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Katie Marie
Hi Everyone, (warning - this is long but once I got started I could not
stop!)
I started using the Hypnobabies home study course in week 35 and have nothing
but great things to say about the program. The home study worked best for me
since I started so late in my pregnancy and with 2 kids at home it would have
been challenging to make an in person class.
I listened to my cd's every night when I went to sleep which worked so well
that I found I not only drifted off to sleep easily but I also felt more
relaxed and peaceful during the day than I had for a long time. I can't say
that I really practiced my finger drop technique much during the day but I did
review often during the maintenance program.
I started having Braxton Hicks that were fairly strong- enough to wake me up
at night a few times, for the week prior to having the baby. I also found
myself having to go to the bathroom so many times that I began to think I had
some type of stomach flu! Low and behold this was probably just my body
preparing for birthing my baby!
On Thursday June 21st I woke up feeling pretty good but crampy. I took my
daughter to the park for a playdate at 10am and felt the crampiness coming
fairly frequently. At this point I had no idea that I was in labor and just
felt mildly uncomfortable. I dropped my daughter off
at preschool at 11:45am and decided to drop by home to change my clothes
before meeting a friend for lunch at 12pm. At home I still felt crampy but
until I went to the bathroom and discovered some mild bloody show-
I still was pretty clueless. (funny- I have had 2 other children but I
still wasn't sure) I debated if I should go to lunch but I felt so good I
figured what the heck so off I went.
As I drove I noticed that my cramps were more like contractions and were
coming fairly often. I still was not timing them at this point though but
started to get the feeling that today was the day. I called my husband to put
him on alert but he did not answer his phone
so I left a message feeling slightly annoyed but not concerned. I share all of
this because I really believe it was my Hypnobabies that was keeping me so
relaxed. If it was the birth of either of my other 2 daughters I would have
been racing around at home getting myself all worked up and anxious. This time
I was so peaceful and relaxed- feeling only a little silly that I was of to
have lunch and here I was in labor!
I own my own business as a business coach and had a conference call scheduled
for my members at 4:00pm so I quickly made a call to get that covered. I
still thought I could do it but wanted a back up plan. Thankfully one of my
fellow coaches took over and that was off my plate. Thank goodness because at
4pm I would be getting ready to leave for the hospital.
I met my friend and whispered in her ear that I thought I might be in labor!
We both giggled and made some jokes to the waitress about this being my "last
supper"! We enjoyed our lunch and at some point I started to look at my watch
to time the contractions. They were still just uncomfortable but I did find I
was having to pay more attention to them. I was shocked when I timed a few and
they were 7 minutes apart! I had been told to call the
hospital when they were 10 minutes apart but I felt so good still! I told my
friend I thought I had better get home and she was floored when I told her how
close my contractions were. She said she had no idea I was even having any at
all!
At this point it was 2:00pm and I called my husband again who finally
answered. I told him to come home that today was the day! I also called my
friend and my mom to pick up my other kids. I thought I could do it but did
not want to get stuck in the carpool line if things started to get intense.
At home I gathered my belongings for the hospital and picked up a bit. I was
amazingly
calm but excited to finally have my baby!
My mom and husband both arrived around 3:00pm and I decided I should time
the contractions again. I was amazed when they were 4-5 minutes apart because
I just felt so comfortable. Was it the Hypnobabies I kept saying?
Finally at 4:00pm my husband started to get a bit worried because we live far
away from the hospital so I went ahead and called. Much to my dismay the
hospital I was supposed to deliver at was full and they were on diversion to
another hospital. I was disappointed because the new hospital did not have
midwives and once again my Hypnobabies helped me to stay calm and take it in
stride. I had delivered at the new hospital too so it was not a big deal I
just did not think they would be as open to the Hypnobabies. I asked the nurse
what she thought I should do because I still felt so comfortable. The nurse
felt I should go in since this was my 3rd baby and at least get checked in
case I was closer than I thought.
At the hospital we had to register and at this point I was having to use my
peace cue during the waves but still quite comfortable. We finally got into
labor and delivery room at 6:00pm. I started to listen to my headphones and
the easy first stage cd and this really
helped me to focus through each wave. At this point they were uncomfortable
but manageable and the nurse kept telling me how great I was doing.
Everything was fine until about 6:30pm when they had me get on the bed and
started the monitor. The nurse checked me and I was already 5 cm and had a
bulging bag of waters. She said that when my water broke that things were
going to go very fast because she could feel my cervix was very soft. That
made me kind of nervous but I pushed the thought
away.
At 7:00pm things started to get intense and my waves were coming every 2-3
minutes. I felt like I needed to pee so bad and the nurse kept saying that the
dr. was in a c section and if I really had to go I could but that my water
might break and then things would go very
fast. Somehow that started to shake my confidence and I started to lose the
ability to relax through the waves. I do not think this would have happened
with the midwives but at this point my husband said they are queing you guys
up since there were so many women about to get to the pushing stage. I did get
to pee, but then back on the bed and monitor and things got even more intense.
At about 7:30pm the nurse came in and said that if I wanted an epidural that
now was my chance because there were 4 ladies right behind me. ( I had wanted
to know when the point of no return was because I like options!) She said
absolutely no pressure but of
course I felt pressure. So I decided to get one because I was beginning to
lose faith. I do not regret this one bit but I do believe once again that had
they not been trying to time all of our births I would have been able to move
around instead of being in bed for the last hour, my water would have broken
and I would have had my baby naturally and quickly.
I got the epidural at 7:50pm and as soon as I did my water broke and I felt
intense pressure. At 8:10pm the Dr. came in and said that I was complete and
ready to push. After about 4-5 pushes my beautiful baby girl was born and
weighed in at 9 lbs 1 ounce. I did not even have a tear! It was amazing and I
was so happy about the way things had gone. I may have ended up having the
epidural but I felt cool, calm, and collected until the last 45 minutes of my
labor. I am grateful that I had the option of p**n relive and that everything
went so smoothly and fast.
Katie is an amazing baby, so peaceful, calm and happy!
Thanks for reading and thank you to all of you who have posted your stories. I
could not have done it without you!
Karen
Katie Marie Born June 21st 8:15pm
9 Pounds 1 ounce 20.5 inches