The day Marlowe was born

My Hypnobabies Hospital Birth in Lawrenceville

I was a first time Mom at 38 weeks and 2 days. The story goes like this:

I awoke at 10 AM on Sunday April 5 with a crampy feeling and while I was debating on getting up to potty, I felt a leak. Figuring I should probably go to the bathroom now, I got up and took the few steps to the bathroom where I arrived with a good little *gush*. After repeatedly checking to make certain it wasn’t urine (I didn’t want to be the one at the hospital ‘cuz I peed my pants!), I called my Midwife and told her my story. She agreed that it sounded as if my waters had released and that I should come on in.

At this point I wasn’t feeling any pressure waves and had so much to do since this was 11 days before we expected her arrival. My Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Joyful Pregnancy Affirmations and practice had me CONVINCED she wasn’t going to be early! I decided to shower and shave (very important to me), then I also needed to pack my birth bag, a baby bag, and my partner’s bag. While getting everything together, I did start feeling some pressure waves that were similar in style to a menstrual cramp. We started timing, but they weren’t consistent or long. Eventually we got everything we needed in the car and I decided we should hit the road. We arrived at the hospital (Gwinnett Medical Center Women’s Pavilion) at 12:30 PM.

After filling out some paperwork we went to triage to get my vitals and answer some questions. At this point, my pressure waves had reached about an 8 for me on a scale of 1-10 (which I wouldn’t have even thought about if they hadn’t asked about my ‘pain’ level), and I admitted that if I weren’t giving birth I would take an Advil or something.

I was using my hand raise to signal a birthing wave so that Mike could take over the Q&A. We then were visited by my Midwife to make sure that my water had in fact broken. I was put on a monitor and she commented that I was having ” a bunch of little ones”, referring to my pressure waves ( I could have done without this comment as well). When the bed was lowered for a look, I got very nauseous and as a result I did vomit. I was less than pleased by this, but my Midwife said this was a great sign of progress and proceeded with her exam. The next thing she said shocked us all: I was 8cm! I really thought she was joking, but she said let’s move, so at about 1:45 we arrived in the birthing room.

Meanwhile, Mike is still parked in the drop-off spot and the only thing we brought in was my wallet, so Mike ran out to move the car, grab our stuff and get back in a hurry. When he got back we set up the video camera and CD player. There wasn’t even time to hear the Birthday Affirmations CD! We played the Relaxation Music throughout though. It is now 2 PM and soon I start feeling “pushy”. My Midwife says that I’m at 9.5 cm and baby will be here soon. I have several more minutes of birthing waves and then it begins to feel different.

I exclaim “It’s changed!”

We all know that it’s time to get where the baby will be born. I decide to go ahead and use the bed and spend a few minutes getting situated. I felt myself getting a bit wound up, and very difficult to calm down, but I managed to focus on breathing as I was hearing my Midwife declare that our baby would be here in about 3 or 4 waves. Once I got the okay to bear down and work with my body things moved quickly and I felt so relieved that I could really let go. I moaned a few “oh my word” and “oh man” type phrases, but that was the extent of my drama (that’s a big statement coming from me!).

Marlowe was born at 2:50 PM perfect and healthy. Mike caught her and then cut the cord after it stopped pulsating. My daughter nursed at this point, because she was tethered by her short umbilical cord. Soon after, my placenta was delivered without the use of Pitocin. Yay!

All in all, my daughter’s birthday could not have gone better. It really was just as I had envisioned it all those many nights doing my Hypnobabies Homeplay.

The staff at the hospital were so supportive and eager to help me through my Hypnobabies birth even though nobody but my Midwife was really prepped for how my birthing was going to be handled. A couple of the staff did make the “typical” Hypnobabies comments- “You must have a high pain tolerance” and “You can’t even tell she’s having a contraction” and even “I’ve never seen a delivery like this”. Everyone was amazed and proud of how smoothly and un-dramatic it all was. I was thrilled to only have accepted a Hep-Lock in event of necessity, no IV, no stitches, no NOTHING! Shoot, I didn’t even use the ice packs for swelling or Motrin for soreness. I felt fantastic! We went home as a newly expanded family around 4 PM on Monday April 6 with our healthy baby girl: Marlowe Marie DiBella 7 lbs 6 oz 19.25 in 🙂

Now, I am in the business of helping as many mommies as I can have this same type of wonderful and enjoyable birthing experience! Adventures In Childbirth announced the very first Hypnobabies course in January 2010. If you or someone you know is expecting a baby please consider an easier and more comfortable childbirth using Hypnobabies. I would love to be a part of that! Also, for all of my Hypnobabies students I will offer a special Hypno-Doula package price so not only can your Birth Partner stay focused on you, I will also be there to ‘Mother the Mother’ and provide ongoing support through the birthing time 🙂

Happy birthing!