into our own practices? My suggestion: teach the expectant parents with whom we interact the enormous benefits contained in that cream cheesy stuff their babies will be covered in (to one degree or another) following birth. Encourage them to facilitate or request rubbing the vernix into the baby’s skin, rather than wiping/washing it all off. Born covered in a complex of antibacterial and antifungal elements, babies bring with them into the world additional mechanisms to boost their own immune function than what we once thought.

Posted by: Kimmelin Hull, PA, LCCE

2011 Hypnobabies Classes

Here is the schedule for the first quarter of the new year

SLC (Murray)

January Class:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm 5 spots left

January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8

February/March Class:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm 5 spots left

February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22

April Class:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm 5 spots left

March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3

Pleasant Grove

January class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 5 spots left

January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12

February/March Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 5 spots left

February 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26

April Class:

Saturdays from 9am-12pm 5 spots left

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7

Discounted Hypnobabies Classes

Because the holidays are right around the corner, and The Doula House is about to start their Holiday series of classes; we are offering a $25 discount on our classes. That bring the cost to $275, which is a great deal for an 18 hour childbirth course

What is Hypnobabies?

Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education course. Hypnobabies uses real medical hypno-anesthesia, the kind they use to put people under for surgery. Hypnobabies uses “Eyes-Open” hypnosis which allows the mother to move about during birth, while staying in a deep state of relaxed hypnosis. Using Hypnobabies will teach you how to stay in a deep state of hypnosis, and how to tell your body how to work best during your birthing time.

Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth Education class, covering everything from nutrition, and optimal fetal positioning.You will learn about informed consent and how to make the best choices for you and your baby. We help our fathers or birth partners know how to best help our hypno-moms.

Hypnobabies can be used in a hospital delivery setting, a birthing center, or a home birth.

The Course includes 6 3 hours classes held once a week. This is the optimum to allow the subconscious mind to reprogram belief systems about birth. Hypnosis can be used not only for the birthing, but for morning sickness, turning babies, and getting the birth process started when you are past-due.

Please call or visit our website for the dates of the next scheduled class.
www.TheDoulaHouse.com
Marinda Lloyd 801-548-2917

Another FANTASTIC Hypnobabies Birth

My “guess date” was October 6th, and I planned to be a week late, just like I was with Ryker. I planned to work through the end of September.



On Monday (9/28) I had some mild birthing waves during the work day. They just felt like strong b/h so I didn’t think much about it. Around 7 pm we started timing them, not because they were strong, only because we wanted to test my husband’s cool new iPhone contraction timing application. They were 15-30 min apart at that point.



At 8:30 I decided to do a fear clearing hypnosis session. The birthing waves were getting stronger, and I was starting to have flashbacks from my sons 32 hour labor. I needed to get my fear under control. It helped a lot and I calmed down.



At 9:30 I started to wonder if this might really be it. birthing waves were still 15-30 min apart, but some were up to 2 min long and very intense. I can honestly say my initial thought was “oh crap…I still have so much to do at work before I go on maternity leave!” So I decided to work for a while (I work from home). I worked until 11:00 trying to close things out.



I got in the tub at 11:00 thinking it would slow things down so I could go to bed, but things only picked up. Birthing waves started to be 3-5 min apart and intense enough that I had to really focus on the hypnosis to get through them. I was still in denial that this was the real thing, and then I felt a big gush and knew my waters had broken.



Josh started getting our things together (I hadn’t packed, the car seat lining was in the washer, we were so caught off guard). He also called his mom to come watch Ryker, and my mom and the midwife to meet us at the birth center.



We left for the birth center around 12:30 a.m.. The drive was about 15 minutes and we listened to the Hypnobabies Birth Day Affirmations on the way there.



When we arrived I immediately got in the tub. We listened to her heartbeat and my midwife checked her position. She also tested the fluid on my pad and confirmed my water had broken. Josh used the queues we had learned which helped me relax.



After about 30 minutes in the tub I started feeling the urge to push. My midwife said to go ahead and give it a try. I was lying on my left side and moaning deeply with every wave. I could feel her moving down. Pushing felt so good!



I put my hand down and could feel her head covered in hair. The waves were very intense, but I was able to recover and smile and talk in between them. I never felt out of control. I never felt like I couldn’t handle it any more.

My midwife had me put my hand down to help stretch the perineum. She had me hoot like an owl to slow down on pushing so I wouldn’t tear. Then suddenly her head was out. I had a small break before the next wave and I felt her head. Then, one more big push and she was out! She swam up to me and I pulled her up onto my chest. She was beautiful and perfect. It was 2:13 a.m. and only a little over an hour after we got to the birth center.



It took her a minute to start breathing, but that was fine since the cord was still attached and pulsating. We sat and cuddled and massaged her for a minute and then she let out a little shriek. Once she was breathing well and the cord stopped pulsating my mom cut the cord. My midwife had me move to the bed to monitor my bleeding while I nursed Ruby and birthed the placenta. She latched right on and nursed for 45 minutes or so.



Ten minutes later I felt amazing and told everyone I would do it all again right then if I could! I had a very very small superficial tear that didn’t require stitching.



We measured and weighed her (8 lbs, 5 oz an 20 ¾ “ long). She got her vitamin K shot, and then we tucked her into the co-sleeper. Josh and I got in bed and went to sleep, my mom wet home, and my midwfe went to the next room to sleep.



At 10:00 a.m. Ruby and I had checkups and passed with flying colors, so we left and went home to begin life as a new family.

www.thedoulahouse.com

Summer Hypnobabies Class Dates

February/March:

Thursdays from 6-9pm 2 spots left

February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. March 25th

*see info below*

March/April:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm 3 spots left

March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. May 4th

*see info below*

May/June:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm

May 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. June 22nd

*see info below*

July/August:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm

June 29, July 6, 13, 27, August 3, 10

**Skipping July 20th**

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. August 17th

*see info below*

August/September:

Thursdays from 6-9pm

August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. September 16th

*see info below*

New Parent Education Course (week Seven)

We have extended each class to included a New Parent Education Course. (optional) This class will cover The Happiest Baby; which will teach you the techniques to calm and comfort any baby, every time!! The Happiest Baby class is based off the teaching of Dr. Harvey Karp, and is an essential to any new mom (see other services for full description) We will also cover Breastfeeding, child safety, and much more. This class will be taught on the same day of the week as your Hypnobabies class at the same time. We have just extended class one more week. For more information, or to register for a class (even if you aren't a Hypnobabies mom) please call 801-548-2917

2010 Hypnobabies classes, utah

January/February:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm

January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. Feb. 16th

*see info below*

February/March:

Thursdays from 6-9pm

February 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. March 25th

*see info below*

March/April:

Tuesdays from 6-9pm

March 23, 30, April 6, 13, 20, 27

Week 7 (optional) New Parent Education. May 4th

*see info below*

New Parent Education Course (week Seven)

We have extended each class to included a New Parent Education Course. (optional) This class will cover The Happiest Baby; which will teach you the techniques to calm and comfort any baby, every time!! The Happiest Baby class is based off the teaching of Dr. Harvey Karp, and is an essential to any new mom (see other services for full description) We will also cover Breastfeeding, child safety, and much more. This class will be taught on the same day of the week as your Hypnobabies class at the same time. We have just extended class one more week. For more information, or to register for a class (even if you aren't a Hypnobabies mom) please call 801-548-2917

NOTE: If you do not see a class on a day that works with you, we are more than willing to start a new class if we have enough interest.

Beautfiul Hypnobabies Birth (testimonial)

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

Hypnobabies Utah Classes For September and October

Tuesdays from 6-9 (Starts September 15th)

September 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 20 ONLY 3 Spots Left

Thursdays from 6-9 (starts October 8th)

October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12 ONLY 1 Spot Left

Hypnobabies Utah classes

What If…
Your baby could be born un-medicated, alert and looking into your eyes?
What If…
You could Enjoy childbirth in Comfort, Joy and Love?
What If…
You could have it ALL?

NOW YOU CAN!!

Hypno…babies?

Yes! These are babies whose parents choose to easily and naturally prepare for childbirth using the Hypnobabies method of Hypnotic Childbirth, which teaches real medical hypnosis techniques, creating an automatically peaceful, relaxing and more comfortable pregnancy, a calm confident Hypno-Dad, and an easier, fearless and often pain-free birthing for our Hypno-Mom.

Hypnobabies is a complete childbirth education course that also teaches Gerald Kein's famous Painless Childbirth techniques to Hypnobabies mothers so that they can enter hypnosis, deepen it themselves and remain mobile during labor, completely comfortable at all times. Most of our Hypno-babies have no drugs in their systems when they are born, and are able to nurse, breathe well and interact with their happy parents immediately.

We know that all change comes from within, and that hypnosis is a very powerful tool for creating new belief systems and powerful physical effects, so at Hypnobabies we simply help women and their partners learn to empower themselves in this wonderful way for their baby’s birth. It works beautifully and is so successful that we are now offering Hypnobabies Classes across the USA, and our Hypnobabies Home Study Course for Expectant Mothers, which is being used all over the world very successfully.

The Doula House offers Hypnobabies Classes in Davis County, Salt Lake County, and now in Utah County.

Upcoming Classes:

In Davis County:

Tuesdays from 6-9 (Starts July 21st)

July 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25

Thursdays from 6-9 (Starts August 13th)

August 13, 20, 27, September3, 10, 17

Tuesdays from 6-9 (Starts September 15th)

September 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 20

SPECIAL SATURDAY EVENING CLASS 6-9 (Starts August 1st)

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Sept. 5

In Utah County:

Wednesdays from 6-9 (Starts July 29th)

July, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2

Saturdays from 9-12 (Starts August 1)

August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Septemer 5