Heaven on Earth 1: 生产

I had always been an analytical person, working as a bioinformatics scientist. With my first pregnancy, I had a scheduled C-section. When I was pregnant the second time, I knew I needed to become much more informed. After reading books after books, it became clear that I didn’t have to have another c-section. And I learned a new word: midwife.  

I talked to my doctor about my wish for a natural birth and the response I got wasn’t encouraging. So I had a talk with a midwife. It opened my eyes and I switched. I was looking for ways to prepare for a gentle birth and came across a hypnobirthing class. I didn’t know anything about hypnosis and just wanted to learn anything that could help me, even just a little.

After taking the class and practicing the techniques, throughout the pregnancy, I was beaming and was showing off my body. At times I hear warnings like "Oh, you should be more cautious, think twice about choosing a midwife after a c-section...", I would just smile and let it pass. I knew in my heart and in my mind that it was going to be an easy birth.  

The sky was so blue and the air was so refreshing. It was a beatiful fall day. I started to have surges, and walked around in the neighborhood with hubby. Afterwards, I sat on the deck, enjoying the sunshine, chatting with mom, while mom was hanging the baby blankets and quilts, letting them soak up the sun. Later, my sister and aunt came over for dinner. And we packed our stuff and waved bye-bye to everyone, as if we were going on a trip, so happy and so at ease.

We got to the hospital, dimmed the light, started the music. The midwife was sitting at the corner of the room, reading a book. Hubby was saying: you are doing great! The midwife was saying: your body is so ready. The surges were becoming stronger, and the only thing in my mind was: Maggie, you are such a strong baby!

There comes Maggie, comfortably, easily, didn't need any help from anybody, 8 pounds 10 oz, 3 hour after we got into the room. Hubby said: "you look so beautiful! Have more babies!" Sister said: "you look so beautiful! You don't look like someone who just gave birth." Sister in-law asked: "so it wasn't painful even when it was most painful?" "It just wasn't painful. So there was no least painful or most painful period." 

I was an atheist before. Now I know for the first time what faith means and what surrender means. I’m learning so much from Maggie everyday, on how to live life fully and fearlessly. Teachers and strangers constantly tell me: she's so happy, nothing bothers her. How do you raise a child who's so self-assured and confident? I guess when moms embrace pregnancy and birth, without fear, babies embrace life, fearlessly.
 
I started teaching Hypnobirthing, as a hobby, because I want every woman to learn about the option of having a beautifual birth and giving her baby the best start in live. Along the way, I learned more and more about baby’s consciousness, the impact of the early years. Now I tell couples taking the class: it's not about you any more. I'm teaching it for your babies :) The first time I heard a mom telling me 'Emily, you don't know how much you have changed my live', I was in tears. I KNOW. Because mine has been changed forever too.