Carrie Cesario,
CCHt, CPMC, HCHI, HCHD

Blue Lotus Hypno
Tustin, CA
Carrie@BlueLotusHypno.com
www.BlueLotusHypno.com
310-498-8314

I am a mother of two amazing Hypno-babies. I am passionate about birth and when I’m not being mommy to my kiddos, it is my goal to help as many families as I can, experience the same kind of joy and empowerment I did when I gave birth to my precious little ones. I’m beyond thrilled and honored to help expecting couples, as their doula and their teacher (sometimes both!), learn how to have, and experience, empowered, easy and joyous birthings. I am teaching group classes in Tustin on Sunday afternoons. Don’t see a class that fits with your schedule here?  Weekday evening classes available by request.  Minimum 3 couples needed to get one going. Contact me today for more information!

Hypnobabies class schedule

JAN/FEB 2023:

Wednesdays, January 11th – February 15th
6pm – 9:30pm
Virtual via Zoom

FEB/MAR 2023:

Sundays, February 26th – April 2nd
​1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA

MAR/APR 2023:

Wednesdays, March 1st – April 5th
6pm – 9:30pm
Virtual via Zoom 

APR/MAY 2023:

Sundays, April 16th – May 21st
​1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA

Wednesdays, April 19th – May 24th
6pm – 9:30pm
Virtual via Zoom

JUNE/JULY 2023: 

Sundays, June 4th – July 9th
​1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA 

Wednesdays, June 7th – July 12th 
6pm – 9:30pm
Virtual via Zoom 

JULY/AUG 2023: 

 

​Sundays, July 23rd – August 27th
​1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA 

Wednesdays, July 26th – August 30th  
6pm – 9:30pm 
Virtual via Zoom 

SEPT/OCT 2023: 

Sundays, September 10th – October 15th
​1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA 

Wednesdays, September 13th – October 18th 
6pm – 9:30pm 
Virtual via Zoom

NOV/DEC 2023: 

Sundays, November 5th – December 10th
1pm – 4:30pm
Lake Forest, CA

Wednesdays, November 8th – December 13th 
6pm – 9:30pm
Virtual via Zoom

It was an easy choice to make when we decided to have our first baby at home. I knew I didn’t want unnecessary medical interventions, and while most felt that I was crazy and often reminded me of how painful it was going to be, my husband and I never lacked belief that my body was strong enough to birth naturally. We were lucky enough to take our Hypnobabies class with Carri Mendes, who provided such a warm and safe learning environment for both my husband and I. While I was obviously the one caring the baby and eventually birthing the baby, the Hypnobabies curriculum including the daddies-to-be so much, that it never felt like I was going into birth alone. My husband,  who is a coach, totally bought into the idea of Hypnobabies, as he often talks to his players about how much of their strength is connected to their mentality. With so many people not understanding or trusting in our choice to birth at home, it was Carrie and her constant reminders of remaining in our “bubbles of peace” that kept us focused and prepared! 


When my birthing day began, I was in complete disbelief that it was actually here. With very irregular contractions, and being only 1 CM dilated after 12 hours of contractions, I began to lose hope that I was going to be able to survive a home birth. My husband insisted that I begin listening to my birthing day Hypnobabies tracks, even though I didn’t want to, “in case this wasn’t the real thing yet”. But despite my protest he began playing them throughout the house. As we walked and walked and walked around the neighborhood, my husband continually repeated relaxation cues and positive affirmations from the tracks. After 47 hours (yes 47!) of irregular but strong pressure waves, my midwife finally broke my water and filled up my birthing pool! 


As I stepped into my pool, with my Hypnobabies tracks playing in the background, I entered into a different world, a world of hope, a world of strength, a world of belief, and most importantly, a world of peace and relaxation . With each pressure wave coming every minute, and my husband cuing me to relax, I began to drift into a sleepy slumber, only briefly woken by the pressure of each coming wave. After 5 hours of my body opening up, my midwife actually had to have me get up and out of the pool, and turn off the Hypnobabies tracks because I was “too relaxed”. With in minutes of getting up my body instantly went into pushing mode, without any instruction from my midwives or even my own mind. My body was ready and knew it was time, and for the first time, after 53 hours of labor I was able to fight against the pressure waves and push my baby into my arms! 


If someone had told me I’d be laboring for 3 days, with no meds, and no nurses, I may not have made the choice to birth at home, but due to the  amazing love and support of my Hypnobabies instructor and midwife team, my husband and i never felt anxious, or unprepared for what was to come, and we were able to welcome our sweet boy into a room full of peace, love, and relaxation. He never cried, he just took one huge first breath, and stared up at his new family.

~ Kaytie

Lucas’ guess date was June 5, 2016. Because I didn’t have him on this day I had a non stress test scheduled for the following Monday. During the regularly scheduled 40 week appointment, my OB talked about the stress test and mentioned a possible induction. Knowing I definitely did not want to be induced medically, I decided it was time to start walking to induce naturally. On the 8th of June my mom, my stepsister, and I walked about 4 or 5 miles. At 5:30 in the evening I was laying on the couch and felt a pop and a huge gush. MY WATER BROKE! Little did I know I had been in early birthing. My pressure waves were consistently 20 minutes apart, but I attributed this to walking. As soon as my water broke I got up and went to the bathroom and then got in the shower. As soon as my water broke my pressure waves got closer and stronger. From 5 minutes apart to 4 1/2 minutes apart. I enjoyed the hot shower for about an hour and then lied down and listened to my Fear Clearing track and got into deep hypnosis. I hadn’t felt Lucas move in a while so Cameron called the doctor on call and was told to take me to the hospital.  On the way to the hospital I listened to Birthing Day Affirmations. I felt so calm, confident, and in control. We went straight to triage where I was checked for progression and was admitted. While in triage I listened to my Special Safe Place. I enjoyed being able to move during pressure waves so I kept my switch in the middle for the majority of my birthing process. Once in my room the intensity of the pressure waves seemed to intensify. We kept the Special Safe Place on repeat out loud in the room. I did a lot of swaying and talking to myself. I would repeatedly send my hypno anesthesia to my belly and back. I was able to spend some time in the shower and really enjoyed the relief that the water provided. While in the shower I felt the urge to push but was told not to until I was checked to make sure I was fully dilated. I did not want to know about my progress but assumed I wasn’t there when I was told I could not push. They told my husband, Cameron that I was only at an 8. From 8 cm to 10 cm everyone thought I was taking a nap because I was so deep into hypnosis. This lasted for two hours. The nurse asked if she could check me and I was ready to push! We turned on the Pushing Baby Out track and left it on repeat. I tried different positions and the lithotomy position felt right. I started with open glottis pushing and was encouraged to do “purple pushing”. After a long four hours of pushing I was holding my sweet baby boy. As it turned out he was posterior. I do not recall being informed of this and was unable to try the lift and tuck. The eight hours of active birthing and four of pushing were so worth it! I felt so accomplished and proud of myself. I accomplished a completely un medicated childbirth. I had an easier and more comfortable childbirth because I used Hypnobabies. I have already recommended it to so many people and will continue to do so. I cant imagine what my birth story would have been like if I hadn’t used Hypnobabies.

~ Renee