Laboring with love, but NO Knowledge
My mom had 10 kids and I wasn't looking for anything special, just a vaginal birth and to finally hold my baby in my arms. When my doctor asked if I'd like to be induced the day after my due date, I was elated at the thought of holding my baby in my arms and spending the time with my mother, cooing over my beautiful baby . I hadn't taken the child birth classes and the tour of the hospital seemed like enough. Besides that, I'd planned on an epidural and that would mean I wouldn't need balls, bars or the tub. My induction started at 7am and I was informed I could have my epidural before noon or after 3pm, the anesthesiologist would be in surgery during the time in between. Not wanting to be in pain waiting for anesthesia, I opted for before noon. The day dragged on and the pitocin was upped at intervals, but I had stalled and the labor was going no where. My beautiful daughter was born just before midnight via C-section. I cried tears of sadness that I wouldn't have my vaginal birth and I would undergo a serious operation. And tears of happiness that modern medicine insured a safe and speedy operation and recovery.
At my postnatal visit I had questions: What happened? Are my hips too small? Was her head abnormally big? Why did a c-section happen to me?
I was completely unsatisfied with the answers that my hips were fine, her head and size were average, they were just two pieces of a puzzle that didn't fit together. I didn't buy that and felt there was more to it.
I was looking up VBAC, vaginal birth after cesarean, information as my one week old baby nursed in my arms.
The following video rang so true about my first birth.
At my postnatal visit I had questions: What happened? Are my hips too small? Was her head abnormally big? Why did a c-section happen to me?
I was completely unsatisfied with the answers that my hips were fine, her head and size were average, they were just two pieces of a puzzle that didn't fit together. I didn't buy that and felt there was more to it.
I was looking up VBAC, vaginal birth after cesarean, information as my one week old baby nursed in my arms.
The following video rang so true about my first birth.
My mom had 7 successful VBAC's and I knew I could too! With my second pregnancy I found a doctor that was very willing to allow me to VBAC and when discussing my previous delivery he wasn't surprised that my induction had led to a C-section. This time I took the hospitals birthing class and found it helpful in knowing the options the hospital had for me. I planned on using an epidural, because everything I had ever heard was how they were a "life saver" and "I couldn't have done it without one, why wouldn't you want one" The attitude of everyone I knew was that only crazy people don't get an epidural. Our culture expects it as the norm and encourages them. So, I labored longer this time and was well into the process before I got my epidural and things were great for a half and hour. Then there was a spot on my uterus that I could feel. They tried propping me on my side, but the spot kept growing. I had been handling labor really well until I had the epidural, which was painful. I had felt my own bodies endorphines replaced by synthetic ones and when the synthetic endorphines were gone I was left with nothing but a very painful experience, and a resolve that I was done with modern medicine in my birthing experiences. Natural would be much more comfortable than having neither the epidural working or my own endorphines that slowly build on each other as labor progresses.
Knowledge changes everything!
My doctor was supportive of my decision, but encouraged me to take a birthing class and suggested the hospitals. Well, I had taken that class and learned of my medical options, the procedures of the hospital and the mechanics of how a baby is birthed. But very little in the class was of value for preparing for a natural childbirth. I was relating my experience to a friend who told me about HypnoBirthing and I got the book. I LOVED it. The philosophies rang so true in my heart that I knew I had found a program that had great value. My friend changed my life even more when she arranged for us to have the class in Roosevelt, with the instructors making several trips out to the Basin from SLC. My third birth was my best and biggest baby! He was so beautiful, well adjusted and I was and am completely convinced that this is the best and perfect way to bring a baby into the world!
Why teach?
I realized as I encouraged my siblings to use HypnoBirthing and loved hearing their birthing stories and the insight they gained from their HypnoBirthing instructors that the Uintah Basin really needs this program to support and promote calm, natural, birth. I love teaching HypnoBirthing!