Birth Story: The HypnoBirthing Impact and the Switch to a Homebirth

Elias is 6 months old today. I had an incredible birth with Eden, and still wanted less medical intervention the second time around which is why we chose to do a home birth.

On October 8th I woke up and felt abdominal cramps. By 4pm the cramps were intensifying, but there was anywhere between 20-90 minutes between them. I had Dan text the midwives to let them know what I was feeling around 7pm. By 930pm I was leaning against the kitchen counter as the cramps intensified physically, but still not as consistent.

My midwives, doula, and rest of the team got to the house around 1030pm. I got in the birthing pool pretty shortly after. The surges continued to intensify but weren’t consistently 1-2 minutes apart. Was I in pain? No, pain is a mind game- I was very uncomfortable. My back had so much pressure. Dan and my team were so supportive and did everything to comfort me. Sometime around midnight I started crying saying I was so worried about wasting everyone’s time because the surges were still inconsistent. By 1240 I moved to the edge of the pool and I felt the natural expulsion reflex, and took a breath. At that point the midwives told me to stand up and have gravity help to do the rest. I took another breath and there he was. I remember bending down and picking him up, and immediately looking at Dan and said “I did it” and then sobbed.

Not only did I give birth unmedicated once, but twice and without pain. My birth with Eden was incredible, and my birth with Elias was just as special because I birthed him at home surrounded by the most understanding team, while my daughter was asleep upstairs.

There was no screaming, no pushing, no holding my breath, no one checking my cervix, no one trying to intervene, or telling me how to have my baby. I attribute so much of my mindset and preparation to HypnoBirthing- it’s changed my life.

Dylan and Dan prepared with HypnoBirthing with Caroline O’Neill.

They chose Loudoun Homebirth and Healthcare to provide their care.

Stevie McKulsky was their supportive doula.

The beautiful pictures were taken by Heidi Daniels