Experience description:

My mother was in labor with me and everything was going well. She was a nurse herself and had been determined to have a natural childbirth, since she understood the whole process. When the doctor turned me so I could be delivered, my heartbeat stopped. Every time he would turn me, the heartbeat would stop. Finally, he realized it was too risky for me to be born naturally and that I had to be delivered via emergency C-section. It was a race to get me delivered quickly in order to prevent brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

My own memories of this involve looking down at the operating room and having at least one other being with me. The scene was as if we were in a gallery at the top of a high ceiling, looking down at the delivery room and the doctors. My conversation with this being was all mental, and there was not physical form to myself in this memory. There was no physical form to the being, just a strong presence and consciousness, and we were both conversing telepathically. The being told me I had to be born now and must go through with it. I didn't really want to. I was hesitating to be born, but I was not distressed. I was given a promise of certain things if I agreed to be born. I don't remember all of them, but one was that I would not suffer great poverty or illness and the other was that I would always have The Knowing that the Source (aka God) of my being would always be with me. So, I went ahead with it and was born.

The next memory I have is of lying in the nursery with the other babies and thinking how dull the avocado green nursery and cribs were. My thoughts were not like those of an infant during any of this, just simply me and my own mind, as I think now, like a grown person. I have always had a connection to the spiritual and always felt that I could call upon Source for help, as well as spirit guides. Throughout my life, I have felt a connection of this type, even though things have not been easy and some things have been very trying. I believe all the promises I received have been kept and will be kept. I have no logical explanation for any of it, but it is my truth.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes  My mother was giving birth to me and my heart would stop beating when they turned me to enter the birth canal. The doctor had to do an emergency C-section quickly to save my life. When I was born, my face was all blue due to lack of oxygen, but I soon recovered and was a healthy infant.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes     The mood of this and the way I know it is true is very difficult to explain. The mood being such a safe, secure and clear state of mind, even when facing a thing I did not want to do. It is hard to explain what being disembodied but still being myself (even before being born) was really like. It was as if I have always been the me I am now, the me of my mind. I was fully and expansively conscious, but this was a normal thing for that state of being.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?      I was relaxed and fully alert during the entire experience.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      More consciousness and alertness than normal   My thinking was very clear and the conversation was very matter-of-fact. I felt I knew the other being very, very well and they were supportive. The clarity of thought and communication was sharper and I was more relaxed than in everyday life.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Vision was sharp and clear. My current vision needs corrective lenses, and I'm sure as a newborn I probably did not have 20/20 focus yet.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I don't recall anything involving hearing, as my conversation was telepathic.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   Yes   I saw my mother on the delivery table and physicians preparing to operate. I did not hear specifics of what they said or were doing. They were very busy and began to feel panicked, preparing for C-section. My mother later told me more details of this experience from her point of view, and this is what she observed as well. She believed I had been stillborn when she first saw me, because I was so blue from lack of oxygen. I have no memory of that part.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   Very relaxed, but reluctant to go back into an earth-bound experience. Sort of a detached interest in what was going on, but also resistant to being born. I had to be convinced and reassured, so I acquiesced once that had been done.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   No  

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
The being that was with me was like a spirit guide or old friend who knew me very, very well. I felt a love and protection from that being, as well as encouragement to go ahead with my life. It's presence was very strong and comforting. There was no light, just a feeling of closeness and camaraderie with it.

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   Uncertain   I don't feel like the being was Jesus, but it could have been. It felt more like a very old friend or relative/guide who had known me literally forever. It could have been Jesus, I suppose.

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No


Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   Everything seemed to be happening at once; or time stopped or lost all meaning
I did not feel rushed, it seemed time was kind of redundant in this mental space. I had to make a decision but did not feel rushed, even though the scene of the doctors was people in a panic. Time seemed like it didn't really exist or matter there to the degree it does here.

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about myself or others
I understood why I didn't want to be born --- facing the hardships and uncertainties of life on earth. Facing the things I would likely encounter in this life. But I also knew this was a plan that I needed to do. I felt connected to my guide and to the other side completely and this was very relaxing. There were no big questions about the meaning of life, just of whether I would agree to do this life.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   I came to a definite conscious decision to return to life
I knew I had to make a decision to be born and begin living this life. There was a point and 'everyone' was waiting on my decision.

Did scenes from the future come to you?  Scenes from my personal future 
The promises about protection from poverty and illness were given to me, as well as some explanation of my personal journey to come -- dealing mostly with emotional stresses and family dynamics that would be mentally challenging. I don't remember anything else specific.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   Yes   Yes, my experience took it for granted that there is consciousness before and after death. I was conscious and had not yet been born.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   I was not alone in my experience. I was with a more powerful, protective and loving entity. This could be described as God or a guide. It was promised to me that I would always feel connected to God in some way. So, the existence of God was also kind of taken for granted, as a given, in this experience.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   Yes   Yes, the entire experience happened when I was being born. Before this lifetime.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   Yes, I felt relaxed and connected during the entire experience, and it was promised to me that I would retain that in this life for the most part.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   Yes   I do not recall specifics, but I was encouraged to come here and live this life because it is important for me to do so.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Yes   I was reluctant to come here because of the emotional challenges I knew I would face in this world/society/family. Somehow, I knew certain things would be difficult, as if partly by some kind of design or plan.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   It was promised to me that Source (Love) would always be close to me and I would have a special connection to it that would not be lost.

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Yes   I have always had the impression that the little things --- small kindnesses, empathy, compassion --- are very important and that we don't have to know the whole story of our purpose here to accomplish it. I was told that I must live this life and that it was important. That feeling has always been with me, though I don't have or need specifics about it. I don't think we can fully comprehend it anyway.

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was entirely consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   I had not yet been born, so this question doesn't quite apply to me.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   I remember this experience very clearly, though there is more about my birth and first few hours that I do not recall at all.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   It is hard to answer this since my experience occurred when being born. I do think it has given me a lot of strength and comfort when facing difficulties in life. I have always felt a guidance and connection to something more, at all times in my life. I have had very low points in the past where I considered suicide, but I have always felt that I am here for a reason. It feels like that same Guide is still with me, encouraging me to complete my mission. I don't know exactly what my mission is, but I believe it is OK to not know that. Just by being myself and sharing light and love with others, I am completing my mission.

My experience directly resulted in:   Unknown

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   No  

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Yes   I have had instances of knowing when friends or family are going to die. The last time I saw my grandfather I was nine years old and felt something say to me, 'Spend lots of time with him now. You may never see him again.' It was not a scary or fearful thought, just a matter-of-fact encouragement to treasure time with him. So I did, and he died in a work accident a few months later. I never saw him again. I have also had visitations from recently deceased relatives, with lights in my house blinking, appliances coming on, etc as a way for them to tell me they are OK.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     The reassurance of certain things have always been meaningful to me. I have not always allowed myself to believe them, but those promises have always been kept. The idea that it is important for me to be here has been really meaningful. Not in a grandiose way, because I believe everyone is here for a reason, but in a way that I know Source is looking out for me and has placed me here for good purposes. That helps me face things that would be more daunting otherwise.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   No 

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   I view it as real because I remember it and my soul remembers the presence that was with me. I KNEW that being, whoever it was. They were close and an ally. My whole life has been a clear reminder of those promises and encouragement to live.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   I believe it was real more now than when I was in my 20s or 30s. Events in the past few years have only reinforced the promises and support I received in my experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No  

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   I have never shared this experience because I know people think remembering something from pre-birth or that young sounds very suspect and like the person just made up a fantasy. However, I clearly remember having to make a decision about this and I definitely feel that I am 'away from home' here in this world. I am constantly reminded of Source presence in my life, as was promised to me then. This has been a very real and genuine experience for me. More real than most things.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes   I feel the questions were good at allowing me to share this experience in the best way possible.