San Diego HypnoBirthing

San Diego Breastfeeding Center Features Care!

2012-02-27T10:22:00.003-08:00

Check out this great post about San Diego HypnoBirthing and Care! Such an inspiration :)Click the link below. Also, check out more of Robin's information and posts on her blog. Amazing information about breastfeeding and all things mama related. Thanks for all you do Robin!

http://sdbfc.com/blog/2012/2/22/local-spotlight-san-diego-hypnobirthing.html

Valentine's Day Giveaway!

2012-02-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Happy you joined us :)

To enter the giveaway start following our blog. The follow button is on the right hand side under "About Me" and "Blog Archive". You can sign in using your email or it will give you a different option if you don't have any of the accounts the list. We are so excited to start getting some dialogue going on the blog and please let us know if there is any topic you would like discussed :)

A Gift for You...

2011-12-24T03:38:00.000-08:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Finnley's Journey

2011-12-13T12:49:00.000-08:00

Those of you who aren't with us on Facebook may not have known that Care and her two daughters are on an amazing healing journey in Tenerife right now. Finnley's story is an a testament to miracles and is best described in her blog entry: http://finnleykate.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html

If you are moved by her story and would like to help support them and be kept up to date visit or follow their blog and you will also find an area to make a contribution. They have been so blessed by the generosity of many, but have a ways to go to reach their goal. As of today, here is their latest update and funds status: http://finnleykate.blogspot.com/2011/12/whales-can-save-our-souls.html

And lastly, I just love this little video of Finnley. She is such a sweet girl and makes the room warmer with her presence.
http://finnleykate.blogspot.com/2011/09/help-finn-swim-with-dolphins.html

Thank you so much and Happy Holidays!

A

Stand up for Yourself...Learn from Me!

2011-11-29T08:35:00.000-08:00

This post was taken from the Blog - The Feminist Breeder... SUCH good information!! Get the right care provider, stay at home, get a doula and keep your labor intimate! We learn from each other - take note!

Things I Would Say to the Hospital Staff If I Saw Them Today…

I can’t help it, I hold grudges. It’s just my personality to seethe over things when I feel like I’ve been dumped on, and it just stews inside my bones, boiling under the surface for months, weeks, years, decades… until I find a way to resolve my anger.
I have a lot of unresolved rage over things that happened in my first two birth experiences. My first was an induction-turned-unnecessary cesarean, and my second was a hard, hard, hard-fought VBAC that nearly resulted in a second unnecessary cesarean about a dozen times before my labor finally finished.
Having my VBAC, and my then my Home VBAC, ultimately healed the way I felt about my body after those traumatic births. It was empowering and liberating. But it didn’t shake the anger over the way I was treated in the hospital because I know so many other women are experiencing the same mistreatment every day, and in some weird ways it makes it feel like it’s still happening to me.
In both of my first two births, there were some things that the hospital staff did that I may never forget, and certainly have not yet forgiven. And I’m not alone here, either. Jessie Peters of Roanoke Birth Services, a doula and midwife in training says,

“I believe that we as women never forget how we felt, and were made to feel during the births of our children, and that the way we are treated during this vulnerable time impacts our future.”

Many highly trained birth and psychology professionals agree that birth imprints memories on us in a way that can’t be shaken, which can be especially hard to process if they are negative feelings. But I’m going to try to process them how, in hopes that it will relieve some of the internalized anger that nags at me. I also hope that if labor & delivery professionals stumble upon this, it will make them rethink the little things they’re doing that will forever impact how a woman remembers her birth experience.

Bloated beyond recognition after my unwanted and traumatic cesarean.

Here’s what I’d say to some of those hospital workers if I could see them today…
To the nurse who insisted that she had to start Pitocin just because she had also “accidentally” broken my water:

NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Get the EFF away from me with that Pitocin or there will be hell to pay. That Pitocin is going to hyperstimulate my uterus, put my baby in distress, and ultimately start me on a cascade of risky interventions that will lead to a traumatic surgery that will scar my insides, literally and figuratively, for the rest of my life. PUT IT DOWN AND BACK AWAY! And don’t you DARE try to act like I’m a silly moron for questioning the things you’re putting in my veins.

To the resident who kept tossing my hospital gown back over my slimy belly full of ultrasound gel after you took your hourly unnecessary look at my baby:

Oh. My. God. Have you ever had your stomach covered in ultrasound glue, and then put clothes on over it? Come here and let me put that sticky crap all over your abdomen, and let’s see how much you like your shirt sitting on top of it. It’s incredibly uncomfortable! Where did you get your bedside manners? The back of a truck? Wipe that shit OFF before you tug my gown back down over my stomach. I’m laying strapped to a hospital bed with wires hanging off every limb. I do not need one more thing to make me uncomfortable, for crying out loud.

To the med student whose face I had never seen until he kept knocking my mirror out of the way as I was desperately trying to watch my VBAC baby’s head crowning:

Dude, I will NEVER EVER forget your face, or the violence I felt toward you as you were ruining my shot to see my vagina doing its job for the first time. It was INCREDIBLY important for me to see that – to experience that – after what I had been through the first time, and you stole it from me. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the feeling of wanting to kick you in the face while I was strapped on my back, being shouted at to Purple Push. Your job as a med student is to watch and learn – not imprint your face in the mother’s brain because you’re royally screwing up her pushing experience.

To the nurse who asked if I really, really, really wanted my baby circumcised:

NO. I totally don’t! I just didn’t realize it at the time. That’s not your fault – that’s mine. But it needs to be on this list because it’s something I wish I’d said to hospital staff. I spent so much time freaking out over my first pregnancy, I didn’t research anything about babies. And I spent so much time worrying about getting my VBAC, I just carried on doing the same to my second son. I’ve come to terms with it, but it will weigh on me until my sons are old enough to let me know how they feel about that.

To my OB who told me homebirth was for morons and that every woman who attempts it always transfers into his ER, and who laughed at me when I said I’d started doing my own research:

Ultimately I think I know more about normal birth than you ever will. It makes me sad that your patients aren’t getting information and expert care. But thanks for the not-totally-ugly cesarean scar. I know now that you had a whole lot of practice doing them.

I think I feel a little better now. And maybe I can refer back to this bit of catharsis any time I start seething again.
Do you have any unresolved feelings toward your prior maternity care providers? Let it out, sister. Perhaps we can heal together.

Delilah

2011-11-24T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Ashley! I hope this message finds you doing well. Brad and I are now the proud parents of Delilah, 5 lbs, 5 oz and 18 inches, born 5.5 weeks early on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 8:02 AM. We have quite the birth story!!! I am going to write it down in free form, partly so that I can remember what happened and also to share with you.

Contractions started on Sunday, October 30 around 4 PM. I called the UCSD Midwife number around 10 PM and was reassured that what I was feeling was simply practice contractions. Barely slept that night, woke up to continued contractions, called the Midwife number around 10 AM and was once again reassured that it was nothing to worry about...simply hydrate and relax. I took a long nap that day (after taking a Benadryl) and woke up with contractions - yet they were never on any sort of timetable. I called the Midwife at 6 PM and she recommended that I come in for an evaluation, more for peace of mind than anything else.

Brad and I left the house on Monday, Halloween evening, without a hospital bag - we thought for sure they'd be sending us home. I did at the last second throw my toothbrush and toothpaste into a bag. Once we got to the hospital, Rebecca the midwife on duty examined my cervix and reported that I was fully effaced and one cm dilated. At that point in time she said that she'd have to consult with the doctors on duty and most likely would have to turn my care over to them. She said that they would need to check my cervix again in an hour to see if there had been any change. Brad requested that she come back and be the one to examine me for consistency. She returned an hour later and reported that I was now 2 cm dilated and yes, most likely in labor. She did an ultrasound and confirmed the baby was definitely in the birth canal and at that point, turned my care over to the doctors.

I was moved from the evaluation room to a Labor and Delivery room around midnight. Brad asked if there were any volunteer doulas on call (Friday night Doulas was on our list of things to do this past week!!!!). Luckily a doula was on call and available to us. Her name was Lindsay and she arrived just after 2 am like an angel from heaven. We told her about our plan to birth using Hypnobirthing and no drugs, she was totally into it and supportive. The night went on with more contractions that varied with levels of intensity. Brad and Lindsay take turns massaging me and reminding me to use my breathing. I was checked a couple more times and was at 4 cm. In the morning a doctor came in and recommended that they break my bag. Brad asked her to give us some time to think it over...which we did and we decided that at 4 cm, that was not the direction we wanted to take. I was visited by many nurses and doctors...was placed on a fetal monitor and a contraction monitor and a penicillin IV...all things I had not envisioned - much less being in labor at 34.5 weeks - we received a visit from Pediatrics who discussed all of the risks our baby was facing due to preterm labor. It was scary. It was stated that I would be delivering in the OR and that my baby would be taken immediately for evaluation by the Pediatric team. The bright side: Brad could be with baby the entire time.

So, the day went on and on and although I resisted many requests to be 'checked', I did allow them to check a few times, only to find out I was holding at 4 CM. At some point I request a hot shower. You would have thought I asked for a walk around the block! What an ordeal, but the nurse finally relented and Brad was able to take me to the shower. A senior doctor named Dr. Hebert visited us and said that he had no interest in intervening with this birth. For at 34 weeks, she was either going to come or she wasn't and he didn't see a point in intervening with her plan. This comforted me. We also received a visit from the Chief Resident who was puzzled that I hadn't advanced, reiterated that she had no interest in breaking my bag, but suggested that I might need 'therapeutic rest'. She was going to consult with Dr. Hebert and return to us. At that point Brad asked her to please ask the midwife on duty to come down and discuss this option with us as well.

It is now about 3 PM on Tuesday, I am still at 4 cm, +2 and fully effaced and I haven't been fed in over 24 hours (besides the Saltine crackers Brad snuck to me). The midwife okays the therapeutic rest and explains it to us. I've been reporting more intense contractions, but from the monitor they can tell that in actuality they aren't that more intense. I am just very tired. Dr. Hebert says let this woman eat for she's not headed for a C-section any time soon. I am given some food and moved to the 7th floor for my 'therapeutic rest'. Lindsay the doula bids us farewell and says to call her if my status changes and she'll be there in a heart beat.

I become drowsy with the medicine which I am told will only make my baby sleepy. I am told I need this rest in order to finish the ordeal. I believe it. I am so spent. I sleep from 5-10 PM, Brad runs home to get us some supplies and my best friend Rae comes and sits by my bedside. I wake up thinking perhaps it was all a bit of a dream and it's now over only to find myself beginning to feel contractions again. I try to continue to sleep from 9-4 am during this time we listened to Marie Mongan on repeat. Around 4 am my contractions start to become unbearable. I am reminded by the nursing staff that I can not deliver there - I must deliver on the 2nd floor due to my preterm condition. Around 5 am I am checked and told that I am at 7 cm, -1 and it's time to move me downstairs.

Brad and I are now back on the Labor and Delivery Unit. Hooked up to machines again. Given a birth ball that can barely move within the small room. At 5:30 he asks if he should call Lindsay back and I say eh give her until 6 am. Lindsay arrives just after 6:15, I am checked again - and now told I am 6 cm, +2 (so basically the doctor in the paragraph above had no idea what she was talking about). I am really feeling the contractions and I ask what I can do for relief. It is recommended that I let the doctor break my bag which at that time, we weight the pros and cons - basically my baby is coming at some time but when will she arrive??!!! So, he breaks my bag at 6:30 and by 6:55 I am in active labor. Around 7:25 am I start feeling the need to push and of course, it's shift change! At 7:35 they load me up and wheel me into the OR and at least 8 people are present: Brad, Lindsay the Doula, Dr. Hebert (awesome), Dr. Tierney, a med student, 1 nurse and 1 doctor from Pediatrics, one Labor and Delivery Nurse. I am on my back, sitting up slightly, instructed to pull my legs back with each push and coached through each push which last about 10 seconds each. Completely lucid during contractions, I continue to push in rhythm with my contractions. At one point I ask if I have a hemorrhoid, I am told by the doctor that it's the biggest hemorrhoid of my life - it's my daughter's head and to reach down and touch it - which I do and it moved! I almost gagged!!! With each push, Dr. Tierney massages my perinea and moves my vagina around my baby's head with care.

The pushing lasted about 20 pushes and the last one I pushed with all my might and at 8:02 AM Delilah graced us with her presence. I saw her for a brief moment and then she was gone as was Brad. He was gone for at least ten minutes while I delivered my placenta. He returned beaming, full of excitement and word that our baby girl is really here and she's doing fine. I am wheeled back to my L & D room, change my gown and then wheeled to see my baby girl around 10 am where we instantly did skin to skin and she practiced nursing right then.

It's now 4 days later and I was discharged from the hospital on Friday and our baby girl is still at the Infant Special Care Unit at UCSD. It's heart-wrenching and painful, yet we know she's under the best care - and the best news is that she's healthy. She's just a little premature and needs some time to catch up. Each day we visit and see progress, I am pumping and she's beginning to nurse which is the most amazingly fantastic thing I've ever felt.

So, in short, our birth story is NOTHING like we ever planned or envisioned. But Delilah had a different plan and we are soooo glad she's here. And Brad is so proud of me - and I am proud of myself. I found a strength within that I had no idea existed. It was so important to me to birth my daughter without the assistance of drugs so that we could be present for and with her. Hypnobirthing allowed me to breath my way through the experience - and we used our BRAINs throughout the entire experience. Not only that, but I found a deeper love and understanding of my husband. I am so proud of the support we offer one another. Now we just wait eagerly to take our daughter home. Night time is the hardest time, but I am confident she'll be in our arms every night soon.

Thank you for letting me share.
xoxo
Laura

Blake

2011-11-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Hi Care!

Baby Blake has arrived!! He was born on 11/4/11 (his due date). 7 lb., 1 oz., 20.5 inches. We are so so so happy! Guess what??? He was born en caul!! So cool!! I delivered him in the birth center shower, standing up! It was a crazy long labor, but so worth it. I was in my bed, my birth ball, my shower, then birth center shower, tub, walking halls, bed and finally the shower. Crazy!! So worth it though. Baby Blake is amazing and so mellow. He is breast feeding like a champ and sleeping really well. He gained 2 ounces before we even left the hospital, I think because he started breast feeding immediately. The nurses and midwives were so confused and kept checking the scales, haha.

Thank you again!! Feel free to share the photos :)

UPDATE:

More of the Story...

For the first 2/3 of labor (10 hours) the hypnobirthing breathing was working really well. Then I got exhausted and everything got really intense for the last 5 hours, and I started to lose it. Nothing was working at that point.

At the end, when I was in the shower, the midwife came in and checked me for the first time. She said I was 8-9 cm dialated. So they said I should get back to the bed and get ready to push soon. I knew I was closer than that though, because on the previous contraction I used your trick and reached down and felt the baby's head! As I stepped out of the shower I had a contraction and pushed and felt down again and out came the baby's head!! The midwife was shocked and called everyone into the tiny room to assist. On the next contraction the rest of him was out. He didn't cry and just looked up at me as they put him in my arms. I walked back to the room down the public hallway naked, bleeding, holding the baby with the cord attached, and so so happy, hahaha what a site!!

Beckett

2011-11-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Beckett was born September 7th, 2011 at Mary Birch. His parents prepared with HypnoBirthing and were blessed to have Care as their doula. Congrats Brianne and Chris! Watch his wonderful birth story by clicking the link below.

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a63314f5463304d6a46384e6a49784e6a517a4f544d3d0d0a&sb=1

More Benefits to Red Raspberry Leaf Tea...

2011-11-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

People have used raspberry leaf tea for centuries in North America, South America, China and Europe. It is most popular as an aide for pregnant women, historically being used to relieve almost everything from leg cramps to morning sickness. Evidence of red raspberry tea leaf's benefits for pregnancy is mixed. It may also be beneficial for controlling blood sugar, but you should speak to your doctor before using this, or any, alternative medicine.

Raspberry Leaves

Raspberry is a bush from the Rosaceae family best known for its fruit, but the leaves have their own value as an astringent and a stimulant. People drink red raspberry leaf tea for diabetes along with conditions including gastrointestinal tract disorders, cardiovascular system disorders and respiratory tract disorders. It is also used for fever, swine flu, vitamin deficiency, profuse menstruation, labor pains and diarrhea. Topically, people use red raspberry leaf for inflammation of the skin, mouth and throat. Food manufacturers in Europe put small amounts of red raspberry leaves in some foods as natural flavoring.

Normal Blood Sugar Levels Find Out Whats Normal Today. Learn About Blood Sugar Now. Pebble.com

Blood Sugar

Raspberries can affect your blood sugar level. According to AltMD.com, studies have shown that raspberry may decrease your blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for diabetes sufferers. Diabetes is a condition involving elevated blood sugar levels. Raspberry leaf tea may be helpful for diabetes sufferers because it is high in B vitamins. B vitamins help you to convert food into glucose, which is blood sugar. Vitamin B-3 has shown to be beneficial for Type 2 diabetes sufferers, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with Type 2 diabetes frequently have elevated levels of cholesterol and fats in their blood. Vitamin B-3 may help lower those levels. However, vitamin B-3 may actually raise blood sugar levels, which is dangerous for diabetes sufferers. Your doctor can best decide if raspberry tea is safe for you.

Making Tea

Making raspberry tea is simple. To 1 cup of boiling water, 1 teaspoon of red raspberry tea leaf is added. After steeping for 10 minutes, it is strained and ready to drink, typically once or twice a day. For use during pregnancy, 1/2 ounce of tea is added to 1 pint of boiling water to drink once daily. Talk to a pediatrician before giving tea to children.

Diet

Drinking red raspberry leaf tea is not the only way your diet can make a difference on your blood sugar. MayoClinic.com promotes a diabetes diet of carbohydrates, fish, fiber and "good fats." Carbs are foods your body breaks down into blood glucose for energy. Eat the healthiest carbs such as lentils, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and low-fat dairy products. Foods that are high in fiber help control blood sugar levels and aide digestion. All of the recommended carb foods except dairy are high in fiber. Fish can help lower blood fats, which promotes a healthy heart. They also have less cholesterol and saturated fats than meats. Unsaturated fats are "good" because they can help reduce cholesterol. Olives, canola oil and almonds are good fats.

Reduce Blood Sugar 44% Try Glucocil™ Free For One Month! Safe, Natural & Effective. Try Now. www.Glucocil.com

Diabetes Type 2 Diet Free Type 2 Diabetic Diet Guide! What To Eat & What To Avoid. DailyLife.com

Blood Sugar Levels Simple Tips & Tricks To Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Healthy. HealthDesk.com

How To Lower Blood Sugar 10 Tips To Lower Blood Sugar. Lifestyle Changes To Curb Diabetes. www.LifeScript.com

References

Photo Credit:

Jupiterimages/Comstoc/Getty Images

Happy Halloween from All of Us!!

2011-10-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Parker

2011-10-17T20:57:00.001-07:00

I started having regular surges Tuesday, August 16th morning but not very close, maybe every 45minutes. Throughout the day they got closer maybe every 20-30 minutes apart into the night. I was up and down with them I even took a shower and a bath because I couldn’t sleep. The morning of August 17th Casey got up to go to work and I told him I didn’t think he should….

He stayed home with me, we went to breakfast then came home and I napped for a couple hours. We walked about a mine and by then it was about 11 and my surges were between 6-15 minutes apart and much more regular. I knew it was getting closer!! Around 12:20 I got a longer surge and then my water broke. We talked and decided we were going to stay home a while longer until we felt it was time to go to the hospital.

By a little after 1pm I was ready, they were getting closer and stronger. So we got our things together and went to Grossmont Hospital. We arrived around 1:30, checked in, got our room and when our nurse checked to make sure my water had broke, which it had and to see my progress I was ~4 ½ cm.

I must say after about 1 ½ hrs of labor I was ready to through in the towel, I had what was referred to as a “transition” surge and I threw up multiple times which took me out of my zone. Casey was the best through this! He assured me that this is what we wanted and spoke with our nurse, who was awesome and got her to check me to see my progress, I was already at ~7cm!! Hearing this I knew I could continue on.

About another 1 ½ hrs went by and I was done again, but with Casey’s love and support and the nurses report that I had made it to 10cm and was ready to push I couldn’t have been happier. I pushed for about 1 hour 45 minutes and he arrived!

Parker

August 17th, 2011

7 lbs 5 oz 21 inches long

He is precious and we love him more than words can explain. We were left the hospital at 9:30pm on August 19th and are loving life.

I am soo happy with our labor and delivery of him. Without the love and support of Casey and the techniques and knowledge I learned with Hypnobirthing such a great experience wouldn’t have been possible. He latched as soon as he was born and has been feeding great every since. I was fully aware of everything around me after labor and was able to fully participate in everything that happened to him and me.

Monica

2011-10-12T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Ashley

I wanted to let you know that Mike and I had our baby, Monica, was born on September 12th. She was 12 days late but came on her own, just two days before having to be induced.

Hypnobirthing was a godsend throughout the whole process. My water broke at 9am on Sunday morning. I did not call the midwives at UCSD because I didn't think I had to since I was GBS neg and although my contractions were regular, they were not strong. We stayed home most of the day, I baked raisin bars for the nurses, Mike cleaned and watched football, we took our dogs on a couple walks. Around 5pm the contractions were stronger and so I called the midwife on call. She was not too pleased with me that I had not called when my water broke (you would think with me being a nurse practitioner I would have known- oops!). In the end I was so glad I didn't call and go in because it would have been 9 more hours at the hospital and we had such a pleasant and exciting day at home just the two of us.

When we arrived at UCSD (around 6:30 pm) the birth center did not have a nurse who could take me so I was admitted to the L&D floor. Our nurse was great, the room was great, I was in the shower a lot. Around midnight I asked for the volunteer doula because I really felt like I was getting into active labor. She was great, did not interfere with Mike and I only pushed my hips during surges (all my labor was in my back). Mike did a great job keeping me relaxed and focused on my breathing throughout the surges. I had my iPod and listened to Affirmations on repeat.

At 4am I asked the midwife to check me and I was 5cm dilated. At this point I felt like I could not do it any longer and started asking for medications. The midwife and Mike reminded and helped me to stay in the moment and not focus on the future, which is what I had been doing. The next hour is a total blur, it was unbelievably intense (and painful!) At 5am they told me there was a room in the birth center and they had started filling the tub. They wheeled me up there at 5:15 but the tub had about a 1/2inch of water in it, that was disappointing to see. During my first contraction up there the midwife looked and said she could see the baby's head! I had gone from 5cm to 10cm in one hour and could now push, I was SO happy!

I pushed for 35 minutes and Monica was born at 5:55 AM. Her coming out was the most unbelievable feeling, I was ecstatic it was over and SO happy I had not gotten medications.

Thank you for teaching such a wonderful class, I will recommend Hypnobirthing to any of my friends who want to try and have their baby naturally.

The Power of Story...

2011-09-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

I grew up on family stories. Both sides of my family line have journals and writings that date back close to two hundred years. Who they were, where they lived and traveled and how they survived some of the historical events that I read about in my history books in school, made their stories come to life. I know their professions, educational background, how many children they had and a bit about their daily life. While I appreciate those stories and am fascinated by their experiences - something is missing. Where are their birth stories? They had a ton of kids back then. What about the labor, the birth and the new baby in the family? Why are those days just briefly mentioned or not at all?

Part of me thinks it because birth was such a normal, everyday thing - it just wasn't a big deal. Women had babies all the time and it wasn't so remarkable. Unless someone died in childbirth or shortly thereafter it didn't cause any family hardship so why mention it? Another part of me says it wasn't recorded because my ancestors had a lot on their plate back then. Not only were they caring for and nursing a new baby but the regular tasks of the day still fell on her shoulders. Who had time to write in a journal when daily survival was number one on the list?

So what is our excuse for not recording the most important event of our life - the "Birth Day" of our baby? We have no game to kill, clean and cook. No crops to gather, soil to till or market to sell our wares. No fire to stoke, no wood to chop. No water to pump and bring inside, then heat and bathe in it. Instead, our housekeeper comes once a week, we order takeout, DVR Survivor and update our FaceBook status. Hard life, no time to document what could be life changing for someone else - mainly our own child.

Recording and reciting our birth stories is more important than we recognize. I speak of this in my classes when talking about bonding and building a child's self esteem. Children need to know that they have always been the apple of your eye. Knowing how you cared for them from the time you knew they were coming makes them feel important. Knowing how you prepared for them, talked to them in the womb, worried about them before you ever knew them- leads them feel special, needed and loved. As you connect to your little one before they arrive, their birth story becomes more about the transformation all of you go through as a family and it begins a solid, life long journey together.

How do you begin?
Loaded question. If you have recorded things about your pregnancy along the way then you have a head start. If not, you can start now - while you are still pregnant. You can write the first half of your story before the baby even comes. Planning for baby(or not - oops!), conception, first trimester, thoughts, feelings, doctor/midwife visits, books you read, foods you lost interest in, smells that got to you, 2nd trimester, birth partners thoughts about the pregnancy and baby, worries, fears, hopes, expectations, classes, preparation, choices you made regarding baby and their "birth day".

There are endless things you could record and go over. But keep it simple. Facts can be brief but the feelings that come up around all of these things can be very telling, very healing and should be explored once they are acknowledged. I encourage my parents to write about all this stuff BEFORE baby comes. Not only does it give you a great head start for the birth story but it can also shed light on issues that need to be addressed before baby enters your world.

So you go into labor...
This is not the time to keep notes(at least not for YOU to keep notes). Assign someone in your birth team ie. birth partner, doula to keep track of main events and times. In labor, it should be about letting go and being in the experience. Your birth team will be able to record what you feel is important - time you left for the hospital, who your nurse was, when your water released, time baby was born etc. Decide what's important and make a little list.

So baby is home and you are sleep deprived...
Yes and your memory starts to fade quickly. The easiest thing to do is record while breastfeeding. If you have a way to audio record details and feelings about your birth - super simple. Some parents have friends that really want to help after baby comes home - put them to work. Grab the laptop and while you are feeding the baby, they can be typing as you speak. Even if they are just main points to jog your memory for a later time. The sooner you put your story down on paper, the more accurate it will be. I was amazed at how fresh my experience was the first few days and how within a week or two, my friend was reminding me of details I would have completely forgotten. It's natures way of making us want to procreate again after such an intense experience!

Putting it all together...
1. Visualize physical details, sensations, actual thoughts you had, or words people said to you or to each other.
2. Be as present in the past as you can be with your story.
3. Tell the truth-regardless of how you might think it sounds.*

Your baby's story is as unique as they are. Things that you record are a part of them - it's their story. Whether it was your idea of the ideal birth or not, don't sweep it under the rug. Talking about it is healing and will help you see the lessons learned or shown to you. If it was over the top amazing - then shout it from the roof tops and let other mothers know what is possible and that they have choices. Recite your baby's story with them at least once a year(it's a great birthday tradition after cake and ice cream). They were there, they participated and they remember - on a cellular, spiritual and real level - they remember their birth.

We are recording our stories for the future. We have the time, technology and the responsibility. It is essential in our day and age to repeat our positive birth stories. We have lost the "casual, everyday normality of birth" and that is why our maternal health care system in America is in such poor shape. Our children's future birth choices will be shaped by our own. Don't we want it to be better than what we have now?
Write and share your story...

*list borrowed from Madeira Books

Daniel

2011-09-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

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

What is a Blessingway?

2011-08-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what a Blessingway was. It sounded a little hippie to me at first but since I dig that sort of thing I read up on it. As I researched, a Blessingway seemed to be a bit ritualistic, a bit Native Americanish, yet also embracing of all types of cultural tradition from around the world.

“Sacred space” were words I kept running into and I was more than intrigued to find out more. When I think of rituals I think of secret things that are done in the woods somewhere. However, I have come to understand that word in a whole other context as I did my research and then attended a Blessingway. They are nothing more than formal observances or gestures collectively done as a group. Each religion is full of ceremony and ritual but as a collective whole in our society, we don’t have a lot of that going on. It tends to feel foreign to us so we shy away from that which makes us feel a little unsettled. I encourage you to read on and discover what I have about this ceremony.

Unlike traditional baby showers where we tend to invite everyone we know from work, all our family and our twenty best college girlfriends; most Blessingways are on the small side. At a Blessingway, the mother only includes the women she feels the closest too and to whom she attains the best support from in her life. A Blessingway is also specific in the rituals that are shared among those in attendance. It’s ceremonial in way so that it maintains a peaceful space for the mother and her baby. There are no party games, food is kept to a minimum and the gifts tend to be geared towards caring for the mother’s needs and not just the babys. Traditional baby showers have their place in helping to ease the financial burden of the new parents to be and in entertaining the guests with allowing them to shop for the latest trend in baby clothes. Showers are a practical occasion with a side dish of party. A Blessingway is on a whole other level.

The intention of a Blessingway is to help a mother prepare emotionally and spiritually for her birthing. In America, it seems we spend all of our time preparing physically with diet and exercise for birth. We may read a book or two or take a childbirth class but we tend to leave the biggest component out of birth. That component is how the mother is doing with her pregnancy and her upcoming labor process. Labor and birth is transforming and will change the rest of the woman’s life. A Blessingway allows for her to celebrate it on a deep emotional level that we have somehow lost in our culture. Mothers need emotional support and a feeling of community as they embark on their birthing journey. A Blessingway provides that lack of connection in our present day world.

We must remember that in past times, birth was a right of passage into womanhood. Women attended to women throughout their pregnancy and birthing. Birth was a normal occurrence, not medically managed and dictated. The womanly care from sisters, mothers, aunties and friends passed on positive advice and helpful birthing tips and birth stories to help the mother embrace the experience. Breastfeeding support was a given because that was all there was to feed your baby. If there was a glitch in that system, then another woman stepped in as a wet nurse to keep the baby nourished until the mother could resume her role. There was a sense of community that has been lost in today’s materialistic and busy world. A Blessingway helps to restore that and build a stronger foundation for the mother-to-be.

I felt I almost needed to attend one to really get the feel of why a mother would want one and how this sense of community could be fulfilled. It was not until a mentor doula friend of mine hosted a workshop on how to lead a Blessingway that I finally felt the benefit. She led us through a series of rituals that flowed one to another. We surrounded the pregnant mother with lots of attention and really focused on her. It was not about diaper pin games, nicely wrapped presents and the extravagant food on the table. It was about connecting with mother and baby and the deep communication was almost non-verbal. There was a reverence maintained throughout the Blessingway. We still laughed and talked - so it was not a solemn, serious event but more thought was put into what was talked about it front of the mother. Everything revolved around her and her needs during this pregnancy and what she would need afterward. The rituals performed had been chosen ahead of time by the mother so they were what she needed to take care of her emotional needs for the labor and birthing process. We were there to listen and care take any needs she had. I finally understood the “sacred space” phrase I had read so much about. I felt transformed from just attending this workshop and it wasn’t even a real Blessingway. I knew I had to share this and facilitate one soon.

Wasn’t it just dumb luck that Ashley – my teaching partner is pregnant! I explained to her what it was and gave her some books on Blessingways so she could pick out the rituals she would feel comfortable with. Some rituals are very hands on and only the mother knows what she and her guests would be comfortable doing. While a bit hesitant of how it would go (should I be offended at that?), she made a list of her nearest and dearest and I got to work. Normally, a friend or family member would host it and another woman would facilitate it. I did both the hosting and facilitating since no one knew what it was and it was a lot of juggling on the Blessingway night to keep things running smooth. I would highly suggest two different women working together on a Blessingway – it would keep the energy more peaceful.

I felt that the night was going to be magical. Ashley’s Mother-in-law as in town, her friends had been really receptive and I toted my fourteen year old daughter and her friend along so they could enjoy the energy that only comes when women come together, united in purpose.

My daughter’s friend is a Henna Artist so she arrived early to do a Henna design on Ashley’s belly. I then handed over a camera to each girl and let them capture the moments throughout the evening. The nice part about being the facilitator is that you set the tone and the pace for the evening. In order to make everyone feel comfortable with what we were doing, I always went first so they had an example of how things were done. We enjoyed iced tea and cookies before the ceremony – keeping it simple and giving time for everyone to arrive.

We began with a rose water purification ceremony where the women washed their hands and formed a circle around the room.

We then cast our circle to hold the space. A candle was lit and Ashley’s Mother-in-law read the dedication prayer.

Next, we opened with introductions by repeating our maternal linage. This is done by introducing first with our own name, our children’s names if we have children, then our mothers, our grandmothers names. I began – I am Care, mother to Angie and Finnley. Daughter of Lynn and granddaughter of Sue and Clyda. This ritual evoked a sisterhood of sorts and connected us all back to who we came from. It was moving.

Ashley then introduced her baby to each guest… and guests read their letter they had written to her new baby.

Guests then began to present their gifts to Ashley. Gifts were anything that would inspire and/or support Ashley in her motherhood journey.

We then let Ashley release any fears she had moving forward into her pregnancy, labor time, birthing and parenting. This was a time for us to just listen and support, not solve or make suggestions.

Next, our circle took hands as a poem was read about the strength of a woman.

Our closing ceremony consisted of two items. The Bracelet of Connectedness held us all together as beads were strung on each wrist to remind us of Ashley & her baby each time we looked down at it. A prayer of thankfulness is to be said when the baby has arrived safely and the bracelet then is cut from our wrists.

A candle was handed out to each guest and lit from Ashley’s candle. Guests will receive a text when labor has been established and they are to say a prayer of good wishes and blow it out once the baby has arrived. The candles reunite our energy at the time when Ashley and her baby most need to feel it.

We then joined hands one last time, read a poem in unison and concluded the ceremony.

It was a magical evening. Everyone came into it skeptical as to what to expect and then afterwards just wanted to sit and talk with one another. My daughter and her friend had never felt that kind of “spirit” if you will and were so warmed by it. They both asked to help with the next one. Baby showers have their place, but a Blessingway is a much needed gathering to reconnect us as women. It reminds us that our main goal is to support each other in kindness and love. I believe it would begin to change the way our birth our children in strength, unity and love.

HypnoBirthing Story Night

2011-07-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

HypnoBirthing Story Nights are to inspire and empower women to know that their bodies are capable of giving birth calmly, comfortably and with little fuss. Birth is not a medical procedure but a natural, normal physical transformation for the woman and her body. Women are strong and their bodies are not broken! Enjoy our evening!

Rebecca Schreiber: Rebecca’s first birth was at Palomar Hospital and there were a lot of medical interventions. She wanted something different for her second birth and used HypnoBirthing for her second child. Rebecca was supposed to birth at Palomar again but ...
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25634321?color=ff0179

Angie Capetanakis: Attorney by trade, Angie has two girls ages 2 yrs and 6 months old. Angie used HypnoBirthing for both babies and delivered her girls non-medicated at Scripps Encinitas. Her husband, Dr. Cap(as he is nick named) was by her side and incredible birth support for her. Dr. Cap is a great supporter of Natural Birth.
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25638207?color=ff0179

Janelle Jagers: Janelle is the mother of 2 yr old twin girls. Her twins were delivered early by C-section. Janelle wanted to have VBAC(Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and knew she needed some extra techniques to do it. Her doctors at UCSD were open to a VBAC and with the support of her husband and doula, she did just that.
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25641050?color=ff0179

Shauna Bibb: Owns a local pet grooming salon in Scripps Ranch. This first time mom was nervous to give birth(as we all are) and so she sighed up early to take HypnoBirthing classes. She hired a doula and had a beautiful water birth at Best Start Birth Center.
http://player.vimeo.com/video/26681569?color=ff0179

Care's talk:
http://player.vimeo.com/video/25622655?color=ff0179

Upcoming Breastfeeding Class

2011-07-14T21:27:00.000-07:00

There is a breastfeeding class coming up on Tuesday, July 26th at Java Mama in Scripps Ranch. It is right off the 15 (exit Mira Mesa). Robin is an excellent teacher and provides up-to-date information coupled with a free support group after the baby arrives! While breastfeeding is natural, that doesn't always mean it will come naturally...especially if it isn't something that is talked about within your family and friend circles. As with all things baby related, the more educated and supported you are, the more successful you will be!

Prepare: The Learning Curve of Breastfeeding

By Danielle Rigg, JD, CLC

One of the biggest keys to succeeding at breastfeeding is to set your head for a learning curve experience. Learning to breastfeed is no different than learning to swim, knit or sing: there may be bumps along the way, but keep your eye on the prize and before you know it, you’ll be doing great! Unfortunately, many new moms set themselves up for disappointment by expecting that breastfeeding will come “naturally” — “how hard can it be? Women have been doing it for millennia” –or they expect it to be painful and difficult because they have heard stories about how hard it can be. The truth is neither. The truth is that although breastfeeding is instinctive, it is a skill that both mother and baby have to learn and master. This is what we call the learning curve of breastfeeding and it usually takes about 4-6 weeks.

To use the sports analogy again, if you decided to take up running, you would expect to get sore muscles, but because you know that it’s part of the experience, you would take it in stride and not let it derail you. Unfortunately, because our culture fell off the breastfeeding wagon (don’t forget that only 20% our parents breastfed in the 60s-70s), we have lost a sense of what to expect and our definition of “normal” and “natural” has become warped. At the same time, targeted efforts to undermine breastfeeding have put roadblocks in the way of women succeeding. The unfortunate result for too many women is that their first race is uphill with hurdles, often depending on where you give birth or what part of the country you live in! So be gentle with yourself and your baby during this time—you both are learning a new skill and a new relationship. And really, 4-6 weeks is a small period of time compared with the lifetime of benefits for both of you!
Finally, don’t compare and despair: there are some women for whom breastfeeding comes as easy as golf comes to Tiger Woods. Whether by natural talent, or because they were lucky to have fewer breastfeeding booby traps™ in their way, these women had no problems breastfeeding and have difficulty understanding why others do. They (or their friends or doctors) may end up coming across as a bit insensitive or invalidating towards you in the process. Don’t let this get you off kilter! Most people have not stopped to consider all the cultural and institutional barriers to breastfeeding and, therefore, have contributed to blaming mothers unfairly. Best for Babes is working to educate family, friends and professionals, as well as removing those booby traps™, so that new moms are no longer thrown under the bus and breastfeeding is restored to the “normal” and “natural” experience that it was designed to be.
Here are our key evidence-based concepts to get you off to a great start:

Practice Makes Perfect.

The good news is that your little babe has tremendous instincts which drive him/her to the breast immediately following birth — newborns can even crawl to the breast unassisted to latch on for a feeding! (see Lennart Righard and M. Alade, “Effect of Delivery Room Routines on Success of First Breast-feed,” The Lancet 336, no. 8723 (3 November 1990): 1105–1107). However, your little babe still needs to master the skill of milking and emptying the breast. And you, Babe, need to master how to latch your baby and how to read his/her hunger and satiation (satisfaction) cues–both of which are often frustrating feats in the first days. The fastest way to master a good latch is to exclusively breastfeed. This is because milking a breast is nothing like sucking (as in through an artificial (bottle) nipple or straw) – breastfeeding uses the baby’s tongue and jaw to compress and create a vacuum affect. The less you interfere with breastfeeding, therefore, (ie., no unnecessary separation of mother and baby, no scheduling of feedings, no pacifiers until breastfeeding is established, no supplements unless medically indicated, and then, only given by cup, spoon or syringe so as to avoid tampering with the baby’s latch), the more quickly you and your baby will ramp up to cruising speed and be problem-free. As leading breastfeeding expert and pediatrician Dr. Jack Newman likes to say, “Babies learn to breastfeed by breastfeeding!” (see www.drjacknewman.com for more excellent advice and information).

Have Reasonable Expectations and Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes.

Although some lucky moms get a great latch from the get-go, most moms (at least in our culture) tend to spend the bulk of their learning curve experience working with their baby to perfect this skill. This is time well-spent because a good latch is a major key to breastfeeding success. Here’s some insider advice: In the beginning, it is not unusual to need to latch, detach, and re-latch your Babe over and over again. Really, it might take 10 –that’s right, TEN, or more– tries to get a latch that satisfies both you and your babe. Importantly, this is not a sign of rejection! Many moms misinterpret these trials as “my baby doesn’t want it!” and begin the downward spiral of dwindling confidence in her body’s and baby’s ability to breastfeed, aided and abetted by well-meaning but ill-informed hospitals, doctors, and relatives and peers. (Just in case you were wondering, women didn’t always have as many struggles with breastfeeding: women who are allowed to birth without medications, are allowed to put their babies to the breast immediately after birth, encouraged to wear their babies throughout the day, keep them close-by at night, and know to nurse them on demand, do have far fewer breastfeeding problems. In fact, in cultures where breastfeeding is the norm and supported at all levels, nursing is much, much easier!)

Learning Doesn’t Mean Hurting.

We have heard droves of women repeat the myth that the first two weeks of breastfeeding are painful no matter what. This is not true! Sore nipples and pain are not an inevitable part of learning how to breastfeed!! Rather, sore nipples and pain are almost always a sign of a poor latch – and a poor latch is usually both avoidable and correctible! Letting a lazy latch continue is tempting to a new mother who has struggled to get the baby on the boob for 10 minutes and is not being given proper guidance, but it is a lose-lose situation: a shallow latch usually means that your baby isn’t able to get as much milk – which also puts you’re your milk supply at risk (the more they take, the more you make and vice-versa), solidifies your baby’s lousy latching habits making it a harder habit to break them of, and causes pain and soreness. So what is normal? Yes, your delicate, newbie nursing breasts may feel uncomfortable as they adjust to the unexpected sensations of baby breastfeeding (not quite like the titilation—pun intended—that got you knocked-up in the first place!) but that feeling should dissipate as the feed continues, and should be non-existent (or near non-existent) once your milk supply is established (a couple of weeks) and you near the end of the learning curve. If you feel true pain – pain that lingers beyond the first few moments of a feeding and you would rate as a 4 or more on a scale of 1-10, take your baby off the breast – carefully– and re-latch him/her. (Note: you don’t ever want to pull your nipple out of your baby’s mouth—ouch!—but, rather insert your pinky in the corner of your baby’s mouth and pull back toward his/her ear until you hear the seal of the latch break.) Better yet: make sure you see the hospital LC, or if she isn’t available or providing enough help, call an outside LC (see our section “Your A-Team”). Please take this advice seriously, it doesn’t take long (24 hours or less) to go from a little sore, to a lot sore, to “I can’t take it anymore!” –which is exactly what has undone a vast number of well-intentioned moms. Don’t let this be you! Sore nipples are usually a simple problem that can be fixed. Not attending to them is like letting a major leak in your pipes go unrepaired; eventually the damage can destroy the foundation of your house.

Surrender and Ask for Help.

This is a biggie. The beginning of motherhood is a true test of surrendering – a time that requires you to focus on you and your baby and not much else. This can be a real challenge for most of us modern moms – especially if you have other children or, like us, were older, used to a very busy life outside the home, and reticent to ask for help. We understand! However, new motherhood is the perfect example of an “either let go, or be dragged” situation. You see, your main goal with a newborn is to not just to get him/her fed – but to get him/her settled—which means, satisfied, calm, nurtured and content. The best way to do that is by surrendering to the role your body and your baby need and expect you to assume for now – that is, the role of primary nurturer. The more you fight nature’s design, the less settled and content your baby will be—which can continue into toddlerhood and beyond — and the more irritable and tired you are likely to be. If this sounds too extreme for you, consider the fact that on a very real physical and psychological level, you and your baby are still one; cutting the umbilical cord does not mean your baby is ready to be separated from you. On the contrary, newborns and new moms are very much dependent on each other for optimal health. Just like kangaroo babies cannot live outside the pouch, human babies are born in a state of dependence on their mother – both for sustenance and development. Your milk literally completes the development of your baby’s immature digestive and immune systems by depositing critical antibodies, infection fighters and the like, and provides the perfect food for his/her still-growing brain. (See our section “Get Inspired by Your Mom-Made Wonder Food – Dazzling and Amazing Lesser-known Facts” for more). Your providing milk also does wonderful things for you, Babe. Breastfeeding contracts your uterus and gives you a flat stomach, protects you from obesity by burning 500 calories a day to lose your baby fat, shortens the duration of postpartum bleeding, suppresses ovulation and menstruation, provides surges of hormones that will calm you and help ward of postpartum depression, just to name a few cool benefits. If the idea of someone being dependent on you seems overwhelming, and trust us, we understand!—take solace from knowing that it is only temporary, and studies show that the more bonded and interdependent you are with your newborn, the more independent and emotionally healthy your child will be later on. So, put first things first and get other people to nurture you and help you – prepare meals, put water or juice beside you every time you nurse, clean up, do the laundry and shopping, babysit an older child– so that you are free to focus on nurturing your baby. If you are short on family or friends to help, think about hiring a doula—a woman who specializes in “nurturing the nurturer” (YOU)—and usually has significant knowledge regarding breastfeeding (you can find listings of certified doulas in your area at http://www.dona.org).

Have a Supportive Loved-One By Your Side.

The learning curve period is a fragile time for you and your baby, a time when you need as much support as you can get from your spouse/partner. Studies show that spousal support, or lack of it, can make or break breastfeeding. (Littman, H. et. al., 1994: The Decision to Breastfeed: the Importance of Father’s Approval, Clin. Pediatr. 33[4]:214). The reality is that many moms—whether they are breastfeeding or not–“hit a wall” of some sort during the first few days, when they are exhausted and postpartum hormones are raging. This challenge usually strikes, by the way, at 3am on day 2 of your child’s life when your baby – who was previously sleepy from delivery, is now coming awake and getting hip to the whole nursing thing, and your mature milk may is not flowing yet. So, having a partner/spouse who is completely enrolled in and behind breastfeeding—and why we encourage them to attend a good breastfeeding class with you – is critical! You simply need someone beside you at 3am who will remind you about what you are reading now — that this is a learning curve, not to give up too soon, and, most importantly, give you a hearty and reassuring “you can do it!” (See our Section “Top 5 Breastfeeding Tips”). Your spouse/partner should be like the breastfeeding protector, weeding out shady advice, shielding you from snarky comments and negative influences, demanding a good lactation specialist if you need more help than you are getting, and commanding the troops to help you when you are home.

See Yourself Successful.

A fabulous tool for ensuring your breastfeeding success (or any success for that matter) is to do mental imagery. You may be familiar with the concept of “think positive” or visualization—Michael Phelps is a testimony to what can be done by believing in yourself and believing it is possible! Mental imagery is an integral part of mind-body medicine, and is similar to those tools, but even more effective. (See http://www.drgeraldepstein.org for more wonderful tools and exercises for healing and wellness) It is also much quicker, lasting only a few seconds.
To do imagery, make sure you are seated in a straight-backed chair with arms, your feet planted parallel to each other flat on the floor (this is called Pharoah’s Posture). Breathe out and in 3 times, out through the mouth and in through the nose, with the exhalation being longer than the inhalation.
Here are two exercises you can do at any time, but we think the first is especially good to do in the second trimester of your pregnancy and onwards, and the second in the last trimester close to the time the baby is born, or after the baby’s birth, as needed.

SECOND TRIMESTER IMAGERY – Embracing the Mantle of Motherhood. Do this exercise first thing upon waking and last thing before sleeping for 21 days, or as needed once baby is born.
Breathe out and in 3 times and state your intention silently that you are now doing the Mantle of Motherhood transformation exercise to help you embrace and succeed in your new role as mother and it is taking a few seconds.
See yourself growing in confidence and power as your belly grows. Imagine yourself taking a breastfeeding class, enrolling those close to you, and becoming knowledgeable and excited about nurturing your baby and giving your baby the best start in life. See yourself nursing your baby and handling any obstacles calmly and competently; you are strong, yet flexible and can adapt, solve any problems, and succeed. See yourself surrounded by a loving community of women who have gone before you and who are cheering you on, see yourself being admired by the women who come after you who will learn to take on the mantle of motherhood from watching your transformation and learning from your experience. Breathe out one time. See, sense, feel and know that you are truly powerful and open your eyes
THIRD TRIMESTER IMAGERY – A Perfect Beginning. Do this exercise first thing upon waking and last thing before sleeping for 21 days—or if your baby is already born, do as needed.
Breathe out and in 3 times and state your intention silently that you are now doing the Perfect Beginning exercise and it is taking a few seconds.
See yourself after a wonderful birth experience. Your baby has just emerged from your body, wanting you and your love and nurturing. See your baby curled around your breast, melting into your body, warmed by your body temperature, comforted by your heartbeat and smell, and nursing blissfully away, getting all the nourishment (s)he needs from your Mom-Made Wonderfood™. You have no pain or discomfort. Breathe out one time and see your partner or a loved one, looking on at the two of you, thinking they have never seen anything more beautiful or perfect, and neither have you. Breathe out one time and see, sense, feel and know that you are powerful, able to nourish this baby and that this is the perfect beginning and open your eyes.

Talk About It With the Girls.

Just about every new mother gets to a point during that first week of motherhood when her hormones team up with her exhaustion and she feels completely overwhelmed and defeated. This is exactly when any unresolved issues or worries will creep into your awareness and try to get you to quit. This is normal postpartum stuff, Babes. It’s that wall again—the one that all mothers hit whether they are nursing or not! The key to getting past this tough time is to have someone you trust with whom you can share your tears, fears, frustrations, and enjoy a good laugh, so you don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater (i.e. make nursing the culprit when it usually is not). Too many moms have let their milk dry up at this juncture, only to later regret their decision and blame themselves, when they later learn that they could have gotten past the hump had they shared their situation with another woman and gotten help. An ideal friend can help you think straight enough to figure out if your nursing woes are emotional or physical—and if it’s the latter, remind you to call in an LC or help you find answers online. Please don’t try to tough it out alone. Women need to vent and get the compassion of others to overcome challenges. Don’t let this be the time you decide to deal with it on your own. Remember, 95% of nursing problems are easily corrected and avoided. So, this is the time to call in the women you trust and admire for sage advice and camaraderie (see our section “I Don’t Want to Breastfeed” for more).

This is Not the Time to Be the Hostess with the Mostest.

As we said above, the learning curve period is a time for you to let the house go and whatever else goes with that. This is the time to let yourself be the center of everybody else’s attention. If you can accept and embrace your newly-earned status, and prepare and organize your postpartum life so that other people are busy with the rest of the chores, you will fare much better! You’ll be out and about running errands and shopping soon enough. Take these days to nestle in with your little babe and focus on bonding and breastfeeding, and you will both be better-tempered and more capable to take the show on the road in a few weeks. This is definitely not the time for you to be entertaining the relatives who want to meet your new babe. That goes double for your hospital stay — have as few visitors as possible in the hospital so that you can focus on learning your little babe’s hunger cues and latch and so you don’t have to deal with feeling uncomfortable nursing in front of others (although nursing can be done very discreetly, most moms find that the best learning position requires a full breast exposed – definitely not ideal if you have visitors!) The best gift a good friend or family member can give you at this time is supporting you to be able to nurture your baby: they can prepare a meal, do your laundry, the cleaning, the shopping, hold the baby while you sleep, play with older siblings, or buy you a visit with an LC who can provide more help than they can where breastfeeding is concerned. Here’s an idea for your baby shower—circulate a sign-up sheet with what you need so that meals and chores are covered. This is what women excel at—helping other women–so take advantage of it! Basically, anybody who walks through your door during this time ought to be willing to pitch in, not expect hors d’oeuvres and a perfectly polished home. Anybody who loves you will understand, believe us!

Keep perspective.

As challenging as breastfeeding can be during the early weeks, you need to keep perspective about how short a time that really is compared to the lifetime benefits breastfeeding will give both you and your babe. Even if you are the type that wants to “get up and go” and hit that to-do list, commit to breastfeeding for at least 6 weeks. In the scheme of things, 6 weeks is not very long and will save you heartache over the things that tend to happen often with formula-fed babies; i.e. digestion difficulties, fussiness, painful constipation, intolerance to formula and formula switching, extra visits to the doctor for ear infections, more hospital visits (especially for dehydration from the stomach flu—something that affects breastfed babies far less), and so on. A favorite mantra of ours for new moms is “Everything is Temporary,”—meaning that as interminable as those first weeks seem, they aren’t. You won’t be nursing around the clock forever. Your baby and breastfeeding will continually change as (s)he grows and needs to eat less frequently – a six month old may only nurse 5-6 times a day, a one-year old may only nurse 2-3 times per day. Plus, more than likely, you will look back with fondness on that innocent and uncomplicated time of newness when it was just you and your baby cocooned in your own little world.

The information in this document is in no way intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation by a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician or qualified, independent Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

Jami, Ben and Liam's Birth Story

2011-07-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Jami had an amazing HypnoBirth and wrote up her story to share. Thank you so much for sharing, Jami! We look forward to posting many more inspiring birth stories soon!

When I found out I was pregnant I didn’t have a plan as to how or where I was going to deliver my baby, but I figured it would be similar to most other births I had heard about or seen. It would be in a hospital, I may use pain relief of some sort, and it would probably be a stressful experience. That’s what labor and birth look like on TV, right?

A few weeks into my pregnancy I spoke with my Mom about her birth experience. she told me that she delivered naturally and did not have an epidural. I was blown away. Women still had babies naturally and some even went as far as to not use medication to numb the pain? Well, I decided that I could do that too.I just had to find the right environment and the right people to nurture my birth experience, and I needed to get myself mentally and physically prepared.

I struggled for 3 months to find the perfect OB, which never happened for me. I struggled for 3 more months to find the perfect hospital midwife, which never happened either. Meanwhile, I was researching all of the options women had for childbirth and I discovered that some women labor and deliver at home. (Gasp!) At home?! I could have a birth experience that didn’t require me to ever leave my house? It sounded relaxing and absolutely delightful! I told my doula that I was interested in exploring home birth and she scheduled an appointment with two homebirth midwives with whom she worked. Our first appointment was love at first sight for me!

After my husband, Ben, became comfortable with the idea of homebirth we signed on with our fantastic midwives. I discovered HypnoBirthing around this time and had been doing prenatal yoga for a few months. Not only was I confident that I had made the right choice in regards to where I wanted to have my birth, but I was confident that I was making the right choices in preparing myself mentally and physically for the big event. So when the time finally came on Monday May 9th I felt beyond ready.

I knew the real thing was happening when I started having surges that felt like none I had experienced before. The pressure was more intense and there was a tension that hadn’t been there with previous surges. Luckily Ben stayed home from work and we were able to relax and watch movies all day. During surges, while watching the latest Harry Potter film, I would focus all of my energy into utilizing the breathing techniques I had learned in our HypnoBirthing class. As the night went on and my surges intensified I sat on my yoga ball, moving slowly back and forth and from side to side, walked around the house, and started using some vocal toning.

When active labor started and my doula arrived I created a little comfort zone for myself in the living room. Ben put on my HypnoBirthing Affirmations track and I laid on the couch, breathing into each surge while staring at the birth art I had made to use as focal points. When I felt I needed to change positions I moved to my yoga mat. I did Cat-Cow and vocal toning during each surge and would rest in Child’s Pose. My next move was to switch between rocking on the birth ball and “slow dancing” with my husband, while my doula massaged by back. I think I used every technique we had practiced in our HypnoBirthing class, plus more when I needed something different. I also used vocal toning for almost every surge over the next 12 hours. (I had almost lost my voice by the end, but vocalizing helped me to send the vibrations and the breath down to my cervix. It made me feel strong and centered.)

After laboring in almost every room of my house for 9 hours my water finally broke. I had fallen asleep sitting backwards on the toilet, with my husband asleep against the wall behind me, his hands massaging my shoulders. (I’m not sure how he was able to continue massaging while snoozing, but I’m so thankful he did!) I ran out of the bathroom yelling, “My water broke! My water broke!” My midwife settled me down and told me we still had time and I needed to really focus my energy now because the cushion was gone and the pressure was about to increase...and increase it did, but I was ready.

At this point I was able to sleep between surges, so I took little naps between almost every one. I remember waking up for a surge, looking back at the window as I lay on the bed and realizing that it was light out. I had made it through the night! I ended up in what most refer to as the “pushing phase” for almost 3 hours. I was able to breathe down for the first hour, but after that my body was depleted of energy and was telling me I needed to push. My midwives told me to listen to what my body was saying. My little baby’s hands were up by his head and all I could do was wait patiently for him to move them so we could get things moving along.

After encouragement from my midwife, doula and my husband I gathered all the energy I had left to get up, get something to eat, and change positions to deliver our baby. The midwives were cooking breakfast - I could smell something on the stove and coffee brewing - and someone made me scrambled eggs. I choked down eggs, strawberries, spoonfuls of honey, yogurt and string cheese. It worked in almost instantly to boost my energy.

I moved into the birth tub, took a squatting position, and started to feel my baby moving down with each surge. What an amazing sensation to reach down and feel my baby’s head. He was going to be with us any minute! Although that feeling gave me the energy to get him out, it was taking every last bit of my energy so I needed my husband to help me stay up. He jumped in the tub, sat behind me and held me up. I could feel a burning sensation and my midwife reminded me not to push, but to focus on her and maintain my breathing. The burning stopped almost immediately when I simply used my breath. I leaned back into my husband, gave one last push and our little man finally arrived. I could hear my husband laughing and sobbing behind me as we held the most beautiful baby boy we had ever seen.

William Roman Yaeger joined us on May 10th, at 9:48AM, weighing 6 lbs. 9 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. He was healthy and perfect in every way!

Thank you Care and Ashley for helping us to have the calm and gentle birth experience we imagined. Not only was it an incredibly empowering experience for me as a women transitioning into motherhood, but our family bond is now stronger than ever! We are forever grateful.

Delayed Cord Clamping

2011-07-01T15:47:00.000-07:00

Delayed cord clamping is a topic that is often brought up in class. These articles are in favor of waiting to clamp the cord as opposed to immediate cord clamping. Evidence shows that waiting to clamp and cut the cord can have a very positive impact on preterm babies and also babies who are born to low iron mothers. There is no harm in waiting, only that it takes a little time, so why not let all babies reap the benefits of delayed cord clamping?

http://academicobgyn.com/2009/12/03/delayed-cord-clamping-should-be-standard-practice-in-obstetrics/

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/cord-clamping-delaying-cord-clamping

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070816193328.htm

News Segment on FOX 5 Morning Show!

2011-06-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

We were featured on the FOX 5 Morning Show this past Monday, June 13th. It was a fun experience and we are happy to get the word out to more women in San Diego who want to change the way they birth. Check us out :)

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobeta/f901cf19-86e3-482c-ae0e-0f5fcd67e12e/News/Hypnobirthing

My Birthing Path

2011-06-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

I thought birth was something we had to be saved and rescued from. That’s how I saw it portrayed on TV and in the media. That’s what I heard the ladies at church talking about while growing up. I heard the story of my own birth and the horrific pain it involved. Birth is scary, painful and a curse that women have to bear. Although I wanted children, birth terrified me and I was full of fear. And it seemed everyone in authority was in agreement…

However, the messages I heard subconsciously were even worse that the words spoken out loud. Women are weak. Women’s bodies don’t function without help. Women can’t do anything on their own. Women will always be less than. Weak, helpless creatures. Women can’t handle what they were put here to do. Birth is disgusting and dirty. Women’s bodies become ugly and stretched out after giving birth. No one wants to look at you like that. Cover “it” up. Dirty, ugly, smelly… that’s what you are.

I put his out to all of you who were like me – conservative, straight arrow – didn’t vary from the main stream – doctors always knew best, were always in charge and had way more education than I did. I had no need to question them and why would I? When it came to pregnancy, I had 6 miscarriages before they finally discovered I had a simple folic acid deficiency that could be easily remedied with a high dose, making pregnancy attainable. Why did it take 6 babies – that should have been my first clue to question the white coats I was with…

With that first term pregnancy came unbelievable joy and another discovery - that I was allergic to most of the drugs that would be going into my “epiduraled birth.” Now what? I cried for two weeks after my perinatologoist told me I was going to have to have a natural birth. Who even did that and why would they? Scared “#@$&@less” – I was forced to look at the OTHER side of birthing.

My birthing history: My grandmother had a twilight induced birth that was so terrible- she only had one child. My mother had “Cone of Ether” births with her first two babies and the next two were medicated to the point that she can’t remember them. Then I came thirteen years later and my mother wanted to change this birth & experience labor and the actual delivery without pain medication. They induced her. My mother regretted my birthing because it was so painful that she made sure the drugs were on board when my little brother’s birth that followed just a year later. One of my older sisters had four, medication free, natural births and the other sister had five C-sections. So, I guess in my mind, I thought I would numb myself and have my babies vaginally – kind of a happy medium between all of my predecessors.

After my two weeks of crying, my niece tipped me towards her method of natural childbirth which seemed way to hippie for me(I thought only hippies did it without drugs – funny because they were known for their extensive use of them!) But I was desperate so I bought “HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method.” I read the book, was amazed at the simplicity, found a class and became committed(not to a mental hospital, although that’s where my mom thought I should be for looking into this). What other choice did I have? This baby was going to come out and I was SCARED of pain and needles. She was going to squeeze out of where? I was terrified.

HypnoBirthing helped me deal with all of those fears and issues and believe in myself and my body. The whole process and method felt right to me, almost healing in a way. I learned that our bodies were made to birth and that I, personally, was so out of touch with who I was as a woman. Was I ever taught that birth was a natural process? Or had I just ignored it and depended on the white coat who was going to “take care” of the pregnancy for me and “deliver” my baby? I had no idea there were choices to be made or that I could even request things in regards to my baby. What planet was I raised on? Oh – just anywhere in the good ole U S of A, where we keep women in the dark about how powerful they really are… How did we get here?

I hired a doula(after I found out what that was) and began to prepare and practice my relaxation birthing techniques. I educated myself as best I could and started to see “their side” of birth. It was calm and gentle and was being done all over the world. I felt a new sense of power and belief in me and my baby working together to accomplish this amazing task. I moved from a hospital to a birth center- freaking out my husband but he went along with it. I became conscious that it was my baby’s birth, not my comfort level that was important during this process. A few days(10 to be exact) “overdue” but not in a hurry – nature was taking it’s course. And then – at 3:15 am on Feb. 24^th, 2008, my water released. I was so excited I was jumping up and down! No fears, no panic – just looking forward to meeting our new little baby. GBS positive, I went to the Birth Center, got my IV then returned home to wait for the surges to begin. After rest and Rainbow relaxation, eating and cleaning, I returned four hours later to get another dose of antibiotics. A very peaceful day, no hurry, no rush and no panic. Once my labor began, I had a wonderful labor in the birthing tub and in two powerful, NOISY pushes – birthed my 8lb 4 oz baby girl. I held her skin to skin for three hours and told her how much I loved her and how long we had waited for her. My husband and our 11 yr old daughter(whom we had adopted)and my best friend, held and cuddled little Finnie and the birth room was filled with pure joy. My baby & I, had the most amazing birth experience and I will always cherish it.

In a few hours it became apparent that something was not right with Finnley. We were transferred to Children’s Hospital for observation and during her ambulance ride, Finnley began seizing uncontrollably. What transpired in the next week is beyond description and something I hope no parent has to experience. Finnley was heavily medicated and hooked up to more machines and pic lines than I thought were even possible. Within three days Finnley was given a diagnosis of “brain dead” and we were asked to take her off life support. A HypnoBirthing affirmation came into my mind – “I can handle whatever turn my birthing may take.” Without even knowing it – I had prepped myself for any outcome, good or bad. My precious little, perfect newborn, whom I had held skin to skin, made eye contact with, kissed, smelled and snuggled her back fat – was about to die? Of course denial kept me from that reality for a few days- but that affirmation played over and over in my mind like a mantra – “you can handle whatever turn your birthing may take.”

Life stood still. Finnie was given 24-72 hours to live once off life support. We brought Finnley home with hospice and never put her down. We gave her a bath, dressed her in all of her pretty little outfits, did a family photo shoot and cherished every moment. Many tears, many prayers, a few hundred angels and an affirmation that sustained me.

While the pain was so deep and present, so was God’s love and comfort. I felt strength during those next few weeks. Inside I knew that I would make it through – although I doubted I would make it every second of everyday. What was to be – was to be and it had to be walked through. I believe that all of our hardships challenges and struggles in our lives our lessons we need to refine us. Some of those struggles are imposed on us and others we attract so that we can learn the lesson. You have to walk through the pain to come out the other side. Thank goodness we don’t have to walk it alone.

Well miracles do happen and pain turns into joy. Finnley is three years old now. Diagnosed with unexplained brain damage, cerebral palsy, cortical visionary impairment and the sweetest giggle you have ever heard. She is the light at the end of the long tunnel. I have learned more from this journey and about myself than I could have in any other way. Finnley brought me to where I am and who I am. Thank you Finnley, for beginning my true refining process.

I have become a doula and childbirth educator and just recently have thought about doing the midwife step. I cherish birth and its journey for all involved. I read and study everything I can get my hands when it comes to birth and babies and parents. I am amazed everyday what lessons birth has for all of us.

I attended a life changing workshop this past September with Anna Verwaal and became even more aware of how conscious our babies are during the “growth in the womb” process. If our babies are conscious of what’s going on – then we were too.

As a child and adult, I have always felt rushed and never prepared. It didn’t matter how much time I spent preparing for something – I was never ready. Did you catch the part in my birth history where I said I was an “induced” baby? I wasn’t ready to come out – I needed more time but I was forced out because of someone’s(the doctors) impatience. No wonder I have always had a problem with authority figures! While that resistance to authority figures got me into a lot of trouble as a teenager – it has helped me to succeed as an adult when the cards were stacked against me. Discovering these two things were true “Ahh Ha” moments in my life and have changed the way I live. I have been able to let go of the unprepared feelings and just let it be. I smile at the authority figures now and welcome what they have to say without feeling any pressure that I need to conform. I now feel a freedom that I have longed for but didn’t have words to explain.

I also learned in that workshop that our own birth effects how we give birth. Without being conscious of it – I healed my own birth experience through giving birth to Finnley. Anna asked us what our trigger points for birth were(what gets us angry about birth). The things that drove me crazy were 1. Mother’s that were being pushed or guilted into inducement when not medically indicated and 2. No skin to skin bonding afterwards.

When Anna asked me about my own birth – I thought I was a “drug-free birth” because that’s all I had been told. I was also told that my birth was terror filled for my mother, painful for both us and that I had jaundice for two weeks. She said she would never do a “natural birth” again and that she almost died from the pain. Because of the jaundice, I was left in the nursery under lights while my mom was discharged and asked to return home and leave me there alone, for two weeks.

Now that I was a birth worker, I knew the kind of questions I should be asking my mother about my birth. When all of the pieces of my birth story were put into place, the full story was told – I was induced with Pitocin and a lot of it. My mother had severe sciatica pain that ran down her right hip and leg and she could hardly walk the last six weeks of her pregnancy with me. When her Army Doctor saw this, he immediately sent her down to be shaved, prepped for the enema and started the IV for inducement. My mother’s first four births were drugged beyond any memory and so with my birth, she wanted to be fully present. She had made her doctor promise that this birth be “all natural” and that no matter how much she asked for drugs, that she not be given any. My mother was not told that Pitocin would make the contractions much harder and closer together. As a result, she was not fully prepared for the intensity of it and thought natural labor was excruciating(now I understand why she tried to discourage me from a natural birth and was sure that I would not be able to handle it). My “natural birth” was far from natural and quickly turned into agony for my mother. When she did ask for drugs, the doctor refused and upped the dose of Pitocin each time she requested them. So the long and short of it – my birth wasn’t natural, gentle and calm. I was forced out before I was ready and didn’t get to bond with my mother. How sad for both of us…

The connection was made - my two trigger points for my students and doula parents’ births – induction and babies getting no skin to skin time with their mothers, were my own unresolved issues with my birth. I was overwhelmed with emotion. The tears flowed down my cheeks and I could not speak. I felt like I was grieving for the birth I had wanted but had no control over.

Anna then asked me about the birth of my own child. To recount - Finnley was ten days over and I was adamant that mother nature would get her out when she was ready. I ignored talk of induction and knew it would never be part of my birth plan. I too experienced sciatica down my right hip and leg, just like my mother had – but I made different choices. After a six hour short and painless labor, I put Finnley on my chest skin to skin, rubbed the vernix into her skin and cuddled the heck out of her. I spoke softly to her and was present for her early moments in life. I gave Finnley what I was not given – a peaceful, gentle beginning with her mom. Did I know that she needed that subconsciously? Of course… Because that’s what I needed.

That workshop changed the way I view birth and how I present it to my students. We need to be conscious about our beginnings in order to gift a better future to our children. My message to all birth workers – is discover your birth. Ask yourself: What do I bring in unconsciously to the parents I am helping? I encourage you to resolve it and births will begin to transform you like never before. The connections will be deeper and you will be more present for your parents and the babies you are helping come into the world. Behaviors, fears and anxieties, as well as love, gentility and peace - are set within our souls while in the wombs of our mothers.

In classes today, when I hear my parents say, “I am scared that something will be wrong with my baby” – I have walked that road now and I know that it is okay. Having a child with special needs or a birth defect is a wonderful kind of love and growth process that they can handle. While hard to accept and difficult beyond description- It will magnify who they really are, develop their faith and strengthen their character. Birth is a re-birth for moms and dads. The lessons can be learned and appreciated or the universe will just present them in other ways until we learn them.

What a true blessing to prepare for a natural birth. Make no mistake – it takes a lot of preparation and it’s worth it – every bit of time and effort involved.

What do I know about birth now? I know that women are strong. Women are powerful. Women were made to birth their babies. Women can do it – in their own time, in their own way – with their own innate wisdom. Women don’t need to be rescued. The vulva(yes, I said the word) is at it’s most beautiful transformation when a baby crowns and slides out into his mother’s hands. I know that the natural birth community is full of the strongest, most fearless women on the planet. I know that women have choices and that as women, we should support those choices, especially about birth– whether we agree with them or not. Women should support women.

I also know that hospitals are there to help if a little hiccup comes along. They are not to be feared. Gathering a supportive care provider takes the worry out of a hospital and ensures that I will not be dictated to. Doctor’s do not need to rescue me, but are there as a backup after I have done the research. I understand that I pay them, I am the consumer and I have a say in what procedures I want done to my body and my baby’s. I am so glad for technology when it is needed but I tend to do better without it. But that’s not to say that all women are like me and I accept that and support them.

Please know that many women have walked this journey and are here to walk it with you. While it may seem daunting and even overwhelming at times – undisturbed birth it is attainable and pleasurable. Birth is magnificent and transforming. You can do it. You can do it. You will be doing it… My hope is that you come to know that…

2011 HypnoBirthing Reunion

2011-06-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

May 21st at Kate Sessions Park

We had so much fun seeing everybody this year! What a great turnout, with such well behaved and calm babies! I wish I had more time to visit with all of you and I apologize to those of you I didn't get to chat with! Ashley and I will have to do a few more events during the year so we can hear all of those birth stories and kiss more babies! Almost everyone got in the group shot this year at least.

We hope you know how much you inspire us and how proud we are of you for owning your births. You make the best choices, you educate yourselves and we are in awe of your strength! We have the best parents in town and we never forget that. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey. It is truly an honor and we love you!

Welcome!

2011-06-02T15:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to San Diego HypnoBirthing’s Blog. We are so happy you found us! This blog is an extension of our website and classes. We will provide up-to-date info on HypnoBirthing, natural birth and parenting, local events and any other information that can help you make informed, educated decisions about your birth and family. Additionally, you can find birth stories that are inspiring and a reminder of how amazing birth can truly be when you relax, trust your baby and your body and let go.

Happy reading and thank you so much for including us on your journey,

San Diego HypnoBirthing