© 2010, Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA) Erie, PA

Birth Journeys

Carol Peterson, ICCE, HCHI, CD(DONA)

Instilling Confidence in Birth Since 2004

814-899-7722  * cbecarol@yahoo.com * Erie, PA

Ellen and Brian’s Hypnobabies Birth

As a chiropractor, I wanted a medication-free and intervention-free birth. My colleagues endorsed another technique, but no one in Erie taught it; so I started looking at what was available here and found Hypnobabies.  After talking with Carol and reading on the Hypnobabies website, I presented it to my husband and asked if he would be comfortable and onboard with it. We signed up and took the classes.

I was dilated to 3-4 cm for three weeks, but not progressing to active labor. After discussing it with my midwife, I was scheduled for an induction. At 8:00 am my midwife broke my water. At 8:30 am, I was started on Pitocin. I had never even had a Braxton-Hicks “practice” contraction, so when that first Pitocin-induced contraction hit, it was without warning and very uncomfortable. I immediately started using my Hypnobabies relaxation techniques and the second contraction was pressure, but no discomfort or pain. At 11:45 am, I started pushing and was still very comfortable. At 12:17 she was born. The only pain I felt was when my midwife put in my stitches because she was used to patients having epidurals and I did not have a chance to get into my hypnosis before she started.

My husband and labor and delivery nurse were amazed at how calm, quiet, controlled and peaceful my labor was. I was present and aware of every moment and enjoyed welcoming my daughter into the world. I tell everyone about Hypnobabies. I can’t speak highly enough of Hypnobabies and Carol.

Ellen Jackson Strobel