I had a hypnobirhting refresher course that helped me talk through and understand issues with my first labout… and feel better about techniques I could use with this baby.
On my due date I was given a sweep – this was due to various issues in my first birth that made it feel like the right choice to have a sweep. Early the next morning I went into labour. At around 5 am I woke my husband and called my sister to come and look after my son. My contractions were quite close together from the start so it was very full on. I called the midwife line as I was feeling less movement and they suggested I go in to be checked.
The observation area where I was checked felt very clinical, I really hoped all was ok so I could go to the birth centre…. and it was! Phew. I had put that I wanted a water birth so I was taken to a room with a pool. I used all the hypnobirthing breathing techniques and felt very much in my own focussed zone that I was able to deal with the pain of contractions and stay in the water for the whole labour.
7 hours later I welcomed the lovely Ama into the world. She came gently up through water her eyes were open and she looked directly at me. It felt so special. This moment I will cherish forever.
I’m so grateful to have had the hypnobirthing techniques to keep me calm – both in the later stages of my pregnancy and in labour.