This week’s Birth Story comes from the lovely Ruth!
“Our son Sebastian was born on Tuesday 28th March this year (2017) weighing 6lb 15oz with really dark hair (inherited from my husband not me!).
It was the most amazing experience and I feel incredibly emotional and proud of what my body did.
Was it how I’d ‘planned’?
No, but I felt in control and that my preferences were listened to and respected.
Sebastian was born 6 days before his estimated date by induction.
I had high blood pressure which after days of treatment and an overnight stay in hospital wasn’t being controlled so it was strongly recommended that I be induced.
Being admitted to hospital and needing medical intervention was something I struggled with as suddenly I was faced with a route I’d previously not wanted to take.
This is where I really dug deep into the toolkit I’d built throughout my pregnancy.
I wanted a natural birth without unnecessary intervention.
This was arguably necessary so it was important to me to make informed decisions ensuring that I remained in control.
An induction didn’t mean the start of more intervention for me. I was lucky that it just kick started everything.
I had the pessary at lunchtime and after the hour that you have to stay still I got some lunch.
I could feel it was starting as I got quite a few niggles so I rang my husband to let him know.
Due to my issue with high blood pressure I was unable to use a birthing pool (although I did ask several more times just to be sure) so I got in the bath.
Whilst in the bath my waters broke. I was in there for about an hour when my husband arrived. I got out and we put the tens machine on.
By about 4pm things had progressed quite rapidly. I didn’t have any further examinations, I just knew!
I suggested to the midwife that I thought the contractions were ramping up and after a bit of persuading she reluctantly took me to the labour ward.
At the labour ward whilst I remained focused I heard the midwife say “why has she been brought in here she was only induced a few hours ago”. After a quick check she said “ok this baby will be born within the hour”.
Remember ladies you know your own body!
Alongside breathing techniques I continued to use the tens machine along with acupressure points (I found these very effective). I needed an episiotomy so at this final stage used gas and air.
I had written out my birthing preferences along with my husband. He was my voice on the day which really helped me stay in the zone.
My main ones were having the uninterrupted golden hour with my baby after giving birth, waiting to cut the cord and keeping the placenta to have placenta tablets made.
The baby was passed straight to me and having him skin to skin was one of the most incredible moments of my life.
As I held him he rooted around and within 20 minutes he’d latched on to feed. Thinking about it makes me tingle with emotion.
If you are questioning whether hypnobirthing is for you, I can assure you it is.
My birth didn’t go to “plan” but I look back at it with such positive feelings because I felt in control in what is quite an uncontrollable situation.
The classes, the book, the audio tracks all prepare you for whatever kind of birth you have.
I used the audio each night to relax. I also listened to it whilst I was being induced. I plugged my headphones in and said to the nurse ‘don’t mind me’. From then on I was in the zone.
Hypnobirthing with the lovely Ashley at Miracle in the Making ensured I was focused and empowered to have a positive and natural birth even when faced with intervention.”
To see how you can create your own calm birth please sign up to our video course here. You can try before you buy with our free classes here.
