This week’s birth story comes from a lovely couple who completed a TCBS Hypnobirthing workshop with Charlotte Rock of You’ve got this, Mama Hypnobirthing covering Wolverhampton and surrounding areas.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us!
Holly’s birth story
My daughter Holly was born by elective caesarean on 20th January 2021 at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton. My Husband and I completed a 2hr hypnobirthing workshop with our instructor, Charlotte Rock, whose knowledge and guidance helped me to reach a decision about having a caesarean.
I was told at my 20wk scan that I had a low lying placenta which was blocking the birth canal and may result in me needing a caesarean if the placenta didn’t move, I was booked for another scan at 36wks. Between 24-26wks I had two occasions of reduced foetal movement and a heavy bleed. So after all this my anxiety was through the roof! I was already worried about giving birth again because 4yrs ago I had my daughter Rachael at New Cross which was an assisted delivery. This resulted in a 3rd degree tear and a 5 day stay in hospital due to Rachael having suspected sepsis and needing a course of antibiotics.
After months of worrying and anxiety my midwife advised that a caesarean might be the best option for my physical and mental health, even if the placenta had moved. Taking Charlottes workshop and reading The Calm Birth Book helped me to feel confident enough to make an informed decision. I thought that caesareans were scary and were a last resort in an emergency but I learned that they can be very positive experiences. I felt informed and able to make certain request that I hadn’t thought about before, such as asking for privacy when the catheter was inserted. With my first birth because I needed assistance, there were 8 people in the room, so it felt like I had an audience and I felt very out of control. This time I felt like I was the one making the decisions and that I was a participant in the birth rather than being told what to do by others.
I told my consultant on the day of my appointment at 36wks that I wanted a caesarean and he agreed. I was booked in for the 20th January. I arrived at 7.30am and put in a bay with another mon-to-be, who went in before me. While I was waiting to go to theatre I did my breathing exercises and listened to the affirmation tracks and I felt incredibly calm (Not like my normal self at all!). I walked to theatre and only felt nervous when faced with lots of people in scrubs but they were all so lovely and friendly. None of the panic and stress like my first birth! I was very nervous while they prepped me it didn’t last long because Holly was born 7 minutes after they opened me up and she let out a healthy, long scream! I remember feeling shocked that she was out so quickly but also relief that she was delivered safely. My husband cut the remaining cord and after she weighed she was put on my chest for skin to skin contact. She stayed with me until I was discharged the next day. I’m so happy that I got to have a positive birth experience which hypnobirthing definitely helped with.
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