T’ai Chi Chih and Birth

Experiences

Carol Glinski, Jacksonville, FL

While pregnant with our daughter, Sasha, I faithfully practiced TCC and several of the meditations from Justin’s book daily. When it came to “healing sounds” I did a set for myself, visualizing my internal organs, then did a second set visualizing her little body inside me. I did not realize the net result until it was time to deliver.

After two and a half days of labor at home with contractions three minutes apart I was admitted to the hospital labor room. There was a point, according to the fetal monitor, that the baby’s resting heart rate increased by thirty points and would lower considerably during contractions. This caused great concern to my midwife and I was told that if this pattern did not change that IV drugs and a possible C-section may be necessary. I was determined to have a totally drug free birth for Sasha’s sake so I told my midwife to give me thirty minutes before they tried intervention.

I sat up straight, closed my eyes and focused on Sasha’s heart like I had done so many times during my T’ai Chi Chih practice and just b–r–e–a–t–h–e–d. Within fifteen minutes her heart rate had returned to normal and we continued with a trouble free, drug free birth. We left the hospital for home nine hours later.

Now that Sasha is nine months old, happy and healthy, I look back and think. Of all the wonderful things I have experienced with T’ai Chi Chih, that was the most profound. Thank you to all who spent time teaching me this Joyous discipline.