extremely low, but I thought that if it meant enough I could tough it out. Well, when my Dr. induced me 9 days after my due date, I was in for a ride. As each contraction came, I braced myself and attempted to master control as the contraction wracked my body, something I later learned was the LAST thing I should have been doing! Many long hours later, as my body hung out at 3cm and I convulsed in pain, I got the epidural. A few short hours later I held my beautiful baby in my arms. My labor was not horrid; it was actually quite typical of many women's experiences in American hospitals today. But it left a hole in my heart. I knew I hadn’t failed; afterall, I had a beautiful baby! But something just didn’t sit right and I never did have a good memory of that birth. I have friends who had essentially the same birth experience and enjoyed it. It was not meant to be MY experience though. I knew that another one awaited me.
So, when I became pregnant with my second daughter, I vowed that it would be different. I knew, somewhere deep inside, that birth was meant to be beautiful and fulfilling and I wanted so desperately to feel that. As I researched and prepared, I read the Bradley method of childbirth. It was at this point that I learned about the benefit of relaxation during childbirth. I discovered through this reading that my first birth had been so difficult because I had been bracing myself during each and every contraction when what I should have been doing was relaxing and letting my body do its job. I essentially “held” my poor cervix at 3cm, although it was trying mightily to do otherwise. My poor confused body responded with pain. I went on to read about self-hypnosis in childbirth and the guided imagery really appealed to me and gave me tangible tools for relaxing.
My name is Heather DeZort. I am the mother to three beautiful little girls. I’d like to tell you the story of my birthing transformation and how I became a part of the birthing community.
When I became pregnant with my first daughter, due in January of 2000, I was ecstatic. Pregnancy was wonderful and I fully enjoyed it. But like so many women, I was terrified of labor. I didn’t know what I was doing; I just "knew" it would hurt terribly (at least, that is what I had been taught to believe) and I was afraid. But, I really had a desire to give birth unmedicated. My pain tolerance is
Heather DeZort, CD, HBCE
Heather DeZort, CD, HBCE
My little sweeties...
Below: Sisters: Megan, age 4 and Emilee, age 6
While doing my reading, I also read about Doulas. The more I read about them, the more I wanted to BE a doula, let alone have one! I decided then and there to become a doula after the birth of my second child. Weeks before I was due, I picked up a HypnoBirthing book and skimmed through it. I found the same philosophy of relaxation that I had recently discovered and in addition, I read about several visualization techniques.
When labor began a few weeks later, the surges were mild, but I began relaxing right away. I kept myself busy, taking the time to breathe deeply, sway my hips and stay loose. A few short hours later the surges were much stronger, but I figured that since my last labor had been so long and so painful then I obviously wasn't ready yet.
Eventually, however, I really felt the need to go to the hospital. When I told the nurse on the phone that they didn't really hurt too bad yet, but I just really felt I needed to come in, she tried to reassure me that I had many hours to go, but I went in anyway. I walked into the hospital at 12am. At 12:15am, my second beautiful little daughter was born at lightening speed. I was amazed and on a hormonal high like I had never expeirenced! I knew the moment she was born that THIS was the birth I had known in my heart I could have.
Later that year, I fulfilled my dream of becoming a doula by attending Seattle Midwifery School and taking their Labor Support course. I certified with DONA and PALS shortly after and went right to work attending births. I was addicted! I knew that as a Doula I could touch women's lives and help them have that birth they dreamed of. I knew the power of support and knowledge. Being a part of the birthing process was a close second to the adrenaline rush I experienced with my own birth.I went on to be taught by Marie Mongan in the HypnoBirthing method. I chose HypnoBirthing because while I gained a lot from the Bradley books I had read, I had relied the most on the tools I had learned from HypnoBirthing. I don’t relax easily and HypnoBirthing really gave me a lot of guided imagery, visualization and relaxation tools to help a person like myself. I taught HypnoBirthing for 3 years and while I no longer teach it, I still love the techniques and love supporting women using this method.
In the summer of 2004 I had my third little girl at home in a birthing tub. It was hard hard work, but it was calm and beautiful. I felt nurtured and supported. My husband was by my side every second as my doulas got me drinks, snacks and cold washcloths. I laid my head on my doula Roni's lap (my body was in the tub), as she rubbed my hair, a great relaxer for me. My doula Shari took care of keeping me hydrated and cooled off and helped me keep my focus. My husband told how wonderful I was and encouraged me and rubbed my tender back.
It was perfect.
It reminded me that picking a good birth team was one of the most important things I could do for myself and my baby. Birth is honestly the hardest, most fulfilling work I’ve ever done. It is life altering, really. I love to be a part of the process as well. I’m honored by the women who let me into their lives to help them. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of a birthing woman, the strength of her body and mind as she brings life into this world and the connection that can be made between a family at this sacred time. I hold these experiences close to my heart.
