This cookie-making, Hypnobirthing mama details how she stayed relaxed through her labor at home, showing up at the hospital just in time to birth her baby. Congratulations to Emily and Richard on the arrival of their baby boy!

Love,
Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma

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{By Emily}

I was getting impatient after our midwife informed us at our 39 week checkup that I was 3 cm dialated and 80% effaced, but nothing happened. Three days later, on February 8th, I went into labor after a day of shopping.

We decided to go out to eat for my cousin’s birthday where mild contractions came (around 7 pm) while I was trying to act normal in my solid wooden chair. If getting up six times to “use the bathroom” is normal, I think I pulled it off.

When we got home, we watched some Downton Abbey and I tried to go to sleep. Laying down was incredibly uncomfortable, as it had been during the third trimester, so I still wasn’t sure that I was actually in labor. At 2 am, Richard woke up to find me traveling to and from the bathroom and told me not to be a hero and that I should have woken him up.

My contractions would be very random, sporadic, and sometimes even felt like menstrual cramps. We started watching a documentary, which put me to sleep in a seated position for almost four hours! At 7 am I woke up to mild contractions but could carry on a phone conversation with ease.

After breakfast I started making cookies to distract myself and stay on my toes. This was the best decision of the day. Labor picked up and I still felt very comfortable and relaxed.

As the afternoon went on, I took a long bath and was able to converse and joke with Richard the whole time even though contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. He kept me relaxed throughout the afternoon with light touch massage, soothing music, and reminding me to relax each part of my body. He did so well that I didn’t know how far along I was until I started pushing in the bathtub. At this point we knew it was time (or past time) to go to the hospital. I asked if I could go naked; he said no. Ha! Pushing was a huge relief and I needed to grunt for each and every push. Richard hummed in a low pitch so I would match his pitch.

In the car I rode backwards on my knees and at the hospital I also rode in the wheelchair on my knees. The midwife skipped registration and brought us to the delivery room where I pushed on my forearms and knees for about 20 minutes until Liam came out crying!

The midwife didn’t bother us, ask us annoying questions, or even measure me. It was a blessing to have such a relaxed and in-tune midwife. She said that I didn’t tear most likely because of the position that I was in worked slightly against gravity giving him more time to travel down the birth canal.

I keep saying that I would rather give birth every month than be pregnant for nine, but this is mostly thanks to the Hypnobirthing class that helped Richard and I stay so calm and relaxed throughout the 26 hours of labor. Thank you Channing for all of your wisdom and guidance!

Sincerely,
Emily

*{A little note from Blooma: We joyfully share birth stories sent to us by Blooma families, however, Blooma does not claim responsibility for and does not endorse individual choices made by families or their care providers. We seek to share an array of birth stories to showcase a wide range of experiences.}