BJ Galvan Anusara Yoga Birth Stories

MARISSA, CHRIS and KIERA
NOVEMBER 2008

We cannot say enough about how wonderful our hypnobirthing experience was! It was amazing and gave us such confidence that we would enjoy a calm and peaceful birthing experience. The Rainbow Relaxation CD and hypnosis exercises helped us to enjoy the weeks leading up to the arrival of our little girl without anxiety! At 36 weeks, BJ did a hypnosis technique to help turn our breech baby head-down. On Thanksgiving night I went into labor at 10:00 pm. After only an hour of laboring at home, we headed to the hospital to find out I was already dilated to 5 cm. We made use of several HypnoBirthing techniques (the shoulder anchor deepening exercise being our favorite), the tub and birthing ball. I chose to get an epidural at 7 cm. We labored for 12 hours although it felt much shorter than that. Our beautiful baby girl Keira arrived into this world at 10:28 in the morning after only 28 minutes of pushing. We loved every minute of our birthing experience!

Kiera

KARA, BRIAN, and LILY JO
MAY 2008

Lily Jo Anderson, made her early debut at 1:07 a.m. on Friday, May 30th, after a quick, 2.5 hour labor. She was 15 days early, weighed an even 7 pounds, and is 19 inches long. She is a beauty, and we are absolutely amazed by her. We are all doing wonderfully, if not in need of a little more sleep. We're really happy that we did it without any pain meds and that we have a beautiful, perfect little girl who is so strong and so alert and so amazingly good at breastfeeding ... all things I attribute to her healthy birthing process.

Lily Jo

PAM, DAVID AND GRACE'S STORY
OCT. 2007

I’m not quite sure I have words to describe the incredible moments we experienced during our HypnoBirthing process. It simply was the most natural, peaceful, serene birth we could ever wish to experience!

From the moment my water broke, I began using the rainbow relaxation technique and on the way to the hospital I listened to the affirmations. I knew I was aligned with the energy of this upcoming event. I remembered the fear release that we did and reminded myself softly that my body and my baby knew what to do. This birth didn’t have to be like my first two.

I followed all the recommendations when arriving at the hospital and reviewed my birth plan with my nurse. I got to use the Jacuzzi tub and the birthing ball to aid in the descent of my baby. We kept the room very quiet and dim and I remember just staying really connected to my body, to baby Grace and my husband. It was as if the rest of the universe didn’t exist during that time. I stayed focused and grateful that each surge brought me closer to her. Somehow my body told me when it was time to get off the ball and into bed. I got into the Polar Bear position and remained there until she was crowning. Then I just used my breath to aid her final descent and arrival. It was the most magical moment of my life!

I trusted my body and the HypnoBirthing technique and everything fell into place. I also wanted to make sure the Anusara invocation was playing during her first few breaths and although I didn’t have time to switch my ipod to a speaker, I realized as she lay on my stomach, the invocation was indeed playing.

It couldn’t have been more perfect. 4 1/2 hours from the time my water broke to the moment she was resting on my belly. I am so happy to have her in my arms but have to say I feel a little sad that this experience is over. She came out so calm and relaxed. She was able to nurse right away and remained alert for quite some time after because she didn’t have to get exposed to any drugs. I wish everyone would learn about this type of childbirth and realize that it doesn’t have to be dreaded and painful and that it really can be peaceful and beautiful. I am so very thankful to BJ for sharing her knowledge of this technique and for reassuring me that I had the power to make my birthing experience a positive one.

With Love and Gratitude,
Pam, David, & Grace

Terry, Gabe and Jade's Story
July 2007

Thanks to God, my husband and BJ’s guidance of the HynoBirthing (HB) process, the birth of our first baby girl, Jade, was the most beautiful and peaceful experience we could have imagined. I had read about HB prior to becoming pregnant. So, when we found out we were expecting, I was determined to have a natural birthing experience without pain medication using the HB method. I met BJ several years prior at a yoga retreat in Telluride and knew that she was a HB practitioner. I was thrilled to have her guide us through this amazing process.

Throughout my pregnancy, I made it a priority to practice yoga, eat nutritional foods and remain active. It wasn’t until my 8th month of pregnancy that I began the HB classes and, with a busy work schedule, it was sometimes difficult to find time to practice the breathing exercises and scripts. However, we did manage to listen to the Rainbow Relaxation every night at bedtime (like most pregnant families, we were busy!). I would drift off to sleep shortly after beginning the recording and wondered how it would help my delivery. I remember reading testimonies online, seeing the videos of HypnoBirths and wondering is this truly possible? It seemed so unreal to think that a birth could be so peaceful. I thought to myself, “They must not be showing the worst parts.”

I began having regular surges (contractions) on a Tuesday night. I slept through the night, waking up every twenty minutes to breath through each surge. They were strong, but not painful. As my contractions continued on Wednesday, I focused on the breathing exercises I learned in my classes and on making sure I got the rest I needed for the birth. I listened to the HB rainbow relaxation tape a couple times, but mostly used the breath and visualization exercises to relax and open the cervix. The surges were regular and continued to become closer together. My husband was working at home and would just remind me from time to time to breathe if he noticed I was uncomfortable. Around 2pm the surges were 5-10 minutes apart for almost an hour and then they slowed down. Almost ready to leave for the hospital, I decided to stay home for a while longer (I even made a last minute trip to the store). Our chosen hospital had a very high rate of epidurals (around 98%) and I didn’t want to go too early.

At 2am on Thursday morning, I woke up and knew it was time to go to the hospital. My husband was deep in sleep (I had to wake him up 3 times) and even questioned me when I told him we needed to go. I was still not experiencing pain, just intense pressure. When we arrived at the hospital, I was dilated 4 cm and they kept me in triage until my room was ready. After the nurse checked us in and took a few simple tests (monitoring the baby), she left us alone. I remained hooked up to the monitor. Since, the sound of Jade’s heartbeat relaxed me. I continued to focus on breathing and in what seemed like just 30 minutes, I had the sudden urge to go to the bathroom and push. Little did I know that my body was telling me to push for the baby, I was in the bathroom bearing down.

When the nurse came to take me to my room, my water broke. The nurse that had been on duty told the one attending me to check me just in case…. She said “I can’t tell with her, she’s been so stoic” (I was quiet and hadn’t complained a bit ?) To much surprise, I was fully dilated and Jade had already entered the birth canal. The doctor wasn’t there yet and the nurse went into panic mode (don’t they assist with deliveries all the time??). She commented “I hope you didn’t want an epidural” and told me not to push as she wheeled me into my room. Doctor Wickes arrived soon after and didn’t even have time to put on her gown. The nurse started to “coach and cheer” me with the pushing. I looked at her and asked if I could take my time. My doctor was wonderful and said “Yes, you may take your time.” I focused on breathing down the baby with my surges and fifteen minutes later Jade was born! After the birth all of the doctors and nurses were amazed and were very curious about the Hypnobirthing process.

I highly recommend the Hynobirthing to any expecting parents. The sessions with BJ educated us on the birthing process and empowered us to make our own decisions throughout the birth of our daughter. I felt that I “understood” the natural process of giving birth and wasn’t left in the hands of the doctors and nurses. The only “pain” I experienced throughout the entire process was the crowning and it wasn’t even that bad, just stinging. In my preparation for the birth I learned that the “transition” phase was the most difficult and painful. So, I kept waiting for the hard part to come, but it never did. I was amazed that everything went so well. It was just like the videos! I was able to let go of my fears, put the process in God’s hands and relax. Thanks BJ for your guidance!

Terry, Gabe and Jade

Rebecca, Jim and Trevor and Dylan
JULY 2004 & JANURY 2008

I consider both my boys HypnoBirthing babies, even though both of my boys were delivered by C-section. Both pregnancies went just perfect, but even with the visualizations of them descending down into the birth canal, neither of them did. With my first, Trevor, he was 15 days late & the doctor insisted we induce. I went into the hospital & had Pitocin administered. I labored for 13 hours and loved every surge. I honestly felt NO PAIN whatsoever. Every surge was like a wave rising up within my body. I was able to stay completely present and relaxed, because I was not afraid. My husband guided me through each surge with gentle words. It was a beautiful experience. This is a true testimonial to the power of the mind.... the doctor came in and told me that after all of the laboring, I had still not dilated at all. He suggested a C-section instead of stressing the baby through an unproductive labor. The very moment that I left 'my center', to discuss surgical options, the pain hit HARD. All of those contractions that the nurses said were so strong on the monitor all along, came at me like waves crashing over me. Completely different than the pleasant sensation of the waves being within me. I was taken into surgery & delivered a healthy 10 pound 5 ounce baby boy. I felt as if my power had been taken away & I mourned over the loss of a 'natural birth' experience. The bright lights and loud operating room were definitely not what I had envisioned for the previous 9 months.

When I became pregnant with my second, I had a feeling he would be another C-section, but I reviewed the HypnoBirthing techniques with BJ anyway. I went a week past my due date and this one had not descended into the birth canal either. I went in for my C-section, but with a different plan. This time, I asked the doctor to turn off unnecessary lights & to keep conversation to a minimum. I was able to listen to my meditation CD before surgery and went in with a peaceful sensation. I did the HypnoBreathing during the injection of the epidural and it was not unpleasant at all. My beautiful 8 pound 12 ounce boy was delivered as calmly as possible in a surgical environment. I feel so blessed that BJ introduced me to this wonderful technique. I cannot put into words how powerful it truly is. Thank you!!!