Further Thoughts on HypnoBirthing

Claira Akilina Black born 6:26 pm, 7lbs. 2 oz. Though I go fast and pushing was less than and hour, it would have been faster if 1. My skin weren’t so tough (My midwife said, “You have really tough skin!” and, 2. If Claira’s hand wasn’t snuggled up to her face the whole time :)

The following are questions I would have about Hypnobirthing! They might be specifically helpful to understand how the labor and delivery actually went for me.

·         Was the natural labor and delivery with Claira different than the natural birth you experienced with Anne?

Yes, almost completely different! Both were wonderfully intense experiences. To put it nicely, it took me over a year to even THINK about wanting to have another child after Anne. With Claira's, it was the next day.

·         What part hurt the worst during Claira’s labor and delivery?

It was getting the I.V. in. That HURT the worst! It honestly felt like they were using a spoon instead of a needle. It was really painful. The nurse mentioned how tough my skin was and was really sorry. I could still feel the pain in my arm days later. The second most painful part was NOT pushing when I felt the urge.

·         What did you learn about Hypnobirthing actually going through the process of labor and delivery?

One was that they were right! They key to a successful, relaxed, pain-free birth is in the practicing. Practicing relaxing and practicing their specified breathing for contractions and for the actual birthing.

Also, I learned that labor (meaning “work”) is still involved. There is still discomfort, but I felt under control and in control. (Except, I had an oxymoron experience. I was relaxed as I was giving birth, but freaking out about because I couldn’t feel my hands or face from over breathing. Weird! Not feeling my hands and face also happened with Anne’s birth, but I was NOT relaxed during hers.)

·         Was there anything in Hypnobirthing that did not work with you?

Yes. There is a specific 'birth' breathing that I practiced, but when it came time to “breathe the baby out” it did NOT feel good. I “pushed the baby out” and that not only felt better, but worked better. I will still try the birth breathing next time (after I've practiced some more :).

·         Do you feel Hypnobirthing is the only and best way to give birth?

No, I do not. I think there are a lot of methods that are helpful and people have to decide what works with how they view labor and delivery. But I do not recommend any methods that teach you to fear birthing, that you and your body don’t work right, that Doctors know more than you (arm yourself with knowledge!) and that it is supposed to be extremely painful. That is just asking for an emergency C-Section.

·         You mentioned midwife. Was there any specific reason you chose to use a midwife?

       Yes, the first 3 deliveries were done by MD’s who were not there for me for most of the labor, nor made it to my room on time. The Doctors all were for cutting me, instead of believing that my body was normal and could do what it was made to. Also, Hypnobirthing is still a relatively new thing, (so is my preferred diet) so I needed someone who thought outside of the box of the mainstream. I NEEDED someone who accepted, understood and empowered me in my decisions. The team of midwives didn’t disappoint! (There was 1 that I wasn’t particularly fond of, but if she was on call, it would have been fine.) 

        One funny thing about the birth is the midwives change 12 hour shifts at 6am and 6pm. So before I closed my eyes for the transition I saw Katie the midwife and when I opened them, Ongela the midwife was there helping me! I was so much inside of myself, I didn’t even notice the change!

        Not all Doctors are bad and not all Midwives are fabulous. You just have to find the person that you agree with!

·         Do you have any other thoughts or feelings about Hypnobirthing?

           You definitely have to get your husband to understand what you are doing so he knows best how to support you. That may be easy or hard, depending on your man!

This is the way I will give birth if/when we decide to welcome another child into our home.

“…Anything that is lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” I believe in anything that teaches us to trust ourselves, that God created women’s bodies to work right, and that birth labor and delivery is a wonderful, happy, work filled experience. My two cents? I believe labor and delivery felt like an intensely uncomfortable walk in the park.

·         If one wanted to learn about a woman’s remarkable ability to give birth, what should I read?

       You can read Dr. Grantly Dick-Read’s book, Childbirth Without Fear. That book is from a medical standpoint which is easy to read and understand. It’s an “every woman who wants to give birth should read it” category. (The Hypnobirthing book was the Mongan method.)

And start practicing meditation! It is a helpful tool for life! Not just for birthing :)