Ronda Churchill

Stories: Hypnobirth

Aided by a Certified Professional Midwife and the support of her husband, Heather Mayer, age 29, gives birth to her second child at home using hypnobirthing techniques.

Hypnobirthing is a method of natural childbirth that utilizes the mind to work through physical pain and difficulty. Mothers typically do not use an epidural anesthesia or medicines.

Heather Mayer, 29, and Certified Professional Midwife Jill Colin joke during a check-up at Colin’s North Las Vegas home office Friday, Jan. 21, 2005. Heather anxiously awaits the birth of her baby, which is now 9 days overdue, and asks what she can do naturally to progress labor.
   
Gunnar Mayer, 4, hugs the pregnant belly of his mother in the master bedroom, prior to leaving for soccer practice Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005. Heather has kept Gunnar informed throughout the pregnancy on the upcoming birth of his baby sister. He is excited
   
Heather lay in a tub of warm water while her husband Joe smoothes over her forehead during a contraction early Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005. Contractions are a natural clock. They become more intense and frequent signaling the birth of the baby is near. The Mayers strive for a natural mood with candles providing light. Joe sprays an organic mist and voices are low. Music plays softly in the background. It is important to the Mayers that their baby is brought into a calm, soothing, and natural environment.
     
  
Heather nestles her newborn baby girl, Maxelyn Grace, while Joe peers over the bathtub ledge at 1:30 a.m. upon the baby’s delivery Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005. Maxelyn was brought into the world using Hypnobirthing techniques and delivered in a tub of warm water. Hypnobirthing consists of utilizing the mind to work through physical pain and difficulty. Mothers, in this instance, do not use an epidural anesthesia or medicines.
   
Maxelyn, just moments old, takes a small first cry while resting upon her mother Heather in the Mayer's master bath Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005. Midwife Jill Colin, at right, holds a flashlight to provide a clearer look in the dim candlelit bathroom.
  
Gunnar looks at his father and new baby sister. Joe talks to his son in a soothing voice, introducing the newest member of their family
     
  
Heather nurses baby Maxelyn while Joe watches with son Gunnar shortly after the baby’s birth. Hypnobirthing allowed Heather the convenience and comfort of delivering and nursing at home
   
Gunnar watches as Jill takes the heartbeat and pulse of one-day-old Maxelyn in the Mayer's Henderson home Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005. Colin makes a routine 24-48 hr. postpartum check-up on her patients and their newborns
   
Big Brother Gunnar holds his newborn baby sister for the first time in the family's home Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005. The family displayed pink roses. The flowers, along with other arrangements, were found that morning on the Mayer’s front porch
     
  
A new dad once again, Joe plays with his oldest child Gunnar while holding one-day-old Maxelyn in their Henderson home after a doctor's appointment Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005.