Joanne’s HypnoBirthing Story 1.0
I came to know about HypnoBirthing (Mongan Method) even before I got pregnant. We have been listening to horrible birth stories among our friends and relatives. I started to google about pain-free natural birth, how to birth naturally without pain etc. I came to know about water birth which is quite popular in the western countries and later I found that some mothers who water birth are actually using HypnoBirthing method. (Editor: Just to clarify that not all HypnoBirths are water births and Not all water births are HypnoBirths. Hypnobirthing is a childbirth technique you can use whether you choose to birth in water or on land or even a cesarean)
So when I knew I'm expecting, without hesitation, I attended Bee Ting's workshop in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and signed up for HypnoBirthing class when I was 5 months pregnant!
My first birth
Justin, my new year HypnoBirthing boy ~
The surges (aka contractions) began somewhere around 2am and were quite frequent but bearable. We had no idea at what stage do we need to rush to the hospital. As we learned from HypnoBirthing class, when I can't talk, I can't walk, that's the time.. But as first time parent, to play safe, we went to the hospital at 3am and did the first vaginal examination (VE) (that's a horrible experience! and I hate the feeling so much). It was only 1 cm dilated so we decided to go home and sleep.
The next morning, we went for a good breakfast. As the surges came, I stopped eating and practiced my surge breathing. Then we had a walk in the Mall (as what many people say, walking speeds up the process). When the surges came, we stopped walking and I practiced surge breathing again and again. Since I'm still able to walk and talk, we know it's not the time yet.
In the evening about 5pm, the surges had became more intense and yes.. we decided to go to hospital to check again. Reluctantly I had to get another VE done....It was only 2.5cm dilated.. OMG! How long more to go? Since we are already in the hospital, we agreed to admit to the hospital this round.
The surge was quite unbearable and true enough the lying on the back is the most uncomfortable position so I actually spent my whole night sitting on my birth ball, kneel down hugging my birth ball and trying out whatever position that felt comfortable for me during my labour. Meanwhile I listened to the rainbow relaxation and birth affirmation CD that we have used in our practice throughout pregnancy.
I still remember when the surges came, I tend to grab on the bed rail which actually tensed me up and felt even more uncomfortable.
My supportive birth partner, my dear hubby, kept reminding me to relax and let go of my hand. True enough, it did make me feel better.
So when I knew I'm expecting, without hesitation, I attended Bee Ting's workshop in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia and signed up for HypnoBirthing class when I was 5 months pregnant!
My first birth
Justin, my new year HypnoBirthing boy ~
The surges (aka contractions) began somewhere around 2am and were quite frequent but bearable. We had no idea at what stage do we need to rush to the hospital. As we learned from HypnoBirthing class, when I can't talk, I can't walk, that's the time.. But as first time parent, to play safe, we went to the hospital at 3am and did the first vaginal examination (VE) (that's a horrible experience! and I hate the feeling so much). It was only 1 cm dilated so we decided to go home and sleep.
The next morning, we went for a good breakfast. As the surges came, I stopped eating and practiced my surge breathing. Then we had a walk in the Mall (as what many people say, walking speeds up the process). When the surges came, we stopped walking and I practiced surge breathing again and again. Since I'm still able to walk and talk, we know it's not the time yet.
In the evening about 5pm, the surges had became more intense and yes.. we decided to go to hospital to check again. Reluctantly I had to get another VE done....It was only 2.5cm dilated.. OMG! How long more to go? Since we are already in the hospital, we agreed to admit to the hospital this round.
The surge was quite unbearable and true enough the lying on the back is the most uncomfortable position so I actually spent my whole night sitting on my birth ball, kneel down hugging my birth ball and trying out whatever position that felt comfortable for me during my labour. Meanwhile I listened to the rainbow relaxation and birth affirmation CD that we have used in our practice throughout pregnancy.
I still remember when the surges came, I tend to grab on the bed rail which actually tensed me up and felt even more uncomfortable.
My supportive birth partner, my dear hubby, kept reminding me to relax and let go of my hand. True enough, it did make me feel better.
Next day
It was a looong night and finally Dr Eli came and again another VE was performed at about 10am.. My cervix was 7cm dilated now! Yay! My baby was going to come out soon! So I got transferred to the labour room at 11am.
It was a looong day as well until 5pm if I remembered correctly. As I was sitting comfortably on my birth ball, Dr Eli came and explained to me about my situation (long labour and slow progress) and ask if we would like to proceed with medical intervention. We agreed with membrane sweeping to induce labour, but it didn't speed up the labour. We had no idea why my labour slowed down and was getting less intense.
At 7pm, I was truly exhausted. I had not eaten the whole day and had forgotten to prepare snacks. We agreed to induce labour by IV drip to end the process fast as I was really tired and wanted a quick solution. It was an unforgettable painful moment till baby was out 1 hour later. I had an episiotomy which Dr Eli asked for my permission before she did it, which I'm also fine with it. Baby was calm and able to breastfeed immediately.
Lessons learnt from my first birth:-
1) MUST prepare snacks, be it energy bars, chocolate, banana, energy drinks, just bring as much as you can coz you will not know how long your labour is gonna be.
2) Practice J breathing , I wish to breath baby out, but midwife keep telling me that I am "pushing" the wrong way so it took me more than 30 pushes before baby is out.
Although it's wasn't my ideal birth, but I'm truly fine with it. I've heard too many stories about birth trauma and fear about giving birth.
I'm so blessed that I attended HypnoBirthing class - it's not only about the method of giving birth, it's also about how well are you prepared for your birth.
Thank you so much Bee Ting.. For making my pregnancy and labor experience to be full of confidence!!
It was a looong night and finally Dr Eli came and again another VE was performed at about 10am.. My cervix was 7cm dilated now! Yay! My baby was going to come out soon! So I got transferred to the labour room at 11am.
It was a looong day as well until 5pm if I remembered correctly. As I was sitting comfortably on my birth ball, Dr Eli came and explained to me about my situation (long labour and slow progress) and ask if we would like to proceed with medical intervention. We agreed with membrane sweeping to induce labour, but it didn't speed up the labour. We had no idea why my labour slowed down and was getting less intense.
At 7pm, I was truly exhausted. I had not eaten the whole day and had forgotten to prepare snacks. We agreed to induce labour by IV drip to end the process fast as I was really tired and wanted a quick solution. It was an unforgettable painful moment till baby was out 1 hour later. I had an episiotomy which Dr Eli asked for my permission before she did it, which I'm also fine with it. Baby was calm and able to breastfeed immediately.
Lessons learnt from my first birth:-
1) MUST prepare snacks, be it energy bars, chocolate, banana, energy drinks, just bring as much as you can coz you will not know how long your labour is gonna be.
2) Practice J breathing , I wish to breath baby out, but midwife keep telling me that I am "pushing" the wrong way so it took me more than 30 pushes before baby is out.
Although it's wasn't my ideal birth, but I'm truly fine with it. I've heard too many stories about birth trauma and fear about giving birth.
I'm so blessed that I attended HypnoBirthing class - it's not only about the method of giving birth, it's also about how well are you prepared for your birth.
Thank you so much Bee Ting.. For making my pregnancy and labor experience to be full of confidence!!