I was physically tired to say the least. I remember my husband and his sister were in the room just kind of killing time as I drifted off to sleep. I suddenly became aware of the fact that I was floating above my body and viewing the hospital room from above. I felt totally calm and at peace as I took note of my sleeping body below. I saw my husband and his sister. I saw the exact same scene that I had been apart of as I drifted off to sleep, only now I was viewing it from the ceiling. I remember thinking how cool it felt! Something brought my attention to the hall and I was suddenly there. It was almost like I had passed through wall above the doorway. I saw my Father walking down the hall toward my room and felt happy that he was there. I guess a part of me felt like the fact that he had come to check on me was proof that he had accepted the path my life had taken and that he loved me even though I had disappointed him. I saw him knock on the door, and the next thing I knew I was back in my body waking up to see him walk into the room. To my surprise, he was wearing the same exact clothes that he had been wearing in my "dream." I groggily said "Daddy, I just saw you walking down the hall and you were wearing that outfit..." He kind of laughed and said, "Really? Was there anything you wanted to tell me?" I thought about it for a minute and said "Yes..." In my heart I probably wanted to say something to the effect of THANK YOU FOR COMING AND BEING SUPPORTIVE EVEN THOUGH I LET YOU DOWN IN SUCH A BIG WAY, but instead I smiled and said "Hey!" Everyone in the room laughed and that was that.  

I remember telling a few people about it over the years and I've often thought back to it in amazement. It was a wonderful feeling that I cherish! I now recognize that it wasn't a dream and that it was instead an Out of Body Experience. I sort of knew that then, but really had too much going on in my life to stop and think about it for long. So far, I can report that we are living "Happily Ever After!" We've been married for eleven years and have three wonderful children together. I am thankful that the sweet spirit of my seventeen year old self chose this path for me and I wouldn't change a thing.

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?   Uncertain    I was on an IV of pain medication. I had avoided taking it, but once I realized that labor wasn't progressing, I allowed them to give me medicine to help ease some of the discomfort and help me sleep.

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words?   No    I told my Father immediately and we were all amused by it. It was a lovely experience and was fascinating. I often thing back to it!

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?   No   

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?   My level of consciousness and alertness were elevated. Thinking back I just had a sense of peace and knowing.

Was the experience dream like in any way?   I assumed that I was dreaming until I woke up and Daddy was wearing the same clothes I had seen him in. That for me was solid proof that it wasn't a dream.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?   Yes   I guess you would call it a separation of consciousness because I was aware of the room below me and of the fact that I was the girl in the hospital bed.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?    I just remember thinking it was cool, feeling at peace, and being thankful that my Daddy was coming to see me.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?    I don't remember any.

Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?    Yes    I saw the exact scene that I had witnessed with my eyes before, but this time from a different view point.

Did you see a light?    No   

Did you meet or see any other beings?    Yes    I saw the people who were in my hospital room, as well as my father coming down the hall. I remember seeing nurses in the hall as well.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state?   No   

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?   Yes    My father's clothes and the fact that he was actually coming down the hall at that moment was verification for me.

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?    No   

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?    No   

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes    I just felt a peace and like everything was going to be okay. This was huge because I really went into the labor process with huge fears and anxieties at the thought of pushing a baby out of my body.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?    No   

Did you become aware of future events?    No   

Were you involved in or aware of a decision regarding your return to the body?    No   

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?    Uncertain    I feel like that experience was one of a few that led me to such an interest in these things. I am now on my career path in part because of my interest in these topics.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes    I felt like it confirmed my suspicion that there is more to life and the afterlife than we are taught in Sunday School!

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?    At the time it didn't really affect them, but now it is a cherished memory and feeling that I wouldn't trade for anything. It was the first of several events that have driven me toward helping other people through hypnotherapy.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No   

Have you shared this experience with others?    Yes    I've told family members and friends about it any time it pops into my head.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   I feel like it was a glimpse of the capabilities that we have and are ignorant to. It makes me want to explore these types of topics more! The worst part would be simply the fear that I'll never experience that again.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?    Nope

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?    Yes          Within the last year I had a very vivid dream which I would describe as a dream of the apocalypse maybe. It was a long drawn out dream about zombies and tornadoes (haha) but the interesting part was that I was my childhood church. I was outside with my husband and I knew that my children were inside. I was trying to help children from a school bus nearby get into the church and away from the tornado. Suddenly it felt like a vacuum was sucking at us and we grabbed onto the railing to hold on. I remember looking over at him and fearing for our children because it was obvious we were about to die. I remember looking to my husband and encouraging him to let go. I assumed I meant our hands, but instead I felt my soul as it sucked from my body with a pop and we were floating over the scene. The destruction was devastating and I could see that our physical bodies were holding on the rails but that they were being beaten and battered in the storm. I remember thinking so this is what it feels like to die. It doesn't hurt. Everything it going to be okay. My mind shifted to my children who's future was unknown and just knowing that everything was going to be okay. That we were all okay now. I literally took away such a peace about death and dying from that experience. I really feared it before, but it was almost the exact same peace and just love that I felt in my hospital room years before. I've often wondered if it was a glimpse of us dying in a tornado? I have always feared storms. Come to think of it my fear of storms has greatly decreased since having that dream! I used to really cry and get upset during thunderstorms because I was so afraid that a tornado would form. Now I can sleep through them. I honestly just now realized this!

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?    Yes     Yes although it isn't the simplest experience to put into words, I feel that I did my best