New changes at the Hypnobabies Website

The Hypnobabies Website has a new look.  It is exciting to see the new changes up.  There are new articles to read and birth stories to enjoy.   

Go on over and check it out!

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Victor’s Hypnobabies Birth in Manilla

Hello from Manila!

Victor Emilio (“Vito”), our 5th child, arrived at 3:58 am on May 31.  Interestingly enough, when I would visualize my birthing time while listening to the Affirmations track, I always saw myself as birthing at 4 am.  The power of the mind is amazing!

My pregnancy, despite my age (41) went very well.  I was active and working throughout.  I exercised 5 days a week, doing spinning, dance and Pilates classes up to a couple of days before birth day.  My husband and I have 4 other children, ages 22 to 13, so my last birthing prior to this was almost 14 years ago.

This was our 5th drug-free delivery and our first to consciously use hypnosis during birth.  As I mentioned in my Introduction to the e-group, I apparently went into an altered mental state during my other births but was not aware how I entered it or what it was until later.  This time, with the understanding that it was self-hypnosis that helped me manage my previous births, I consulted a hypnotherapist for 3 practice sessions and listened to the Hypnobabies scripts for 6 weeks before baby’s arrival.

That week I was very busy attending to last minute arrangements for work and home before taking my official leave.  I even scheduled a belly photo shoot on Thursday, the 29th, and I asked  my baby just to let me have the photos taken before he/she decided to be born.  (The photo shoot went great, I am so glad to have done it!) 

Baby cooperated.  On the morning of the 30th, I noticed bloody mucous in my underwear.  This would go on the whole day along with sporadic pressure waves that felt different from Braxton Hicks in that they would radiate towards my back.  Nothing regular though.  But I went to bed at 11 pm that night knowing that I would definitely be in the delivery room in a few hours.

Shortly before 1 am I had been observing my PWs become more intense and around 10 minutes apart.  Although they were not that close together, because of the intensity of the sensations I was feeling I decided we should get going so that I would be nice and settled in the delivery room and well into hypnosis.   So I woke up my husband, we got dressed and out the door.  Our 2 teenage daughters who were still awake heard us and wanted to come along.  So the four of us drove to the hospital which was 10 minutes away.  On the way there the girls and my husband were very excited and chatty and I was quiet and concentrating on relaxing.  My girls even commented, “Wow, Mom, we are so excited…but you are so cool!”  (All throughout birthing I heard them chatting away excitedly in the waiting room next door.)
 
We arrived at the ER and I walked with my daughters to the Delivery Room, pausing a couple of times to relax during PWs.  My husband followed after parking the car.  When we got to the Labor Room, the resident did an IE and said I was only 3 cm.  I said, I sure don’t feel like 3 cm and I would like to go into the Delivery Room now, because I didn’t want to be moved when things started getting intense.  Since it was around 2 am by this time, and the 4 DRs were empty, they agreed.  My OB (who I just met that moment, because my regular OB was abroad) arrived around 2:30, and I was deep into relaxation by then but definitely feeling strong PWs.  She checked me and to everyone’s surprise I was at 6 cm!  My husband relayed this via text message to my girls in the waiting room, and I could hear them getting really excited.  I put my iPod on then and kept it on the whole time.

I asked for hot compresses to put on my back.  They gave me warm towels.  The PWs were coming on strong by then.  I would call it a cross between p**n and a really strong muscle contraction, similar to what you would feel during an intense weightlifting session.  The warm towels and counterpressure massage applied by my husband were wonderful in helping manage the PWs.  I remember feeling that this had better be over soon, because I didn’t know how much more I had in me, and then realizing that feeling this meant that the birthing time was near! 

The OB, who was waiting patiently at the foot of the birthing bed, checked me again, around 3 am and I was at 8 cm.  I knew then that this was the time for the hypnosis to get going! I repeated to myself the Bible verse I had saved for the occasion, “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength”.  I concentrated even more on opening and relaxing, and felt myself very deeply in hypnosis.

 Amazingly, the eyes-open technique which I had been unsure would be effective–only because I didn’t feel deeply hypnotized during my practice sessions–really worked…although, my eyes were closed. 🙂  I could hear everyone in the room, I was aware of what was going on, I could change positions, yet I was so concentrated on opening my body during PWs.  In between PWs, even at 8 cm and with the waves coming on fast, I actually felt myself nod off to sleep! 

This went on for another 30 minutes, but when the OB checked me again I was still at 8 cm.  At this time I told her I was starting to feel pushy (all while still in VERY DEEP hypnosis!–I knew because while talking to her I was kind of semi-asleep and experiencing Rapid Eye Movement, like when you are dreaming).  So she said she would break my bag, which up to that point was still intact, to speed things along.  That’s when the mood in the room changed from waiting to activity.  I could hear everyone bustling around getting the birthing bed into the right position, preparing instruments and whatever else (remember, my eyes were closed). 

She broke my bag and I felt a huge gush of warm water from my body.  I sat up in bed with my husband at my back, his arms around me.  I switched to the Pushing Baby Out track on my iPod.  I felt really intense pushing sensations.  Really hard work!  It it took about 20 minutes to push the baby out (my other births took only about 10 minutes or less).  I think it was because this was my biggest baby (8lbs 1 oz) and I have a small frame.  I could feel baby moving down the birth canal, could feel the head turning and the crowning…a very intense stretching sensation and an incredible urge to push…like my whole body, mind and soul was directed toward that purpose.  I was grunting and making earthy “hard work” noises.  The doctor was so encouraging, telling me to push one more time, and then came the sensation of the head being born and a sudden feeling of relief as the shoulders and body followed!  And it was over.  I had a baby boy. 🙂

My other reward was to have my two girls welcome their little brother into the world, and to see their mom happy and relaxed immediately after delivery.  I hope they will carry this memory with them when the time comes for them to become mothers.

Afterwards, the pediatrician who attended my birth came up to me to tell me that he was amazed watching my husband and me and wanted to know what was on my iPod!  Since then I’ve learned he’s told his other patients about my baby’s birth.

I just want to let everyone know that the power of the mind is incredible. I didn’t expect an easy birth experience… I always felt birthing was a deeply transformative, empowering, and spiritual experience and that it had to be somewhat intense to be so.   I had moments of doubt during my practice hypnosis sessions because I didn’t feel I was “deep” enough, and that I was easily distracted when I shouldn’t be…but come showtime, everything came together perfectly and I experienced an incredibly deep hypnotic state that helped me manage birthing what for me was a big baby.  At 41 years  old, I am just so happy that  my birthing was safe, natural, and that my healthy baby was finally born!

I wish everyone who is still awaiting their birthing time a wonderful birth experience.  Keep practicing and know that it will work perfectly for you when the time comes!  I miss listening to my scripts already. 🙂

God bless,

Michelline

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Claire’s Hypnobabies Hospital Birth

On Monday, May 5th, I went to my appointment with the midwife. My due
date was on May 3rd, so she started talking about the possibility of
inducing labor since they can not continue my care if I am over due
too long. I did not want to be induced so I let her strip my
membranes. That was not a comfortable experience even trying to relax.
She said that she could feel Claire’s ear.  That totally weirded my
husband out. (:
    After my appointment we went bike shopping for my husband. I was
cramping and bleeding but nothing much was happening. When Brian got
back we went on a walk. When we were starting back I started cramping.
It started getting so I did not want to walk through them although I
could. When we got back home we decided to go out on what may have
been our last date before the baby. We went to “Color Me Mine” and
painted some pottery for the baby. That was really fun!

    We got back around 10:30 and I went to bed around 11:30. Around
1:00 I woke up feeling contractions but went back to sleep. By 2:00 I
could no longer sleep and woke up my mom and we started timing
pressure waves. Around 5:30 they were 45-1:00 minute long and only
about 3-4 minutes apart and we decided to go to Orem Community. I was
trying to stay very relaxed and using my hypnobabies suggestions. We
got to the hospital at 6:00 and they admitted me to the triage. When
they checked me I was 3 centimeters dilated. The midwife on call
started me on antibiotics (since I was GBS +) and after an hour I was
at a 4. They decided to admit me and we called the doula. Our doula
was out of town and the backup was already at a birth so we got the
backup to the backup (Megan) and she was AMAZING. When she got there
she started me walking up and down the hall over and over again.
Anytime a wave came on I would put my arms around Brian and Megan
would put counter pressure on my hips. We also tried sitting on the
toilet. I know some people really like that but I DID NOT.   The
midwife on call (Sue) came and checked me at noon. She asked if I
wanted to know where I was and I said only if it was good news such as
a 7 or 8. Ha. She didn’t say anything and in my mind I told myself
that I was AT LEAST a 6. 🙂 After I asked what I had been. My mom told
me that I had only been at a 5. I am glad I didn’t know that because I
would have been very disappointed.

    At that point I started losing control a little and I kept saying
that I did not think I could do it anymore. Megan told me to just get
through one at a time and that my endorphins would kick it up a notch
if I could just last 20 more minutes. It actually was 40 minutes but I
put on my birthing day affirmations and completely zoned out. (next
time I will turn it on earlier!)  Sometimes the doula or the midwife
would try to talk to me and I would be in the middle of a birthing
wave but they could not tell because they were watching me and not the
computer. I asked to be checked again so I got into bed and I was at
an 8. I was so tired that I was falling asleep in between pressure
waves and completely zoning out during them. I asked to be checked
again and she said 9 ½!!

  I started to get my sense of humor back and it wasn’t very long
before I looked up and told Sue that I needed to poop.   That got
everyone hustling to get everything ready for baby. I wanted a
squatting bar and they hunted one out of storage. I pushed for a while
that way but my legs started to get really tired. Megan got on the bed
behind me and I put my feet on the bar to push. They also brought out
a mirror so I could see her crowning. That made me push more
effectively! I only pushed for maybe 30 min and at 3:07 pm out she
came! 6 lbs 12 oz, 20.5 inches.  They hustled her to the respiratory
therapist and I just bawled. I couldn’t believe I had my baby! She was
just beautiful. Didn’t have a cone head at all. They finally finished
with her and I was so glad to hold her.  Everyone remarked about how
alert and awake she was.

    The easiest part of my birthing time was transition.  Totally
pain free.  I know I could have done better during some parts but on
the whole it was amazing how I just felt pressure!  The worst part was
when I got nauseous and vomited but my birthing waves stopped when
that happened so I didn’t have to worry about them.  My husband was an
awesome coach and my doula and midwife…amazing.  Recovery was easy and
everyone was impressed with Hypnobabies.  Whoo hoo!  (And it was fun
to say “I told you I could” to everyone who doubted my ability to go
natural 🙂 )

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Free Hypnobabies CD!

For moms who are interested in Hypnobabies and want to learn more.  There is a free Introduction to Hypnobabies CD available.  There are 2 different tracks on the CD

Track #1 Hypnobabies Introduction: What is Hypnobabies Hypnosis for Childbirth?

This track introduces you to the benefits of using childbirth hypnosis as well as the specific advantages of our Hypnobabies program. You’ll learn about “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis”, the importance of compete childbirth education and how you can easily become a mental computer reprogrammer, creating a much easier and more comfortable birthing experience for yourself by simply listening to one Hypnobabies CD every day.

Track #2 Relax Me (hypnosis session)

Track #2 is a special gift for you from Hypnobabies! This hypnosis session allows you to experience deep physical relaxation throughout your entire body and a powerful hypnosis training session. You’ll choose a special word cue that will train you to become completely relaxed and calm in any situation, from now on. How wonderful to be calm and in control at all times, in work, family an driving situations, with stress-relief as a wonderful side-effect! Enjoy.

There are two ways to get the free CD.  You can call Hypnobabies or you can download them from Enjoy Birth.

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Dina, Twin Hypno-Mom!

This week, Friday August 8th at 9 AM Pacific Time on Hypnobabies LIVE at http://www.healthylife.net we have Dina Nash, mother of 3, with two Hypno-babies! – Twins!  We have her birth stories and much more information on using hypnosis for childbirth from a very personal perspective.

 

This is our monthly Hypnobabies Moms show, where our Hypno-Moms share their birth stories; very personal journeys of self-discovery and growth. Today Dina shares with us:

 

The birth of her first child in the hospital, induced, epidural, an “eventless, disappointing experience.”

 

The LLL moms who shared their natural birth stories with her and started her on the road to education.

 

How the midwifery group at the hospital had other plans for her twin birthing, so Dina found a midwife who would hear her and respect her.

 

How she planned for her birth center birth with Hypnobabies.

 

How she learned that babies don’t read calendars and don’t really mind who is present at birth!

 

A really calm and easy-going doctor came to attend and it was all “meant to be”.

 

Her twin babies were very heathy and nice sized and…why was Dina laughing during transition?

 

“I would say there was no pain at my birth, just warmth!”

 

Please join us for this very special show.

 

Hypnobabies LIVE is on at 9 AM Pacific Time, (Noon Eastern Time) on http://www.healthylife.net. (Link below also) It will be replayed the next day – Saturday at 1 PM (Pacific Time), and 4 PM (Eastern Time).

 

** If you are unable to tune in for the live show, each show will be ARCHIVED and retained at http://www.healthylife.net for several months. You will be able to access our Hypnobabies Live shows *at your convenience* and listen to our archived shows whenever you want. It will take a couple of days for each show to appear on the Archive list after it airs for the first time.

 

Here are some helpful hints about accessing the show: To hear our Hypnobabies LIVE show go to http://www.healthylife.net. (click on the link below) To listen you will need Windows Media Player if you don’t have it there is a link in the upper right hand corner of their homepage that will allow you to download a free version. If you are going to listen to the program live you simply click the “LIVE listen here” button in the upper right hand portion of the homepage.

 

Wait a few moments for the program to load and make sure your speaker volume on your computer is turned up. After a short wait you will hear the show. Depending on when you log in the show may already be in progress. If you want to listen to an archived version of any past “Hypnobabies LIVE” show you will need to click on “Show Archives”. This will take you to a list of past shows and you can select which one you want to hear.

 

*******If you are interested in being a guest on our Hypnobabies LIVE show please contact us at Hypnobabies@la.twcbc.com and we’ll talk about your passion! Only holistic subjects please, and all are welcome.

Hypnobabies LIVE Radio Show Link –

 

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Amberle’s Hypnobabies Birth

Amberle was born at 6:25ish on Tuesday, May 6.  I woke up Monday
morning around 4 with cramping thinking to myself, if I don’t get
back to sleep I’m not going to have a very good time!  I plugged in
my easy first stage track on my iPod and didn’t wake back up until
about 6:30.  Between 6:30 and 7 though, I had about 5
contraction/cramps and started wondering just how fast this birth was
going to be!

As I went about my day I made sure I got some of my last minute
things done such as grabbing some receiving blankets from the store,
and picking up my Medic Alert bracelet from being repaired.  Monday
went along pretty normally save the every 20-60 min cramps.

Although by Monday evening I was pretty sure this baby was coming
out, off to bed I went at my normal time after a nice long hot bath.
I managed to sleep from about 22:00 to 0:30, so I got recharged a
bit.  By 1:30 I decided I’d better wake up my husband, and get him to
write down the wave times so that I could focus on my training.  With
my first birth, I used meditation to take my mind off of the waves,
and found hypnosis similar enough that it was an easy journey.

We called our midwife at 3:30 and with my contractions actively 3-
5min apart, my husband was starting to think we should skip that
stage and head to the hospital.  My midwife kept talking to me on the
phone trying to “hear” a wave, but with my training, and tolerance
thre wasn’t much to hear.  She asked if I’d like her to come over to
check on me and I did.

She got to our house around 4:30, watched me for half an hour and
checked me at 5.  Then she believed me, not that she had doubted me,
but I was working through the waves so well that she wasn’t sure this
was “it.”  Once she found I was 6-7cm dialated though, she was ready
to be guided by me.  A few washroom breaks later, the last of which I
had two waves going up the stairs, another at the top, and two in the
washroom while trying to get back to them, we all decided that it was
time to get to the hospital.  Rush hour would be starting relaitvey
soon, and it’s better to have a baby when you’re not in a car! 🙂

We arrived at the hospital (she had gone ahead) at 6, and as my
husband, son, and I were walking in, things changed.  I went from
great focus to the mantra of “almost there” or “almost done” as I
knew from my son’s birth that if there was this much pressure and
need to push and sensation with the waves, then it was time.

We were in the birthing room at 6, my water broke while pushing in a
squating position at 6:15, and Amberle was born at 6:25ish.  The only
catch was when our midwife couldn’t find Amberle’s heart beat
(because she was engaged and too low) and I had to get on the
birthing bed.  That’s when I felt tearing start, and did end up with
2nd degree tearing.  I’m convinced that if I’d been able to stay
squating, I wouldn’t have torn, but we will never know for sure.

Amberle was 7lbs, 7oz and 20 1/2″ long.  She had a smaller head than
her brother, and looks a lot like him, just daintier.  Her birth went
much more smoothly than her brothers, and I fully give the credit for
that to our midwife.  She let me do what I had to do.  I paced
between waves, danced through them with my husband, and up until she
told me I had to get on the bed I was free to work through things on
my own.  This was a great experience!

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