We have a wonderful birth story for you – the speedy delivery of a beautiful baby girl from the one of our trainee hypnobirthing instructors Jessica Roye.
“I started the Calm Birth School Instructor course at the beginning of my third trimester with my second child, and the timing couldn’t have been better. It gave me the chance to put everything I was learning into practice ahead of my upcoming birth.
I was considered higher risk for preterm labour because my first baby arrived six weeks early, but I was really hoping to make it to at least 37 weeks this time so I’d be classed as low risk and able to have my “preference A” birth scenario.
However, just like with my first, my waters spontaneously released at 8:10pm, and early labour started soon after. This meant I would now be under consultant-led care on the labour ward as a high-risk patient — not what I had hoped for.
When I arrived at the hospital, they monitored my surges and could see I was having around three in every ten minutes. Due to the preterm premature rupture of membranes, I needed to stay in hospital to be monitored for infection.
The consultant came to see me and requested to examine my cervix to see how dilated I was. I felt this was unnecessary, as the surges still felt like period cramps and I knew I wasn’t in active labour yet, so I declined. With my first baby, my waters released and my son was born just 5 hours and 45 minutes later, so I knew things could change quickly.
During this time, I put on my eye mask, put in my headphones, and listened to the Calm Birth School affirmations and Relax for Birth MP3s while practising my breathing techniques. I listened to my body and could feel I needed to rest and conserve my energy, so I lay on my side with a pillow between my legs in a semi-upright position, changing sides regularly and getting up to empty my bladder whenever needed. My partner stroked my head to help me stay relaxed.
Within the hour, things had ramped up. I could no longer lie on my side and could feel my body wanting to move. The sensations were becoming intense, and I needed to focus deeply on my wave breathing through each surge. I knew I was now in active labour.
They transferred me to a room on the labour ward, and the midwife had already read through my birth preferences and dimmed the lights. She explained I would need continuous fetal monitoring, but had noted my request for wireless monitoring, which was available.
My partner set up the room with fairy lights and an oil diffuser, making it smell like a spa, and played the birth playlist I had created — a mixture of nature sounds and calming spa music.
I listened to my body, staying upright and swaying through the surges. My birth partner massaged me between surges with a beautifully scented oil I had been using at home.
A different consultant came in and again asked to do a vaginal examination. I listened to her reasoning so I could weigh up the benefits and risks and make an informed decision. The main reason for the examination would be to confirm I was in active labour, so they could monitor my progress and decide if intervention might be needed.
But based on how quickly my previous labour progressed, and how strongly I could feel things changing in my body, I knew I was already in active labour and that my baby would be arriving soon — so again, I declined.
She questioned my decision and asked me to explain. At that point, I knew I needed to be more assertive to protect my space and my calm. I told her I wanted to stay focused on remaining relaxed, and again said I would not be having the examination.
Once the consultant left, I was able to get back into “the zone” and shortly after realised I was approaching transition. My body started shaking, and I felt nauseous. Last time, I remember feeling like I couldn’t do it, but this time I recognised it for what it was — the surge of adrenaline preparing my body to birth my baby.
I stayed calm, breathing through the intensity as the pressure built and the urge to push took over.
I was standing, leaning over the bed, eyes closed, with my birth partner whispering affirmations in my ear, and I focused on my birth breathing. It felt like my mind entered a hypnotic state as my surroundings faded away. All I could do was breathe and hear the reassuring sound of my partner’s voice.
My body took over without me needing to actively push, which was such a surreal feeling and experience — and within just three pushes, she was here at 00:40.
Just 1 hour and 10 minutes after entering the delivery room, and 4.5 hours after my waters released, our baby girl was with us.”
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us Jess.
If you want to create your own positive birth you can start today!
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