Daniel

Hi Ashley,

Since the class concluded, Victoriya continued to practice breathing and listen to rainbow, affirmation and relaxation tracks.  At 40 weeks she only had a few minor practice contractions and it was clear we would be over the estimated date. We were counting days thinking that any day could be THE day and had everything ready in the car. The time was going by and we were approaching 42 weeks. At this point we have been going for heartbeat checkups twice a week.
The doctor had advised that once we are over 42 weeks, it is strongly advised that the labor is induced in order to make sure that the baby is not in trouble. Victoriya, however, was resolved on waiting until the body starts labor on its own without the prompts from the outside. As it happened,  the night before the 42 week date her water broke around midnight and we knew that we would see our baby soon. The contractions came half an hour later and were coming in strong and regularly. We’ve started following our plan – practice breathing, relaxing and waiting until the surges get closer. We’ve spent about 9 hours at home until contractions were 5 minutes apart. Every one of them was strong and required quite a bit of resolve on relaxing the body. When we decided it was time to go we got into our car and made way to the Palomar hospital.

Immediately upon arrival, we had to assert our desires for minimal intrusion, check-ups, IV’s and other “standard procedures”. This didn’t sit quite well with some of the staff, but our minds were made up. Within a short period of time we had a different nurse and doctor, both of whom were much more receptive to out wishes. They read through the 3-page birth plan we have devised some weeks earlier, which was also approved by our doctor. They have asked a few questions to confirm some of the points, but had no objections to any of them as long as we understood our own requests and were willing to sign liability releases.

Within a short period after arrival to the hospital, the surges got even closer and more intense. Some more pockets of fluid had release which caused substantial pain and required the use of some techniques learned at the class. Rocking motion, while sitting backwards on a chair and doing “horse lips” alongside with a backbone massage seemed to carry Victoriya through the toughest parts. At this point the labor was not going exactly as we had expected – instead of slow, gradual and gentler birth – the labor was progressing quickly and with intensity. We stuck to the plan of not doing the epidural or taking any other drugs to progress or soften the labor. 14 hours  after the start of contractions in the middle of the night, Daniel Yuri was born without complications, use of Pitocin, epidural or any other drugs. At 9lbs and 55cm he was one big, but beautiful baby boy who immediately was placed into mom’s loving hands.

Victoria was ready to go back home shortly after Daniel was born, but we decided to stay the night in order to get acquainted with the proper swaddling and feeding techniques. 24 hours after been admitted we have left the hospital and went home with a baby sleeping calmly in the car-seat.  Despite the fact that our birth experience was not the same as featured in some of the videos we’ve seen during the class, it was a very positive and powerful experience. We are glad that we went to HypnoBirthing class and learned about the natural birth and natural ways of dealing with the most critical moments. Proving drug and procedure free birth to our baby was a success after all.  We appreciate all of the knowledge, support and reassurance that HypnoBirthing class had provided us. When we have our second child – we will do it in a similar, natural fashion. Knowing about our rights and options had proved invaluable under the pressures of the hospital setting. At the end, with support from HypnoBirthing and Palomar Hospital staff we’ve had the birth we wanted for our boy.

Thank you again,

Sincerely,

Victoria, Daniel and Yuri