Kaytie (Hypnobabies Class)

​It was an easy choice to make when we decided to have our first baby at home. I knew I didn't want unnecessary medical interventions, and while most felt that I was crazy and often reminded me of how painful it was going to be, my husband and I never lacked belief that my body was strong enough to birth naturally. We were lucky enough to take our Hypnobabies class with Carri Mendes, who provided such a warm and safe learning environment for both my husband and I. While I was obviously the one caring the baby and eventually birthing the baby, the Hypnobabies curriculum including the daddies-to-be so much, that it never felt like I was going into birth alone. My husband, who is a coach, totally bought into the idea of Hypnobabies, as he often talks to his players about how much of their strength is connected to their mentality. With so many people not understanding or trusting in our choice to birth at home, it was Carrie and her constant reminders of remaining in our "bubbles of peace" that kept us focused and prepared!

When my birthing day began, I was in complete disbelief that it was actually here. With very irregular contractions, and being only 1 CM dilated after 12 hours of contractions, I began to lose hope that I was going to be able to survive a home birth. My husband insisted that I begin listening to my birthing day Hypnobabies tracks, even though I didn't want to, "in case this wasn't the real thing yet". But despite my protest he began playing them throughout the house. As we walked and walked and walked around the neighborhood, my husband continually repeated relaxation cues and positive affirmations from the tracks. After 47 hours (yes 47!) of irregular but strong pressure waves, my midwife finally broke my water and filled up my birthing pool!

As I stepped into my pool, with my Hypnobabies tracks playing in the background, I entered into a different world, a world of hope, a world of strength, a world of belief, and most importantly, a world of peace and relaxation . With each pressure wave coming every minute, and my husband cuing me to relax, I began to drift into a sleepy slumber, only briefly woken by the pressure of each coming wave. After 5 hours of my body opening up, my midwife actually had to have me get up and out of the pool, and turn off the Hypnobabies tracks because I was "too relaxed". With in minutes of getting up my body instantly went into pushing mode, without any instruction from my midwives or even my own mind. My body was ready and knew it was time, and for the first time, after 53 hours of labor I was able to fight against the pressure waves and push my baby into my arms!

If someone had told me I'd be laboring for 3 days, with no meds, and no nurses, I may not have made the choice to birth at home, but due to the amazing love and support of my Hypnobabies instructor and midwife team, my husband and i never felt anxious, or unprepared for what was to come, and we were able to welcome our sweet boy into a room full of peace, love, and relaxation. He never cried, he just took one huge first breath, and stared up at his new family.