TWF Hypnobirth Story: Welcome to the World Baby “CJ”

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Well, guys, we made it out on the other side! Cory Michael Sinning Jr. AKA “Baby CJ” was born into the water on July 29, 2018 at 6:20 A.M, weighing 7 Lbs. 6 OZ. with a full head of jet black hair. I am not sure if his little combover is hereditary or just that mommy can’t help herself, but he is changing and growing by the second, and he is one of the most alert newborns I have ever met! In the midst of diaper changes, feedings and cuddles, I wanted to share his beautiful birth story with all of you! I am not sure how we got so lucky, but thanks to some incredible people, we prevailed and were able to have the most beautiful drug-free, waterbirth utilizing the Mongon method of Hypnobirthing. And yes, I have already forgotten about the pain and want roughly 438,475,302 more children. Just kidding, I’m tired. LOL

The week of July 23, just a week shy of my “due date” I woke up after a particularly trying night of heartburn and cramps to my first sign that labor was approaching. My mom was not scheduled to fly in until Thursday, and I desperately wanted her to be a part of our story. You see, we live in Miami, and mom lives on Long Island, which makes logistics a bit tougher since you have no control over when your baby will make his or her grand entrance into the world. Upon seeing the doctor that day, she said I was almost two centimeters and she “looked forward to seeing me over the weekend”. Yes! There was still time. Mom arrived Thursday morning which gave us enough time to get settled in. On Friday night, we went for a leisurely dinner in Bal Harbour, followed by a walk  waddle around the shops and a gelato night cap. The next morning, we woke up and made a plan for a day of double B’s, bagels and boating. When we finally made it to breakfast, I felt nauseous and could barely eat anything but my bagel. I had a strange sense that “IT WAS ABOUT TO GO DOWN”, but I kept it to myself, while my husband had a master plan…to walk me in, out and around every store to induce labor. So, he took his almost 40-week pregnant wife to the wine shop, then the grocery store and ultimately mom and Cory forced me out on the water to swim. By the time we got home and I hopped in the pool, the first little twinge in my lower belly told me to contact my doula, eat a good meal and get her input. Her response: GET EXCITED.

To get my mind off of the mild contractions that were coming every 5-7 minutes, mom and Cory tackled dinner while I got to work on completing my vision board. A homework assignment from my Doula, Iana. You see, if we were going to get this baby Earthside without any medical intervention, I needed to remain calm, focused and simply breathe into every “wave”. We took our Hypnobirthing class at Amazing Births and Beyond with Dr. Vivian Keeler during months 5-6 which gave us almost 4 months to practice the breathwork and listen to the hypnobirthing relaxation tracks and affirmations. After dinner, my mom told me to get some rest and Iana would be in touch every hour and a half to check in. We showered and got in bed and Cory began tracking my contractions. Over the next hour, they became more painful and I could no longer lay in bed as per Cory’s request. Also, he was supposed to be helping me keep track, but like the daddy of a newborn, sleep would ultimately take hold!

No idea this was happening!

While my mom and Cory slept peacefully in bed, I took myself to our living room and labored by walking, breathing, listening to the rain and watching Sex and The City. When I finally couldn’t do it alone and laughter made my belly spasm as Samantha Jones said “funky spunk”, I was sent into a tizzy.  I finally re-focused on the contractions that were coming in quicker and stronger, I made my way back to Cory and wimpered “I need you”. Upon which he sprung to life and began tracking contractions, hopping in and out of the shower with me, filling the tub, holding my hand and telling me to breathe. At one point I looked at him and said: “WILL YOU BE DISAPPOINTED IN ME IF I GET AN EPIDURAL?” That’s when he knew, things were getting real. For me, I did not know how long we had left or how much worse the contractions would get. At that moment, I projectile vomited twice in a half hour span (almost all over the ‘Pack’N’Play”, something I thankfully knew was a good sign that things were progressing. At 3:30 AM, he finally informed me that Iana was on her way and upon arrival, she took over with her soothing voice and a calming warrior strength I will forever be grateful for.

As she entered our house, she looked at me and smiled and simply said that we are in “Real Labor”, which meant a pattern had formed. We have a three story house, so after wandering around the house naked and in a pattern of hot flashes to chills she helped dress me in my gown while Cory and mom packed up the car. As we made our way downstairs in tandem, she rode every “wave” with me by squeezing my hips, forcing me to release tension from my hands and neck and gave gentle yet authoritative direction. As we made our way to the hospital at 3:30 AM, I had an eye mask on, my hypnobirthing tracks on and I simply focused on my breath. In what felt like five minutes, I was being wheeled into labor and delivery and had to sign papers and release forms in between contractions. By the time I was placed in triage, I had bright lights glaring in my eyes, monitors on my belly and fingers in all sorts of crazy places. Nurses asking Iana and Cory, what I was listening to, and I tried my best to remain limp in such an uncomfortable, vulnerable position. Much to everyone’s surprise, I was 6 CM dilated and immediately asked to WALK into the delivery room. Like, EXCUSE ME? I was slapped with a “fall risk” bracelet and escorted down the longest hallway ever!

When we got into the room, our birthing tub was being set up and after another round of monitoring and invasiveness, I announced to everyone that I needed to go to the bathroom. I only share that with you because, the pressure started to get really intense, and I was able to sit on the toilet as my mom stroked my arm. As Cory entered the bathroom, I had both of their hands and worked my way through about 4 or 5 more surges AKA contractions upon which my water naturally broke. All the while, listening to the sweet sounds of affirmations about birth being “Natural, powerful, beautiful” and trying to REMAIN EFFING CALM.

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Iana instructed me that the tub was about finished, but she needed to get me on a peanut ball to get him to work his way down. She promptly and swiftly massaged my whole lower body before warning me that the next 3-4 contractions would be uncomfortable, but they were here with me the whole time. Cory at my face and Iana forcing my leg over the peanut, and guys, it literally became an outer body experience. I was shaking, had the chills and felt my baby moving downward. The love of my life holding my hands and Iana coaching me along the whole time. “Deep breaths. Get them out of your chest.” When I felt like I could not go anymore, they told me it was time to get into the tub. Lindsay, our nurse practitioner and the woman who basically treated me my whole pregnancy was on call, she came in and said: “I’ll be right here when you are ready to push.”

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Two contractions and a comfortable “all fours” position later, I felt ready to push! I am not sure how long or how many it took at this point, but when Lindsay said “WOW! He has a full head of hair.” She instructed me to reach down, and after I felt that he was literally cm’s from the water I said: “All the heartburn was worth it….let’s do this.” At least I think I said it, I may have grunted it, but everyone laughed and we braced ourselves for the final surges. Two more contractions and his head was out. I mustered up all of my strength and in one more push, he was out in the water and in our arms. The greatest, most powerful moment of our lives. We did it!!!

We made our way to the bed to have our own “magic hour” upon which we refused eye ointment or any disruption that wasn’t truly necessary, Iana placed him on my belly where he instinctively crawled to my breast. They helped him latch upon which Cory and I melted into a sea of tears. The only other time I saw him cry was on our wedding day. It was the rawest and happiest moment of my life. We are mommy and daddy, overwhelmed with joy and eternally grateful for our Doula , Iana Malcom, The Team at Amazing Births and Beyond and Serene Health OB/GYN for guiding and educating us through our dream birth. I know that even when you have a birth plan, things do not always go according to that plan so I am so grateful to be able to share our story.

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

Photo by Judy Walker Photography

I will be writing more about Hypnobirthing in the future, but until then, thank you all for you kindness and well wishes. We are loving every second and in the chaos of the tears, diaper changing and fussiness are getting all the kisses and snuggles we can.