1st Time Mom Meghan’s Hypnobabies Hospital Birth
“When I felt the pushing sensation, I told my midwife and she replied, “follow your body” and left the room. My husband and doula and I were alone listening to the Pushing Baby Out Track (Hypnobabies track for pushing) aloud and taking the advice on position changes etc.”
Hypnobabies helped me to accomplish majority of my birth preferences when our baby decided to come early at 36w2d this past Sunday. I still cannot believe he’s here and that we were able to have an unmedicated, relaxed and very mother directed experience in a hospital with a midwife and doula. It was my first birth and lasted 8 hours from start to finish which I also attribute to my ability to stay calm during my birthing waves (Hypnobabies term for contractions).
I was anticipating use of the tub but because of Covid it was not allowed. This was such a big part of my birth plan, but I handled the news just fine in the moment and knew that any change to the plan was the right plan for us. The other change of plans was that I consented to the administration of penicillin because I had not yet gotten my GBS test done. This required me to occasionally be connected to the IV pole during birthing time. This too was not what I preferred but it did not create fear in the moment. We adapted, while still remaining very firm with other preferences.
With the exception of some running around collecting additional items for our hospital bag right after my water broke, I was constantly listening to tracks. I knew that if I wanted to use Hypnobabies to the fullest extent then I had to have a constant steam of tracks. My husband and I never did practice scripts as he travels a lot for work so during my birthing time (Hypnobabies term for labor), it was mostly me and the tracks and I would repeat out loud a lot of what resonated with me most. I felt like Kerry was there with me taking me through it lol. I also had a major case of the itchies and twitchies when practicing Hypnobabies and it was always very worrisome to me. Trust me when I say there were no itchies and twitches on my birthing day and because of the end result, I agree that these are not in any way a concern when you’re practicing.
When I felt the pushing sensation, I told my midwife and she replied, “follow your body” and left the room. My husband and doula and I were alone listening to the Pushing Baby Out Track (Hypnobabies track for pushing) aloud and taking the advice on position changes etc. It was a new feeling I had never experienced before and while the waves were very strong, I knew I could do this. I just kept saying my cues aloud up until he was here. My husband and doula applied pressure, repeated affirmations and used the cues as well throughout my entire birthing time. My recovery was great, and my throat was sore from all of my vocalizing.
Vocalizing in low ahhhhs provided the most relief to me. I’m looking forward to my next Hypnobabies experience. The one thing I wish I would’ve practiced more in hindsight is perineal massage (my midwife was very helpful in supporting but I was relying on the tub to soften which I was unable to use). In addition to Hypnobabies, I used Spinning Babies for optimal positioning. I highly recommend this and the use of a doula (preferably a hypno-doula but I couldn’t find one in my area). My doula was fantastic and very open to learning the cues and I do plan to ask her if she’d accept the gift of the certification course from me. I also brought two orange Himalayan salt lamps to set the tone of the room and the Etsy Hypnobabies Birth Plan Template from Ewa. I had printed those just one day before my water broke- phew! I wish you all the most amazing birthing experiences. Remember that you deserve it!!!
