Marie and Harry, 2nd baby, born in hospital

Hi Janet, I’ve found a few moments to write our lovely birthday story. Thanks so much for everything. On the morning of our little girl’s birthday at 41 weeks + 4, I woke at about 4.30 with tightenings which were very manageable and I initially didn’t pay too much attention to them as I’d had some on off cramps a couple of times over the few weeks before. It dawned on me that the tightenings were regular and after an hour I woke my hubby to ask if he could call the birth centre. I spoke to them and was unfortunately told that staff weren’t available for me to go there. However the pool room at the local hospital was available which worked well for dropping my toddler off with his grandad and grandma. I had prepared for a journey and plugged my head phones into my phone and zoned into my body and the sensations I was having, allowing them to be there and to pass, listening to “Riverdawn” (KGH Hypnobirthing music) and some other songs I had chosen . My hubby told my toddler (unknown to me at the time) that I was singing as I vocalised during each surge. I found that vocalising helped me maintain my focus. A little while after I arrived at hospital I agreed to be checked and was told I was 9cms which I couldn’t believe – the surges had been very manageable to this point. After this the intensity increased and there were moments when I noticed feeling scared. I definitely felt however that being in water helped. I let the midwife and my hubby know when I noticed fear creeping in and they both, (especially hubby) helped me to keep focusing, reminding me that each surge was another one down. This gave me the encouragement to keep focussed and return to my breath in each moment, my visualisations and thoughts of meeting my baby. There were several really pleasant breaks between surges which were so peaceful and enjoyable and which I hadn’t experienced during the birth of my toddler. Towards the end I noticed an intense pressure in my lower back and soon after this I began to focus on bringing my baby to meet us. At about this point I didn’t want music on which surprises me, now but was what I needed at the time. I caught our beautiful little girl in the water, 5 hours after I had woken!! Labour was intense at times but swift and so very lovely. I hadn’t been aware of time for most of the labour which I think was also really important. When my mind had slipped to time I had guided it back to the next breath instead. I found that throughout vocalising was important which is quite unusual for me as I’m generally a quiet person however I had decided early on in my pregnancy that I would let my body lead and go with what I felt I needed. My husband later said that I had sounded like a cave woman towards the end! Everyone said what a lovely birth it was and the midwives thanked my husband for being amazing in his support of me. What a star he really was ! My husband was fabulous. I could just focus on me and our baby while he took care of just about everything else. Our birth plan was fully respected and the staff were great, checking with me that I was still happy with some of the decisions in my birth plan eg. Physiological birth of the placenta. I felt empowered throughout and still can’t believe I did it without pain relief. It felt like everything went perfectly. I feel so excited about it every time I think about it….wish every woman could have the same experience. Practising hypnobirthing (and some mindfulness) during my pregnancy, as well as the super relaxing reflexology I had with you was such great preparation for our little girl’s birth. Thank you xx