Lynzey (Hypnobabies Class)

If you're looking for someone to help you get through birth, Carrie is not for you. But I would never choose anyone else to be there on the day we welcome our baby into the world. 

I found Carrie when I was looking for Hypnobabies classes in my area. I was pretty sure I wanted a Hypnobabies birth in my home, but I thought I did not want a doula. My concern was it would minimize my husbands role as my support. Eventually I changed my mind, deciding I would like to have a woman present to reassure me that things were normal and safe.  This ended up being one of the best decisions. 

Carrie was the instructor for my Hypnobabies class. The class was amazing. Beyond being a powerful tool for birth, it was also a couple hours to be relaxed and get excited about giving birth! Carrie was an awesome instructor AND host. It was always cozy with lots of pillows and tasty, healthy snacks. It felt so much like visiting family, especially when I got to know the other two awesome couples. (I almost chose private classes, but I'm so so glad I did a group class!) 

About Carrie as a doula: I saw an ob and a midwife during my pregnancy. At my 40 week appointment, my ob wanted to schedule my induction for the following week. I had no indicators that the baby was in any distress. I wanted to have my baby at home and   I had learned in my Hypnobabies class that spontaneous birth of first babies doesn't typically happen at, or before, 41 weeks. I wanted to give my baby a fair chance at picking her own birthday. So when my ob insisted we schedule an induction, I panicked. I started texting Carrie who helped me tremendously. She urged me to call her and we talked about other options and she provided me with several resources. Most importantly, she helped me refocus and find calm. This would become a reoccurring theme in our relationship. 

On June 29, I started feeling pressure waves consistently. I text Carrie and she took it completely seriously, as she did the 2-3 previous times I text her saying "I don't know, but this might be it". She never made me feel silly about "first time mother" questions. Things picked up and I text her again the following day and she came over. When things stalled out, she had lots of tools for getting things moving again. No matter how spaced out things got, Carrie did not leave. That evening, things really picked up, and would continue to be pretty intense for the next two days. Carries hypnosis scripts carried me through. She was there by the bathtub, by the bed, playing the Hypnobabies tracks, helping my husband, and always focused on my needs. When I got discouraged, she was there for support. When I was feeling strong, she was my biggest cheerleader.  Her presence was always warm and calm even when hours became days.  

During the last six hours of my birthing time, everyone was exhausted , but her and my husband took shifts by the pool. My husband could not have done this alone. This was also the most magical time of my birth. If you're wondering HYPNOBABIES WORKS. I was in a beautiful hypnosis and in this time all I needed was quiet, the scent of lavender, and water. And that's exactly what was provided. 

Shortly thereafter the midwife came, Carrie tied back my hair and started a camera, I pushed, and horray! In the afternoon of July 1, there was my beautiful 9 pound, 3 ounce baby girl! Carrie stayed for several more hours, helping with post partum recovery. In fact, at one point, while she was tidying up I had to insist she go home and rest. 

So, if you're pregnant and reading this wondering will Carrie help you "get through" birth? No. She will be there, experiencing it with you. She's there for the marathon, not the finish line. And what an awesome marathon it will be!