Beautiful Hypnobirthing Story

We always encourage birth stories from our students, as birth junkies they fill us with passion and love for what we do, but additionally we know how much these stories empower other families. Please enjoy, once again with permission, a wonderful story from one of our recent Rochester location families.

“I am happy to share my birth story with Metro-Detroit Hypnobirthing and community. I can’t say that I could’ve managed without it! So!

I was going into week 41 feeling anxious and nervous. I knew first time moms typically go over their estimated due dates but it seemed everyone around me was concerned. The talk of induction was there and my goal this entire pregnancy was to go unmedicated and deliver at the Karmanos Center for natural birth. My midwife kept encouraging all the natural induction methods which I had been doing for weeks. You had sent me the “come on out script” which I quickly added to my daily meditation schedule. The hypnobirthing scripts were key in keeping my mind calm and focused while everyone around me was fussing about baby girl not being here yet. I had already been off of work for 2 weeks and all I did with my spare time was hypnobirthing, exercise, and clean!

At 41 weeks I went to bed with some pressure feeling like I needed to use the bathroom. With all my preparation I knew this was a good sign. I went to bed around 10:30 as normal but was woken up every few hours with period like cramps. Around 3am I had a real wave of a contraction that made me get out of bed. Lying down did not feel good anymore. I went downstairs and sat on the birth ball and bounced and started to time my contractions. They came on fast! I was recording 1-1.5 minutes long and already 2-3 minutes apart. After doing that for a few hours I decided to wake up LOGAN, my husband. We called the midwife and she said to come on in. Finally!

I get checked into triage and I can tell everything started slowing down. The timing of contractions, the intensity, everything. I felt like a fraud. They checked to see how far dilated I was and I was still at a 3. I had been there for a week. So, back home we were sent.

I could nap between contractions when we got home which was much needed. I sat in the rocker in baby girls nursery to soak in all the vibes. We turned on calm zen music and started the long journey of laboring at home. I knew I wanted to labor at home as long as possible. I did not want to be sent back from the hospital again. As the day continued I jumped from position to position. The birth ball, leaning over furniture, walking outside, all fours, up and down the stairs. I could not stop moving, it was the only thing that felt manageable. I was using all my hypnobirthing breathing techniques. My contractions spread apart to 4-5 minutes. I was getting super discouraged by tracking them. Intensity really picked up, though the time between contractions were still about 4 minutes, I was having to make low sounding ooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhhs as each contraction came. Deep inhales as they approached and a relaxed jaw and face. These were key! LOGAN took a quick nap and I woke him up around 8pm waving my white flag. I told him I was done with this, I could not do another contraction, I don’t care about going unmedicated anymore, I needed some kind of drug whether it was an epidural or injection, whatever! I needed to go to the hospital NOW. His smart self knew this was transition and we hoped in the car without calling the midwife to let her know. There wasn’t any time for that!

Back in triage now and I can’t fill out the paperwork, stand unassisted, or focus on anything other then breathing through each wave. I was checked and told that I was at a 7 with a bulging water bag. Once I heard that I ditched the medication talk. Vitals were good and all was approved for the natural birthing center! They filled up the tub in preparation. As soon as I stepped foot in my room I had to vomit, which simultaneously broke my water. Such a relief, I knew things were picking up now. I labored in the tub for awhile as the nurse, Hannah, and LOGAN took turns pouring water on my back. Taya, my midwife, was an amazing cheerleader. She made me feel like I was doing everything right. She also was giving so many suggestions on what position to labor in next when I needed to move. From the tub I went to the bed. Taya got me the peanut ball to lean over. Laboring all day was so exhausting I eventually gave in to lying down on the bed. I was on my side now with the peanut ball between my legs (to open up the pelvis) LOGAN holding both my hands, Taya giving counter-pressure on my back with each contraction (back labor was insane) and Hannah applying ice cold towels on my face. The moans and groans got much louder. Still keeping them low toned and drawn out. All of a sudden my breathing changed. My body started pushing on its own. I was breathing my baby down. Taya took note and said “let’s hear what the next contraction sounds like then I want to check you”. I hadn’t been checked since arriving. I was a 100% effaced and a 10! I didn’t need to be told I was ready to push. I didn’t need the go ahead. My body knew exactly what to do and so did my team! They let me continue what I was doing and 45 minutes later baby girl crowned and LOGAN told me she had hair! A few pushes and her body came out. Her cord was around her neck a few times but never affected her heart rate or anything. The placenta came next with no issues. Baby girl was placed on my chest right away and stayed there for as long as I can remember. I had minimal abrasions and was given an injection of pitocin to help stop some bleeding but it wasn’t anything too concerning. My whole team complimented me on the control I had over my body and my ability to labor so naturally. I couldn’t have done it without the mental preparation that was hypnobirthing. From every aspect of pregnancy, to labor, to delivery I utilized everything I learned. I was also a very avid exerciser throughout the whole pregnancy which I’m sure made laboring for 22 hours as tolerable as it could be.

Thank you thank you thank you for all the support and love. I couldn’t have had a more perfect birth. It was everything I intended it to be.

Emilia Aspen Clark joined us on 3/8/2020 (international women’s day! How fitting!) “

-The Clark Family

This story still gives chills reading and visualizing this incredible birth. We are so proud of and happy for the Clark family. It shows how much great support can give you the amazing birth you desire. Thank you again to the Clark family for sharing this with us!

If you’re looking for Hypnobirthing classes or wondering how to have a birth like this please visit our site for class schedule, registration, or to ask us questions about what Hypnobirthing is. Our next series at our Rochester and Brighton locations begin June 11th! We have classes in Ann Arbor, Fenton, and Royal Oak as well!