Birth Stories
'I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my birthing experience'
To be honest, the only reason I looked into HypnoBirthing was because I was desperate! After the initial euphoria of finding out I was pregnant with our first child, the panic soon set in – I was terrified of the pain! I’d heard so many horror stories about the agony of child birth that I would lie in bed at night wondering how on earth I was going get through it all.
Our first meeting with Wendy did a lot to help with my fear, the atmosphere was calm and relaxed and there was no reference to pain at all. We discussed our fears and gradually learnt the HypnoBirthing process. Each week we watched videos, tried different relaxation exercises and practiced visualisation techniques; bit by bit I found myself actually looking forward to the birth rather than dreading it. My husband John also enjoyed the classes because he had a defined role; he wasn’t banished to the side lines and therefore felt more involved.
Each day I would practise the breathing and visualisation exercises and I think these helped my energy levels during pregnancy as well as preparing me for the birth.
When my waters broke at 7am, I surprised myself by insisting that John went off to work (before doing the course I wouldn’t have let him out of my sight!) and couldn’t believe how calm I was. I was examined by a midwife and told that I should make my way to hospital when I felt regular surges. She told me to go home and relax. I went home and made biscuits – I’ve never made biscuits in my life!
When John arrived home from work we made our way to hospital because the surges were coming every few minutes. On the way to hospital I found myself completely oblivious to the journey, as I did my deep breathing I found myself in something of a trance – completely calm and confident.
On arrival and after examination, the midwife told me that I was 3cm dilated and could expect another six or seven hours before our baby was born.
We put on the relaxation CD and I sat on the edge of the bed, leaning on John as I breathed my way through the surges. After twenty minutes I told the midwife that I felt I was ready, she obviously didn’t believe me but examined me anyway and was surprised to find that I was right and our baby was about to be born!
Everything was going really well until the midwife noted that the baby’s heart rate was slowing down and then before I knew it, there were four doctors and another midwife in the room telling me to push. Despite the chaos in the room, I managed to stay calm and instead of pushing, I breathed down as I’d been taught in our classes. I didn’t go against their instructions on purpose, I just acted on instinct. Within minutes our baby Molly was born and placed straight onto my chest – at that moment I felt like I could run a marathon! I was so happy to have this beautiful, healthy and calm little person nestling into me.
I amazed myself with how calm I remained throughout. The next day two of the doctors asked how I managed such a ‘short sharp labour’ without any pain relief, I explained about HypnoBirthing but I’m not sure how much notice they took.
My labour was just 2 hours 12 minutes in total, and although the contractions were off the scale on the monitor, I can honestly say that it was not painful. It was intense, and really did feel like a ‘surge’, (the HypnoBirthing word for contraction) but I would describe it as discomfort, certainly not pain.
Our classes with Wendy have been invaluable, I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed my birthing experience and Molly is a lovely, calm, happy little baby.
Angela Gillespie & John Seeney – Cromford, Derbyshire
