Britt’s Change of Plans Hypnobabies Hospital Birth
“I was 100% present, focused and calm when I went into transformation (Hypnobabies term for transition). It was beautiful. My birthing team and husband were amazing, and I had NO fear whatsoever.”
I have never considered myself a “planner” however I had a big dose of humble pie in learning to accept that things don’t always go according to plan.
I went in at 40 weeks and after my ultrasound baby was measuring around 9 lbs, 4 oz. and while my OB was amazing my whole pregnancy with all my natural birth wishes and requests, and not wanting to induce me… she did suggest it due to her size. I was given the choice at least, and after discussing with my husband, we agreed to an induction the next day.
I was initially shocked as I did NOT want to be induced but at the same time, also wanted to avoid a C-Section, and I was so in discomfort already that I was just ready to have her.
My pregnancy was beautiful but very physically challenging. I did physical therapy throughout but spent a lot of time resting and at times immobile. I had pelvic girdle discomfort, severe sciatica discomfort and I also have significant scoliosis and lumbar hyperlordosis. I knew going into pregnancy I would face these challenges, so I stayed very pro-active with my therapy to get me relief.
Because of my spinal issues I was terrified of an epidural and the risks considering these issues make for a harder placement. This led me to wanting a natural birth, and to Hypnobabies which was also to help squash my fears and anxieties around childbirth.
I am so in awe of how wonderful Hypnobabies was for truly releasing so many of these fears that the last 2 months of my pregnancy, though the hardest physically, I was very much emotionally at peace and felt prepared to birth baby.
The next morning after my appointment I started having pressure waves (Hypnobabies term for contractions)!!!!! I was super excited, but then they subsided and really had no activity all day… I was still waiting on the call from the hospital to get the OK to come in for induction and that a bed was available but nothing yet. I called and they were slammed with active birthing’s, so inductions are still on queue. I told them I might be going into my birthing time (Hypnobabies term for labor) on my own and they said to wait to come in until my pressure waves increase and are closer together. I didn’t have any pressure waves the rest of the day but then I lost my mucus plug that evening! I thought, ok, on the right track here… a couple hours go by and I start feeling a little trickle/gush feeling and I think my water is starting to break! I give the hospital a call back and they say well if your water broke then head on in!!
My husband starts packing the car as I’m grabbing a few last-minute things and then a river of waters explodes all over into a puddle! I walk down the hallway and it happened again! Then again going to get in the car!! We are laughing hysterically at this point as I had no idea you lose that much!
I listened to my tracks the whole drive and my husband listened to his meditation music. We were both so calm and at peace. When we arrived, I went into center and they got me in a wheelchair (With my sciatica discomfort I couldn’t walk much or well). They checked me and I was still only 1- like at my appointment! I was surprised but I also still hadn’t had any pressure waves kick in yet.
When we got in our room which was so big and really nice, my hubs set up all our flameless votive candles everywhere, put out my stones and little spiritual relics and affirmations. Everything looked perfect!! I stayed in center (Hypnobabies technique for being in hypnosis with eyes open) the whole time and we waited about an hour and then my waves started kicking in! I turned my switch off and started focusing on my tracks.
My pressure waves came on really powerfully. While I had the shower and birthing balls and such at my disposal, my sciatica discomfort intensified exponentially during my waves and I tried to move around, and I just couldn’t. Soon I was at a 3… and I was having cluster waves, 3-4 back to back with no break. Still listening to my tracks, breathing, moaning “ahhhh” with cues from my husband and focusing as hard as I could to stay calm and peaceful… the discomfort only intensified. The nurse said she needed to turn as she wasn’t facing the right way and that was detected by my cluster waves. They had me on all fours to get her to turn. My back discomfort intensified with every wave plus the weight of baby hanging on all fours pulling on my problem areas was so intense and frankly, unbearable.
The tracks started to feel like a distant echo in my ear as I struggled to maintain composure and peace. My husband was my cheerleader and said I really did maintain my peace despite my growing discomfort. I got to 5 cm and I almost passed out twice. I started crying. I didn’t want to lose everything I’d worked for with Hypnobabies and disappoint myself… I kept holding on, until this little voice in my head asked me “what kind of birth do you want to have?” And I knew then that I needed some relief and I wanted to enjoy my birthing process which was at that point, so far from being enjoyable and comfortable.
I asked for the anesthesiologist and I explained my spinal issues and fears. He listened and validated my concerns and also reassured me that he knows exactly how to place and deal with my specific issues and he said he would take care of me. I prayed and had to have faith that he would place it correctly. He did. Perfectly.
Once it kicked in, and some discomfort subsided I became so much clearer headed and at peace, still using Hypnobabies cues, breathing and affirmations. I know some have said an epidural makes them foggy and out of it and not present and it did the opposite for me… maybe because of Hypnobabies. Once I was comfortable and my discomfort manageable, I rode the pressure waves all the way till the end with better rest and peace.
I was 100% present, focused and calm when I went into transformation (Hypnobabies term for transition). It was beautiful. My birthing team and husband were amazing, and I had NO fear whatsoever. I was so proud of myself and I brought in a 9lb, 1 oz baby girl at 22 inches on August 15th at 6:42 a.m. about 9 hours after arriving at the hospital.
All in all, I’m so at peace with how my birth ended up… changed plans and all. I still really feel that Hypnobabies helped me in SO many ways, including being at peace with my decision which led me to relief for my personal situation and ending up with a birth that truly was incredible and enjoyable. I am so in love and bliss with baby.
If baby #2 happens sometime in the future I will still 100% use my Hypnobabies tracks and shoot for a natural birth again. While it didn’t this time, I am not disappointed in myself like I thought I’d be. I still got her here in peace.
Thank you for reading!
