I welcome feedback from the parents I teach and other mums love to hear about
childbirth. If you'd like your birth story or comments about your classes and/or birthing experience on this page, please
let me know. You can put it in your own words, or talk to me and I'll write it for you. Everything on
this page appears with consent.
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I was most impressed with: Geraldine’s focus on us as a couple,
her eagerness to get to know us and to figure out the best way to get the information to us.
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What I found least helpful was: The theory that ‘pushing’ is never necessary. I ended up having a 5 ˝-hour second stage, and by the time Nina was born I was having to push like our
lives depended on it (the doctor had said I had 15 min to deliver or she would intervene due to length of second stage and
baby’s erratic heartbeat). |
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My overall opinion of HypnoBirthing® is:
It is fantastic! I can hardly wait to have another baby! The whole birthing experience was great; I even managed to stay calm and smiling during a very fast and
bumpy ride in an ambulance from the birthing centre to the hospital. The moment
when Nina was finally born (without any pain relief apart from relaxation, endorphins, etc.) was the best moment of my life. I have recommended Hypnobirthing to pregnant friends and continue to use the relaxation
techniques in my everyday life. My husband also enjoyed it and felt very involved
in the whole pregnancy and birth experience.
Katie P - Chelmsford |
Tyler's birth
Kelly and Steve of Tiptree have
4 older children, including twins. They were determined their 5th baby's birth would be the one
they'd remember for all the right reasons. Kelly's birthing experiences hadn't been good or natural up to now - medical
emergencies, high intervention - you name it, Kelly had been there and got the whole collection of t-shirts.
They attended HypnoBirthing classes having read a feature article in
a local paper. Although Kelly would have loved a homebirth, a previous C-section meant she was advised to be in hospital.
She intended to transfer to St Peters birthing centre as soon as possible after the birth.
All her previous babies had been overdue with prolonged labours, so Kelly intended not to rush
into hospital until she was well into established labour. When her membranes released around 7:30pm, Kelly strolled
round to her friend who had arranged to mind the older children when the time came. Realising things were happening
as she arrived at her friend's house a few minutes later, Kelly phoned Steve to warn him to get ready to leave . Surprised,
he said "But I thought you weren't going to rush in".
Kelly was admitted when they arrived at Colchester General at 8:30pm - already well dilated.
They talked to staff about their birthing preferences and about HypnoBirthing and were relieved when the young midwife
had heard of it, though she hadn't experienced it. She was interested and Steve explained how it worked. The doctor
on duty insisted she would need to be present during the birth as Kelly was a VBAC and asked the midwife to phone her when
the time was right.
Kelly laboured quietly, comfortably and calmly, using just gas & air during the final
few surges to help her breathing rhythm and just before 10:30pm Kelly delivered the baby's head - or so she thought.
Breathing deeply and quietly, waiting for the next surge, knowing it wouldn't be long now, she heard Steve say "We've got
a little boy love". Kelly looked down in surprise - at her 8lb 6oz son - who gazed calmly back at her - just as the
doctor arrived, too late to see the birth. The midwife, who had merely needed to monitor progress was delighted, her
comment to Kelly being "That was amazing - you can come here again!"
Another hour and a half would have taken Kelly to her due date . . . and all her others were
at least a week late! 12 hours after the birth, Kelly and Tyler were at home
- no need for a stay at St Peters.
Everyone who meets Tyler remarks on what a wise and intelligent child he is - he's placid, confident
and friendly and tucking into three meals a day at 6 months old.
Kelly and Steve are still amazed by their birthing experience and delighted with their son.
"HypnoBirthing really worked for us" Kelly said "and I'd be delighted to come along to some of your classes and speak about
it first hand to other mums".
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Sebastian's birth
Sebastian is the first baby for Naomi and Matt, who live in a picture-book stone cottage
in a North Essex village. They knew about HypnoBirthing through Naomi's best friend since schooldays
- herself a HypnoBirthing mum and HypnoBirthing Practitioner. Their classes were held one-to-one in their own home -
since they planned a homebirth in a birthing pool.
All went well and Naomi laboured calmly and comfortably for well over 20 hours - patiently breathing
and relaxing and getting plenty of rest between surges, supported by Matt. Sadly, her peaceful, homebirth in water
wasn't to be this time. Although Naomi was fully dilated, for reasons known only to Mother Nature and Sebastian, he
was in a position that made it impossible for him to be born. Naomi's midwives gave them all the time they could,
knowing that babies can turn into a better position even during advanced labour, but finally told Naomi
she would have to transfer to Colchester Hospital.
It was agreed that the only way forward was emergency C-section and Naomi was duly prepared
for surgery with a spinal anaesthetic, allowing her to be fully conscious and aware of her baby's arrival in the world.
Thanks to their training, she and Matt agreed and accepted the need for such intervention without panic or despair.
She continued with her deep relaxation and breathing and communicated to her body and her
baby what was happening and why, staying calm and focussed on maintaining the flow of birth hormones - ensuring that
the fear/stress hormones had no place in her birthing - knowing this was best for hers and baby's wellbeing.
Hypnotherapists regularly use hypnosis to prepare people for surgery, which has the effect
of lessening the trauma and speeding recovery, since the body is 'prepared' for the procedure and doesn't go into post-operative
shock. In circumstances of elective and emergency C-section, this is a very valuable advantage of HypnoBirthing
training. Whilst we don't focus on the 'what if' or 'even though' situations, mums are nevertheless
able to stay calm and be very flexible in dealing with whatever circumstances their births put them into.
Sebastian was safely delivered and given to dad for skin to skin bonding and 'first gaze' eye
contact until mum was ready to take over and start breastfeeding. Although a little slow at first, which
is common after any kind of anaesthetic, Sebastian is now breastfeeding well and successfully and Naomi and
Matt are delighted with their little son.
Although not the idyllic homebirth they had dreamed of, Naomi and Matt have a live,
healthy baby and are happy that HypnoBirthing techniques helped them make Sebastian's birth journey as peaceful and comfortable
as it could have been, even with a surgical procedure. Their transfer to hospital for medical intervention was the best
option for them and they were fully involved in that decision. Despite a few anxious and emotional moments, at
no time were they 'out of control', nor was their baby's birth surrendered to strangers. They had the knowledge they
needed to be sure they were doing what was best for their baby.
HypnoBirthing can't promise a 'perfect' birth - but it does ensure parents are informed,
empowered and prepared and the techniques can be applied in any birthing - or indeed any other difficult or potentially traumatic
situation.
Homebirth waterbirth next time Naomi?? HypnoBirthing is great for VBAC's!
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