If you would like to add your birth story or testimonial we would love to share it with others. Please email info@amazingbirths.com. Thank you!
Lorie, I had to write to you to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Noah and I welcomed our third child, a little girl, March 8th. And I have to tell you it was the most amazing, empowering experience I could have imagined. The gift you gave Noah and me through the classes, scripts and CDs is
astronomical. I started listening to the CDs in the 6th month, imagining the birth I wanted and knew I could have. And Lorie, it played out exactly as I had decided it would!
I had an appointment March 7, I was 38 weeks that day, and I learned I was 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I had been having contractions but nothing regular, and they didn't feel like labor contractions. We made my next appointment, but joked at the idea that I might still be pregnant in a week. I decided to meet my mother-in-law at the mall and walk, walk, walk. Nothing. After dinner, at about 7, I made the whole family go for another walk. Nothing. Called my mother-in-law and told her not to wait up, that nothing was happening. She was on call to come stay with Hannah (3) and Daniel (19 months) when I went into labor so we could leave for the hospital at my discretion. Well, at 9 everything changed. The contractions started coming every 3 minutes right from the start. I knew this was it, so I took a long shower, relaxed, and had Noah call his mom back and tell her we had a change of plans. I felt great, very calm, and I have to say I was so excited to birth another baby. I felt so strong and completely in control. We left for the hospital at 12:30 and by the time I was admitted (they didn't even bother to triage me, since I was dilated to 4 at my appt. and it was my 3rd baby) my cervix was pretty much unchanged. I showed up at the hospital with my discman listening to my CDs, and the nurse immediately offered to assist me in any way she could to achieve a natural birthing experience. She suggested we start walking and get this labor underway. We walked for an hour and she checked me again. I was dilated to 5, and I found that a bit discouraging. Not sure why, but I felt I should be closer to 7. :) Well, Noah took it upon himself to talk me up through my dilation. He gave me the suggestion, at the next contraction, to concentrate on the number 6. He did that for 2 contractions. The next 2 we focused on 7, then 8, then 9. By the time we got through to number 9 I was screaming for the epidural. The pressure was so bad I couldn't go on if it were going to be a few more hours. By this time it was after 4 in the morning and I was so exhausted. So the nurse came in to check me, and would you believe I was dilated to 9 cm! I dilated to the exact number I was concentrating on. Noah
and I were amazed. I felt so fantastic and was ready to start pushing. But we had to wait for my OB to show up. Those next 15-20 minutes were unbearable. It was the only time I even moaned through this whole labor. I was screaming and holding this baby inside me when all she wanted to do was pop out. And the nurses were instructing me to calm down and blow really fast. It was absurd. Finally the Dr. showed up, broke my water (I had meditated about my water staying intact so the contractions would be easier
to bear. And it did!!) and I don't think I pushed for more than one contraction. At 4:40 a.m., March 8, Brielle Naora came into this world. Calm, beautiful and absolutely perfect.
So thank you, Lorie, for empowering my husband and me to create such beautiful beginnings for our children.
With best regards, Rivkah Estrin on April 3, 2007
*****
Lorie, I wanted to take this time and write to you to let you know just how much Mitchell and I appreciated your support on our birthing day.
You provided us with the knowledge, necessary skills, encouragement, and pain relief (aka “the most amazing back massage”) making it possible to give our baby a drug free birth.
Although at times I was scared and unsure, your steady and calm presence reassured me- allowing me to persevere.
There isn’t a thing I would have changed about my delivery. It allowed for the compromise of both the medical and spiritual aspects that my husband and I desired.
Breastfeeding has been a huge success for Madeleine and I. Several lactation consultants have asked if I had an unmedicated birth because of how fast my milk came in & how strong my supply was.
I would definitely recommend you to any pregnant couple. Dr. John H. Kennell said it best…"If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it."
All our thanks and love
Mitchell, Wendy and Madeleine Lambert on November 3, 2006
*****
Dear Lorie: We sincerely want to thank you for all of the information and support that you provided to us. Our hypnobirthing experience was exactly what we wanted for the birth of our second child. As you recommended, we did most of our laboring at home and our son, Alexander, was born shortly after arriving at the hospital. In fact, he was born so fast that my obstetrician missed the birth and arrived 10 minutes after delivery. Our goal with this birth was, if possible, to have no medical interventions, including pain relievers, and thanks to your guidance, we were able to achieve this goal. I also want to mention how much better I felt after this birth than with my first child. After my first delivery with an edipural, I did not feel right for months. And looking back on the situation, I truly believe that the drugs coupled with the childbirth techniques that we used really put stress on my baby. I can honestly say that using hypnobirthing showed me that birthing does not have to be a painful, fearful experience. Thanks again for all of your support.
Camille & Harold on August 12, 2006
*****
What a beautiful website! I am tearing up after reading all of the wonderful happy stories that you have helped to create. Love, Lauralee
Lauralee on May 3, 2006
*****
Dear Lorie & Vivian, Thank you so much for making my birth EXACTLY what I envisioned. I couldn't have done it without you.
Love, Bonnie & Marc on April 8, 2006
*****
Dear Lorie, Words alone cannot express how grateful we are to have had you be an integral part of Alexander's birth. Thank you so much for your kindness, guidance and constant support. Because of you we were better able to understand and appreciate the process of bringing our little miracle into the world. We look forward to having you participate in the the arrival of baby #2 someday.
May God bless you and the wonderful work you do.
All our love, Carol, Juan & Baby Alexander on January 8, 2006
*****
I am so excited to be able to share our birth experience with you. I will write the full length edition, but feel free to modify it to Reader's Digest length as needed.
I signed up for Hypnobirthing classes with Vivian mainly for my husband, Wesley. I had been reading every Ina May Gaskin and Sheila Kitzinger book I could get my hands on for years, but my husband was new to the idea of natural birth. I wanted to be sure that we were on the same page so off we went, faithfully dedicated to our weekly classes with Vivian. They were incredible. Everything I had quietly and hopefully believed was being said- and there was more! What a powerful notion to know that you can transform your own experience by changing the language with which you describe it!
Contractions became surges, pain became power and intensity, and I learned to surrender to the ancient wisdom of my body. I practiced the breathing a few times- but it was the affirmation of my mindset that was most powerful. I always looked forward to our birth (yes, with some fear- it is such an unknown being my first child), but now I found myself relishing the idea of unfolding for our sweet baby. I still had some fear, but I also had a huge dose of borrowed confidence and certainty that I could do it (Vivian brings extra for you to each and every class).
Soon after classes ended, I awoke for what I thought was my normal routine- the first-of-five-time nightly trip to the bathroom. I had lost my plug early that afternoon so I was hopeful something would begin soon. As I stood, my water broke hollywood-movie style with a grand gush down my legs. The hair on my neck stood up. After a moment of WOW came a wellspring of Yippee! The day had arrived. It was 12:45 a.m. Monday, March 7th, 2005
I went and cleaned up and returned to gently wake Wesley. Then I headed downstairs and gave my midwives a call. I hadn't had a single surge so they suggested I go to sleep for a few hours and to call them with an update around 6:45 am. I hung up the phone and promptly greeted a wonderful, powerful surge. Before I could get back to the stairs I had several more. My husband began timing them- 2 minutes apart lasting 60 seconds. Um, early labor, where are you?
Less than an hour after my water broke, I was again calling my midwives- at Wesley's request. I felt calm and peaceful- but Wesley was a bit nervous to be home alone with a woman who was clearly surging very actively. Our midwife, Deborah, came to our home and, upon her arrival at 2 am I was 2 cm dilated. The diagnosis- early labor- The prescription- Get thee back to bed and sleep.
Wesley & I sent Deborah to bed in our guest room, received instructions to wake her at 8 am for a cervical check, and I dutifully crawled back into bed. For one surge. Up I went again- There was no laying down for these. I sent Wesley back to bed- I was fine and he should rest- I was sure this would be a long day.
I was nauseated and threw up about a half dozen times. It didn't bother me at all. My body had given me a nice dose of endorphins and I felt wonderful- I sat on the toilet for several surges- who knows how many- I wasn't couting- until that no longer felt optimum. I moved to the shower. The water felt lovely and I stayed there until our hot water ran out. Wesley came in and encouraged me back to bed- He had our hypnobirthing CD on- I just love the affirmations. Still, even the affirmations couldn't keep me laying down for more than one contraction.
Back to the toilet where being upright and being able to sway with the intensity of my surges, give myself counterpressure by placing my arm behind my back and pressing both against the back of the toilet felt so nice. I snoozed between contractions- so relaxed, my baby peacefully moving lower with each rhythmic wave of my uterus, my husband sleeping in our room, and my midwife just down the hall. I felt very safe and knew I had care and coaches when I needed them.
My surges grew more powerful. After some time I guessed we would have hot water again (thankfully we did) and I got back into the shower yet again. I changed positions often- hands and knees, sitting on a small step stool, standing- It was heavenly. Suddenly I noticed that I my body was pushing and I had a hard time stopping. My surges were amazingly powerful. It was only 5:45 am and the last thing I wanted to do was to swell up my cervix by pushing against it if it wasn't very far along.
I got a bit nervous and was in a bad mood when I got out of the shower and asked Wesley to go get the midwife. I felt badly waking them both when it wasn't even 8 am yet, and clearly I must still only be in early labor because I am a first time mom and was only 2 cm a couple hours earlier, but I needed their help to figure out a better position and technique to resist the urge to push. I was going to require a little coaching.
Deborah came in and checked me where I had knelt at the side of our bed (it's as far as I got from the shower before a surge required my attention). She asked if this is the position I wanted to deliver in. I said I hadn't even thought about that. She then got on the phone and called the other midwives. I was completely dilated and my baby's head was nice & low.
Euphoria!! Wesley said he never saw my mood change so fast. I could have skipped around the room! I hopped into bed and allowed my body to push when it felt like it- Gentle J breathing. The other midwives, Mary & Darjee, quietly arrived and waited gently.
Abby was born like that- without being coached to push. No counting to 10. No holding my breath. Just gentle J breathing and pushing to the urge only. Wesley got to feel the baby's head before the baby had fully emerged. As our baby's head came out, the midwives suctioned her. I panted. That took focus! The baby bit them and began to wriggle her shoulders to finish the delivery herself. All the midwives began to laugh. Abby was born wide eyed and ready to go, the sound of our laughter in the air.
Abigail Elise weighed 8 pounds 7 ounces and was nearly 21 inches long. She was born at 7:02 am Monday, March 7th just about 6 hours after my first contraction.
Thank you to Vivian, for helping to create a mindset in Wesley & I that allowed us to birth so beautifully without drugs or intervention of any kind!
Sarah Coats on July 1, 2005
*****
Lisa, My darling Kaylee is 19 months today! It has been the adventure of my life. Ron and I marvel at the beautiful memories and experiences we've created with her. Those cherished experiences were enriched way back when you entered our lives. The Hypnobirthing classes you facilitated were awe-inspiring! My confidence soared, and I began to realize that having the natural and peaceful birth I'd yearned for was possible. Lisa, any worries I had you calmed; any questions I had you answered; any doubts I expressed you helped me overcome. My labor was quiet, peaceful, and powerful-although at times challenging. You helped me keep my focus with your voice and gave me strength with your touch. Kaylee's birth was spiritual and amazing, thanks to you.
Susana Lee on May 21, 2005
*****
Lisa, I never imagined I would ever do "hypnobirthing" and was definitely skeptical at first. But when I watched two women close to me use the technique and have wonderful, peaceful births, I started to believe in the power of the mind and body to do its' job naturally. I truly enjoyed the classes and felt empowered by this new education. You truly are a wonderful teacher, combining a clear presentation of information with a genuine care for mothers who want this kind of birth experience. Not to mention, I love your sense of humor. You were such a calming presence the night Dylan was born (even though we barely made it to the hospital). Hypnobirthing REALLY helped me relax. It's a story people ask me to tell all the time and they still don't believe I had a completely natural birth in six hours. I will never forget that night and feel so proud that I opened up to this idea and believed in it. You are such a positive, calming, caring person and we were extremely blessed to have you be part of out birth experience. Thank you again for everything!
Nikki Fox on May 14, 2005
*****
*Breech Birth
Dear Lorie,
It's hard to believe that 8 weeks ago we were sitting in West Boca Medical Center waiting to finally meet the little person that Mitch and I created. Although anxious and filled with joy, we were still a bit disappointed that we were not able to have the birthing experience that we had planned. Then, you handed me a little package and I knew that the precious onesie with painted angel wings was something special. Such a gift for our new little angel meant so much coming from an understanding, thoughtful angel like you.
Although you knew that you wouldn't be able to stay with us through the surgery, you generously offered to meet Mitch and me for my scheduled cesarean. Your presence and knowledge brought comfort to us and were were happy to know that you saw Dax as he made his way to the nursery.
Amazing Births offers so many wonderful services and we are fortunate to have found you, Lisa and Vivian. Each of you treated us with personal care and respect throughout our pregnancy, and you all understood what I wanted and how I felt; thankyou. We highly recommend the HypnoBirthing Classes, massage treatments, chiropractic services and other services offered through Amazing Births to any other expecting parents who share the same philosophies as we do.
Lorie, thank you for teaching us and helping us to embrace the situation we were in so that we could be relaxed and optimistic during the birth of our little angel, Dax Jordan.
Stacy Greenberg on May 12, 2005
*****
Vivian, we are forever grateful to you for helping us bring our Valetina into this world. We would have never had the experience we did had you not been there. Thanks to you we had a wonderful birth. You absolutely empowered me when I things got a little difficult and you stood by us through the long haul. We love you! Lisa thanks so much for teaching us the Hypnobirthing techniques they are priceless. Thank you Thank You Thank You.
Doris Foschi, Miami on May 11, 2005
*****
Lorie, we can not thank you enough for all that you have done for us! You have a very special gift and we are happy that you have shared it with us. The birth of our son Jacob Tyler was such an amazing experience and we thank you for sharing it with us. We have told many people about you, and we hope that you will be there for us when we have our second baby!
Jennifer Adams on May 10, 2005
*****
As a family practice physician, I delivered over 100 babies during my residency training. During that time, I often wondered what it would be like one day to be on other end, to actually give birth to a child. I saw Lisa regularly for massage prior to the birth of my first son. I have worked with many massage therapists but there is something special about Lisa -- she is a wonderful, caring, calm and fun person, who has a beautiful, healing energy about her. The concept of a doula was new to me and I was ambivalent about using one. The birth of my first son was fine -- I got the pitocin and an epidural, and I generally had no complaints other than feeling too numb to push. With the birth of my second son, I was ready to do it better. The Hypnobirthing classes gave me great tools not only for pregnancy and delivery, but for life in general (especially post-partum!). I asked Lisa to be my doula and to be present at my birth -- this is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. I labored at home so easily that my husband (also a physician) didn't believe that I was in labor. Even the nurses at the hospital couldn't believe that I was completely dilated on arrival -- they said I looked too relaxed. Things moved so quickly that I barely had time to call Lisa on the way to the hospital. This was an instrumental phone call though -- I was starting to get uncomfortable in the car, and her talking to me on the phone and utilizing Hypnobirthing techniques made all the difference in the world. I was ready to breathe down the baby when we ran into an emergency situation with the umbilical cord and a hand wanting to come out before the baby's head. I freaked out a little bit -- all of my worst fears seemed to be manifesting, but Lisa's calm voice soothed me and I knew everything would be alright. They were ready to do a c-section, but thank goodness they let me breathe down my baby with the vacuum, and he popped right out. This was not the birth I had pictured, but without Lisa and the Hypnobirthing, I am sure the outcomes would have been very different and horrible. Instead, it truly was an amazing birth, and I am so thankful that it didn't involve drugs or surgery. I confirmed to myself that I could give birth naturally and without pain, the way I had always suspected that we are all intended to do it. I joke about how I should have called Lisa earlier and could have gotten massages at home during labor, but truly her presence and the Hypnobirthing methods were much more important and influential for this birth. Every woman must do what feels right to her, but no matter what expectations you may have for the birth of your baby, I highly recommend the services Amazing Births has to offer that resonate with you.
Christine Shim, MD on May 10, 2005
*****
Having Amazing Births in my life during pregnancy and labor was a gift that I will always cherish. Lisa’s massages were so relaxing and helped to calm my mind, soothe my spirit and take away the minor discomforts pregnancy brought me.
The HypnoBirthing class was great. It provided time for my husband and me to be together and be excited and focused on our soon-to-be new baby. It was such an education to hear all of the different types of births you could have. So many people focus only on the outcome of labor and this class and daily practices allowed us the opportunity to dream about and visualize what the actual experience would be like. Staying present during the experience was something we were committed to do. Lisa and Lorie with their years of experiences basically had us prepared for anything and helped to talk through some difficult decisions we had to make along the way. They were patient and present and so understanding. Had we listened to them, our results would have been different.
Vivian was present during our labor. The effects of her being there were paramount. She was so calming, encouraging, accepting, nurturing and, most of all, helpful. While offering her encouragement to make some very difficult decisions she also made sure to respect our decisions. Her presence gave me the strength to endure (a Pitocin-induced labor) and focus on a calm labor and delivery. She made sure the room was quiet and comfortable at all times and helped to keep my distractions to a minimum. In addition to being a great doula, Vivian is truly a beautiful being and it felt so good to know that my baby would be born with such a bright light in the room.
I would recommend using Amazing Births to absolutely everyone. I feel lucky to have met women like Lisa, Lorie and Vivian.
Adrienne Auster on April 30, 2005
*****
*Breech Birth
Dear Lisa and Vivian, I thank you both for helping me have an unbelievable birth. My husband and I learned how to not fear the natural birth process in our Hypnobirthing classes taught by Lisa. This was the basis in understanding how beautiful and peaceful the natural birth can be. Lisa is very thorough and patient in her teaching style. I also had prenatal massages with Lisa and they are incredible. She is truly the knot fairy!
Since I was having a breech baby, Lisa recommended Vivian for chiropractic sessions to help me turn our baby. The sessions with Vivian were amazingly relaxing. Even though our baby did not turn, Vivian introduced us to a midwife that empowered us to switch to a doctor skilled at natural vaginal breech births since my doctor wanted to schedule me for a C-section. Our meeting with Vivian and the midwife happened the night before my membranes ruptured. Because we followed our instinct and based on our knowledge gained from the Hypnobirthing classes, we felt confident to switch our doctor at the very last minute and, thankfully, he accepted us! Lisa was amazing during my birth as a doula and she helped me go through the surges in a totally relaxed and empowered manner, also thanks to Hypnobirthing techniques I had been practicing for a couple of months prior to that moment. My mother and husband were also present and they were quickly believers when they witnessed a totally relaxing birth experience in spite of the complication of having a breech birth. As it turned out, my labor went unusually fast mainly due to the fact the doctor administered Pitocin and that I was very relaxed through the surges. From the time they administered Pitocin to the time I gave birth, it had only been 2 hours, which even the doctor and attending nurses were surprised to see for a first birth. I remember feeling our baby wanting to come into the world and after a surge, one foot came out. Shortly after that, the other came out. At that time, the doctor and nurses arrived and realized that I was fully dilated and it was time for our baby to be born. After two pushes, Lili was born!
Our experience is special and one that I will never forget in my life. Hypnobirthing, Lisa and Vivian were very instrumental in helping and supporting me to believe it could be this way in spite of a breech presentation. The experience helped me realize and believe that you should trust yourself and your body and allow it to do what it is naturally meant to do.
Fred, Lili and I thank you for helping us have a wonderful birth experience. :-)
Jackie Gadret on April 21, 2005
*****
Lorie, I wanted to write to you and really thank you for the bottom of my heart for your help with the delivery of my little girl. Everytime I think about the birth, I am overwhelmed with emotion. It was the most empowering and liberating experiences of my life. It truly was the day I had always dreamed of. Words are truly inadequate to fully express how grateful I am for all of your help. I love getting to tell my birth story and letting all of my friends know that childbirth does not have to be painful or scary. I believe that the HypnoBirthing technique really allowed me to be relaxed and prepared in a way that I hadn't previously found with any other method. Thank you for introducing it to me, and helping me to keep my focus. Your generosity and support has been completely overwhemling. You will forever remain one of the angels that have come into my life. I absolutely can not thank you enough!
Juliana on April 13, 2005
*****
Vivian,
Trevor had wanted to have another baby for years now. I finally agreed, but only if he agreed to my list of requirements, which included hiring a doula. I knew the support of a doula would be exactly what I had so missed during my first labor. I knew when I met you that your soothing, soft voice and calm, acception manner was a perfect match for me.
But how could I have known how much I would come to depend on you to make it though each minute, each surge, each hour, and each new phase of labor and delivery? You were truly amazing. People often say things like "I could not have done it without you", but honestly, I could not and would not have done it without you. You were so patient and understanding when I wanted to give up. You let it be my decision without influence or judgment, so that it could be my sucess, You were right there for me, helping me to face each new challenge that came along, keeping me positive, keeping me informed, and most importantly keeping me focused.
As we approached 24 hours together at the hospital, I was so impressed that you were as alert and ready to help with any request I might have as when we first started. It was a long, tiring journey of pure hard work, but we did it together as a team. Please know you can always count on me to give you a great referral. I will wholeheartly recommend you to anyone I meet that is expecting.
I am so thankful to you for making Jane's birth a magical event. The experience has filled me with great joy and a huge sense of accomplishment. It has also helped me to achieve my secondary goal to heal the painful memories of my first delivery. Your care and support are appreciated more than I can find the words to adequately express.
Kriss on April 13, 2005
