Birth Stories
“It was the most amazing experience of my life so far…I would do it again tomorrow!”
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Becky's story
Having attended our HypnoBirthing course with Wendy we felt well prepared for our birth.
Our initial reason for attending the course was I was petrified of physically giving birth to our first baby, I kept asking myself how am I going to do this? Having seen an interview on TV about HypnoBirthing it seemed to offer some answers.
The main thing we both felt we achieved from the classes was knowledge and confidence about what might happen, what to expect, what we are able to request and not being concerned about advising the medics of our needs.
My waters broke at 12.30am 3 ½ weeks early which was a bit of a shock. It was a very gradual start. By 3am my surges had started gently and I was feeling no discomfort. By 5am they were coming a little stronger and every 7 minutes so we set off for the birth centre only to be told when we arrived due to my temperature being raised and being premature I would have to go to hospital which was the last place I wanted to have my baby. I pleaded with them to keep me there but for both our sakes I had to be transferred. At this point my very regular surges stopped as I had got into such a state at not being able to stay at the midwife run centre - the stress had taken control.
Neil put me in the car and took me to hospital and whilst making the journey I listened to my CD and relaxed again using our HypnoBirthing techniques, and by the time we arrived my surges were back to every 6 minutes. I believe if I had stayed upset and stressed my birth would have turned out very differently.
When we arrived at the hospital Neil gave the midwife the birth plan and explained about HypnoBirthing. Jo (our midwife) was wonderful; she took it all on board and said she would do her best to follow the plan.
At 9.30am I was examined, I was 4cm dilated; I had to be monitored due to my temperature so I lay on the bed on my left side. Neil sat with me and just kept me calm talking to me, and using some of the techniques we learned. At this point I was told it could be another 8 hours at least.
During my birthing the breathing techniques were wonderful. I felt very strong tightening sensations but I had no feeling of actual pain until Jo tried to turn me onto my back to examine me. This was a very unnatural position to be in, but as soon as I turned back onto my side the feeling went away. I then had 3 surges where I felt the baby move down my body and I knew the time was right to change my type of breathing. You need to just trust that it will happen when you are this relaxed! I had no idea of time I just felt really relaxed and in a really nice place.
At 10.45am a doctor came to give me antibiotics. I refused them as they weren’t necessary only precautionary and because he said it would take 20 minutes to give it to me and I knew the baby would be here by then as I felt ready to breath the baby out!
It took them by surprise when Jo checked me because I was starting to sound a bit grunty!! I was fully dilated and after a couple more surges Samuel arrived at 11.13am! We didn’t need any pain relief or stitches, I had a natural 3rd stage which breast feeding really helped along and we were left alone to bond for 2 hours as requested. The staff at Derby City were wonderful and very accommodating to our requests in our birth plan.
It was the most amazing experience of my life so far, I couldn’t have done it without Neil - your birth partner is so important. I would do it again tomorrow!
Becky, Neil and Samuel Cross – Denstone, Staffs
