I had always been very frightened at the thought of labour so when I found out I was pregnant I decided to look into alternative ways of coping with it. My partner and I decided to start HypnoBirthing classes and Bonnie very kindly agreed to come to our house for the sessions.
We both found the classes very helpful and by the end of the 5 sessions we felt very well informed about labour and birth, particularly what would be happening within my body at each stage. I also felt inspired to hear that labour and birth weren’t always viewed in such a medicalised way, and how positive thinking could help reduce tension, and therefore discomfort, in my body.
In particular I practiced the breathing exercises regularly, as well as listening to the CD at some point most days. As a result, my partner and I felt pretty calm during the last couple of weeks leading to my due date.
On 15th February I awoke at 2am with a strange crampy feeling, and felt sure this was the start of labour. I coped by rocking back and forward each time and focusing on my breathing. Throughout the day we were able to stay at home and I alternated between walking about and rocking on my gym ball. I couldn’t stay still at all! We tried watching a film and I continued to focus on my breathing. I really made an effort to think positively and that every surge would bring my baby closer to me. I also tried really hard not to let any worries or negative thoughts take hold and for the most part that really worked.
At 3.30pm I phoned the midwives as the surges were much stronger. The midwife suggested we stay at home for another 30 mins to 1 hour as I sounded like I was still in early stages of labour. That was the only point where I did have a wee cry as I felt the surges were very strong! After 30 mins we decided to go with our instincts and drive to the hospital anyway. When we reached the Unit the midwife wanted to examine me between contractions but there was no ‘between’ so she filled the water pool immediately! She also went over my birth plan and explained to the student midwife that we would be using HypnoBirthing techniques and therefore wanted no references to pushing or pain, and no offer of pain relief. I remember feeling really pleased they were honouring our wishes.
My partner and the midwives set up the room as we had planned, with wee fairy lights and relaxing music – this really made the room feel quite homely. The relief from the warm water was incredible, I hadn’t realised how calming that would be. My partner encouraged me and also massaged my back which helped a great deal.
I wasn’t in the pool long when I felt the urge to push. I didn’t want to so I kept breathing really deeply through it - the midwives referred to me afterwards as ‘the silent labourer’! Eventually however, I did push – only twice and then I felt our baby being born. She slipped out in one go and the midwives didn’t even notice at first – it was my partner who first saw our baby in the pool! She had been born in her waters as the midwives had respected our wishes not to break the waters. I couldn’t believe our baby was finally here and how calm I felt! Also, because I had no pain relief, I felt very alert and was able to fully enjoy these first few moments.
I think the main benefits we received from HypnoBirthing were gaining some kind of control over our fears, understanding the labour process and my body, and learning to think positively. The positive thinking was possibly the most important thing as I felt calm leading up to and during the birth - I really surprised myself! I think baby Eilidh also benefited greatly from the HypnoBirthing as she experienced a calm natural birth and has been a really chilled out wee gem since!
We would really like to thank Bonnie for all her help, kindness and reassurance – we feel really lucky to have learned about HypnoBirthing and to have experienced the calm and memorable (for the right reasons!) birth that we did.
Catriona, Rik and Eilidh - February 2010
