HypnoBirthing® Hamilton
Dominique's Birthing
Isabella's birth was amazing! She was born gently and calmly at home after a 6 hour labour. I always wanted a homebirth and after hearing about HypnoBirthing from a friend, I knew it would be the perfect choice for me and my family.
My daughter Isabella was born 6 days past my due dae on August 29, 2009. My birthing began at home at 2pm. I was sitting at the dining room table writing in my pregnancy journal when I heard a loud pop and my water released with a huge gush. I was so excited! I really wanted to avoid a hospital induction knowing that it may cause a chain of other medical interventions. with the help of two acupuncture sessions, lots of walking, lots of relaxation and visualization, and some castor oil I finally went into labour. This was my first birth.
I proceeded to call my husband at work and then my midwife to let her know that my water broke. She said it may be a while for the contractions to come and to call back when they get 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for 1 hour. My contractions came while on the phone and I instinctively knew things would progress quickly. When I got off the phone I took a moment to honour and acknowledge the beginning of the birthing process. I established a long, deep breath, and inserted the Birth Affirmations CD into my stereo player. My contractions were mild, close and consistent coming evry 7 minutes. I could talk and walk through them. My husband arrived soon after and we started to organize our home for the birth of our baby. It was a perfect summer day. There was a lot of sunshine coming into the room where we've set up the pool, and a warm breeze blowing in through the open windows.
At 4pm I noticed my contractions began to intensify and when timed using an on-line contraction calculator, they were 5 minutes apart. I was moving into active labour as I could no longer walk or talk through them. My husband called Diane, the midwife, and then finished setting up and we joked how we left it all to the last minute at almost 41 weeks. I guess we both thought early labour would take hours, maybe even days, giving us enough time to get everything ready. As my husband frantically tried to remember how to set up the bed, I continued to relax with each surge, breathing, taking my awareness within, and listening to my body while feeling completely relaxed and comfortable. He ended up making the bed look and feel perfect and then somehow found time to make me a delicious iced tea, which I was sipping throughout the labour. What an amazing guy! During this time I was varying positions, leaning against the wall, sitting on a birthing ball, squatting and staying on my hands and knees. The prenatal yoga I've been practicing throughout the pregnancy (I even taught a class the day before I gave birth) came in very handy as I knew all my poses and could easily move from one to another.
I was in the shower when Diane arrived. I got out and she checked me and told me that I was 4cm dilated. She advised that I get in the pool, which my husband had to finsih filling up with pots of boiling water as I used up all the hot water when I took the shower! I laboured in the pool for the enxt 2 hours, listening to my HypnoBirthing CDs, which were absolutely phenomenal in keeping me calm, relaxed and in control. I was on my hands and knees, rocking my pelvis, circling my hips and leaning against the pool's edge. I thought active labour would feel unpleasant or uncomfortable but instead it was quite the contrary. I was in heaven, dancing with my body, breathing with each surge, enjoying energy pouring through my mind, body and soul. I was very relaxed and comfortable the entire time. My husband was right behind me, whispering words of encouragement and love as well as massaging my back and shoulders. He poured water on my back and my belly. It felt so good and sensual! I absolutely loved labouring in water.
I was letting my body do its work while focusing on breath and surges. The more I relaxed, the better I felt. Relaxation is the key as it encourages the production of two powerful hormones: oxytocin and endorphins, which are responsible for making us feel good. Due to profoundly deep relaxation through breath, movement, HypnoBirthing techniques and my husband's loving presence, I was now experiencing pure bliss and ecstasy. Prior to birth I've heard of women who feel ecstatic while giving birth, and I've seen the documentary Orgasmic Birth, but it still took me by surprise that I was actually experiencing one. Each surge felt better than the one before. It made my whole body radiate with love and ecstasy.
At 6 pm I felt the energy in my body shift...and I felt an overwhelming urge to push. Diane checked me again and I was now 10cm dilated. I could not believe it. I was expecting for surges to get much more intense and uncomfrtable, especially through transition, but again there was none of that. All I felt was bliss, making transition my favourite part of labour. When I began to feel "pushy", Diane, who was my secondary midwife (my primary, Lucia, had a weekend off), called Wendy from Oakville whom I've never met. She arrived shortly after and I immediately knew that I'd like her as she had a calming and peaceful presence. Both Diane and Wendy commented on how well I was handling the surges.
I proceeded to push on my hands and knees in the birthing pool, wanting to deliver my baby in water. However, the water kept relaxing me so much that Diane proposed I get out and use a birthing stool that she had set up nearby. I really liked it. Being out of the water helped me to connect with Earth and gravity in a more efficient way as I was now in an upright position. My husband was standing behind me, massaging my shoulders, whispering loving words, reminding me that my body and baby were working in perfect harmony. His encouragement was wonderful as it took me a while to get the hang of pushing. I had to figure out what muscles to use and how to co-ordinate my breath with each contraction.. I transitioned onto my bed and tried a few different positions there. I finally settled into semi-sitting with my husband holding me from behind. It was so great to be able to lean on him, knowing that he was there to support me, not only physically, but emotionally, too. His choice to learn about HypnoBirthing made him a perfect doula. He knew exactly what to say at the right time. He has helped me to actualize the calm and perfect birth experience that we both wanted.
It took me and Isabella 2 hours to move her down the birth path and she was finally born at 8:30 pm. I caught her with the help of my midwives and I placed her on my chest. She was just perfect, very calm and alert, weighing 7lbs 11oz. She did not cry much at all and immediately began to pink up. We whispered the words of welcome, embraced her and met her gaze as she looked into our eyes for the very first time. There was so much love in the room, and so much happiness. It was the most amazing moment in my life. As my husband and I kissed, we felt complete, at last united with our little girl.
I feel so good after having Isabella naturally and I can't wait to do it again. It was such a positive experience. The worst part was that I did have a small tear, which only required a few stitches. The shot to numb it up was the hardest and most unpleasant part. Next time I will handle the pushing part a lot better. I will avoid prolonged pushing and push only one with each contraction. I believe that pushing more than once with each contraction caused the perineal tear. The best part was that I got to experience birth as a sensual, pleasurable and intimate event, shared with my husband at home, where I feel most safe and secure.
I have a few people to thank for my wonderful birth experience. Lara, for all the support and guidance, Carissa, my naturopath, for keeping me healthy, Dr. Yongping, for an acupuncture induction, my husband for his love and devotion, my midwives for all of their hard work. I also give credit for my quick and easy birth to daily prenatal yoga practice and HypnoBirthing, which has proven to be an amazing tool for calm and relaxed birthing.
My daughter Isabella was born 6 days past my due dae on August 29, 2009. My birthing began at home at 2pm. I was sitting at the dining room table writing in my pregnancy journal when I heard a loud pop and my water released with a huge gush. I was so excited! I really wanted to avoid a hospital induction knowing that it may cause a chain of other medical interventions. with the help of two acupuncture sessions, lots of walking, lots of relaxation and visualization, and some castor oil I finally went into labour. This was my first birth.
I proceeded to call my husband at work and then my midwife to let her know that my water broke. She said it may be a while for the contractions to come and to call back when they get 5 minutes apart lasting 1 minute for 1 hour. My contractions came while on the phone and I instinctively knew things would progress quickly. When I got off the phone I took a moment to honour and acknowledge the beginning of the birthing process. I established a long, deep breath, and inserted the Birth Affirmations CD into my stereo player. My contractions were mild, close and consistent coming evry 7 minutes. I could talk and walk through them. My husband arrived soon after and we started to organize our home for the birth of our baby. It was a perfect summer day. There was a lot of sunshine coming into the room where we've set up the pool, and a warm breeze blowing in through the open windows.
At 4pm I noticed my contractions began to intensify and when timed using an on-line contraction calculator, they were 5 minutes apart. I was moving into active labour as I could no longer walk or talk through them. My husband called Diane, the midwife, and then finished setting up and we joked how we left it all to the last minute at almost 41 weeks. I guess we both thought early labour would take hours, maybe even days, giving us enough time to get everything ready. As my husband frantically tried to remember how to set up the bed, I continued to relax with each surge, breathing, taking my awareness within, and listening to my body while feeling completely relaxed and comfortable. He ended up making the bed look and feel perfect and then somehow found time to make me a delicious iced tea, which I was sipping throughout the labour. What an amazing guy! During this time I was varying positions, leaning against the wall, sitting on a birthing ball, squatting and staying on my hands and knees. The prenatal yoga I've been practicing throughout the pregnancy (I even taught a class the day before I gave birth) came in very handy as I knew all my poses and could easily move from one to another.
I was in the shower when Diane arrived. I got out and she checked me and told me that I was 4cm dilated. She advised that I get in the pool, which my husband had to finsih filling up with pots of boiling water as I used up all the hot water when I took the shower! I laboured in the pool for the enxt 2 hours, listening to my HypnoBirthing CDs, which were absolutely phenomenal in keeping me calm, relaxed and in control. I was on my hands and knees, rocking my pelvis, circling my hips and leaning against the pool's edge. I thought active labour would feel unpleasant or uncomfortable but instead it was quite the contrary. I was in heaven, dancing with my body, breathing with each surge, enjoying energy pouring through my mind, body and soul. I was very relaxed and comfortable the entire time. My husband was right behind me, whispering words of encouragement and love as well as massaging my back and shoulders. He poured water on my back and my belly. It felt so good and sensual! I absolutely loved labouring in water.
I was letting my body do its work while focusing on breath and surges. The more I relaxed, the better I felt. Relaxation is the key as it encourages the production of two powerful hormones: oxytocin and endorphins, which are responsible for making us feel good. Due to profoundly deep relaxation through breath, movement, HypnoBirthing techniques and my husband's loving presence, I was now experiencing pure bliss and ecstasy. Prior to birth I've heard of women who feel ecstatic while giving birth, and I've seen the documentary Orgasmic Birth, but it still took me by surprise that I was actually experiencing one. Each surge felt better than the one before. It made my whole body radiate with love and ecstasy.
At 6 pm I felt the energy in my body shift...and I felt an overwhelming urge to push. Diane checked me again and I was now 10cm dilated. I could not believe it. I was expecting for surges to get much more intense and uncomfrtable, especially through transition, but again there was none of that. All I felt was bliss, making transition my favourite part of labour. When I began to feel "pushy", Diane, who was my secondary midwife (my primary, Lucia, had a weekend off), called Wendy from Oakville whom I've never met. She arrived shortly after and I immediately knew that I'd like her as she had a calming and peaceful presence. Both Diane and Wendy commented on how well I was handling the surges.
I proceeded to push on my hands and knees in the birthing pool, wanting to deliver my baby in water. However, the water kept relaxing me so much that Diane proposed I get out and use a birthing stool that she had set up nearby. I really liked it. Being out of the water helped me to connect with Earth and gravity in a more efficient way as I was now in an upright position. My husband was standing behind me, massaging my shoulders, whispering loving words, reminding me that my body and baby were working in perfect harmony. His encouragement was wonderful as it took me a while to get the hang of pushing. I had to figure out what muscles to use and how to co-ordinate my breath with each contraction.. I transitioned onto my bed and tried a few different positions there. I finally settled into semi-sitting with my husband holding me from behind. It was so great to be able to lean on him, knowing that he was there to support me, not only physically, but emotionally, too. His choice to learn about HypnoBirthing made him a perfect doula. He knew exactly what to say at the right time. He has helped me to actualize the calm and perfect birth experience that we both wanted.
It took me and Isabella 2 hours to move her down the birth path and she was finally born at 8:30 pm. I caught her with the help of my midwives and I placed her on my chest. She was just perfect, very calm and alert, weighing 7lbs 11oz. She did not cry much at all and immediately began to pink up. We whispered the words of welcome, embraced her and met her gaze as she looked into our eyes for the very first time. There was so much love in the room, and so much happiness. It was the most amazing moment in my life. As my husband and I kissed, we felt complete, at last united with our little girl.
I feel so good after having Isabella naturally and I can't wait to do it again. It was such a positive experience. The worst part was that I did have a small tear, which only required a few stitches. The shot to numb it up was the hardest and most unpleasant part. Next time I will handle the pushing part a lot better. I will avoid prolonged pushing and push only one with each contraction. I believe that pushing more than once with each contraction caused the perineal tear. The best part was that I got to experience birth as a sensual, pleasurable and intimate event, shared with my husband at home, where I feel most safe and secure.
I have a few people to thank for my wonderful birth experience. Lara, for all the support and guidance, Carissa, my naturopath, for keeping me healthy, Dr. Yongping, for an acupuncture induction, my husband for his love and devotion, my midwives for all of their hard work. I also give credit for my quick and easy birth to daily prenatal yoga practice and HypnoBirthing, which has proven to be an amazing tool for calm and relaxed birthing.
