After dinner on Friday, June 2nd I started feeling pressure waves
about every 10 minutes apart. They were not very intense at this
point and I didn't have to do the fingerdrop yet. We took DD out
after dinner to get some water ice and then returned home. During
the outing the waves were still coming about every 10 minutes
apart. As the evening went on, the waves became more intense and I
started listening to my birth day affirmations and relaxed through
the waves. They were not all that consistent and ranged between 5-
10 minutes apart. I wasn't really sure it was the "real thing"
until around 10 or 11pm when I definitely had to stop and relax
through the waves. I listened to the birth guide during the
pressure waves and this helped a lot. I went to bed and slept
between pressure waves. DH timed them and they were only 7-10 min
apart. Around 3am I started feeling very "antsy" and felt like I
really wanted to go to the hospital. I was so scared I wouldn't
make it in time, even though the waves were still far apart. I
talked to my doula and then my OB and decided I wanted to go to the
hospital. We got there around 4:30am and I was 7cm!!! I was really
surprised b/c the waves were far apart, but I was glad I listened to
my instincts and went in. I continued listening to the birth guide,
turning it on during pressure waves and off in between waves. They
were intense, but definitely very manageable with the self-
hypnosis. We were waiting for my water to break naturally, but at
7:15 it still hadn't broken. The doc checked me and said I was
fully dilated and could start pushing if I felt the urge. I didn't
feel a strong urge to push yet but was starting to feel tired so
asked him to break the water. After he broke the water I pushed
Ryan out into the world in about 30 minutes. For me, the hardest
part was the pushing. I just couldn't find a comfortable position
and I had something holding me back. One of my fears was that I
would poop while pushing, and this was really holding me back during
the pushing. I was never able to successfully do a fear release
session on the pooping issue and I feel like if I had, I might have
had an easier time during the pushing. I know doctors and nurses
see poop all the time, but I just didn't want this to happen. I
kept holding back trying not to poop but that was not helping, so
once I let go of the poop issue, Ryan came out (along with some
poop). Thank goodness for my doula, she really helped me through
the pushing with her gentle encouragement. I was totally grossed
out about pooping on the bed, but thrilled that Ryan made his way
into the world peacefully and without medications. I felt the most
discomfort during the pushing, especially when he crowned. I
stopped listening to my CDs once I started pushing and focused on my
relaxation cues from DH and my doula. Ryan started crying as soon
as his head came out before his body made it out. He was 7 lb 4oz
and 19 inches long. His APGARs were 9 and 9. I didn't tear and my
post-partum recovery was beautiful. I am AMAZED at the difference
between how I feel after this birth and my previous birth (had an
epidural with the last birth). Ryan is now 2 weeks old and I am
already going for walks and almost done with the bleeding. Other
than being sleep deprived, I feel great and I thank my Hypnobabies
practice for my wonderful birthing experience.