Nora’s first child was born in Argentina. She felt anxious and isolated throughout her first pregnancy, with no support and no childbirth education. Her husband wasn’t allowed to be with her at the birth and she didn’t know any of the birthing personnel at the hospital. She was given anesthesia and woke up the next day, deprived of the birth experience.

Her second birth was fortunate. With three months remaining in the pregnancy, Nora met two Calm Birth teachers . The program gave her everything she needed to have a happy pregnancy and to be actively involved in the delivery.

Excerpts From Postnatal Interview With Nora

Nora: The last two weeks, when the contractions came, I put on the CalmBirth® CD and it really, really helped me. It relaxed me and helped me focus on what was going on . . . The night before the birth I could just think of me and the baby and it was okay. To me, after my first [very difficult] pregnancy, feeling relaxed was a big thing.

Nora: In the community hospital I did listen to the CD once, with the birthing nurses, but visitors came. I did the deep breathing method during labor. I couldn’t imagine not doing it.

The doctor looked at Nicholas and said he was such a beautiful newborn. Exquisite and so nice; alert. His eyes were looking around . . . Just an open baby.