Erica and Jordan took Carol’s HypnoBirthing classes on Thursday evenings at Seaside Women’s Health in Encinitas, North County San Diego. Here is their son, Moses’, birth story:
The HypnoBirth that I anticipated did not go as planned, however, it was an amazing experience and I would not go back on any decisions I made, nor change anything about my 31 hour journey.
My water released at 8:30am on Wednesday, April 25th. Since I tested positive for Strep B, I knew that I would have to receive antibiotics within 18 hours. I called Jordan and he must have sensed the pending birth, because he was already in the driveway. At that point I decided not to attempt my Bikram yoga class, instead, we hung out at the house waiting for the surges. At 11:30am with no progress and such a beautiful day, we felt like a hike might get things rolling. We discovered Double Peak Park in San Marcos. I took my time up the 1000 foot elevation gain and made it to the top with no issues. I could start feeling more of a wave flowing through my body. I snacked on an apple at the top and took pictures. It was gorgeous and I highly recommend it! On our way home we stopped for tacos and thought maybe the spice would get it going. I began to feel stronger surges. When we got home we showered and relaxed in bed timing the surges. I was at about 7 minutes apart at 5pm. So, I put on my waves cd and Jordan began with affirmations and the ocean script. I found myself in deep relaxation. I then moved on to the rainbow relaxation CD. My surges became a little more intense and were anywhere between 4-6 minutes apart. At 9pm, we took our beagle for a walk and I found myself stopping and finding my zone.
At 11pm, we made a decision to go to Scripps La Jolla hopsital because I was about 4 minutes apart and getting close to needing the antibiotics. I had my earphones in playing rainbow relaxation and when we arrived at the hospital I found myself needing to stop and sit on my yoga ball. We checked in and they brought us to the examination room. The mid-wife on duty checked to make sure that my water did release, which it did, although I was only 2 cm. dilated. They brought me to my room and started the iv of antibiotics. I could taste it in my mouth and became extremely nauseous. Jordan set up the room, giving me a peaceful atmosphere, with candles, a pillow, and my quilt. I wore my bead blessed necklace and hoped it would soothe me even more. I utilized the shower and yoga ball. We listened to affirmations and rainbow relaxation throughout. I was very much in my zone. Jordan used light touch massage and counter hip pressure. My first nurse also rotated with Jordan in massaging me. Jordan was always there and I found his words comforting. Another check later in the early morning and I had not yet progressed. In my mind I felt a bit of disappointment, but knew that this would pass and I needed to just breathe and focus on bringing my baby to me. At 8am I had to receive my next dose of antibiotics. I found that my favorite place to be was on my yoga ball with my torso being supported by the bed. Throughout this entire time Jordan only took a few bathroom breaks and a quick nap. He offered me food, but I could only stomach sips of water. About that time the doctor came in. I was at 5 cm. and 24 hours since my water had released. She said at that time I needed something to relax me further because the baby was so low and my cervix needed to progress. She knew that a natural hypnobirth is what I wanted. At that time there was a shift change and I received two new nurses. Everyone was on board with trying to help me go natural, but knew the ultimate goal was a healthy baby. I asked for more time from Dr. Barile to get relaxed on my own. I tried different positions and then walked the halls and stepped out into the courtyard to get some fresh air. 25 hours into my labor and knowing that I definitely did not want a c-section we discussed options with the doctor. She said I could get an epidural or a light dose of Nubain. We took 30 minutes and chose the Nubain. I became a bit more relaxed, but then the surges seemed to intensify. I was on my yoga ball with Jordan behind me doing everything he could. I felt that this baby was going to come to us at any moment. When Dr. Barile came into check my progression and I was still at only 8 cm. dilated and the cervix was bruising and thickening, causing to reverse my efforts. At that moment Dr. Barile offered Pitocin, however, I chose against it, thinking that it would just make contractions stronger, but still not help in dilation, leading to my cervix to close and a c-section. At 27 hours I made the extremely tough decision to have a light epidural to hopefully be able to get to 10 cm. dilated. The epidural caused my body to fully relax and reverse the strong urge to push and the shakes. At 29 hours I was 10 cm. dilated, but my contractions slowed to 7 minutes apart. I was all over the place with my body. So at this point I had them introduce Pitocin, which quickly brought my contractions to 2-3 apart and in the "breathing down phase". At this time, I felt most comfortable on my back with my knees out to the side. The doctor came in and we discussed my breathing and I found it best to "purple push". At this moment I discovered more inner strength than I knew I had. I was exhausted, but it was exhilarating! Even with weeks of perennial massage I began to tear in 3 places. The doctor offered an episiotomy. She knew my birth plan from the start and kept apologizing for my circumstance. She was very soothing and understanding and I appreciated her letting me go over 24 hours without pressure to do alternative methods. I decided to get the episiotomy and happy I did, because I am healing fast with 2 stitches.
At 3:55pm on Thursday, April 26th. We had a boy!!!!! Moses Aindreas. Weighing 8 pounds 2 ounces and 20 inches long. He suffered very noticeable bruising on his forehead from hitting my cervix. 9 days later we are a healthy family. Moses did get a Vitamin K shot because of the bruising. He also had Jaundice, which seems to have subsided with a lot of breastfeeding efforts.
Moses is an alert, calm and happy baby boy. I owe my internal birthing strength to HypnoBirthing! Even during the strongest surge, Moses' heart rate was perfect. The nurses kept telling me, "You have a very happy baby! "
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Congratulations Erica and Jordan! You both did such a wonderful job working through your labor. A major goal I have in my classes is to give you the tools to help keep you in control of yourself during your labor no matter what happens during your labor, which you both obviously did so beautifully. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I hope you are continuing to enjoy your babymoon!
If you are interested in taking HypnoBirthing classes in the San Diego area, please feel free to contact Carol for class schedules and more information at: A Well Lived Life. If my schedule deso not work with yours, I would love to refer you to other local instructors as well. If you aren’t in the San Diego area but are still interested in utilizing all that HypnoBirthing has to offer, check out The HypnoBirthing Institute and find a Local Practitioner for you!
