YAHOOO! Labor was only 10 hours, only 3 of which I spent in the Birth Center. I practiced with Hypnobabies throughout my 3rd trimester and even though I didn’t really listen to it during labor, I really felt that it contributed to my fairly straight forward fast labor. I just generally had a positive “I’m in control” feeling. I was very vocal which is my personality so I don’t know if I was really your standard Hypnobabies birth. Still I’m sure, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my Hypnobabies practice.
I was 40 wks on Thursday and went in for my last appt at 3pm. The midwife checked me and I wasn’t at all dilated. She could get only one finger in. I’d been that way for about a week. Dh had predicted that the baby would come on Thursday because that’s what he wanted – his last final exam ended was on Thursday and he was ready for baby. I scoffed because I had asked baby to come the weekend after Thanksgiving… and nothing!!
Labor started with bloody show around 10pm on Thursday and then I had really light 30 second pressure waves (contractions)every 2-5 mins at home for about 5 hours. Then it kicked up a notch around 4 am lasting a min about 2 mins apart. We headed to the birth center. When we arrived I was 4cm. I slept in between pressure waves in the jacuzzi tub for another 2 1/2 hours. Then, I had one really strong wave that got me out of the tub. By this time I was 9 cm. Holy cow! I went from 4 cm – 9 cm in 2 1/2 hours. That’s some magic tub!!! The waves intensified and I started pushing and he was born within 40 mins. I had 3 little tears even tho he was born with his hand against his face. The midwives applauded!
Dh and I are so in love with our first born son. Long live Hypnobabies. There is a great God in heaven who designed a miracle called birth. I’m so honored to have experienced it!
Congratulations! We are expecting our second in April! I’ve been writing about it in my blog – perhaps your husband can identify with me!
With our first child my wife went to 9cm really quickly too!
All the best!!