February/March 2010
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Birth Stories from the High Desert by Kristin LiaBraaten How many times have you watched a birthing scene on TV or at the movies only to think "That's not realistic at all!" Unfortunately, the media has the strength to shape our views of childbirth, often filling us with fear and anxiety over the unknown or by giving us unrealistic expectations. Birth Stories from the High Desert offers our readership the opportunity to submit their real birth stories to each issue of True North. Share your birth story and help demystify the birthing experience for others. Send your birth story to info@truenorthparenting.com with "Birth Story" in the subject line and be featured in our upcoming issues. Accompanying photos are appreciated. The Birth of Arwen As told by her Mom, Kristin 
When we became pregnant with our second child, my husband and I hired a midwife and decided on a home water birth. Our son's birth had been 30 hours of back labor, and while it had been an uncomplicated natural birth, it had definitely been challenging. This time I chose to use Hypnobabies Hypnosis for Childbirth to prepare for my birthing by listening to hypnosis scripts to prepare for a comfortable, enjoyable birth (70% of women using Hypnobabies report pain-free births). I spent a lot of time preparing our 2 ½ year old son for the birth. We watched birth videos, read a lot of stories, and practiced sounds mamas make during their birthing time. I knew we'd talked about it enough when he held up an udon noodle at lunch, announcing that it looked "like an umbilical cord!"
Instead of focusing on all the things that could possibly go wrong at the birth, I focused instead on all of the things that could go right. I visualized my birth exactly as I wanted it to happen: beginning on a weekend morning, becoming more powerful at lunchtime when my son went down for his nap, then birthing at 6:30pm, so we would be well rested, and wouldn't have to wake our son for the birth. Our minds are very powerful, and sure enough, my pressure waves (contractions) began in the early on a Sunday morning. By lunchtime, they were 15 minutes apart and a minute long. My son and I both laid down to nap, and I listened to another CD to deepen my hypnosis. By the mid-afternoon, I asked for my husband's help with some relaxation and hypnosis cues we'd practiced during my pregnancy. I got into the tub around 4pm, and called my doula. I used my hypnosis during each pressure wave to stay comfortable. My son woke up and joined me in the tub. I breathed deeply and used my self-hypnosis through my pressure waves, then would splash and laugh with him again. My doula arrived and things began to intensify, but my hypnosis kept me relaxed and focused. When my pressure waves got to be 3 minutes apart, we called my birth team. They arrived and set up the big birth tub, but we only had time for one full hot water tank before I felt the urge to push. Surrounded by my birth team and family, I got into the warm water. My son was quiet and respectful, and very excited. I felt another pressure wave, and pushed "Aaahhh" — it felt SO GOOD to push! With every push, I felt her moving down — I felt strong and powerful and totally in control, feeling every little sensation, feeling so in touch with my body, calm and comfortable. My water broke then with a powerful POP, and I reached down to feel her crowning. As she was born I reached down and pulled her to me, so she felt my hands first, welcoming her into the world. She was beautiful! She weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces. It all happened exactly the way I had visualized it (I only missed the birth time by 28 minutes!). I can truly say my birth was peaceful and enjoyable. Welcome to this wonderful world, sweet Arwen! Kristin LiaBraaten is a local mom, advocate, Childbirth Educator, Hypnobabies Educator and Certified Doula with Sage Birth. You can contact her at kristin@sagebirth.com. |
