November 2008 HypnoBirthing Class

Saturday evening class

Thursday evening class

From Crystallin and Ben

I just wanted to let you know that Ben and I had our baby. We had a boy - Bryson Benjamin. He wa born Dec 8 at 7:34pm - a whole month early! I guess he was not listening when you warned us not to have our water break. Everything I learned in HypnoBirthing was a BIG help! My water broke around 11:30pm on Sunday, Dec 7, and we headed to the hospital around 1am. Unfortunately, since labor did not come on its own after trying for 6 hours with our doula and the midwives to bring it on naturally, I was given pitocin. However, using the breathing and relaxing I learned, I was able to give birth vaginally and with no pain medication. But, man, was it intense!! Bryson was 6 lbs and 10 oz and 21 inches. We had to stay a few extra days at UCSD since he was a late term preemie, but he is doing great and gaining weight like a champ! Breastfeeding is also going great. We did use a breast shield for the few couple weeks, but we have stopped using that and his suck is super-strong now. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I would be happy to bring Bryson to one of your classes and share our birth story. I think it is a good example of what happens when things do not go just as you had planned or envisioned, and that even if you are administered pitocin, you can still have the pain medication-free childbirth that you want. I hope all is well with you and your family. We wish you guys a happy and prosperous new year. Take care - Crystallin

From Abby who witnessed a birth of her fellow classmate Elisabeth by supporting her

Hi France! I just wanted to tell you (I am sure you heard from Elisabeth) but she had a baby girl! I actually got to be in the labor room with her and it was the most amazing event in the world! It was mesmerizing! I loved it! She did absolutely wonderful and her baby girl was just so calm and so adorable!!! I think you did an amazing job teaching class and I got to see the results of HypnoBirthing first hand and I have to admit, I am so excited about my birth and have so much confidence in my body and my baby! What a wonderful way to bring a baby into the world!! I hope you are well and have a yummy thanksgiving! I will send you an email when James gets home and I am hoping its still ok to come into a couple of your holiday classes to catch Jamie up! Sincerely, Abby