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Hypnobirth and Children in the delivery room
With my now almost 2 year old daughter, I had a natural birth plan. The first bad start was having to be induced two weeks overdue because she showed NO signs of coming out. I did fantastic, was laughing and chatting and barely feeling any contractions. then 7cm hit like a freight train and i was caught completely off guard. Violently shaking, couldn't relax my muscles, vomiting. I got an epidural at 8.5cm. I was heartbroken! I knew that it was for the best, and I was never concrete in my plan because I knew that things happened and could change the outcome. But i was still disappointed.
I'm now pregnant with number 2, and am going in with a modified natural birth plan. I have been researching hypnobirth. It really fascinates me, and I think it would have been a very useful technique in my daughter's birth to keep me calm and relaxed when I was unexpectedly hit with that amount of pain. I'm also praying I don't have to be induced, so avoiding pitocin would also increase my chances of a natural birth.
Have any of you used this technique, or something similar, to keep you calm and relaxed during the hard stages of labor?
Also, I've been half heartedly entertaining the thought of having my will be 2 year old daughter in the room with us. I would have family members in the waiting room, so if my daughter became too frightened or too high energy, she could be taken elsewhere. The reason I'm considering this is because of how I see her react to child birthing shows/videos. She has watched them with me (nothing graphic) and seen the pain on the woman's face. She always gets a look of concern, and focuses on the mother. She repeats what she hears other people on the video saying. "You ok! You fine! You got this! Baby coming!" and when the baby is born she cheers and claps and is so excited to see that precious baby. She then tells the mother "Good girl! good job!" She is extremely in tune with people's emotions, especially mine. I think it would be such an experience for her, if she could witness the birth (from the waist up) of her baby sister.
Have any of you had your children in the delivery room? Were they young? How did they handle it, and how did you prepare them for it beforehand?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jen, Mom365 Host on -
My son has autism, so that makes it difficult for him to sit still and follow directions. Otherwise I would have loved for him to be in the delivery room with my daughter. I would go for it, as long as you think she's able to stay out of the way when needed.
Have you considered hiring a doula? I think with your birthing goals a doula would be a huge asset.
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Permalink Reply by Bethany Ann, Star Mom on -
I've thought about a doula, I need to see if my insurance would cover it, or part of it. I know my husband is very comforting, but isn't the best at reciting mantras or helping me really focus on getting through the pain. He just wanted me to stop hurting. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by TLTV on -
I had a natural birth plan too and practiced prenatal yoga and meditation throughout my pregnancy with some really good coaches, which got me through labor without meds...but JUST barely-- 5 hours active labor & 2nd degree tears :o
I had signed up for hypnobirthing classes but stopped going after the very first one because I could tell the instructor was way too harsh and negative for me to gain anything positive spending time with her. I think if you find the right instructor it may be life-changing if it works for you. I found my meditation coach through work and I through A LOT of practice I was able to mediate outside my physical body and not feel the contractions...up until 7-8cm when the freight train hit and suddenly 5 people were in the room and they started hooking me up to every tube imaginable and making tons of noise which broke my concentration. I know what you mean about being caught off guard with that!! My dream for #2 is to do a home tub- birth with a midwife and avoid the circus of the hospital altogether.
There is a scene in the documentary "Orgasmic Birth" where the older child watches his mom's tub birth and it is really beautiful. See how your hypnobirthing goes and if you think you can avoid your little girl seeing her momma in extreme pain, go for it!
Best of Luck!
Namaste <3
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Permalink Reply by Bethany Ann, Star Mom on
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Thank you so much! I know with my daughter, the delivery room was really chaotic because there were a lot of residents and students in the room. I hadn't thought it would be a problem, but it was very distracting, so I made a birth plan this time around and specified that I would not like any residents or students in the room. I've also been doing prenatal yoga throughout my pregnancy, though I just use a DVD at home. I've done pretty well, I've been able to focus even while my daughter runs around! (She usually does it with me haha) I think the main problem I would have with my daughter being in the room, is that she would likely insist on sitting on the bed/on my lap, and would freak out if/when she wasn't allowed anymore.
I do want to try and practice yoga and meditation through chaos. Maybe I could have a BBQ or some friends over, and have them make a lot of noise around me, to see if I can focus through it. I will also look into classes to find an instructor.
Thanks again!
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Permalink Reply by isleofskye on -
What helped me the most was laboring in a tub, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! And remembering the breathing I learned from Hypnobirthing!! I was in the hospital, rented a tub from Amazing Births and it made all the difference and I had to be induced too. My labor was so much more bearable than the first (went natural w/first not induced). If only I could have delivered in the tub because as soon as they had me come out to deliver the pain was unbearable but luckily didn't take long 30 min. If I could have done it my way (could not due to medical issue) I would have had a home/water birth with a midwife. Or at least a water birth/midwife in hospital but most don't let you deliver in tub. I was lucky, normally this hospital does not allow laboring in tub if induced but they were very accommodating and had great nurses supporting my decision to go natural etc.. I was so disappointed that I had to be induced but I was able to do it but not sure if I would have had it not been for the tub!!! I was skeptical but figured it wouldn't hurt to try well now I am a believer!! Good luck!! As far as having children in the delivery room, I didn't, didn't want my son (3yr old then) to see me in pain and he would have wanted to get in the tub with me :) Also, would not have been able to focus. But, everybody is different, and every child is different. You should do what would make you most comfortable, she might be a great comfort to you and then if you are in pain maybe someone could take her from the room. Have you read "Your Best Birth"? great book. Good luck to you :)
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