Birth Stories

Holly Thorpe on Levi's Birth

August, 2006

Levi arrived last Saturday and the experience was tremendous!  So pleasant and the HypnoBirthing® ® so loved!  I labored for a bit in the Jacuzzi but the surges were actually easy using my visualizations of filling a balloon and opening the blue ribbons.  While in the tub, I had a pretty intense surge, called the midwife and Levi was crowning!  Three or four breaths later, there he was, on my stomach, born in the water!  I always wanted a water birth and there was no choice here, he came so quickly and quietly!

So Breckin is completely in love and tells him how much she loves him daily.  Derek and I are in love, too and so impressed with Breckin's ability to nurture.

Lorena Veresh on the birth of Juliana

June 2003

 I have been blessed by two beautiful daughters.  While my first daughter’s birth will always be special, it was more of a typical hospital delivery. I sensed the transition from the warm, snug environment of the womb to the bright, noisy hospital room must be overwhelming for someone so tiny and helpless.  I knew there must a better way so I did a lot of reading in between pregnancies.  I learned about HypnoBirthing® ® from my prenatal yoga instructor when I was eight months pregnant with my second child.  I knew immediately I had found what I had been searching for.

 HypnoBirthing® ® showed me how to relax during labor and offered a whole different perspective on contractions.  The serenity of the birthing experience as described in HypnoBirthing® ® was especially appealing.

 My due date came and went.  I had a healthy pregnancy and the baby was still very active so I wasn’t worried.  However, I quickly found that doctors fixate on this number despite all the literature that says babies can be born safely 2 weeks after this date. 

I had a very frustrating experience with the doctor on call who was nervous that I was 7 days past my due date.  He told me to go to the hospital and have a nurse check me out.  I was just in the early stages of labor but he wanted me to stay overnight to be monitored.  He gave me only two choices the next morning: he could break my water or give me a little Pitocin to speed things up. 

 I stood my ground in the face of this difficult obstacle.  I was confident my baby would come out when she was ready and would not allow her to be forced out by a stranger when it was medically unnecessary.  In my heart I knew what was right for my daughter, but I didn’t expect I’d end up fighting just to give her the peace she deserved. When I said I preferred to go home -only 10 minutes away- until I was further along, he accused me of not caring about the health of my child!  He became condescending when he found out I wanted to deliver my baby naturally.  Finally, he stormed out, refusing to release me.  My doctor released me as soon as she heard what happened.

 Fortunately for my baby, my doctor was on call that night when I came back to the hospital.  She and the nurse were so supportive and encouraging, making the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the room possible.  The lights were dimmed and soft music was playing in the background.  I was relaxed.  I had the love and support of my birthing team which consisted of my husband and a close friend.  In the end, my strength and perseverance paid off.  My baby’s birth was the most beautiful experience in my life.  I was filled with joy that I had delivered the gift of peace to my daughter for her first moments on earth.  My doctor was amazed that the delivery was so quiet.  Word spread fast about my HypnoBirth among the hospital staff who came in to congratulate me.  They told me I was the first successful HypnoBirth they had seen.

 My husband and I will treasure the memory of our daughter’s birth forever.  People often exclaim what a happy, peaceful baby we have.  I smile as my husband tells them it is due to her peaceful birth.

Kaelan Dean Maines 

born January 3, 2006

Kaelan was born at the Maternity Center weighing 8 pounds and was 21 3/4 inches long. My labor, like so many others, went nothing as I expected! We went to the Center around 5 pm that afternoon because I had been having contractions all day and thought my water had broken. The midwife checked me and I was only dilated 1 cm and said my water hadn't broken, it was actually just my mucus plug. She said they couldn't admit me at 1 cm, so after a few tests we drove back home. I got into a bath, thinking it would help, but couldn't get comfortable no matter what I did. The contractions were very intense and only about 1 minute apart, and I found myself starting to bear down with them. This really frightened me, since the midwife had said I would likely labor through the night, and I knew I shouldn't be bearing down when I was only 1 cm. I felt out of control, and couldn't seem to use any of the HypnoBirthing® ® at this point (I had been listening to the affirmations during the car ride and at the Center).

My husband called the midwife back, and after hearing me in the background, agreed that we could come back. We had been home about 90 minutes at this point.  We drove back to the Center and the midwife checked me again.  I was so relieved when she said that I was 9 cm! I dilated from 1 to 9 in about 2 hours, which is why it was so intense when we were at home.

Once I began the second stage, I felt much better. I felt very comfortable with the midwife and could just concentrate on birthing. I pushed for an hour and 15 minutes, and then Kaelan was born. I had 2 very superficial tears, and felt physically great very soon after the birth.

It was a wonderful experience, despite the worries and the fact that I didn't feel like I used much of my HypnoBirthing® ®. But perhaps that's what helped move everything along so quickly. The midwife said that in 80 births, she's only seen 4 go as quickly for a first-time mother as mine did.

The HypnoBirthing® ® didn't take away the pain for me, but what it did was give me the confidence to know I could do it without medication. Now, if I had been in the hospital and someone was offering me an epidural at that intense moment, I'm sure I would have agreed! But things went so quickly, I doubt there would have been time for an epidural even if we delivered at the hospital.

My favorite part was spending that night in the bed with my husband and newborn son. It was so intimate, and something I'll never forget.

Thanks,

Megan, Kevin and Kaelan Maines

Severin, born on December 14, 2005

Nicole's Labor

December 13, 2005

The night of December 13 at 7:00, Nicole's water broke.  We settled down with lots of towels and watched part of a movie and had some dinner. Irregular contractions didn't start until 12:00 am at which point the maternity center informed us that Nicole had to take 4 oz. of castor oil to move the pregnancy along, as there is a clock that counts down once your water breaks, beyond which point we would have to go to the hospital.

Needless to say, the castor oil made it very difficult for Nicole to get comfortable at all to be able to relax, and she was experiencing a fair bit of tension and pain.  I was walking Nicole through the HypnoBirthing® ® cues, playing the CD, etc., but it didn't seem to be helping much.  I did notice, however, that when she could relax through the contractions, the discomfort was much less.  After fitful sleep the maternity center, gave us the go-ahead to come in at 5:30 am.

On the drive there, Nicole became very quiet and seemed to withdraw into herself.  We arrived and discovered that Nicole was 9 cm dilated.  Our midwife, did an amazing job. All throughout the 3rd phase, Nicole never yelled, pushed, or screamed, I didn't have to say anything, I just played music and kept the supply of fluids going.  Nicole was just working hard with the midwife doing

J-breaths, moving Severin down the birth canal, and kept to herself the whole time.  The midwives said it was an amazing job and that the birth was exceedingly gentle. Severin was born at 9:30 looking a little egg-shaped, but no bruising or marks, and I got to cut his cord.  Nicole had only two very small tears.

I would say that HypnoBirthing® ® really helped us out a whole lot despite the castor oil effect, although it's funny that the part we practiced least in class (j-breathing) actually ended up being the most effective.  The perineal massage probably helped a whole lot, too.  I think the  HypnoBirthing® ® scripts and practice helped Nicole--we were both glad to have them even when it seemed like they weren't "working"—they probably played a large part in Nicole's effectiveness during the 2nd stage.

- Nicole and Rene

On the birth of Joss, 

June 2005

 Although my birth didn't go as I had wished because the baby was breech.

I am still a huge fan of HypnoBirthing® ® and have fond memories of

"dancing" to the relaxation rainbow on my ipod through many hours of labor.

Jodi Ann

Hazel’s Birth

February 2005

Hazel is our third child and our second born at the Maternity Center in Bethesda.  Our first child, Lily, now 6 was born in a hospital in California.  Lily was delivered via vacuum after my labor stalled following an epidural.  Prior to that, my labor had progressed nicely and I was nearly ready to push when they gave me my epidural.  We were upset by the chaos of the room, the crisis mode of the staff and the impersonal, tech-heavy approach.  With our second child we opted for midwives and a birth center delivery.  It was a totally different experience from our daughter’s delivery.  They were wonderful and I was supported and confident.  Felix, now 4, was born after four hours of labor.  But he was big.  Ten pounds, 23 inches.  So yes, it was drug free, and I am glad I didn’t have any medication, but it was a crazy ride. 

When I got pregnant with our third, we were excited about delivering at the Maternity Center again. We had had such a positive experience with Felix that there was no question where we’d have this baby.  I had heard about HypnoBirthing® ® from friends and decided to try it. I was afraid that once labor started, I would panic, remembering my fast and furious labor with Felix.  I wanted a drug-free labor, but I wanted it to be peaceful, slower.

The class was being taught by the woman who taught prenatal yoga at the Maternity Center, a class that I found enormously helpful. 

We were a bit skeptical that self-hypnosis and deep relaxation could block labor pains, but decided to give it a try.  We enjoyed the classes and they helped us prepare emotionally for this baby, and gave us an opportunity to focus on each other.  A big part of the program is practicing at home.  We could’ve been more diligent about that but I did manage to listen to the guided relaxation tapes most evenings and work on the deep breathing techniques.  

I had quite a bit of false labor, as I had with Felix.  I even went in the Maternity Center a couple of times, not sure if I was in active labor.  I think that the HypnoBirthing® ® helped me stay positive.  When I was sure it was time, we called the midwife and started out to meet her.  We played the relaxation tape in the car, and I lay quietly, focused on the voice and music.  Once at the birth center, our midwife settled us, then dimmed the lights and let us be.  She said we were her third HypnoBirthing® ® couple of the weekend.  I lay on my side, with my husband rubbing my back, and the relaxation tape playing over and over for what seemed like hours.  I had no sense of time, or pain.  I felt the surges (contractions), but worked and breathed with each one.  It was amazing.  I noticed that if I got up or otherwise broke my concentration, I was immediately awash in pain.  As soon as I refocused, the pain receded. 

Our midwife checked me and said that I was at six centimeters, and wasn’t that great!  I did not think it was great.  I was at four when I arrived three hours before, and I felt that I had a long way to go.  I got very discouraged and upset.  She kept reassuring me that I was doing a wonderful job and that the baby would be here soon.  I would not be consoled.  I had lost my focus and began to panic.  With my husband’s help I calmed down a bit and started with the breathing.  The surges got more intense.  I called for our midwife.  She came in, checked me and said it was time to breathe the baby down (push).  I had gone from six centimeters to 10 in about 15 minutes! 

At that point I said no, I was not going to have this baby after all, I had changed my mind.  Thank goodness for experienced midwives.  I tried to use the breathing techniques to help the baby out, but she was not budging.  Finally, the midwife emphatically said “PUSH”!  And push I did.  And again and again.  This baby was not coming out!  It took a little maneuvering and assistance, but finally our Hazel arrived, after six hours of mostly pain free labor.  And here’s the kicker - she was ten and a half pounds! 

Would I do it again?  In a minute.  I recommend HypnoBirthing® ® and natural childbirth to anyone who’ll listen. I felt cherished and respected throughout my pregnancy.  Recovery time from a drug-free delivery is easier and faster.  And I feel like superwoman.  I believe that women are sold a bill of goods when it comes to hospital births.  So many of the decisions made are for the convenience and ease of the hospital and staff, at the expense of mother and child. 

Thanks for letting me tell our story.

Allison and Fritz Beuker

Parents of Lily, Felix, and Hazel Beuker  

Birth of Zoe, by Wendy, 

June 2005

 Our baby arrived 2 weeks early, so she must have been as excited to meet us as we were to finally meet her. My water broke 7:30 AM Sunday morning, and they asked me to come in to be checked around noon. I was only 2 cm dilated, and about 80% effaced. The CNM asked us to stick around instead of going home and returning later, so we watched a movie (a comedy I had brought with, because I remembered from our readings that laughter helps to move labor along) and tried nipple stimulation. She had noticed there was a little meconium in the amniotic fluid in the morning, and although she didn't seem too concerned about it, she had given us the option of going to the hospital. We decided to wait until she checked me at 5 PM and decide then. We really did not want to be in the hospital, but knew that ultimately whatever was best for the baby was what we would do.

 When she checked me again at 5:30, the surges were starting to be stronger and more intense, and it turned out that we never had a chance to go anywhere! We had tried not to look at clocks, so were not exactly sure how long it took but according to the records, I was in stage one labor for about 2 1/2 hours, and stage two labor for 17 minutes!!

 During stage one, one of the most soothing and helpful things for me (besides the hot shower- I wasn't allowed to use the Jacuzzi because of the ruptured membrane) was the leaping frog position, which was so ironic because in yoga class squats were so difficult for me. Dusty was really amazing and supportive. Whenever he felt me tense with a surge, he reminded me to relax, and joked later that when I responded by relaxing it was the most relaxed he'd ever seen me. When I was 8 cm I said I didn't think I could do it, and the midwife told me that it was just transition and she said I could use the Jacuzzi if I wanted at that point.  What I really wanted to do at that point was push.

 She did let me start pushing, even though she didn't think I was quite there yet. Only 22 minutes later, Zoe was born! I needed an episiotomy and as soon as they made the cut she pretty much seemed to plop out and they put her on my chest for skin to skin contact. I was very surprised when they put her on me and it took me a few seconds to figure out what had happened, because I really thought I had another hour or so of pushing to do.

 In the end, rather than use specific visualizations or techniques from HypnoBirthing® we just followed the basic concepts; the rainbow tape and Halpern tape “Comfort Zone” helped me to remember what I was supposed to be doing. Dusty's coaching helped the most, and I was glad we practiced together as much as we had. If he hadn't been reminding me to relax, I would have forgotten everything.  The baby is doing amazing now, no one can believe how strong and alert she is!

 Wendy and Dusty

A Sister for Zoe

Sonja Elise was born April 7th, at
the Maternity Center. The midwife kept telling me all day that I was not
in an active labor, and wanted to either break my water or send me home.
I did not let her intervene, and we still got to stay longer. At one
point she commented that she could not tell how intense the contractions
were because I was breathing through them (she seemed frustrated with
me) and when I told her I was in transition she didn't think I could be
because I still hadn't had an "active labor". When I said I wanted to
push she didn't think I was ready but said okay, and she left the room
to take a call from another patient. I felt the baby's head coming with
the first push and my sister had to run and get her... Sonja was born 11
minutes later!

And a footnote:   the reason she said I was not in labor was that the surges were spaced very far apart, so I had lots of time to rest between them. I would not describe it as "pain", and although it was very uncomfortable as long as I stayed relaxed and did my breathing they were fine and tolerable. When I hit the point when they did start to feel painful and I didn't think I could do it anymore was when I told the midwife I was in transition. Stage 2 was definately painful, but I managed it much better than with Zoe's birth. 

Wendy

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