The Birth of Sawyer

Born May 22, 2012

Submitted by Rebecca Paul

When I have a rare quiet moment, I sink into the memory of the night my son was born. Had it not happened to me, I would not believe it were possible.

Two and a half years ago, my daughter was born at home attended by our two midwives and welcomed by my husband and me. Labour and delivery went well but I was taken aback by the physical pain of natural childbirth.

When I learned I was pregnant last year, I knew I wanted another home birth but was nervous about the pain. I learned about a technique called Hypnobirthing from one of the Midwives of Muskoka and started practicing it early in pregnancy. As I understood it, if I could use meditation to help my mind and body relax as much as possible, labour and childbirth could happen without much pain. I remained sceptical yet hopeful as the days and months passed and I listened to the guided meditation and affirmation CDs faithfully. I also did a great deal of reading and found inspiration and confidence in such books as “Childbirth Without Fear” by Dr. Grantly Dick-Read and “Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin. For extra inspiration, I would watch hypnobirthing videos online which provided me with visual examples of real women delivering babies quite comfortably. I was amazed yet still sceptical that I could have that kind of experience.

Then came the day when I would learn that given the chance, a woman’s body can do the most remarkable things. I started mediating when I felt the beginnings of labour gently nudging me. I had planned for a water birth so we filled the birthing pool and I listened to the hypnobirthing materials from start to finish. After hours of relatively pain-free contractions, my baby boy came rushing into the world. The meditation and relaxation was so effective that I didn’t realize how close I was to actually delivering the baby until a few moments before he emerged from my body into the water.

It was a wonderful, beautiful experience and I am proud of, and grateful for, the way my son entered the world. I was able to enjoy his birth and be absolutely present for it. Hypnobirthing was a gift to me and one that I hope other expectant mothers will use to give themselves over to nature and enjoy childbirth in the most amazing way.