This mom's birth story highlights the importance of preparing your mind and body, building your birth team, and believing in your own power.

"In 2016, I delivered our firstborn son via an unplanned c-section after 30 hours of labor. Words are difficult to find to express the physical and emotional exhaustion I felt for several months after - Guilt, grief, confusion, frustration, betrayal, distrust, and disbelief come to mind most often. When I found out I was pregnant again, I quickly felt obligated to do everything in my power to change the impact that birth would have on our family." (continued below...)

I decided to take HypnoBirthing®, with my primary intention being to avoid the interventions I had with my first birth experience. The course and our instructor, Erin, connected me with the local birthing community, which in turn helped me find a doula and even change providers from an OB to midwives. Rather than take classes to be informed about what would happen to me, I was holistically empowered to make decisions about what could happen. In a sense I took back control. 

HypnoBirthing® gave me tools that resulted in a positive and healing birth experience the second time around. I went into labor feeling strong, calm, and confident because throughout the pregnancy, I had a team of like-minded professionals who believed in me, my vision, my needs, and my desires. I felt free in expressing what was important to me. Rather than “allowing me to try,” HypnoBirthing® and my birth team helped me to succeed.  

Our beautiful daughter was born via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and I know that without HypnoBirthing® and all of the knowledge and tools I gained, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish it alone.  I will be forever grateful that I met our daughter in a moment of joy and triumph rather than fear. Thank you so much Erin for helping me change my narrative into a success story.
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- Ashley

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Erin Stertz-Follett, Flutterby's Owner, is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist, Certified HypnoBirthing® Educator, and Certified Birth Doula who has taught and assisted hundreds of families. Feel free to email her at [email protected] with any questions!

Many thanks to this first-time mom for sharing her triumphant birth story after a lengthy, medically-necessary induction!

Our little girl, Nova Therese, was born on October 6th after a labor induction due to preeclampsia. I believe that HypnoBirthing® made a day and night difference between the birth that I had, and the birth experience I could have had!

We were planning to have a home birth, and everything was set and good to go until my 38-week appointment, when I found out that I had preeclampsia. Everything changed in an instant and we found ourselves having to completely change our birthing plans and go to the hospital that day to get induced. Though I was upset, I was able to remember my Birthing Affirmations, and pretty quickly accept and step into the change that was about to happen.

My induction took three days, with the last full day being on Pitocin and having very intense surges toward the end. If it weren’t for the things I learned in HypnoBirthing®, and the way I practiced daily, I don’t think I would have made it three whole days. Honestly, I was pretty much "losing it" at the end, but managed to have a completely natural, drug free birth (aside from a little bit of nitrous)!

All of the nurses and midwifes that I had through those three days were very impressed with how calm I was, and how I was handling the intense surges from being induced. I am also proud of myself, and and so glad I chose HypnoBirthing®, because I believe it helped me have a WONDERFUL birth experience, despite all of the scary changes that I had to make! 

- Grace, Andrew & Nova

Sharing is Caring! Please use the social share buttons on the right to spread the joy from this story on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!
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Erin Stertz-Follett, Flutterby's Owner, is a Certified Consulting Hypnotist, Certified HypnoBirthing® Educator, and Certified Birth Doula who has taught and assisted hundreds of families. Feel free to email her at [email protected] with any questions!