Pain free birth

by Anna

I wanted to let you know that our little boy, Theodore, was born just before 1am on Wednesday 9th November. He weighed 8lbs 2oz. Labour only lasted 15 hours from beginning to end! We went into hospital at 8:45ish (pm) and by 1am he was born. We had a water birth which I combined with the Hypnobirthing. No other pain relief. The Hypnobirthing breathing really really helped, together with the visualisation of the balloon during the first stage. The whole thing was an amazing experience - I loved being in the pool. It was uncomfortable and intense but never unbearably painful. Mark was really supportive and encouraging throughout and at one point I asked him to read me some of the affirmations about labour which helped. The second stage was very quick and again not unbearable. It was amazing being in that stage because I was aware of the midwife encouraging me and telling me very gently and quietly what was going to happen at that stage in terms of me getting the baby out and then picking it up out of the water myself. But otherwise my body was just doing it. I never screamed or groaned in pain because it wasn't painful. Some sort of primal sound came out of me a couple of times, but otherwise it was all deep, strong breathing. The midwife we had was incredible. We could not have asked for a better one. She was so calm and positive and encouraging throughout. It made the whole experience really special. Between the water birth, the Hypnobirthing and the midwife we had, I had the exact birth experience for our little boy and for me I had hoped for. He came out really calm and alert, with a few whimpers but that was it. It was wonderful.

One aspect of the Hypnobirthing I really enjoyed were the affirmations. I use the breast feeding one now, which I like. My favourite one overall was "I welcome (I've forgotten now if that's the word there!) my baby with love and delight." It is a lovely, happy one.

Thank you so much for the Hypnobirthing course. It was wonderful.