by Peggy Lutes, RN, CH, CHBE, CHFT

Did you know Hypnobirthing is offered at The Birth Center? I, Peggy Lutes, am a Registered Nurse, Certified Consulting Hypnotist, Certified HypnoBirthing Fertility® Consultant, Certified HypnoBirthing® Practitioner, and founder of Gentle Healing Hypnosis. With over 20 years of clinical experience in nursing I have a strong focus working with birthing families.

After seeing a need for alternatives choices to traditional childbirth education, I began teaching HypnoBirthing® classes in 2000 at The Birth Center. I then added Hypnosis to my practice and became a Consulting Hypnotist. In 2009, I founded Gentle Healing Hypnosis.

The following is an excerpt from www.hypnobirthing.com.

“What is HypnoBirthing® you ask? HypnoBirthing® is a tried and proven method that guides and prepares a woman in giving birth in a peaceful and extraordinarily beautiful manner. It is a program that considers the psychological as well as the physical well-being of the mother, her birth partner, and the newborn, independent of context, whether that be in the quiet of a home, a hospital, or a birth center. The HypnoBirthing® program is built around an educational process that includes special breathing, relaxation, visualization, meditation practice, attention to nutrition and positive body toning. Most importantly it fosters an air of mutual respect for the birthing family, as well as the health-care provider in a traditional health-care system or an alternative setting.

You have many choices and decisions to make for your birthing experience. You have choices in selecting your care provider; you have choices in selecting the environment in which you will bring your baby into the world. Another important choice is that of the childbirth education classes you will choose to prepare for the birth of your baby. We know you will be happy with your choice of HypnoBirthing®.” Visit www.hypnobirthing.com for more information!

Learn more about the services Peggy offers at TBC!

Luna’s Birth Story

I woke in the middle of the night Saturday into Sunday with a surge and thought…. that was different, but was able to go back to sleep. As the day went on I had several more surges but still went about my day. As the afternoon approached I was on the phone several times with my midwife. I was quite calm and my surges were irregular. It was actually thought that I may be dehydrated. After hydration and a couple more hours there was no change.  My surges were not a minute long so I was urged to wait a couple more hours. I only lasted an hour before I turned to my mom and said we need to go now even if they send me home. The phone call was made and off to the hospital we went.

Upon arrival I was 9cm! Not too much time for the antibiotics, but they got one bag in. Very shortly after my initial check my surge felt different and I was ready to bear down. This all seemed to happen so fast. I almost forgot my husband (he is deployed), but we were able to get him on Skype and he was on with us to the end.  I was most comfortable the entire time leaning forward so when I was ready to breath Luna down and out we tried kneeling on the bed leaning on the inclined head rest. Little Luna was not progressing in this position so I was asked to try on my back and on my side.  Neither of these worked for me, I jumped out of bed so fast said “no absolutely not!” It actually threw everyone for a loop I jumped so quick. They said ok, listen to your body.

I ended up in a seated position for awhile and then back on my knees. I imagined Luna coming under my pelvic bone and tilted my hips with each push. In my head I was thinking about “J breathing” and listening to my body. I was internal and quiet other than pushing were there was much grunting…. while trying to smile. I was able to reach between my legs and hold my bundle of joy immediately! My mom cut the umbilical cord!

Luna Rose was born March 20th at 11:13pm

Weight: 7lbs 5oz / Length: 20”
Dad and I are of course in love with her!

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