HypnoBirthing
Jenna and Stuart's Story
... a first birth.
Hi Maggie
Joshua was born on Tuesday 27th December at 11.31pm weighing 7 pounds 10.
Maggie, the hynobirthing techniques were wonderful! We think I started labour on the Monday night but was so relaxed that I didn't even realise, Stu and I thought I was having a few practise surges every now and then and were just carrying on practising the rainbow script etc.
On the Tuesday I was a bit uncomfortable but again did not think I was in labour, we walked round to my parents who live 5 minutes away for a cup of tea and it was when we walked home at 5pm that my waters broke.
By the time we got to our front door my surges were once every 90 seconds so we quickly made our way to the hospital!
When we got to the hospital the midwives were very relaxed and told Stu AND I that as it was my first baby we were both probably panicking and that 95% of mums get sent home. However their attitude soon changed when they examined me and found I was 7cm dilated!
They quickly filled up the birthing pool and I had the best experience, My labour slowed a little when I got in the pool which gave me exactly what I needed as I was a littLe bit in shock at the speed of it all. Stuart was completely in control, and talked me through each surge, and I was completely relaxed and did not need any pain relief. At one point I was even eating toast and drinking tea in the pool!
Little Joshua arrived at 11.31pm completely content and alert, eyes wide open, the midwives said we were all stars and even asked what kind of ante natal classes we did as they said they could tell by the prompts and reassurances Stu was giving me that we were completely in control and relaxed.
It was all amazing and I want to say a huge thanks to you for all the help you gave us, I would recommend hypnobirthing to anyone!!
Lots of love,
Jenna, Stuart & Joshua x
27th December 2011
Robyn and Ross's Story
... a first birth.
Hi Maggie
We had a brilliant birth & had a healthy 7lb 15oz little boy, who we named Mason. Birth was fantastic, used a little gas & air at the end but was an amazing experience. Born in the pool after only 1hr 41mins after arriving at hospital!
Mason is such a calm soul & we think the birth had a lot to do with that.
Thank you soo much for all of your help Maggie, our experience would not of been so amazing without you.
Thank you,
Robyn, Ross & Mason x
October 2011
Charlotte and Nicky's Story
... a first birth.
Hi Maggie
I wanted to email you the wonderful news! Our daughter Lorelei was born this morning at home at 7.24am, weighing a teeny 5lbs 8oz, but very alert and content, good Apgar scores.
The hypnobirthing I have to say was exceptional, I really couldn't imagine HOW women give birth without it!! I had no drugs, no tearing, and a very contented baby. Midwives thought it was wonderful my labour started on Thursday pm! I got a bit ratty late Friday evening but went once I was in the pool, was quite able to chill out.
Thanks so much for all your support and care, it was priceless and totally empowering.
With love Charlotte and Nicky
1st October 2011
Vanessa and Martin's Story
... a first birth. Vanessa had gestational diabetes and was to be induced on the 19th. Thankfully this wasn't necessary.
Hi Maggie
Just to let you know that little Fraser has arrived safely Friday 16th December at 6.13am weighing in at 7lb 1oz. I think the sweep I had on the Wednesday afternoon did start things off, I woke on the Thursday morning with surges coming regularly every ten minutes or so. I stayed at home all day with surges becoming more intense around 8.30pm running at every 6 minutes give or take either side. The hospital wanted me to wait til I could time around 4 minutes regularly, I ended up going to the hospital a bit later on as I was becoming restless at home and was quite concerned about the drive there.
I arrived at the hospital at 11.45pm and was already 4cm dilated at that point, I felt I could manage the surges better there as I felt safer being in the hospital at that point. I didn't get the low risk room in the end as for some reason, I think to do with the diabetes they wanted to wait 4 hours to see what was going on then and then I could move if I wanted to. I had a brilliant midwife though and I was able to relax in there and play my CDs and do the breathing when a surge came, relax when I wanted to or chat if I wanted. I had no pain relief although just before the 4 hours internal examination I felt the urge to push, I was fully dilated at that point. The surges were quite intense and I felt I didn't want to move rooms anyway as I was quite comfortable where I was and thought I would probably interupt myself doing a room move. I did have a little gas and air for about an hour then as I think I started to panic a little and was feeling tired as I had not managed to sleep at all through the day.
I'd say the gas and air helped to regulate my breathing back again but didn't have any effect on the discomfort.. I ditched it after a while once I had my mojo back as it was too much of a distraction trying to do that and stay in the zone. I didn't avoid the pushing - I couldn't help it but in between those last surges I did do my resting breathing and the breathing down technique where possible. They said that baby was very happy during birth and not distressed at all by what was happening, and that I had no idea how well I had done for a first time and to have progressed so quickly. I did find the last bit hard but I think I had run out of steam a little as I had been awake for 24 hours at that point........ But I did it!!!! Mostly at home and no pain relief.. Something I never thought I could do.
He came out, straight onto me and they waited til the cord had stopped pulsating til it was cut. He gave a little cry but settled within minutes looking around everywhere, I think he is a calm little thing as he wasn't bothered about the Vit K injection or the heel pricks he had for diabetes checks. We're all home now in time for Christmas and he's such a good baby, really content!
Best wishes
Vanessa, Martin and Fraser
21st December 2011
Leanne & Leonard's Story
... a first birth.
Hi Maggie
I wanted to let you know that our beautiful baby boy Noah was born at 3.55am on Monday 29 August 2011.
Leonard and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary and had a lovely day at the cinema. We went for a meal and a nice walk and within 2 hours of being home I didn't feel right. I couldn't put my finger on what it was and thought it may have been something I had eaten. Within an hour of feeling like this I called the hospital who said that it sounded as though I had a bug and said they would get a midwife to call me. In the meantime I climbed into the bath and the midwife rang and said when I was getting surges closer then 5 minutes apart then to call her back. Leonard had said to me that they were already closer than this but I didn't realise. Anyway within 15 minutes I called her back and she arrived at 10:30 that evening and said I was already 4-5 centimetres dilated.
The second midwife arrived about an hour and a half later.
A few hours later, when I was 8-9 centimetres I got in the birth pool, but this seemed to slow my contractions down and the midwife was concerned as Noah was crowning, so we decided it best I get out of the pool. So I did, and an hour later little Noah had arrived. He was crowning for an hour and a half but throughout his heartbeat was steady. Both he and I were totally relaxed and only used hypnobirthing and I did not feel any need whatsoever to take any drugs - the thought didn't even cross my mind.
The midwife seems to think that I relaxed myself so much with the hynobirthing that was why he was crowning for so long.
He did have the cord around his neck twice so I think it was a blessing that I got out of the pool.
I can honestly say Maggie, I cannot actually remember what the labour felt like, I was so relaxed and calm and kept talking to my body and my baby throughout. It truly was an amazing experience and the midwives kept saying to my mum that they could not believe how relaxed I was and hadn't seen anyone use this technique.
Both Leonard, Noah and I are so grateful for your help with the hypnobirthing as it made our birthing a wonderful experience and has made me no longer associate labour with 'pain'.
My friends and family, knowing how scared I was of the thought of labour before falling pregnant, cannot believe what a turnaround it has been and cannot believe they hear me saying, 'i loved giving birth' which I truly did - thanks to hypnobirthing.
Thanks again for all your help.
Leanne
1st September 2011