Matthew and Jeanne found out that Jeanne was pregnant in November 2006. She was very focused on having a natural childbirth, without an epidural. She researched alternative breathing techniques for labor. When Jeanne was 5 months pregnant she found Judith Halek, a Calm Birth teacher. Jeanne and Matthew took a class from Judith to help prepare them for Ethan´s birth. They got the Calm Birth cd from Judith. Jeanne listened to the cd almost every evening before falling asleep. She was able to attend a group practice with the Calm Birth cd, and to be part of a photo shoot for a magazine article on Calm Birth. Jeanne enjoyed doing Womb Breathing and said that she “loved the idea and practice of breathing vital life into her child.”
Jeanne: “When the moment arrived and labor started, I lay on the bed and breathed into my womb as I learned from the Calm Birth cd. At first we played the Practice of Opening section of the cd; it helped me focus on each body part which was a nice distraction from the discomfort of the contractions. I then moved to the Womb Breathing practice and found that I could breathe into my womb and then release the breath with a moaning sound. This, coupled with Matt pushing on my back and pulling on my hips (like Judith had taught us), really helped.
Ethan’s birth was the most amazing experience. I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful birth. Matt and I are really lucky to have found Judith and Eden (our doula), both of them Calm Birth teachers. Having Eden with us through labor and delivery made all the difference in keeping my birth calm. Between all the support, the great hospital staff and Calm Birth, I feel that I was as ready as I could ever be to bring Ethan, my first child, into this world. I am so thankful for the wonderful birth and I give thanks every day for such a fantastic child!
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