Lucas' Birth

A week later I'm still in awe at how wonderfully easy and pain-free Lucas' birth was.  This story is also a warning - Hypnobabies works too well!  This is how my planned homebirth became my unassisted homebirth.  Please don't continue to read if you have any fears about unassisted birth. 

The birth of Lucas Joaquin, 4:20 am, March 28, 2006.

Last Monday, March 27, I lost my mucous plug and started to have some warm-up surges.  They were manageable and infrequent.  I went about the business of the day and didn't bother using my lightswitch.  With my first birth, I lost my plug and then had the baby two days later.  I know that every birth is different so I figured that I couldn't count on the baby coming in two days.  I figured that it would be even longer!  Nevertheless, I started cleaning the house and getting the supplies out for our homebirth.

As I was cooking dinner that evening, I started having some irregular pressure waves.  I put my lightswitch in the center and kept cleaning.  Around 9 pm it was time to put my 2-year old son to bed.  He nursed throughout my pregnancy and this night was no different.  Nursing in the last few weeks had brought some warm-up surges that were light and manageable.  On this night, his nursing caused some big waves!  I wasn't prepared with my lightswitch and I reacted by abruptly ending the nursing session. The wave was no fun when I wasn't using hypnosis.  It didn't feel nice but it boosted my confidence in hypnosis.  I put my lightswitch in the center again and became determined to finish cleaning up and getting things ready.

My irregular waves became more regular but were still far apart.  I called my midwife about 11 pm and told her that things had begun.  She told me to take a shower or bath and go to bed and get a good night's sleep.  I had a nice hot bath with my lightswitch in the center and finally got to bed about 12:30 am. 

From 1 to 4 am, I slept on and off through waves that were very regular.  Whenever I would wake up with a wave, I informally kept track of just how regular the waves were becoming.  I listened to the Birth Guide over and over.  I don't remember my dreams now but they were mixed in with the Birth Guide and the waves.  I was definitely in another place in my head but to another person I would have looked like I was just sleeping.  I started to become aware of my uterus opening up.  I could feel only the pressure of the uterine muscles moving up like a blind being drawn.  It was the most interesting and unique feeling.  I'm so glad that hypnosis allowed me to experience the movement of my muscles without feeling anything more than pressure.  I was so aware of everything my body was doing and am in such awe at what a wonderful thing it is and what it can do!

Around 3:30 I noticed that my waves were very regular and about two minutes apart.  I was so comfortable and sleepy that I didn't want to get up!  I kept repeating to myself, "Open," and "Welcome Lucas Joaquin."  I was aware of the baby moving into place but could only feel pressure.  It was extremely intense but not painful.  Finally, I remember thinking that I must be pretty far along, about 7 or 8 cm and should really get up and call the midwife.  I decided to get up at 4 am and call.  I woke up my husband and said, "We'll be having a baby in about two more hours."  He was a little surprised as he had gone to bed only a few hours earlier and nothing much was happening.  In hindsight, I should have had him call the midwife right then.  Instead, I decided that I'd do it after I went to the bathroom.

I went to the bathroom and heard a popping noise.  I looked down and saw that my amniotic sack had just broken.  I checked to see that it was clear and it was.  I started to feel very pushy all of the sudden.  This was a new sensation for me because I had never had the urge with my first son.  I remember my mind being very clear and focused.  I felt no pain and was only anxious to see my baby.  We had been doing focused work together for the last three hours and I really wanted to see him.  I stood up over the toilet and put my hand between my legs to check and see if I could feel his head.  I could!  I began to loudly call my husband's name.  He didn't answer so I called a little louder.  Finally, I was yelling.  I yelled for him to call the midwife.  I pushed again and I felt all of his face.  I pushed two more times and the baby was out!!!!  I caught my baby in my hands and was too in the moment to be shocked.  My husband finally came from the garage and saw me with a baby in the bathroom.  He was amazingly calm and we focused on the baby. He got a warm blanket and we covered the baby who was skin to skin at my chest. We checked the cord and that he was breathing. I easily birthed the placenta and we wrapped it in a chux pad.  I sat down and the baby took to the breast without difficulty.  My husband and I had a quiet moment together with the newest member of our family.  I never expected to give birth in our tiny bathroom!  At least I had cleaned it the day before.  The midwife soon arrived and we cut the cord.

I felt wonderful but everything was very surreal.  I gave birth without pain and without anyone coaching me!  My legs shook a little bit as I stood up from the toilet but I easily walked and soon felt famished.  Baby Luke weighed 8 lb 8 oz and is healthy.  I thought my first hypnobirth was a positive experience but this one was amazing.  I am a true believer in Hypnobabies. 

Now, if only the women I know would stop thinking that I am just one of the "lucky" ones who can give birth easily, I'd be even happier.  Lots of practice with Hypnobabies is the reason for my success.  I wasn't perfect at my practice and often fell asleep during the CDs.  I even had a toddler who often interrupted my practice.  Despite me not doing the program as regularly as prescribed, I was able to use hypnosis very successfully during my birthing time.