“ Hi Janet, Really wanted to write up our birth story and share with you because her birth was truly a wonderful experience! I was so happy that we did the “refresher” course with you. (Following a Full Hypnobirthing Course with another “brand”. with a previous pregnancy) You made us feel so at ease and went above and beyond to support me afterwards -you are a truly special lady in my opinion !
Just after my husband left for work (8am ish) I felt a tightening sensation (very faint at this stage), however with lots of false starts over the previous few weeks I didn’t want to get my hopes up!! I had my little girl with me that day so was determined to keep going with her until I knew something was definitely happening.
So, we set about our day (a trip to Sainsbury’s and to visit a friend) all the while I was keeping an eye on the tightening sensations which were becoming more frequent.
I still wasn’t allowing myself to get too excited but I felt very empowered and probably in the back of my mind knowing this was it felt like one of ‘those people’ I’d heard about just getting on with life in the early stages of labour (never thought I’d be one of ‘them’ lol).
Anyway once I got home (3ish) I was pretty sure this was it so rang for my husband to come home and for my parents to collect our daughter. I had a lovely time just cherishing some last moments with her, just us. My parents arrived at 5ish to get our daughter and I felt so relaxed. Although the tightenings were more intense and more frequent we sat and had tea and biscuits before they left with her half an hour later.
I felt as though my body had been holding on whilst she was with me as once she left, things started progressing. During surges I just wanted to be in dark spaces and concentrated on my breathing – this felt very instinctive.
With a storm raging outside and snow on the roads – and with surges feeling pretty intense and frequent – we set off for the 30 min journey to the birth centre. I was prepared with my Hypnobirthing CD, headphones and a scarf wrapped around my head so I couldn’t see anyone or they see me (again very primal just wanting to be within my self).
I arrived and I knew I wanted to be examined ASAP to see how far along I was- which was 4cm. This was 7pm ish. From there things progressed really quickly. Again it was as though my body had been holding on until I was in a safe space.
While my husband was outside the room going through my birth preferences, the pool was running and I was feeling the urge to push! I knew things were progressing quickly and it was very intense . At this stage I decided I needed gas and air which was great! (I had worried it would interfere with breathing but being aware of this, the two worked well together).
When I got into the pool it was HEAVENLY and I can honestly say I haven’t felt much more relaxed than that (other than when the surges came – now that was intense!) Inbetween though I felt on cloud 9. Things progressed really quickly and intensely and our baby was born at 7.45pm after only a short while pushing (I struggled with the down breathing and at this stage so I just allowed my body to do what it wanted!)
I was in such shock and relief when she was born and so proud of myself and our little girl!!
Thank you again for all of your support. I will cherish the memory of our baby’s birth forever.
Xxxx”