Q. Tiffany, I understand that you used
Hypnobabies with one or more of your births and these were vbacs? Could you tell us a little bit about how you learned about Hynobabies and why you decided to use it?
A. Yes, I used Hypnobabies for two of my three VBACs. One birth was in the hospital, and one was at home.
When I was pregnant with my third baby I knew I wanted to actually enjoy my birth. During my first two births, an urgent cesarean and VBAC, I experienced a lot of suffering and trauma as well as under preparation despite self education and professional birth classes. So, when I had two births that didn’t go by the books and ended up being traumatic, I was devastated at the amount of suffering I had to endure to bring my babies into the world. Pregnancy number three and the rise of the internet made it possible for me to find a new way. In my search I came across a YouTube video of a mom using Hypnobabies to breath her baby out, smiling in between contractions and I was instantly hooked. I knew I wanted to have that kind of calm control and joy during my babies birth. I was able to have wonderfully healing and comfortable VBACs using Hypnobabies with zero interventions and great recovery and post partum periods.
A. The first time I used Hypnobabies I was diligent at following the daily and weekly schedule. I remember hitting the 39 week mark and avoiding scheduling an induction at my doctor visit. At a time in pregnancy when most moms are ready to meet their babies I was able to use Hypnobabies to remain comfortable and really pamper myself that last week. I went into our birthing time at 39 weeks and 6 days while running errands. I kept my earbuds in and was able to stay comfortable even swinging at the park with my older children in the evening. Once I got them to bed things picked up and I continued to only feel pressure while using what Hypnobabies calls Eyes Open Hypnosis. It was great. Being able to snack, and spend relaxing time with my husband while in my birthing time and remaining completely comfortable was so new to me that I didn’t realize I was as far into my birthing as I was. It was an hour after I put the kids to bed that I decided it was time to head to the hospital and once we got there I was able to walk myself to the elevator and continue using my hypnosis while the nurse was checking me in. Then I sat on my ball, still with my ear buds listening to my hypnosis birthing day tracks, for about 30 minutes until I felt pushy. He was born in three pushes thanks to the unique Hypno-anesthesia tool Hypnobabies teaches! It was incredible! I was able to comfortably push my baby out and smile afterwards. When we got the pictures back that my mom took the entire room was smiling! Hypnosis really worked! I birthed an 8lb 4 oz. baby via VBAC remaing calm, comfortable, and it was so easy! I had nurses and doctors come by our room all day to find out how I did it so easily and all I could say was Hypnobabies! I was also surprised to find out that Hypnobabies techniques worked amazingly well to remain comfortable after birth as well which made my recovery period easy and comfortable.
My next Hypnobabies birth went a little differently. I had a major water skiing accident and knee injury right before I got pregnant so I was going into pregnancy with a body that wasn’t performing at it’s best. I then had Hyperemesis Gravidarum and could barely function for 6 months. (I did not look into the Hypnobabies track “Eliminate Nausea Now” which I regret) I did not do my Hypnobabies practice as diligently as the first time either so I feel like I caused myself some discomfort early in my birthing time by not preparing as well. I went into my birthing time at 40 weeks and 6 days which once again, Hypnobabies helped me remain calm, healthy, and comfortable so my baby could choose his own birth day. We had a planned Home Birth so my midwife and her assistant came over once I knew it was my birthing time. One thing that can happen to Hypno-moms is that time feels half as long so my 25 hour birthing time only felt like 8-12 hours to me. I was able to lie down in my bed and listen to my tracks to remain comfortable while I progressed slowly from 7-9 cms. Then I was able to use Eyes Open Hypnosis once again to move from our birth pool to the bathroom and follow what my body needed and finally getting in the pool and leaning over the side on my kneeling. I was also able to be comfortable and wait for the fetal ejection reflex letting my baby and body work together. One thing that surprised me was he had a slight shoulder dystocia (from misalignment due to the knee injury right before pregnancy) and I was able to remain comfortable, thanks again to Hypno-anesthesia, while my midwife unstuck his shoulder. Once he was out my midwife said how happy she was that I used Hypnobabies and what a different birth it could have been if I didn’t. I was surprised once again that I was able to use Hypnobabies to remain calm and comfortable to birth a 9lb 2 oz. baby in my bedroom. Six hours after his birth I was in my kitchen (my husband had finally succumbed to exhaustion) holding my new baby and making a small sandwich for my 4 yr old.
Q. When did you decide to become a doula?
A. After I had my first VBAC in early 2003 I knew I wanted to help women have more support, better birth education, and happier birth experiences than I had. So 6 months after I had her I went to a Doula Workshop, pumping or nursing during breaks, and knew I was in the right profession. I took some time off from Doula work to attend Nursing school and then came back to Doula work lightly in 2010. In 2016 I went to Childbirth Educator training and then in 2017 I added Hypnobabies Classes and Hypno-Doula Support to my menu of services that I offer. In early 2018 I began working with Susannah’s House, a non profit, out patient treatment facility for substance use, teaching prenatal classes and offering pro bono Doula services to my students there helping moms and babies.
Q. When did you decide to become a Hypnobabies instructor?
A. I knew I wanted to become a Hypnobabies Instructor a couple of years after my 2nd VBAC and once I used Hypnobabies for the second time I knew I needed to bring Hypnobabies to Knoxville and surrounding areas in a big way. I attending training in April of 2017 and became Certified a few months later. I’ve been teaching for almost a year now and my students have had several great Hypnobabies births of all varieties and settings. I have had students come from up to 2 hours away to attend classes.
Q. Can you tell us a little about the classes themselves?
A. Hypnobabies Classes are once per week for 3 1/2 – 4 hours for 6 weeks. It is an adult education class so there is “Home-Play” which my students enjoy doing together with their partners. Hypnobabies is great because it’s the only birth class you need. It’s a childbirth preparation class as well as childbirth hypnosis which teaches true, medical grade, self hypnosis techniques and tools so moms can stay calm, and comfortable, during their birthing times and after. All needed materials are received in class as well and Birth Partners are encouraged to attend since much of the material is geared toward how they can help Hypno-moms remain comfortable although birth partner participation isn’t a must to take the class and do Hypnobabies. I like my students to be relaxed and comfortable so moms get to use Anti-gravity lounge chairs if they would like during class and/or Hypnosis sessions. We also have a break with yummy snacks, usually with water, fresh fruit, and veggies on the menu as well as some type of added protein. Moms and Birth Partners leave class feeling refreshed, educated, and comfortable making the pregnancy and birthing choices that are right for them knowing they have Hypnosis tools they can utilize.
Q. How can anyone interested get in touch with you to find out more about your services?
Thank you so much for this information, Tiffany! I have loved being a hypnodoula with
Hypnobabies for the last several years and know that having local classes will only increase the interest in an easier and more comfortable birth experience that Hypnobabies offers. Please let Tiffany or I know if you have any questions.
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