A HypnoBirthing announcement--Keris & Jeff

Keris & Jeff took my Tuesday night HypnoBirthing classes at Babies by the Sea Boutique in Cardiff in November 2010. Here's the short version of their birth story:

I am holding my sweet little boy in my lap right now- Grayson Edward. :)

He was born last week, January 13th, 2010. He tried to arrive on his due date, the 12th, but my labor stalled out...I am working on writing up my birth story and hope to have it done over the next few days.

My birthing experience was totally different in a lot of ways from anything I had envisioned, but equally beautiful and satisfying in its own right. Jeff was beyond amazing as a partner, so much so that I didn't even end up wanting the doula there with us. And the UCSD Birth Center...wow! The midwives and the nurses were all superb. I wish more people knew about that option. We were extra happy because at the last minute another midwife had to be called in as there was another woman delivering at the exact same time as me. The midwife called in happened to be the one that we had been seeing for all of our appointments and it felt so wonderful to see her familiar face.

I want you to know that your voice was distinctly in my head at a crucial moment. I remember clearly that when I was at the point where my contractions were double peaking and I was leaning into Jeff's counter pressure as hard as I could, I thought to myself that all I wanted to do was jump out of my body. I was cursing HypnoBirthing and natural birth in my head and I just wanted relief! Right then, I heard your voice telling me that when I got to the point of wanting to throw in the towel, it meant that I was almost there. I just kept focusing on that and it was not long after that they had me in the birthing tub and I was getting a break in between contractions again. I knew exactly what was happening at that point and knew that I was fully dilated and could feel the baby making its way into the birth canal. In fact, when the midwife came in to observe me and said she wanted to check my dilation, I responded with "What? Why?" (in kind of a why the hell are you bothering me voice), only because I was so aware of where I was at. She checked me and said, "Oh, you're fully dilated and I feel his head right there." "Um, yeah, I could have told you that. Now can I go back to what I was doing please?!" ;-)

Anyway, just wanted you to know that you were present at my birth in a very important way!

We have told so many people about your class and how empowering it was. Thank you again for everything.

Keris & Jeff
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Congratulations Keris & Jeff! I can't wait to hear/read the full account of your son's birth experience! I'm so glad that the HypnoBirthing classes helped you have a wonderful birth experience & that my voice came to you just when you needed it.

Enjoy your babymoon!

All my best--Carol
www.AWellLivedLife.net
www.AWellLivedLife.blogspot.com

Lola

Tonight I light a candle for Lola.

Lola is Wiseguy's daughter. She was born on January 14th. But tragically passed away two days later. Though she is gone from this earth, she will never be forgotten.

Lola was so precious and so loved. She was dreamed about long before she came into this world.

Please pass by Wiseguy's blog to offer some words of comfort at this terrible time.

Plan A / Plan B

I'm still holding my breath. It's quite a challenge I can tell you. I close my eyes and imagine a ultrasound scan with a 12 week fetus clearly visible, large head, moving limbs and the heartbeat shown clearly on the monitor. Every time I picture this tears start suddenly flooding down my cheeks. Tears because I would be so happy and ultimately so relieved. These are good thoughts. Good tears. So plan A is that Mr. T and I would go out and celebrate our much deserved and much longed for miracle. A box of chocolates from Praline D'Or (the bestest most deliciousest chocolate shop in Marrakech), dinner at one of our favourite restaurants and lots and lots of cuddles. That's Plan A.

But of course I also have to think of the dark side. I cannot afford not to prepare myself. A lifeless small body, no heartbeat, just floating. I am prepared for that outcome. It would be horribly tragic and sad. But I feel resigned to accept whatever fate has given me. I have done all that I can. I am healthier and stronger than I ever have been. I have been very kind to myself and taken lots of rest. I take my prenatals, choline, zinc & omega 3 religiously. I know this is my best chance. I will accept whatever is. I am resigned to it.

And so we have also made a plan B. When discussing the options for plan B, I looked at Mr. T and with a hopeful look said 'Maldives again?' We are in the middle of building a house, Mr. T reminded me, and so the Maldives may be a little out of the budget for the moment. That is true. But we now have direct flights from Marrakech to Rome and Bologna, I chimed in. Ah, that could be doable, he agreed. So Plan B is to go home and cry (and hold each other tight) and then book tickets to either Rome or Bologna for a little healing escapism.

So while I have never been to Italy and have always wanted to go, mainly to gorge myself on some of the best cuisine in the world, I am of course rooting for Plan A. Of all the things I have ever wanted in my life this is one of the only things that actually means anything at all. I know you know.

And here I am at 12 weeks now *nail biting*. But I am not rushing off to the doc's tomorrow or the day after. I have decided to go on Wednesday when I am truly into the 12th week. Just something I want to do. I have kept my agenda blank for Wednesday and beyond as I just don't know where I'll be. Celebrating or mourning? Being faced with such a black or white outcome is overwhelmingly intense - but I am much more prepared than last time. Last time it didn't even enter into my consciousness for a second that anything could be wrong. This time I know differently and I think being so prepared will make any bad news easier to take. That's the theory anyway, we'll see how we go in real life.

Please send good thoughts/vibes/prayers our way on Wednesday. Thank you!