Emily Wang - Ph.D in biology talks Hypnobirthing.
It’s Not Me. It’s My Body!
**** Ring, ring. ****
Emily: “Hi, how are you doing?”
Client: “I’m doing OK. 5cms open. Should I walk around or should I try to relax?”
Emily: “Relax! Any position, it doesn’t matter. And breathe with the surges.”
Client: “Ok, yah, breathing does make the surges more tolerable.”
“And much more effective. At least 5 times more effective. It’s going to help us a lot! I’m coming to the hospital now.”
When I heard the word “tolerable”, as a HypnoBirthing doula, I knew it was time for me to run to the hospital to help her. So that the surges (contraction) become comfortable and powerful, rather than tolerable. 5 mins later I was in my car, on the way to the hospital. Realizing this is the first birth I’m attending since getting the regression hypnosis training from Matt and Randy, since learning so much about observing, respecting and acknowledging the body/subconscious mind. “How about I apply what I use in sessions in birthing? Acknowledging all feelings?”, I thought to myself. I had always been using relaxation techniques to help laboring moms, it works wonderfully for many moms, but not everyone. Not everyone CAN relax during labor. How about we follow the feelings/sensations this time? How about we respect those feelings/sensations?
She was in the bathroom when I walked in, I took out the electrical candles, and was trying to set up a cozier and more intimate environment. There walks out of her, saying hi to me and giving me a hug when I know there is no time to say hi or hug me. There comes a surge, she is squeezing her eyebrows and moaning. Touching her shoulders, I said “breathe.” The surge is gone now, noticing her shoulders are tense, I gave her a little rub.
She laid down on the bed. There comes another surge, her body seems tense, uncomfortable. “Keep on breathing, your baby needs all the oxygen you can get. Let the outside world be just that, the outside world. Notice that sensation, feeling. Whatever it is, even if it feels uncomfortable, acknowledge it, for helping your body and your baby.” She’s breathing better. Here comes another surge, she squeezed my hand. “Open your palms so that the oxygen flows even better to your baby. Let your jaw stay loose.” Resting. “Let your shoulders rest for a moment. And if you can, stretch your arms to keep them loose, stretch your legs if you can.” Here comes another one. “Keep going inside. Become a tiny being, going inside, look for that little one, notice her heartbeat, maybe her chubby cheeks..”
She felt the pressure. She’s a little scared, squeezing my hand tightly. “Open your palms, open your heart. Give your body and your baby permission to work. Open your body, like a rosebud, one petal at a time, let your baby come.” People talking, trying to set her up for pushing. I murmured in her ears, “You don’t need to tend to anything, anybody, but your body, your baby. Stay inside, open your body, open your heart, let your baby come.” She bursted out: “She’s coming out!” “Breathing your loving energy to your baby, breathe it down, down, and down.” “Oh my god!” She moans. “Oh yes, that’s it! That’s what it takes, releasing the energy” I thought in my mind. And I told her: “She’s coming. She’s coming. Tell your baby that everyone is ready whenever she’s ready. ” This dear mom nodded her head. Four moans later, before anyone was ready to coach her to push, there comes a head!! Full of hairs!! I bursted into tears. Grandma ran all the way to the other side of the room, bursting into tears.
She is laying on her chest, so peaceful, so content. Looking at mom with her beautiful dark eyes. Mom unbelieveably beautiful, looking at her, holding her little fingers. Enjoying those first moments together, outside the womb.
Dad said: “So peaceful, it’s just like your said about other hypnobirthing babies!” And I captured this picture in my mind, intend to keep it forever.
Mom told me: “What a difference it made, from going around and tending to things, to laying down, going inside! I felt everyone of her movements. Turning her head, her shoulders. She coming out, and sliding back in. I felt everything!” Her eyes sparkling, filled with love and amazement. I was looking into her eyes, felt all the love and amazement, and a little envy. “Oh, you make me almost want to experience birth again!” I said. “When you said ignore everyone, I did. I just kept going inside and my body did it. It wasn’t me! It was my body who pushed her out on it’s own! Oh, when our head doesn’t get in the way. It was my body!” “Yes,” I said, “your body works. Our body works.”
“Your were amazing. You make a lot of moms ashamed.” said the doctor. Ashamed, why should they? We only thought our body needed help from outside. Forgetting about the internal guidance that has always been there, that has stood the test of time. Our amazing body.
I got home, with a big smile on my face. Hubby said: “so quick? How long were you there?” “2 hrs. And I spent 1 hr enjoying the baby.” Love this work! Love this life!
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Emily
Emily Wang, Ph.D.
Board Certified Hypnotist
Making Positive Changes in YOUR everyday life!
Tel: (240) 328-8169
