Last night we had our second to last HypnoBirthing class. And Mr. Cob, for the first time, did not like the class. Or I should say he didn't like a major aspect of this class. Up until this point everything about the class has been very positive and empowering. My views about child birth have dramatically shifted in the past month we've been in the class and I now feel like I have the tools to handle labor and delivery and to have an unmedicated birthing experience. The essence of the class is letting go of fear and embracing the fact that my body knows what to do when it comes to having the baby.
And then last night, we discussed ways to handle a situation that many women go through when they attempt an unmedicated labor. Defeat. According to our instructor, many women will be great in the beginning of labor, but then will hit a point, usually when you are close to transition (i.e. when you're dilating from 8-10cm), where you just start doubting yourself and your ability to keep going. So we had to role play and practice how we would handle this situation if it occurs.
I think Mr. Cob didn't like this because in a way, even addressing this possibility, opens up the chance that it will occur. Up until this point, we've been more of the mindset that "I can/will do this!"
For me, I thought it was worthwhile to think about and prepare for this possibility. I am 100% committed to making every effort to have an unmedicated labor and delivery. But I also realize that at some point I may get overwhelmed or feel like I just can't do it any more. And so I want a plan. Our plan, which we still need to work out a bit, I think, will be for Mr. Cob to just keep encouraging me and telling me how great of a job I'm doing. Essentially, boost my confidence as much as possible. And then if this doesn't work, I think we start negotiating. I think if he tells me to just get through 5 or x number of surges, then he'll get the doctor and check to see how far I've progressed and then we can talk pain options. And at that point hopefully I will either (a) renew my determination to continue unmedicated or (b) have progressed far enough that my mind jumps into action and convinces myself that I only have a little ways to go and can totally do it. I guess I thought it was along the lines of the saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
But I will say that I totally believe in HypnoBirthing. The mind-body connection is very strong and this class has reinforced this belief for me. And I'm not going to let other people's birthing experiences give me fear or allow my lifelong history of people telling me that I have a low threshold for pain get in my way of believing that I can do anything that I set my mind to.
Good luck in the rest of your preparation. Natural childbirth is, and should be, the norm. And you can totally do it. It sounds like you have a great plan in place--Matt and I had the same type of thing, except we had a code word. If I said the code word, I really needed help. If I didn't say it, then he was to keep motivating me. I think you're doing a great job and I'm so glad you are enjoying your hypnobirthing class.
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