Calm Birth Stories

McKane Scott

Tamara and David, a young couple, came to the Calm Birth program early in their first pregnancy. They applied the practices earnestly, desiring a natural childbirth. The OB nurse at the hospital misjudged the position of the baby in the uterus and encouraged premature pushing. This resulted in various difficulties and ended in a cesearan birth. However, Tamara was able to be poised and at ease, which benefited all concerned. The child emerged calm and aware.

Excerpts From Postnatal Interview With Tamara And David

David: We were 100% committed to the Calm Birth practice…It was in our psyche somewhere.

Tamara: In our systems…I felt empowered. [At the hospital] that was my main feeling of control, that I didn't have to give my power away to the doctor, which I think I would have. If I didn't have the Calm Birth training I would have been so freaked out, because this was my first time, and I would have given them more power than was necessary…That was my first impression of the class, about empowerment.

Doing that deep belly breathing, rather than a shallow, choppy kind of breathing, can help a baby in the womb, sending it that energy . I definitely was breathing that way as much as possible during the whole thing. I mean, I had to.

The Calm Birth audio guide took me into a space where I kept tuning into my womb…s ending light to it. Visualizing the womb was definitely great, connecting me with what was going on inside my body, in a deeper level, feeding blessings to it.

Calm Birth enforced in me that I didn't have to take birth drugs, which was great because I think if we have empowered mommas we have empowered babies. (laughs)

David: I think you can be in a meditative state… while you're going through the physical activity.

Tamara: Exactly…I didn't feel so far out of it and I was directing the nurses to breathe with me.

Just by listening to the audio guide I knew not to be afraid of the pain, to breathe with the contraction. That part made a lot of sense to me. Every time I would feel a contraction come on I was prepared for it. I was leaning into it and breathing into it… That part was very helpful.

I was proud of myself. Laying on the table…I was smiling. The doctor said, look, you're smiling. I felt radiant then. I was awake and talking. I felt connected to the doctors. It was a great experience.