Ariana Gail Poynor
December 20, 2003
3:49 p.m.
8 lbs. 5 oz.
Proud Parents: Melanie and Raymond Poynor
I had a fear of giving birth. Thanks to HypnoBirthing®, I learned how to birth my 8 lb. 5 oz baby girl without drugs, pain, or fear; as a matter of fact, I was actually very excited and happy when my labor started. Baby Ariana was born 11 days past her due date, and my doctor told me I would have to be induced on December 21st. Wanting to avoid an artificial induction, I visited an acupuncturist on December 18th and 19th. The next day around 3:30 a.m., I experienced the first signs of labor. It felt like cramps and the feeling of having to go to the bathroom. I kept trying to go to the bathroom but as soon as I lay down I would experience this intense feeling, as if I had to go to the bathroom once again. Ray started to time these so-called “cramps” and once the surges were four minutes apart, we went over to the hospital.
Once settled at Tri-City Hospital, Ray, my wonderful husband and birth companion, helped me relax by rubbing my back and reading to me HypnoBirthing® scripts. During labor I liked rocking, walking, and (believe it or not) sitting on the toilet during surges. When I was about 5 cm. dilated, my doctor decided we needed to release my membranes due to evidence of meconium.
I felt the urge to push around 1:00 p.m., about two hours before Ariana was born. Even though Ariana was born posterior, it was not painful to breathe Ariana down. There were many distractions and I came out of the HypnoBirthing® state several times; however, I was still able to remain calm and fearless. I never asked for an epidural or any drugs. One of the major distractions was that my doctor was no where to be found when I was ready to give birth. Ariana’s head was sticking out of me and the nurses did not want to deliver my baby. So they told me to “hold her right where she was” and not push at all. The nurse grabbed a doctor out of the hallway to assist in my birth. He was clearly not happy about it. I laugh when I remember the look on the doctor’s face during my last “push”. Blood from the placenta splattered all over him. He was quite angry.
I felt nothing but pure joy. I am so glad I felt Ariana’s birth; it was an exhilarating experience. I will never forget the feeling of Ariana’s feet touching my bottom after she came out and holding her for the first time was breathtaking. She was very alert and not swollen, scoring an 8 on the Apgar test. Her head was so pretty and round, and she latched onto my breast immediately. I believe she was so alert due to not using any medical intervention and no stress on my part. People always tell me how beautiful she is and, being biased as her mother, I agree.
I wouldn’t have changed anything about Ariana’s birth. Thank you HypnoBirthing®!
Tanya C. Dorocak, M.A.
Certified HypnoBirthing® Childbirth Educator
(760) 471-9747
Tanya@TLCHypnoBirthing.com
© Copyright 2004 Tanya Dorocak · All Rights Reserved.