I decided to try a home birth because of Covid. Now I wish I had done it with the girls too. Far more relaxing at home. Plus the midwifes tuck you into bed afterwards but first they help you have a shower :)

We had baby Felix on 23rd October at 7.31am at home in a birthing pool. Labour was absolutely bliss, especially once I got into the pool. Well, I had a big wobbly around 3am that night as I was in constant pain (no breaks) that was all lower back and shot into my leg. So we called for a friend to pick the girls up so I could get checked out why my leg was so bad.

We called triage because I was not sure if I was in labour and they sent a midwife out. She arrived at 4.30am and confirmed I was 4cm. She also reminded me that I didn’t want to go to hospital and never checked my dilation again afterwards because that was my wish. She really read my birth plan thoroughly and left me to it whilst observing from a corner of the room. I had minimal monitoring despite going against head of midwifery advise of constant monitoring at the hospital due to being vback. I was laughing and almost sleeping at one point in the pool. The Midwife was amazing at lower back rubs. She knew exactly where to rub and what pressure to apply & my partner kept feeding me honey to keep my energy going.... I didn’t feel a single contraction across my tummy. Just lower back and right leg and once I was in the pool my leg pain disappeared. What was left was minimal discomfort, even during crowning!

It was just amazing!

Sabrina Mummy to Felix (UK)

VBAC at home in the water for third time mum

Mum
Saturday morning. 41+1. Induction discussion & scheduled for Monday, This weekend we’re trying every trick in the book to coax Luca out naturally into the world. We walk in the woods, computer games, reflexology - once home I bath and Leo cooks Pad Thai. A day of love and laughter ends at midnight, as we climb into bed and fall asleep.

At 12.20 I wake up with a curious tightening across my belly I’m intrigued by the sensation and silently observe the feeling - turning to google to confirm that I really am in labour. I try to sleep but excitement scuppers my plans. Relocating to the lounge,  I pile duvets and pillows onto the sofa, creating a nest to watch trashy TV from. As the sensations intensify I call my brother (who’s awake in Japan) to share my excitement that this is really it. We lose ourselves in the moment, before he reminds me that it’s probably time to start getting into my zone. Meditation, yoga and essential oils pass the time in between surges.

At 3am I wake Leo. Together we eat and prepare the birth space. We labour together, with Leo encouraging me to relax in the pauses waves. Eventually we decide to call the midwife. By Sunday afternoon there is a clipboard clutching Midwife observing me from the kitchen table. Her cold, clinical stare makes me feel like an experiment. My labour slows. Leo puts me to  bed and shows the midwife the door. He lays with me in bed and suggests I sleep. After a few moments sleep we relocate to the sofa. We watch Wall-e and Monty Python as my labour progresses again. The sensation increases. We shower as Leo presses on my back as I lean against the wall - the hot water calms me as I focus on maintaining my breathing and tell myself to breathe, relax and release.
By Sunday evening my surges become more frequent, but I manage to sleep in the gaps in between them. My quest for comfort is like a treasure hunt around the house - I labour over my ball, against the bed, over the desk and against the fridge. Leo runs me a bath. It offers incredible relief. I labour on my knees during surges, before collapsing into the water to rest and sleep in between. Inwardly focused I didn't realise a midwife had joined us until I heard her refer to me as a goddess. She asked if she could join me in the bathroom, offering aromatherapy to relax me - clary sage to open, lavender to calm, black pepper for my back.

As three we sat in a low lit bathroom. I felt respected, held and able to let go.

Following the midwife’s suggestion Leo filled the pool. Together they guided me into the water - the feeling of the warm water, space and soft inflated floor under my knees was overwhelming, numbing all other sensation momentarily.

As my waves ebbed and flowed, I allowed my whole body to surrender to each feeling. Although aware of my body, my conscious mind had gone. I was birth. I laboured for hours in the pool before asking for an exam. My midwife conducted it in the pool, telling me I was 7cm. Her and Leo suggested I move into the shower to try and help progress it further.

By 1am on Monday I am beyond exhausted, I struggled standing in the shower. Laura stays with me, I cry and catch Leo’s eye in the hall. I am scared I can’t do this. I wanted to return to the pool, so did. I caught a glimpse of our clock and saw I’d been labouring for 22 hours - I felt myself not using my surges and decided to ask for gas and air.  I had the energy I needed to get into active labour positions. Leo held my hands outside the pool as I squatted, lunged and breathed my baby down. I visualised my body opening as I roared my baby into the world, listening to my body’s cues on when to push. I heard my midwife telling us that she could see the head and that he was in caul. A few moments later I was lifting him out of the water and onto my chest. Leo holding us both over the side of the pool.

Dad
I pick Lydia up from her session at 6pm and she is looking so relaxed and happy. She gets in the car and says ‘apparently we’re having a baby tonight’. We have dinner, play scrabble and go to bed smiling and serene.

Sometime after 2am I go to the toilet and on the way back step over a piece of paper by the bedroom door - too sleepy to check it but it seems strange. Lydia comes into the bedroom shortly after and gently says ‘Hey baby - I think I’m going to need you soon’. I stretch and slowly get up, bleary eyed and trying to remember who I am, and where my list is. It feels amazing. I feel like I’m getting up to get a really early flight to a long, hot holiday. It’s all full of unknowns and butterflies. I wander out and Lydia is waiting in the kitchen looking bright eyed and particularly beautiful. It’s all very calm and silent. She hands me a list of her latest surge times, and recommends a couple of good apps if I wanted to start tracking them. I am still staring blankly, though happily and thinking about apps and babies and night time and some phone calls I need to make.

I make two waters, and hand one to Lydia. Then say “right, great.. let’s do this”. I soon start putting together the pool, and discover the tap attachment is broken so instead fills the bathroom. (I later improvise a filling system involving using a pump in reverse - an innovation which makes me feel like I can do anything!)

Early Sunday morning I follow Lydia around the house, labouring in different positions while I stroke or massage her back or arms, feeding her snacks and tea. It’s 5am and she is labouring steadily, 45 seconds thrice in 10 minutes. On paper it seems we’re in active labour, so I call triage to get in touch with a midwife. On the phone I give them all my accumulated data and observations, which they gratefully accept. It slowly dawns on me that it’s me who needs to tell them when to come, they are not going to be telling me.

The next few hours are hard. I time every single contraction, I have done hundreds now. Lydia asks me regularly if we’re progressing and I am starting to think we are not. In most cases I can massage and support her, but sometimes she is in too much discomfort for me to touch her. At some point I find myself rubbing a hot water bottle because I couldn’t massage her.

As daybreak comes around 8am on Sunday, labour slows down even more- but the surges are too frequent for her to get useful sleep. At 1pm on Sunday we ask a midwife to come and advise. She arrives within an hour, and carries herself formally. She lays out the kitchen table like an office desk, pulls out a clipboard from her bag, holds a pen and silently stares at us over her glasses in a way that feels less than friendly. “What do you want me to do?” she asks. It feels like we are wasting her time. Labour pretty much stops at that very moment, and in the end we go to bed leaving her in the kitchen with her stern energy because we can’t be around her anymore.

It’s early evening now, she has had a few bits of sleep and we agree to try to push forward with showers and nipple tweaking. Things suddenly pick up quite quickly which is scary but very much appreciated. “I don’t need to keep it or anything do I?” she calls from the bathroom after her mucus plug has come out. I begin to realise that the incredibly well researched woman I knew yesterday is becoming noticeably more impressionable and vulnerable than her usual self.

Around 8pm things are really getting into the swing - I can’t really time her surges anymore as I don’t know when one ends and another starts. I talk to the new midwife on duty who I had spoken to the previous day when things started. We agree she will come at 9:30pm. When she arrives I brief her and we discuss our hopes for the birth - as I look out the window a family of foxes stare back at us and we are stunned into silence for a moment. I leave Laura to read our birth plan and decide she’ll join us in the bathroom after Lydia’s next big surge. Lydia is labouring in the bath and I go to check on her - she asks me if I’m happy. I find this incredibly selfless and let her know I am happy - she corrects me “no, with the midwife”. I say I’m very happy - and Lydia looks so relieved. Laura joins us and is massaging Lydia’s back - she silently shows me the rhombus at the base of Lydia’s spine (Rhombus of Michaelis) which means the baby’s head is pressing against it and we are entering the later stage of active labour. I leave them for a moment to gather my thoughts as things feel like they are changing and I need to think about next steps. As soon as I leave the room I burst into tears - and find I’m unable to stop without putting a fist in my mouth. It makes sense - I haven’t had a minute out from the situation in 24 straight hours - I had no idea how much tension I was carrying. To have a third person in our clan, and someone that feels so warm and familiar, is an incredible relief. It’s been a privilege to do everything together so far, but I am exhausted and I am so glad that we are no longer alone.

By 10pm on Sunday the midwife and I talk and decide it’s time to get in the pool - the surges have been almost continuous for 3 hours now. I turn our living room into a womb, with warm low light, deep sounds and some aromatherapy blends Lydia made in the months preceding. Over the course of the coming 5 hours, Lydia, myself and Laura settle into a continual flowing routine - during surges I lock arms with Lydia and we breathe together, between the surges I replace towels around the edges of the pool, top it up with hot water, get sugary snacks and waters. The midwife is supporting me in all these efforts, and intermittently checking Luca’s heartbeat and Lydia’s blood pressure - and occasionally writing notes if there’s any progress or dilation. I feel like part of a well-oiled machine.

It’s 3am on Monday now - when we lock arms and press our foreheads together I can’t tell which one of us is shaking, the vibrations between us are one. We are both delirious and between surges it’s harder to get her to rest and I am having to be quite bossy to try to prevent her exhausting herself. It feels like we’re crowning and so nearly there - it’s 3:30am and Lydia is creating human life, but due to the ongoing music shortage we are now listening to disco jazz funk which feels deeply inappropriate but it seems to be doing the job for her.

Luca’s head is now visible, I catch a glimpse of the sac in the mirror Laura holds which is confusing since Lydia’s waters still haven’t broken. Suddenly a tray of candles erupts in a small but brief fireball on the kitchen table and I pounce on it like our lives are in grave danger. We are back to the final push. Lydia is looking behind her a lot, with an almost childlike gaze - she seems a little panicked but thankfully I seem to be able to soothe her. You are safe, our baby is coming. You are safe, you are doing everything right. 

At around 4am on Monday morning Luca emerges - Laura offers Lydia to take the baby - Lydia catches him in her arms, and lifts him to her bosom. His cries make this immediately real - and I suddenly realise that nothing will be the same again. He seems to be crying the words “aware! aware!” which feels profound in my sleep-addled state. I love him.

We have a gorgeous time soaking in what has happened. A second midwife appears at the house in our golden hour, and entirely fails to read the room. She loudly chirps “lets all have a cuppa” and wants to talk about our flat when we are trying to bask in the beauty of this new human. I am given Luca and get lost in him as we have our first skin to skin cuddle. As they check Lydia and birth her placenta I know that everything is just perfect. We tidy and clean for a time, and Lydia and I put him down in his cot and we all fall into a deep slumber.

Lydia & Leo, mum & dad to Luca (UK)

A home water Hypnobirth told by mum & dad

Home water birth & how this time round her partners support made all the difference

The birth of our first daughter was a long winded, fairly unpleasant experience. We went into it ill prepared with the attitude of ‘what will be will be, there’s no point worrying about it’. Sadly this did not translate to as casual an approach once in labour! I worked my way through pain relief options and blocked my partner from giving me any support. He sat in silence for many hours! Safe to say I went into panic and pain mode, going in on myself but in an unhelpful way. Fun times! 

This birth couldn’t have been more different. My partner was integral to it. Him taking charge of the environment and communicating with the midwives allowed me to focus on what I needed to do.... mostly, concentrating on the breathIng I had practiced and staying calm. When he did interact with me it was reassuring and at the times I really needed it - we had spoken fairly extensively and planned in advance how and what he could do to help. He had doubted his ability to do this, but when it came to it, it worked. Just me verbally giving him permission in advance to be assertive, I think made a huge difference. It gave him the confidence to know that, at points, I needed him to calmly remind me that I was doing everything I needed to do and to keep breathing. As impactive, was making the connection that it was purposeful discomfort; it was about our baby. This was a world away from birth one that for me had become all about pain and fearing the labour would never end. This time we knew it was time bound. We knew that even at their most intense, each surge was time limited, and once done, was gone forever.... a step closer to finally meeting this mini person we had waited so long for.

I had wondered if, as with my first birth, the things we bought would prove useful. Birth one ended with unused massage oils and other such props. This time round, having decided following Sofie’s course to have a home birth (having grown in confidence), most of what I gathered really helped. To my surprise, I held two massage balls for every surge, until all of 10 minutes before the end when they served the purpose of me throwing them in anger! - I actually needed that little outlet I think. My Spotify playlist which I had listened to when practicing my breathing in the evenings before the birth, the meditation tracks, the oils, they all had their place. During the transition phase I dramatically barked ‘frankincense, give me frankincense’ between surges - my partner dutifully responding. We had bunting on the walls (put up in advance) with pictures linked to the visualisations for the up and down breathing, with some additional pictures my daughter had drawn. Looking at the picture she had drawn of us together on a boat riding a gigantic wave not only made me smile, but served to remind me there’s a peak (even with the biggies like she’d drawn) that then dissipates. 

I had written a birth plan for my partner which he had gone over a number of times in advance - the practical steps for him, the numbers to call, the phases and what to do in each, which oil was for what, and reminders of what ‘might‘ work in supporting me. That gave him a sort of safety net I think, something to look over if he panicked. And the midwife birth plan also proved important. I realised my partner had forgotten to give it to the midwife initially as she kept asking me questions - it was surprising how disruptive I found this. As soon as he gave her the plan she stepped back. The midwives were, however, incredible at providing appropriate coaching at the end when I needed and sought it from them. 
I did interact with them, but it was far more when I sought it.

Knowing that each surge was time bound and focusing on my rehearsed breathing was imperative for me. I now understand why you often see ‘knowledge is power’ when looking at hypnobirthing literature. It surely is. I hadn’t felt the baby move while in early labour and after some time of nothing, the midwife suggested we ‘pop’ to the hospital to be monitored. I instinctively felt the baby was ok and wanted to avoid the change of environment. Having covered possible strategies when discussing intervention and the possible implications of moving, I asked if there was an alternative and we managed to agree.

Getting in the birth pool felt delightful. Actually the ‘getting in ‘ was quite an effort! (So glad I was advised to buy a step to assist the manoeuvre). But the weight was lifted (literally). I had found sitting and laying down positions very uncomfortable, so had been on my feet for about 6 hours. Though my partner and the midwives were aware I needed a rest, I wasn’t conscious of it prior to getting in the water. 

I don’t think I’ve ever relied on my partner as much as I did during that last hour. After I threw the massage balls (woops), I gripped his hands, while he kept me focused on breathing etc. With birth one he may as well have not been in the room (from my perspective at least), I was so oblivious to what was happening beyond pain, pain, pain. With this birth, it was 100% a team effort to keep the inevitable discomfort contained or at least keep me doing what I needed to do. I went completely in on myself when I needed to, but he was right there when I needed him. Fetching, gathering, keeping me hydrated and reassuring me.

Despite having had one birth experience, this phase was new territory for me, as I had had an epidural with birth one and therefore hadn’t felt much toward the end. Down breathing worked for the most part for me then I got the distinct desire to push. I remembered Sofie saying ‘you do what works for you’. I remember saying to the midwives is feel like I want to push’ and being reassured to do what felt right to me, and I went with it. I suspect the wish to be more forceful related to her being a bit of a giant -she was a hefty 9lb 8oz and also had her shoulder stuck. She was born with me wedged into my partner on the floor, with him squashed up against the washing machine! 
The not insignificant investment of our time and finances to prepare for this birth was for us 100% worth while, and Sofie’s many many words of wisdom, her real life flexible attitude, humour and her motivational approach made all the difference. After two fairly horrendous pregnancies blighted by health issues, two miscarriages between, a pretty dodgy first birth and luck on our side (given the twists and turns outside anyone’s control with labour), we finally got our missing jigsaw piece, a very smiley happy little girl at that, and it all started with an experience we’ll never forget (for all the right reasons). 

Lu & Jake (UK)

Home Birth after a difficult hospital birth

We Just wanted to let you know the happy news that Harriet Edna Davies arrived on 6/4/20 at 11:37am.  (8.6 pounds. 39.6 weeks) The birth was amazing and we wanted to thank you for all of your hypnobirthing inspiration as we absolutely had the birth we’d dreamed of thanks to the techniques you taught us. As you know, the birth of our first child involved every intervention except caesarean due to an induction needed at 42 weeks and we were so keen to have an birth we felt in control of this time. 

We’d had a wonderful day on the Sunday, spent in the garden with our older son Thomas (3.5) and doing lots of jobs/having a BBQ - we certainly felt ready. That evening I had some feelings which made me wonder if labour might start. Sure enough at 1:30am I felt some very mild surges, against your better advice I DID wake Jonny ;) but because the pool wasn’t up and I was aware it might take a while! He put it all up, set up the kitchen/living room while I got some sleep. I managed to sleep and when I woke at 5am ish the surges were about 3-4 in 10 mins, still mild. We woke our son up and gave him breakfast and his auntie came to pick him up at 06:30am, at this point the surges were starting to progress but v manageable with my up breathing. Midwives arrived at 9:30ish and things were picking up, it felt more intense but the breathing made me feel so confident and that I could absolutely manage and relax into them. It really helped me to remember why the surges were powerful - what the muscles were doing and that it was my body doing its job.

At 10:45am I was ready to get in the pool which was wonderful! Jonny had put little submersible lights into it and the kitchen was twinkly and magical. I had a few stronger surges in the pool - again - the breathing gave me such control, and just as I started to think -  “this is getting more intense” i felt pressure and realised it was time to breathe her out! Her head came first and we then waited v controlled for the next surge - which was quite delayed - maybe 4 mins or so - and then breathed her out fully. No tearing, and the whole birth felt SO much more straight forward than I had even imagined. I remember everything about it, I felt in control, calm, really engaged and powerful - all the things we hoped for. The course we did with you and the hypnobirthing techniques are so great and we have a lot to thank you for. 

Susie, Jonny, Thomas and baby Harriet xx (UK)

Natural Breach Birth

We did it! Max was born on Monday 23rd at 20:22. He came a week early and weighed 6.1lb. Natural breach birth with no pain relief! Healthy and very happy!

Thank you so much for all the amazing teaching and advice you gave us during the classes. 
Hypnobirthing definitely helped. For me, it gave me a big role to play and I fully embraced it. Concentrating on breathing and helped provide a relaxed and calm environment for Tessa. It also helped us stick to our plan without intervention.

Tessa was amazing. The midwives were amazed with how she pushed through the birth and kept positive throughout.. even when it got tough. Very proud of her! Labour started early in the morning, and Tessa didn't even realise! By the time we left the house the contractions were getting close together.. even though Tessa still didn't think she was in labour. When they checked her in the hospital she was 8cm dilated.. so she did most of the work without realising it!
It was an incredible experience, and the staff at Princess Royal were all amazing. The ward was very comfortable and the midwives fully respected our choices and Hypnobirthing.
Thank you again. 

John and Tessa x (UK)

Second time mum gets her wish to birth at home

I have been meaning to get in touch with you but I've been occupied with the demands of a new born.  I am pleased to say I had a positive birthing experience on 20th August 2020 when my daughter arrived into the world in the early hours of the morning and it was all thanks to your (Zoom) hypnobirthing course in July.

I got the birth I wanted - a water birth at home with no drugs.  After the negative experience I had with my first born, I wasn't going to request a home birth this time round but then I read the story of EastEnders actress, Jacqueline Jossa, where she described her water birth at home as amazing and she said hypnobirthing played a major part in her positive experience.  As I did not do hypnobirthing last time (I wish I had) I thought I would try a waterbirth at home one more time.

The up breathing really helped me focus on the visualisations and not the pain so the fear was removed and as a result, my first moments with Isla were incredible.  I was only in labour for 2 and a half hours so it was all over very quickly.  All I can say is thank you for teaching me to be positive and focused during labour.  I was calm and in control and I look back on the whole event as one of the greatest days ever!  

Thanks for again for all your help :-) 
Joanne (UK)

Knowing your Birth Rights - a VBAC water birth in hospital

When I was 21 weeks pregnant I heard about ‘Hypnobirthing’ through a friend back in the UK. My daughter, who was one and a half at that time had been birthed via emergency c section and I was very keen to do all in my power to avoid having that experience again.

After speaking with my friend I organised two FaceTime sessions with Sofie a Hypnobirthing teacher in the UK and this is really where our hypnobirthing journey began.

Something that had stuck with me from the birth of our first child was that after being induced, birthing felt like something that was happening ‘to’ me as if the synthetic hormone, syntocinon had literally possessed my body and there was nothing I could do about it or the literal fear I had of dying. After an epidural, all my faith was literally placed into the hands of the doctors as I could not feel my baby moving down, little alone the ‘surges’. This birth was a typical example of once you open the doors to intervention -  be prepared that ‘intervention’ will no doubt navigate its way into the whole of your labour and birth.

Through these early Facetime sessions I was excited to read about self-empowerment by gathering information, asking questions, talking and dealing with your last experience, if you had one, in order to work through the fears. I learnt through this that it was important for my body to be able to produce oxytocin (our happy hormone) and this cannot happen if the body is in a ‘fear’ response - that we cannot be in a fear response and calm response at the same time. This was all making so much sense to me.

I learnt about BRAINS - if the Doctor or midwife was telling you about what they were going to do ‘to’ you, or what would happen ‘to’ you - to be able to ask the right questions so that you could make an informed decision on what was right for you and your baby. To have the confidence to ask the questions, ‘What are the Benefits’, ‘What are the Risks’, ‘What are the Alternatives’, ‘What does my intuition say’, ‘Do nothing at atall’, ‘Smile sweetly and say you will think about it’. This process was priceless when it came to the ‘protocol’ of VEs - Vaginal Examinations. Through my last experience I realised that having what seemed like constant VEs it was not helping stimulate oxytocin in my body but making me more and more uncomfortable with strangers reaching their arm into my vagina and sometimes even with a Medical trainee present to boot! Great for ones’ self-empowerment!!! When I asked questions about this I realised that many VEs are simply ‘the norm’ or ‘normal procedure’, this, in many cases is different to the wants and needs of the individual woman and her baby. This time round I declined all VEs (including a stretch and sweep) up until I got to the hospital fully dilated where I had my second baby in the bath, an hour and a half later without any drugs or intervention.

Hypnobirthing gave me the confidence to ask these questions. First time round I was like ‘well they’re the Medical professionals, who am I question them?!’ Second time round I came to realise and understand that, just like in any profession, different Doctors and indeed midwives practice differently. Some are a lot more policy driven than others, some more medicalised - for this reason it was important for me to find Medical professionals that I trusted and who I could see were treating me individually and uniquely as opposed to simply spitting out the ‘usual’ jargon. This new found confidence gave me the confidence to cease contact with our homecare midwife who at 38 weeks was over stating the risks of a VBAC without listening to our wants and needs. For any mum to be I understand the absolute fear of wanting to birth your baby vaginally when you are up against fear installing statements from your healthcare provider if it doesn’t work out - in my case haemorrhaging to death and uterine scar rupture - which incidentally can happen during an induced birth - my midwife didn’t tell me that!

I bought Katharine Grave’s Hypnobirthing book and practiced simple techniques such as relaxation methods everyday for 20 minutes - as she suggests - a realistic amount of time per day for anyone to find time to practice. I printed out a number of photographs that had a positive and calming effect on me and had positive affirmations all around the house such as ‘each surge brings my baby closer to me’. With the benefit of hindsight I realised that this book was brilliant preparation for my subconscious. It wasn’t like during labour I suddenly went to chapter 4, paragraph 3, for example but more like, every time I had a surge, to breath with it and not once did my mind entertain asking for drugs or intervention. Not once. In my mind that is testament to the power behind positive thinking and self belief - both of which I was learning through Katharine’s book. Stay focused on where you want to go and you will get there, focus on the potholes and that is where you will end up! Important life strategies! 

By the time I had my second baby I was also feeling very passionate about empowering the pregnant lady and treating her like an absolute goddess rather than just another slab on the production line! And if we didn’t start getting our power back it was going to be taken from us altogether! Ina May Gaskin’s book was also incredibly influential in this regard! Someone offered it to me during my first pregnancy and I didn’t look at it - deep down I had labeled it as ‘Hippy shit” - what an ignorant decision to make - oh well - this time round I was not going to make the same mistake. The history provided in this book was just so informative. That women only started giving birth on their back due to a French King wanting to watch his mistress give birth and it was considered ‘undignified’ to be squatting or on all fours. After this, on ones back, was considered ‘dignified’ - totally working against gravity, as if giving birth isn’t hard enough, and again the needs and wants of the mother but more convenience for the Medical Professional.

All this information gathering was giving me power. Understanding how the uterus actually works - fascinating! When we understand how something works we can utilise it more effectively! Katharine Graves explained everything in so much detail and yet so simply at the same time. Her book was really resonating with me. She also recommended using a doula, which we did and I literally cannot put into words how valuable her input was.

By the time I reached 39 weeks I had completed my birth plan. I had worked hard to gain consultant support as a water birth, which was what I wanted, had been against hospital policy at some point and we kept having to revisit what the current ‘policy’ was. I knew that I wanted a physiological third stage - (allowing my placenta to birth naturally) as the homecare midwife had told me that it would have to be induced (Active third stage where they inject syntocinon at the top of your leg as baby’s shoulders emerge) to make the placenta come quicker - made no sense to me if the birth to that point had been ok and safe - why intervene all of a sudden?! My midwife was wrong.
At 40 weeks I had an appointment at the hospital where the Doctor said we could go until 41.5 but booked me an appointment at the Maternity Day Unit at 41 weeks on the dot to discuss our options if I was still pregnant then. Between 40 and 41 weeks I started getting very nervous! During that week, particularly the day before my scheduled appointment I tried everything to bring on labour naturally. This included going to see an acupuncturist who was amazing. She gave me homework with acupressure points and breath techniques, told me to stop wearing shorts that were tight around my lower abdomen, and to stay upright and active, although gently, as much as possible. I was climbing upon my poor partner first thing in the morning, dancing, watching lots of Kevin Bridges and Sean Locke (my two favourite stand ups) and eating Japenese curry. My thoughts were, ‘this is your last day before the appointment, give it your best shot’, ‘dont slouch on the couch!’.
The night before my appointment, or should I say early morning Friday I woke up to tightenings in my lower stomach at about 2.00am. This had happened at exactly the same time on the Tuesday before. I got up and just started to walk around to see if they would pass. Our daughter was asleep and I was eager not to wake her up. The house was very quiet and still. At about 2.30am I said to my partner that it was feeling a bit different to the other night and he quietly got up and started doing his thing. I text our doula as the surges started getting closer together and most of them bringing me to my knees and asked her to come over. She arrived at about 3.30am, Chris had rung the hospital and shortly after rung our friend to come and pick Kahi (our daughter - who was still asleep) up.

I knew I wanted to stay at home for as long as possible and through my hypnobirthing practice had ingrained in my subconscious to stay calm, not to panic try and to keep gently mobile.
I remember answering the door to Carmel (our doula - who is also a midwife at the hospital we were going to birth at) and straight away having a strong surge that brought me to my knees. She asked what I needed and I asked her to run the bath with some lavender oil. I spent pretty much the next 2 hours in the bath whilst our friend picked up Kahi and Chris got the car ready whilst Carmel was breathing with me through surges that were getting stronger, longer and closer together. I remember just trying to take each surge one by one, not to wonder how many would there be or think about time. I felt my waters break in the bath and lost my mucus plug on the toilet. At about 5.30am Carmel suggested we should start thinking about getting to the hospital. She was so calm and I could see her eyes were gentle, kind and positive. Even though the surges were very powerful by now I was ultra aware of my environment and could feel if I got anxious or stressed it made the surges much harder to breath through.

I knew I had to get to the hospital for safety sake given that I was having a VBAC and as I mentioned earlier I was very very aware of the risks. At about 5.30am I finally got out of the bath (I didn’t want to leave it) managed to grab my dressing gown and moved as fast as I could with Carmel ad Chris (my partner) to the garage. I had about 3 surges in the garage as there was not enough room for me and Carmel on the backseat with the carseats up so Carmel reclined the passenger seat and she squeezed into the back and off we went.

With the benefit of hindsight I think I was going through transition in the car (cervix dilating final 8 - 10 centremetres), it was incredibly intense and powerful, my whole body was shaking and I was trying to focus on my out breath and trying not to bite Carmel’s arm off whilst whaking the car door!
When we got to the hospital Carmel told to Chris to park in the emergency section (thank goodness!), Chris grabbed me a wheelchair and in we flew to the hospital to the birthing suite. I noticed that the surges were always better to deal with when I was moving, in the car, in the bath, so when we went up in the elevator I asked Chris to just keep me moving, spin me round on the spot if he had to! Must have looked quite funny!!!!!

When we arrived at the Birthing Suite we were told I would not be allowed a room with a bath as I was a VBAC woman - my doula promptly said I had consultant support, to check my obstetric notes, coupled with my cry to ‘get me out of this chair’ landed us in a room with a bath - (this may not have happened if I had not prepared the way I had learnt through hypnobirthing).

As soon as I entered the room a midwife asked to do a VE - I was expecting this so no shock to the system or concern and she concluded I was fully dilated at which point I got my gown off and straight into the bath, on my knees, with my hands gripping the front of the bath. I felt a wave of relief ripple through my body and knew this is where I would stay.

A canula had been placed into my hand (again I knew this would happen so no nasty surprise) and a a belt placed around my lower abdomen for the CTG machine (to monitor baby’s heart rate). As a VBAC women they were hoping to look for continual heart rate monitoring as opposed to intermittent - what they would look for in a natural labour with no previous complications. After about ten minutes one of the midwives was asking me to get out of the bath as the heart rate was intermittent. My body was not moving out of the bath. My doula, student midwife, Chris and the main midwife on shift were down on their knees, with me, telling me the baby was ok as we kept picking the heart rate back up. In my heart I could feel it was ok, I could feel him moving down and I had support and could see the kindness and support in the eyes of those that were closet to me.
Somewhere between here and when I felt my baby crowning two seperate doctors asked me to get out of the bath as they wanted to put a fetal cap on the baby’s head to get a continual heart rate. My body worked with them as best as could, every time I had a surge I had to be in the water - there was no question of this. When I heard the male doctor say again ‘You are going to have to get out of the bath’ it was all I needed to breath out as hard as I could with the surge. The front row of my support team said that they could see the baby’s head and then I heard ‘the head is out’ and then I felt the midwife pull my baby out! Both Doctors were behind the midwives watching this natural birth unfold into a success. The photo is of this moment, as soon as Mana was out and placed onto my chest. We had done it, him and I and our team right up until the last minute we had to stay focused and fight for the birth we believed in and in the end, nature prevailed, ‘Baby will come when Baby is Ready’.

I remember feeling overwhelmed with love, gratitude and relief. I will never ever forget that moment for the rest of my life. The room was darkened and still, I told Chris I loved him and held little (or not so little - 4.26 kilos) Mana Michael close so I could kiss his head.

A little while later Chris cut the cord and I birthed the placenta naturally as we had planned for, no need for an Active third stage as the midwife had told me was ‘policy’.

I can honestly say, as a woman who has given birth twice, with two absolute polar opposite experiences for any woman thinking about a VBAC it is possible and not just possible but completely life changing and incredible!

Hypnobirthing gave me confidence and empowerment. As I reflect, I find it strange, on my part, that first time round I  didn’t think to ask questions etc…., if I purchasing a new car I would shop around, ask questions,, get really informed about the pros and cons of the vehicles before I made a decision. However, yet, with my own body, first time round, I lost all confidence of my self knowledge and put all the control  into the hands of others so the birth was completely out of my control on all levels, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

Don’t get me wrong I am highly appreciative for the care and attention I received from all Medical Professionals, I am simply sharing my experience for those women, who like me, feel like they want to get their power back, before it is taken from them altogether. You can do it. You and your baby along with your trusted support team can make this happen! Go for it!

 Rebecca Aswani Mama to Mana (Australia)

A healing third birth

​So Baby ‘Bowen’ arrived on Saturday 12th October I was 39 weeks so much later than expected!. Weighing in at a perfect 7.2 lbs. I was being sent for an induction on the Monday if things hadn’t got going so was really happy he came of his own accord. I’m pleased to say the birth went really well. 😁 Things started slowly from 6am at home, and he arrived at 3pm on the dot, after just 3 hours in hospital of very active labour. My midwife was amazing. No intervention just me leading the way and a bit of gas and air to ease things.

I’m not sure how much of the actual Hypnobirthing techniques I used. However what you gave me was the strength and empowerment that I could do it! I reminded myself of this all morning while I mostly early laboured by myself at home (kids out with their dad).

This birth was able to heal a lot of the traumatic wounds of my last birth. I connected with baby instantly and I am completely in love with him. Thank you so much for helping me to find the strength I needed to get me through a really difficult time. 

I am here still listening to the relaxing music you had suggested while I’m sat up breastfeeding Bowen. He too likes the music having listened to it for the final few weeks in my tummy!. 

Many thanks again Maxine x (UK)

Natural hospital birth where breathing techniques made all the difference

The birth was an incredible and unforgettable experience .  Labour lasted 6.5 hours - I progressed really quickly! Spent 3 hours in the birthing pool and gave birth to the little man on dry land . 

Our hypnobirthing breathing techniques really made all the difference and Alex was an amazing birth partner.

Thank you for the hypnobirthing training and support, it would have been a completely  different experience without it!  

All the best
Sophie & Alex (UK)