dear santa,
please, please bring me this. i will wear it proudly around my neck while helping parents bring their babies into the world.
smiles.
i wasn’t going to do another post about an material item that i want but this is sort of a celebratory post. i just got to witness another amazing birth. and this time something just clicked. i’ve been grooving along on this path for a while but today pieces fell into place. momma’s got a whole new bag of tricks.
today is the day i became a doula.
when i did my DONA doula training my instructor spent a good bit of time speaking about Hypnobabies. i loved the idea of it then and have often thought i would seek Hypnobabies education for myself whenever wrucker #2 is on the way. through my involvement with Birthworkers of Central Ohio i have been able to meet and get to know a few Hypnobabies instructors, one being the sweet miss Maloree Munn. Maloree and her cutie pie son were kind enough to meet up with us for a play date and us mommas got to talk birth. i’ve asked Maloree to answer a few questions about the Hypnobabies program.
ladies gestating babies take note. enter Ms. Munn:
1) can you sum up in 3 sentences or less the essence of hypnobabies?
Oh boy! Ok, Hypnobabies is a COMPLETE childbirth course that also teaches moms to use Hypnosis during their birthing time. Our moms are able to walk, talk, change position and move around during their labor by using our Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis. Our Hypno-moms and their birth partner also learn four other hypnosis techniques, which enables the mom to enter hypnosis easily and aids her in an easy, comfortable birth.
2) does hypnobabies differ from other childbirth prep courses? how so?
Yes, it sure does. The Hypnobabies course is very detailed. We teach our moms everything they need to know about natural childbirth, staying healthy and low risk, and how to incorporate hypnosis during their birthing time. Our “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis” is completely unique to Hypnobabies, and is a very popular reason why people choose Hypnobabies. We are the only course that teaches this technique of Hypnosis, which allows our moms to remain comfortable and completely anesthetized while being mobile in their birthing time. One of the most powerful things that our course does for moms is eliminate fear that is associated with pregnancy and birth. We do this by literally re-programming the mom’s brain through Hypnosis CDs, Hypnosis scripts, and their “Daily Pregnancy Affirmations” CD which provide positive suggestions to the mothers about their pregnancy and birth. We also have changed many of the traditional words used in childbirth classes and birth to more positive words. Our classes are taught in a very positive way. And our moms also are taught to have a “Protective Bubble of Peace” which ensures their mind will only accept the positive views on pregnancy and birth.
3) what is your own personal experience with hypnobabies?
When I was pregnant with my son I came across a forum on babycenter.com that was titled “Hypnosis for Childbirth”. I was completely freaked out by the thought of people being Hypnotized to have babies but I was also intrigued. I started reading the posts in this forum. I read comments like “un-medicated and pain free birth”, “30 hours of labor that felt like 10 hours”, “5 hour labor for a first time mom” “really comfortable birth without an epidural.” After hours of reading birth stories and watching Hypnobabies birth videos I knew this was something I had to do. I started the Hypnobabies course when I was 20 weeks pregnant and it was amazing how different my pregnancy was from 20 weeks and on. The second half of my pregnancy was much more positive, I was much more in-tune
with my body and baby, and I just felt better. My confidence level was so much higher when it came to natural childbirth. And I was able to make some really tough decisions at the end of my pregnancy. When my birthing time started I was so calm and relaxed and I knew just what I needed to do. My “pressure waves” really did only feel like pressure. And I was so comfortable the whole time. My husband/birth partner was such a great support and was very involved as well. After 7 hours, and 25 minutes of pushing, I was able to meet the sweetest baby boy that has ever entered my life. My midwife had never seen a first time mom be so calm and relaxed before. She had many questions for me over the next couple of days.
Because my birth experience was so relaxed and peaceful, I am able to remember it so clearly. Once I had my Hypnobabies experience, I had to recommend it to every pregnant woman I came in contact with. Which led me to become an instructor. And it really is the best feeling to be teaching other women how to give birth peacefully. I just love it.
4) what is your most important piece of advice for expecting moms?
Well, I will tell you what I always tell expectant moms: Please look into Hypnobabies if you plan to have a natural birth. It is amazing how peaceful and comfortable your birth can be. And please don’t let anyone tell you how your pregnancy and birth will be for you. Not all moms experience morning sickness, not all moms are miserable their last month of pregnancy, not all moms experience pain or discomfort in their birthing time. Every woman and her body and baby are so different, and your pregnancy and birth can be positive!
I look forward to learning more from Maloree this coming year. If you’re in the Columbus, OH area and are looking for a childbirth education class please consider Hypnobabies education with Maloree! Her information can be found at her page Special Deliveries.
i’m boning up on some of my childbirth and labor support material for the birth coming up in just a few weeks. i wanted to share this short passage from Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth:
Barbara’s Reflections by Barbara Wolcott
I guess the most important thing I figured out was that your attitude and how you approach your birth is of utmost importance. In other words, it is important to face each birth like a bull, with full force, no fear or hesitation, with the attitude that you can do this and you aren’t going to hold back. This is your opportunity to remember your power as a woman, inhibitions not allowed. Those contractions are power surges, and each one gets the baby closer to birth. Your baby feels your strength and also your fears. The midwives helped me so much with this and kept reminding me of my strength.
last weekend i was perusing in a used bookstore and i came across the most amazing vintage book geared toward explaining procreation. it’s everything i’ve been looking for in an appropriate explanation of sex, procreation, birth and nursing….and it was written in 1952.
The Wonderful Story of How You Were Born is a pretty fantastic resource by Sidonie Matsner Gruenberg. Besides the fact that it’s a lovely little vintage book with great illustrations and fun to look at, it’s very matter of fact about procreation for all life on earth. Gruenberg doesn’t shy away from using medical terms- seeing the word vagina in a 50s children’s book is pretty cool- but explains them in tangible terms. i feel the book is very respectful to the Creator without being overtly religious. it even explains genes in a way a small child could understand.
i’ve started reading some parts of it to darla but mostly i’ve been reading and re-reading as a way of internalizing the way the author explains the birds and the bees so i have some good material for when the off the cuff conversations come about.
if any of you parents are looking for a good resource i suggest getting a copy of The Wonderful Story of How You Were Born. an updated version from 1971 is also available but the 50s version is much prettier.
oh and i also found a book about Gnomes that i’ve been coveting for a long time. it actually does cover gnome procreation…and a little book of western songs. it was a good day at the bookstore.
i’ve found myself with the opportunity to devote the rest of the year to completing my doula training.
that is if people will hire me…
i’m putting it out into the universe. i gotta get this thing done.
to the people makin’ babies in Columbus, OH
if you’re looking for low-cost doula care between Oct-Jan drop me a line.
i’d love to support you and your family.
share my info with every prego lady you see!
k, thanks!
just another little cut and paste for you from the Lamaze International website
| Introduction to the Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices |
The Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices can help you simplify the birth process with a natural approach that helps alleviate fears and manage pain. Regardless of your baby’s size, your labor’s length and complexity, or your confidence level, these care practices will help you keep your labor and birth as safe and healthy as possible.
i know a good many of you have probably been wondering about that second birth experience. it’s taken me a couple of days to get life back in a rhythm, find time to write, and process the whole experience.
i wish i could give you a birth story, but it’s not my story to tell. so i will tell you what i can. i will tell you what’s in my heart.
i write and gravitate a lot towards natural birth. i believe in the power of mommas bodies. i believe in the wonderful dance mothers and their babies do to bring a new life into the world that we have termed labor. i know that i may come across as if i think mothers who choose natural birth are powerful she-woman warriors, because i do.
but now i have learned and witnessed another kind of power, another kind of strength that i hadn’t given its due credit until now. i haven’t had a ton of experience and i think somehow the universe knew which window to open and let me see through for my second experience. to give me more perspective and a well-rounded mindset moving forward. the last line from the excerpt i posted last week keeps ringing in my head: mothers and nature always find a way.
i’ve known all along that being a support person means supporting all kinds of births be they natural, interventive or surgical. even though i have my own personal philosophies, my biggest philosophy is that every couple gets to make their own birth decisions and deserve to be supported through those decisions. i just haven’t had a chance to actually practice what i preach too much.
i’ve now seen the kind of strength it takes to be able to reset and reconfigure when things don’t all go according to plan, because more often than not it’s not going to. i’ve seen the strength it takes for a couple to quickly shift from one path to another. i have to say that i’m a very stubborn person and i don’t know if i would have been able to recalculate with as much grace and acceptance as what i saw this past week. i would have thrown a stubborn aries fit. i would have had an emotional breakdown. i am very lucky neither of these parents were like me. mothers who can shift and accept a different path to birth their babies are powerful she-woman warriors, too. mothers find a way.
i’ve seen the strength it takes to face complications with positivity.
i was reminded that i am going to be very privileged to witness couples at their best. i don’t have a ton of births under my belt but i’m kinda getting the feeling that couples are at their best in labor. at least i hope. maybe i’ve just been lucky to see two great couples give birth. but i can say that i think i will be hard-pressed to find a husband and birth partner more supportive than what i witnessed last week. i’m willing to keep doing this to find out though…
to my friends: thank you a million times over for allowing me to support you through your labor. your fortitude astounded me. your love and support for one another was amazing. i know how lucky i am to have been there. i just have a feeling that starts at my core and radiates out to every fiber of my being that everything will be ok with time. these early complications will fall away and be but memories.
your beautiful baby is one lucky girl to get to have you as parents. aaannd i’m already jealous of her hair. i’ll show her how to shake it one day ;-)
all my love and admiration, your doulette
i wanted to pass on some good news from the fabulous penny simkin. please visit her site and read her books if you’re looking for more insight and wisdom on childbirth. here’s some great news on birth statistics in the US in 2010.
Good News in Maternity Care
We’ve been getting some good news lately, which might mean we’re seeing the beginnings of a different direction in maternity care, for example, some tiny and some large improvements in a few key outcomes. For example, for the first time in 14 years, the cesarean rate in the US went down a tiny bit – from 32.9% in 2009 to 32.8% in 2010. Could this be the beginning of a trend? This tiny .1 percent (one 1000th) reduction is more significant when we recognize that the relentless upward swing has paused. If the annual rate of increase that we’ve seen over the past 14 years had continued in 2010, we’d see a rate between 33.5 to 34%, rather than 32.8%. That’s worth celebrating! (Unfortunately, the cesarean rate in my state of Washington increased.) I made some calculations of the numbers. One in a thousand is not much, until you consider that 1/1000 of the 4,000,000 births per year in the US represents 4000 fewer women who had a cesarean. It’s a start.
For the 4th straight year the US preterm birth rate has decreased from 12.8% in 2006 to 12.2 % in 2009, with most of the improvement coming in the late pre-term (34 to 36 weeks’ gestation) births. The March of Dimes gets a lot of credit for this, having made preterm birth reduction the major focus of its work. (The March of Dimes granted me a full scholarship for my Physical Therapy Training in 1959-60, when their goal was an end to polio. Once that goal was achieved, they turned to pregnancy related issues. I am proud of that connection with the March of Dimes, and the fact that our paths have converged as they have.)
Also, teen pregnancies have dropped to the lowest rate (9.3% in 2010 from 10% in 2009) in 70 years!
Let’s work for greater improvements in these and in other outcomes next year!
alright you pregnant ladies and expectant gentledudes, when i say “a doula” i mean ME. me. me. M. E. ME! even if it’s not me just get yourself a doula. you’ll be forever thankful that you did.
but reasons why it should be me: 1 – i’m awesome 2 – most of the time i smell nice 3 – i’m not a full blown doula yet so pricing is in your favor. i’m referring to myself as a “doulette” until i complete all my certification. if you are one of my certifying births you will receive the full doula experience at less than half the cost. make smart decisions b/c we’re in a recession! i do have one birth experience under my belt, in addition to that of my daughter, so i’m not totally green. maybe more like chartreuse.
happy birthing to you all!
Source: facebook.com via Sarah on Pinterest
see what i did there? i took kindergarten and changed it to kinderbirthin’ and it works as kinder birthing too. awwwww shucks.
that really sums up the workshop though. kinder birthing. i hope i can keep that as one of my focus points as i get more involved. it’s all about kinder birthing for mom, dad and little tiny babes. also, i’m aware that kinder may or may not be an acceptable english word.
you may think doulas only support women who are having non-interventive birth. this correlation can be attributed to the fact that many women find the support and companionship of other women during her birth essential should she choose to forgo medication. but, doulas are also relevant for medicated births and cesareans. studies show that what happens to a woman emotionally matters more to her than what happens physically during labor and birth.
we learned a little more about the etymology of the word doula which is more than what you’ll find on wikipedia if you’re going to go look it up right now. it will say that doula is greek for female slave but it’s a little more than that. a doula was a woman who entered into servitude voluntarily and vowed to serve only one woman, her mistress. she took care of her mistress’ daily needs and was in turn given room, board and protection. these bonds were usually very long lasting. it’s touching to see how this term has evolved and integrated to childbirth today. i think it’s beautifully fitting.
if you are expecting please take the time to consider having a doula or at least meeting with a doula for an interview. if you’re in central ohio or indiana then consider having me as your doula! i wanna see you push a baby outta your lady regions! not many people are going to say that to you (maybe not even your partner) but i am. so take me up on it.
i just stumbled onto this on the interwebs while researching doulas and midwives and all i can say is WOW. lots of info and kinda dense at times but well worth a read. also artistically beautiful. as with the ina may book i recommended here, there are bits of this zine that don’t sit right with me and probably won’t with most of you either. but at least let those parts make you think.
momjeanz 