Birth Stories

There are quite a few... so keep scrolling down...

Birth Story of Wendy Sharp - December 2011

Just wanted to let you know that our baby arrived two weeks ago - a girl, called Izzy! Had a very very very quick labour, got to the hospital car park, crawled into the delivery suite and she was born about 2 mins later!! Almost had her in the lift!
I did use my breathing techniques that you taught us - during the contractions and in the car on the way there, they really did help me. Thanks for your help! Wendy x

Birth Story of the Ledbury Family

- 5th September 2011
After a stressful first birthing experience, my husband and I were keen for assistance in approaching this birth in a more relaxed and confident manner.

Hypnobirthing enabled us to not only imagine a more positive outcome but for this outcome to become a reality.

The figures speak for themselves:
12hrs established labour reduced to 2hrs. 3.5hrs 2nd stage reduced to 11mins! Done with a few puffs of gas and air and no stitches.

Most importantly, we were able to have the birthing experience we had always dreamed of and know this wouldn't have been possible without the knowledge, skills and tutor support gained from Vanessa and her Hypnobirthing classes.

Birth Story of Charlotte Amelie
- born at home in a birthing pool at 9.50pm on 1 February 2011, weighing 8lbs 6oz.
The experience of Charlotte’s birth is one that David and I will always cherish as it was so positive and gentle. Before taking the course, I was very anxious about going into labour again, after having had a very difficult and exhausting experience during the birth of our son. The course not only gave me the confidence to have a homebirth and to look forward to going into labour, but also gave David such a positive and important role in this big event.

Here’s what happened:
On 1st Feb, eight days after my due date, I woke up with stomach cramps and knew that my labour would probably start soon. As the morning progressed, the contractions became more frequent but I was still very comfortable and relaxed. David and I had a lovely morning which included a walk and leisurely breakfast. By 1pm I was getting fairly strong contractions about every 10 minutes or so. This is when I started to do some of the relaxation and breathing techniques whilst David got the birthing pool ready downstairs. (The pool took 2 hours to fill!)
The midwife arrived about 3pm. She told me I was already 6cm dilated and said she could not believe how calm I was. As I was speaking to her, each time I got a contraction I just closed my eyes and did the slow breathing until the contraction had passed.
For the next few hours, I spent my time going between being in the pool and lying on the sofa doing the relaxation techniques. With the ‘Comfort Zone’ music playing in the background, lots of lit candles and the midwives keeping out of the way in the kitchen, I felt like I was in my own little world and hardly noticed the time passing.
Around 8pm, things started to get really intense and for the first time I came very close to losing control. At this point, David got into the pool with me and started talking me through the affirmations we’d learnt during the course. Without this support, I would have lost my composure and probably would have needed gas and air or more. I soon felt relaxed and in control again.
The second stage was so much easier and quicker than it had been for my son’s birth. I was in the water and just let my body take over. The midwife was very much an observer on the sidelines during this time, especially as the room was too dark for her to see anything in the water. I had to tell her that the baby’s head had crowned and after a couple more contractions, that Charlotte was born and in the water! The midwife then scooped her up and gave her to me. It was a magical moment.Charlotte is a very calm baby and her gentle arrival to the world has made settling down to life as a family of four very easy and happy.Thanks again for the wonderful techniques you taught us. They were a gift!
Lots of love Clare, David, Danny and Charlotte x

Birth Story of Catherine Dineen
- baby Patrick born 11 June 2011 – 9lb 2oz.

He was 9 days early. Born on 11 June 2011 at 5:40am, weighing in at 9lb 2oz! I had a natural birth with no pain relief.... of course using the hypnobirthing breathing techniques which were fantastic in getting me through the first 24 hours at home.

However, in the end I had to have an episiotomy (as he was so big to push out!). The birth breathing was just not getting him out and I had to resort to forced pushing, holding my breath (which I was not a fan of at all!!). We were transferred from Wallingford to the John Radcliffe as there was meconium in my waters but good job we did as poor old Patrick had to go to the intensive care unit after the birth and have 5 days of antibiotics (to ward off any potential infections as he had suspected meconium inhalation).

Take care and look forward to the next hypno mums lunch!
Catherine xx

Birth Story of Jessie Ann Flockton
- born 14th April 2011 at Home.

Jessie was a healthy 8lb and 15.5oz and was born to her Mum, Kelly, at 12:47pm after a 3 hour labour! Vanessa was present as Doula. I went to bed Wednesday night and I knew that something was happening.

I feel asleep for about 10 mins, then woke up whilst I was having a surge. I started timing them but fell asleep! I woke up again at 4am, still surging and started writing down the times. The time seemed to go really fast. Robert’s alarm went off at 6am so I asked him not to go into work. I rang my Mum at 7am to pre-warn her (basing this on Milly’s birth which was a lot longer – my first hypnobaby! (read story - here - ) I rang Vanessa, my Doula just after 8am. Then rang the midwife and they sent her out. She checked me at 9.30am and I was 3 to 4cms. She said she had to go on a couple of visits but would be back at 1.30pm to check me – so I thought this was it for me for the rest of the day! I rang Mum to say come over. Everytime I was surgeing the Midwife kept asking me if I was having another contraction, I thought it was weird she was asking me but she explained that they normally go on the noise a woman makes but as I wasn’t making any she didn’t have a clue what was going on.

I walked around for a little and then at 11.30 the midwife & my Mum left me to sleep – the midwife told my Mum she’d leave me until 12pm & if I was asleep she’d do her visits as nothing was going to happen. I felt an urge to push but thought it couldn’t possibly be happening so quickly, Vanessa texted to see if I was ok so I said come over when your ready, I had another urge to push but again thought it was a bit quick (basing on Milly’s birth) so I decided if it happened again I’d call the midwife up – it did happen again!! The midwife checked me, she was surprised I knew my body so well as I was 9cms, she hurriedly called the 2nd midwife. Vanessa arrived and helped my Mum get everything ready & helped me move position so that I could lean and kneel against my bed. I just carried on breathing! I was so quiet and focussed on breathing through the surges that the midwives had to rely on Vanessa to tell them when I was surging and I wasn’t! Vanessa was rubbing my back and I felt Jessie coming down, I could feel her head there, the surges were really strong and intense, it stung a little bit, then I had one great big push and her head came out. There was a waiting period for about a minute, then the next urge came and she literally slipped into the world. Jessie was born en-caul which means still in her membranes (sack) which is thought to be really lucky. Throughout the whole experience I didn’t have any gas and air, even though I had a 2nd degree tear.

With the wonderful help & support received from my Mum & Vanessa and the techniques learnt through Hypno Birth classes the birth of Jessie was a fantastic, quiet, gentle and peaceful experience. Since having Jessie people ask me how it was, expecting a horror story but I just say it was fantastic, it was absolutely perfect!

Birth Story of Jenny & George Palmer
Rupert arrived after a 28 hour labour on 15th March 2011 at 6.26am

I just wanted to drop you a quick email to let you know that the baby arrived safe and sound on Tuesday morning. All is going very well and I have to say George and I are currently living up to every cliché in the book as we just feel on top of the world! And of course completely exhausted!

Rupert (his full and rather long name is Rupert Hugo Copernicus Newcombe-Palmer) was born on Tuesday 15th at 6.26am at the JR after a 28 hour labour weighing 8lb5oz. Labour started on his due date so he was very efficient but slightly less so during the labour! We started as planned at Wallingford who I have nothing to say but good things about. It was all going well when I went from 3cm to 9cm but then wouldn't go any further and because my waters had broken very early they started to get quite worried about the risk of infection and then I got a high temperature and so there was a strong risk he would as well. So at 1.30am we were blue light ambulanced to the JR where I was given IV anti-biotics and the hormone drug to speed things along. Oh and the pethadine drug made me feel like I'd had two bottles of red wine, which was most welcome at the time! Then I made it through the final cm and started pushing.

Because of what was going on they said they'd give me a hour then we'd have to use forceps but I managed to do it just over time in 1hr 10mins. Slightly an odd moment I have to say when he was half in half out and I was waiting for the next contraction to push his body out and he started crying! Despite the whole thing being quite long it was absolutely fine, all the staff at Wallingford and the JR were just amazing, I felt completely in control and I look back on the whole experience very positively. We used as much as we could from hypno-birthing which came in completely essential and made the experience just so positive so I am so thankful we did the course with you. The words I remember George using constantly along the labour was “you are calm and in control”, “you are relaxed” and “keep your face relaxed, keep your shoulders relaxed”! So he learnt well!!

After a night in the JR (as Rupert needed to be observed) and then back to Wallingford for two nights we are now back at home. Rupert and I are both slowly getting to grips with breast feeding which Wallingford have been very supportive with.

Thank you so much again Vanessa… I’ve attached a couple of photos so you can see him.

Lots of love
George, Jenny and Rupert xx

Birth Story of Georgie & Ian Morris

Felix was born on 3rd February 2011 at home in the waterpool at 8.06pm.

Thanks for your support and the hypnobirthing was a brilliant help and I really feel that we used it to its best.

 

 

 

 

Birth Story of Hannah and Chris Humphreys
Isabella Kimberley born on 2/2/11 – 7lb 3.5oz

Isabella is doing great, she is such a calm, relaxed baby which was truly reflected in her birth. We are really enjoying our time with her, getting to know her and bonding as a family. We feel that our classes with you have helped us to be confident, calm parents which are having such a positive effect on Izzy. We can't thank you enough! Here’s our story:-

Chris was working nights on Monday 1st and I had had a show so because there was some blood there Mum came with me to the hospital just for a routine check. As the midwife was checking me my waters broke, they said for me to go home for 24hours to give things a chance to start naturally. This I did and when I got into bed at home I relaxed and things began. I used my breathing and stayed at home all day Tuesday until around 6.30pm when we went back to the hospital and I used the pool which was so lovely and relaxing.

Isabella seemed to get a little stuck then and I remained at 4cms for a few hours. The consultant came in and eventually, very calmly it was agreed that as I was not making any significant progress that I have some syntometrine to get things moving again. The syntometrine worked, I breathed through all the surges and they seemed to come and go really fast. In fact time seemed to go really fast.

I was really tired by this point, as it was 24 hours later and needed a little extra help to get her out so Isabella arrived by forceps. The atmosphere was calm and I relaxed throughout, Chris was a great support and we now have our beautiful little girl at home.

My recovery has been really quick, we are both feeling great about being parents and the classes gave us so much support, we both know that without them we wouldn’t have felt so prepared emotionally, physically and mentally.

Love
Hannah & Chris xxx

 

Baby Olanna’s Hypnobirth - 24th January 2011

My husband and I decided to attend the hypnobirthing course for a number of reasons including previous adverse experience of labour and a mid term pregnancy loss. In this pregnancy we were keen to develop a positive approach that would enable us to have a calm, natural birth.

I have to admit that we were relatively sceptical that anything would help because of our previous experiences. However our attitude was that whatever might be of benefit was worth a try. Watching some of the ‘YouTube’ hynobirthing videos and reading about hypnobirthing experiences helped emphasis the positive benefits many parents had experienced from hypnobirthing - whatever their labour was like.

Olanna’s birthing began at 5 pm on Monday 24th January 2011, 3 days over her 40 week date. I had been seen in hospital earlier that day and found out that she was in a ‘back to back’ position. I was encouraged to adopt positions that would help her turn. On my return home my husband had come back from work early and we went out to have a coffee and enjoy our ‘couple time’. Over hot chocolate I began to feel regular surges with a lot of pressure in my back. We returned home and began to use our hypnobirthing techniques quite quickly as the surges were coming regularly and the sensations were intensifying. The 20:20 breathing and use of deep massage as a counter pressure on my back were invaluable and helped me focus on riding out the surges. I found that leaning forward over the back of a chair was the optimal position for me and know that it aided Olanna to turn to the best position for birth. By 8 pm my mum had joined us and helped with the breathing techniques whilst my husband alternated back massage with light touch massage and used of some of the hypnobirthing scripts we had practiced to aid me to relax between surges.

At 10 pm the surges were lasting over 60 seconds and I was regularly having 4 in 10 minutes so we called the hospital as this was where I wanted to birth. On our arrival there was a bit of a wait to be seen and essentially we continued using the techniques as at home. I also had my ipod in one ear with the affirmations playing. By the time I was assessed I was 5-6 cm dilated and was told that Olanna was still in a back to back position. The staff on delivery suite seemed happily surprised at how calm and quiet I was. Though I had been keen for a pool birth, circumstances meant this was not possible. I remember feeling disappointed yet remained calm and positive. We continued with the breathing techniques and relaxation. I also used gas and air in combination with the breathing. On assessment an hour later I was found to be 8-9 cm dilated and Olanna had turned to the ideal position for birth – one that I had been visualising daily by sticking ‘optimal position for birthing’ pictures from the course handbook up on my kitchen wall! Again my husband and I had initially questioned how helpful this would be and agreed to try everything recommended especially when daily looking at the pictures over breakfast took little time and became second nature.
With hindsight the techniques we were using were very effective - so although the pool may have been relaxing, it might also have changed the course of my labour.

By midnight I was in a delivery suite room, using the bed to support me in an upright position mainly with some lateral positioning if I needed a break. I continued to use gas and air in combination with 20:20 breathing and deep massage supported by my husband and mum team. Our MW was with us throughout and unobtrusively monitored Olanna. My final assessment was at 2.30 am by which time I was fully dilated. My MW asked permission to break my waters and I agreed. I felt quite calm though aware that the sensation of the surges might intensify further. In effect it allowed Olanna’s head to move down and instantly I began to feel the natural expulsive reflex. If anything, the surges seemed more effective and not as intense. I used the J breathing we had been taught in combination with encouragement from everyone to ‘push / breath’ Olanna into this world. I calmly concentrated on this. Time seemed to fly by just as had been described on the course.

Olanna was born at 03.41, had immediate skin to skin contact and breastfed shortly afterwards. She weighed 8 pounds and 13 ounces. Our 3rd stage was physiological and we were back at home after a brief stay on the ward - within 8 hours of her birth – magical. Our experience was better than anything we could have hoped for. All the staff who looked after us commented on how calm and relatively quick our birthing had been.

We would like to thank Vanessa for all her support and positive encouragement enabling us to move forward and experience what we had hoped for: a calm loving birth.

 

Birth Story of Neena & Tom Osborne

Baby Leo born Saturday 22 January 2011 at 2:22am. Born in under 6.5 hours!

I would like to announce the early arrival of my little Leo who popped out on Saturday, 22 Jan at 02:22 am. He’s a little tiddler weighing in at 5lb10.5oz but he’s now feeding well so hopefully will start to pile on the pounds.

The birth went really well with a nice quick labour (just less than 6 hours), despite not being able to have the home birth we had hoped for. Here’s how it went:-

On the Friday afternoon Tom and I had visited Wallingford Birthing centre to keep our options open for the Home Birth to Birthing Centre! On our way home we picked up a friend and went to the fish and chip shop. While we were waiting for our dinner, my waters broke (this was at 8pm). We went home and rang Wallingford to explain and they said that because I was 36 weeks pregnant they could not accept me so I had to go to the RBH in Reading. So… off we went and were put in a waiting room when I began to realise that something was happening. I was very calm and relaxed and as Tom and I began timing them we realised they were 2-3 minutes apart.

Tom went to tell the midwives who didn’t seem that bothered as I appeared so calm. I then went to the loo to find the usual spotting and as I told the midwives they took us to another room and I was examined. The look on the midwife’s face was funny as she declared I was 7cm’s dilated at this point and did it hurt. I was not in pain. The contractions were getting more intense but I was not in pain. They then got me a delivery room ready and a lovely midwife who was used to homebirths came in to attend me, she was patient and understanding and let me take my time and followed my birth plan completely.

I was in an upright position kneeling on the floor leaning up against the bed and could feel like I wanted to take a gigantic poo! The intensity was huge and the pressure building. The midwife could see Leo’s head. She suggested I move to the birthing stool to move things naturally along and help Leo come out easily so I did. I pushed and breathed down as hard as I could and out came his head and then his body and he was born very calmly and peacefully. It was amazing and so quick – just under 6 hours in total. He was delivered straight onto my tummy and Tom cut the cord. Even though we didn’t have the homebirth as he was a little early the birth was as perfect as it could be in the hospital.

Thank you Vanessa for the HypnoBirthing, I know I managed so well due to the techniques learnt and the practice we had!
Neena, Tom and Leo xx

Birth Story of first time parents
Fiona & David Kelday.

Freyja was born on Friday 17th Sept. 2010 at 23:06.

Things started at 8.30pm on the Thursday evening when I had the 'show' and almost immediately I started to get very mild contractions. These continued irregularly throughout the night but I managed to get some sleep. The contractions started to become more regular from 2.30pm on Friday and I used the slow and sleep breathing techniques which helped to keep them manageable. During the hypnobirthing course we also prepared our own birthing affirmation which not only helped in the weeks prior to the birthing day but also on the day itself. I wanted to stay at home as long as possible and these hypnobirthing techniques really helped me to stay calm and relaxed.

The contractions increased in intensity and by 9pm I knew we needed to leave for the hospital soon. I was still coping well by this point, in fact I was in two minds as to whether I really needed to go in. I'm glad we took the decision to leave then because pretty much as soon as we got in the car things really started happening... which made for an interesting car journey to Oxford! We got to the hospital just in time, I was admitted at 22.15pm and she arrived at 23.06pm! I wasn't able to use the birthing pool as planned, but I don't think we would have had time to wait for it to fill up! A bit of gas and air helped to get me through the birthing stage and along came Freyja - a perfect little girl with lots of dark hair like her Dad."

Total birth time 9hrs and 4 minutes!

Lots of love from
Fiona, David and Freyja xxx

Birth Story of
Victoria Town & Will Dollinger

Zoe was born 10th August 2010 @ 12.51pm weighing in at a healthy 7lb 11oz.

Victoria’s labour in total was 9 hours which is excellent for a first time mum. She had only just completed the HypnoBirthing classes with Vanessa (2 days previously) so her knowledge was very fresh! At 4am Victoria woke up with regular contractions, by 9am went into hospital knowing that labour was advancing. She was delighted to find, much to the amazement of the midwife, that upon examination she was 10 cms fully dilated and ready to begin bringing Zoe into the world! The midwife said “but you’re so calm – it’s like you are hypnobirthing or something!”.

Things progressed into 2nd stage swiftly however Zoe had turned to a tricky position in the birth path and was having difficulty coming out despite much pushing and breathing. The midwives and obstetricians spoke to Victoria and Will about the possibility that Zoe would need a little extra help to come out and so, with their agreement, Zoe was delivered by forceps at 12.51pm.

Victoria was happy that everything progressed really swiftly and comfortably, the contractions were manageable, she felt confident that they did everything they could to help Zoe have the best birth possible and is enjoying her beautiful new daughter.

Victoria Town & Will Dollinger

Aaliya Van Walwyk
– Born 10th July 2010

6lb 14oz and a 6 hour labour!

Four days after the EDD given by the midwives I noticed I was having what felt like period pains in the earlyish morning. I said to Paul that we might/ probably wouldn’t make the party we were due to attend that evening! At 11am Saturday 10th I realised that these low period cramps were contractions and were coming every 20 mins and that we definitely wouldn’t be going to the party! They continued like this very regularly for nearly 2 hours.

At 1pm they had sped up to every 5 minutes but were totally manageable. I just stopped whatever I was doing, sat down, went into relaxation and breathed through them. In between I was very active, Paul was gardening, I was relaxed by busying myself in the house. We watched a film together in the afternoon. At around 5pm the contractions were coming every 5 minutes and were much more intense although still manageable. I called the midwives who said take a couple of paracetamol and have a bath. The contractions slowed, I layed on the bed and put my relaxation CD on.

I did put on a TENS machine but found it was not helpful at all. It was a distraction only. We had some tea and then I just instinctively felt it was time to go to the Wallinford Unit. We got there at 8.40pm. By this time the contractions seemed as though they were every few seconds as they had really sped up. The last couple of contractions I squeezed Paul’s hand and he helped me focus as they were really intense and I knew my body was doing it’s own thing.

I went in, they checked me and I was already 8cm and in transition. Had a little gas & air to help with the intensity but that was a distraction too! Had another check and was ready to go! Paul gave me so much support and told me that we could do this. It all seemed to go so fast.

My body seemed to want to push and bear down. I was a little scared as I like to be in control but as soon as I let go I felt her moving down. The head appeared, and then went back up a little. My waters broke then and the intense pressure released so I kept pushing down and breathing down. I felt another huge urge to bear down, pushed and out she came! It was amazing.
Paul lifted her onto my tummy and we stared at her. It was so calm. Paul told me we had a little girl. Aailya was so calm and so alert – it was like she knew. I needed one little stitch but that was ok. So 2hrs and 20 mins after we arrived at the unit we had our little baby girl.

Karis and Paul Van Walwyk July 2010

 

Birth Story of Mary Violet Esau
– Born 30th June 2010

Mary Violet arrived on Wednesday 30th June 2010 at 6.33am weighing in at a healthy 6lb 6oz.
Labour 5hours 15 minutes.

‘I met a friend on Tuesday at the garden centre and remember Mary moving more than usual. Tues evening I went to bed and read. When I lent over to turn off the light I felt my waters breaking. I got up and sorted myself out and then it happened again so as my mum was staying with me I woke her up and we decided to tell Richard (who was away on work at the time) that things had begun. I was getting some period cramps and a little spotting so I called the midwife and she said go back to bed, take a couple of paracetamol and call again at 9am next morning! Within 10 minutes of going back upstairs to bed I began to get very strong contractions, 3-4 minutes apart. I called midwife again and she said to come in. I gathered what I needed, got in back seat of car, Dad drove and we got to Wallingford MLU at 2am.

I was examined and told I was way more than 4cm dilated! They filled the pool up and I got in and the water was so lovely. I was in the pool for a good period of time which really helped as the contracts were getting stronger and I was having to really focus on my breathing and visualisations. I was vaguely aware of my Mum sitting in the corner quietly. The 2nd stage seemed to come quite quickly and I felt as if something had taken over my body, which shuddered and then I found it easier to deal with, focussed deep inside on my breathing and visualised Mary moving down. I was offered Gas and Air but didn’t want it – I wanted to say in my ‘zone’.

Midwife asked if I could check to see if I could feel the head. She asked if I wanted to try the birthing stool then but I didn’t. They were checking Mary’s heartbeat and detected a slight change in her. So I got out of the pool and tried the birth stool. For half an hour I was bearing down. I really felt it at the back of my thighs. With the help of the mirror I could see Mary crowning so I got off stool and knelt on the back of the bed for the final bit. It was just what I wanted to do. I pushed for a bit and then the midwife asked me to turn over and I had another check. I ended sitting in upright position as Mary’s head came out and the midwife realised Mary had the cord around her neck (which apparently is very common), at that point the contractions dropped off. So the midwife made a small episiotomy for me, and braced myself and then breathed and pushed down deliberately and then out came Mary’s head and body all in one huge push! At 6.33am precisely.

She was a little limp so had to have a little help with her breathing. I held her for a little and then Mary was taken over the JR to have some additional help. I got to the JR at 11.30, Richard arrived from his flight at 6.30pm and we spent the rest of the time together.

Mary’s birth was calm and peaceful, intense at times, very swift and I found the breathing and focussing inside plus the visualisations invaluable to keep me calm’

Charlotte Montague & Richard Esau – proud parents.

Helena Sophie Parr – born 31st May 2010
at home to proud parents Louise and Sam Parr – first time parents.

Well here she is! Day one with me in bed- bliss! All week she has gradually filled out more and more in her face- quite amazing how much she's changing each day.

I'm so glad I never had the experience of being examined due to being at home! Basically my sister came to stay at 4pm on Sunday. We had a BBQ, I had the 'show' but dismissed it. We went for a long walk in the sun at 7pm to see the Alpacas, and by 8.30 pm surges started but they were few and far between- and I'd had them for a few weeks and just relaxed.

By 10.15 pm I had a hot bath, and Sam played Reiki music on the laptop with beautiful images he'd found whilst doing light touch massage.

By 11pm I was on our bed wrapped up in a towel after my bath and Sam did the depthometre and glove technique on me. By 11.23 pm I was sat on the loo feeling my babies head coming down. I was so calm I didn’t think I was in established labour until that point! We had an on call paramedic come to the house for delivery and he was fantastic. Helena was born at 12.15pm cord attached for 1hr 20 until the on call midwife could make it. Then I delivered the placenta and cut the cord myself. Amazing!!

Speak soon and thanks for the Hypno course- it’s made our start to family life exactly as we hoped!
Louise & Sam Parr

 

Birth Story of Candy & Stuart White

Baby Jude arrived Sunday 6th June 2010.

Candy: On Saturday 5th my waters broke around 7pm in little trickles but I still managed to go to the pub and had dinner! Spoke to the hospital at 9pm and they said to stay at home and have a bath. I then started having surges which Stuart was timing on his iphone App although the feeling was low in the back and around the sides rather than the front. I used the breathing I had learnt at my HB classes to manage these and as they built I used the birthing ball to move around on, and help relieve the pressure. We both rested as much as possible from there on.

Around 8am Sunday morning my surges were lasting a full minute and were coming every 3 minutes. Stuart had been helping me stay deeply relaxed with the glove technique and the light touch massage we learnt in class. We knew that it was time to go into hospital as I wanted a water birth. When I got there they said I was 4cm dilated and that I could go home if I wanted or I could wait so I chose to wait as I wanted to make sure I got the birthing pool at the RBH! I was pretty determined! We were guided to the home from home room that attaches to the birth pool room and my blood pressure by then had gone a little high – the midwives felt this was due to the transition from home to hospital and that it would settle down. Stuart made sure the Affirmations CD was playing in the background and stayed on the whole way. I lay down for a while and focussed on my breathing to get me through the surges and after a little while and after a little tiny amount of gas and air I refocused and my blood pressure came back to normal. All the way throughout Jude’s heartbeat was regular and constant.

Around 2pm I was able to get into the pool and had a student midwife that stayed with us the whole time. She was great and Stuart made sure all the midwives were aware of our birth preferences and plan. He helped me with my breathing and I was really reassured by him being so calm. I remained really calm and relaxed, the student midwife was really impressed by the HypnoBirthing effects as I didn’t say a word other than to ask for air, flannel and juice – I just stayed focussed on breathing and relaxing and being calm. The surges were still around the back mainly and I found myself rocking in the pool with the student midwife massaging my back to relieve the pressure.

After a while, I forget the exact timing, I felt I really had the urges beginning to bear down and push so I started J-breathing. I was on all fours and giving it my best, Jude’s heart rate was still lovely and constant. It hadn’t been realised then that Jude had gone back to back (posterior) and this was the reason for the heavy back discomfort and why he was coming down and then moving back up as he was a little stuck!

They encouraged me out of the pool onto the birthing stool hoping change of position would help. I remained calm and continued pushing. When I reached down I could feel his head and Stuart could see him – it renewed my determination to help him out!

The Doctor then came in as I was getting really tired and said that I needed a little extra help and suggested ventouse. Stuart was brilliant as he knew what I wanted if things had taken an unexpected turn and he decided to go ahead. So we went to another more clinical room, I had an episiotomy to help Jude have more room to move down as he was well and truly wedged in my birth path! They attached the ventouse and with one huge urge I pushed and breathed, I felt the stinging sensation and knew he was coming out. I then felt another big urge and between me and the ventouse out came our little boy. So in the end, with a little assistance due to the position he was in he was out in a couple of big surges! Jude’s cord was wrapped around his neck which in combination with his back to back positioning we think is the reason why I needed a little extra help to actually birth him. Still Jude’s heart rate was constant all the way through. I know this is because I remained calm.

I was then taken care of and moved to the ward to rest and recover. Jude sleeps and feeds really really well. He is a peaceful baby and I put this down to the relaxation techniques we learnt in class (I still use the breathing at various times now to help me sleep!) and it has brought Stuart and I closer together.

I feel really proud of myself as right the way up to the last bit I just remained calm, and totally focussed on what we wanted. It’s all new being a new parent and I’m really enjoying the journey. Vanessa’s practical and down to earth approach to teaching HypnoBirthing really helped us to achieve what we set out to do – a calm birth.

Stuart’s perspective: Because Candy was so focussed and calm it was much easier for me to support her, take responsibility and make decisions when it was important to do so. The classes prepared me to support Candy and help us achieve have a calm birth. I even said I wanted to cut the cord which for a self-declared squeamish person was really a breakthrough! I felt comfortable and empowered making decisions as I had gained the knowledge as Candy and I had taken the time to prepare using Hypnobirthing.

I initially thought that 2 full days of preparing for birth was rather excessive as I think many men might do too - that was before I did the classes. Now I realise that those two days were so beneficial, I don’t think we would have handled things in the same calm way had we not have had the knowledge and practical tools that prepared us fully from class.

 

Meet George Holton – born 30th April 2010 – 10lb 7.5oz
(Photo of Baby George at 1 day old)

Friday morning I woke up feeling completely normal but very frustrated as was now 11 days overdue and felt that the baby was never going to make an appearance! I had a reflexology session booked with the lady you recommended, at 9.30am and had a strong braxton hicks during the treatment which I thought might be promising. On my way home at 11am I felt a definite contraction, which was not nice whilst driving! By 12pm they were coming fairly regularly. Luckily my parents were already on their way up from Wales as they were coming up for the bank holiday weekend anyway. The contractions steadily increased in intensity and frequency over the next couple of hours, during which time I was listening to the rainbow relaxation CD and the chill-out music we had been practising to. Mick did some deeper relaxation with me at around 3 pm as I was starting to struggle with surges - they were so much more intense than I remembered from last time. I was timing them on my new iphone - I had an app specially for the job! The surges were lasting about a minute and were about 3 mins apart and getting stronger and stronger. By 5pm, I was struggling with the strength of them, to focus on breathing through them. They were giving me a strong bearing-down sensation which I thought was far too soon, hence the struggle. I decided it was time to get to the hospital.

We got to Heatherwood about 5.45pm and was really struggling with every surge. Mick had to constantly talk me through them, focusing me on my breathing, as was starting to lose it at the peak of each surge. The midwife examined me at about 6.30pm and i was already 8cm, which I was ecstatic about but also very relieved, as I could see the end in sight. I wanted to get in the birthing pool straight away, but as I wanted to deliver the baby in it, they had to get the water to a certain temp which they were struggling to do. Eventually got into water at about 7pm. About 15mins later I was getting strong urges to push which made the surges really difficult to breathe through. My overwhelming urge was to push. The midwife took charge and got me to breathe and push through each surge. At this point I remember thinking that the baby was never going to come out, but then suddenly started to feel a burning/stinging sensation indicating that the baby's head was crowning. A few more pushes and he was out. I was in a crouching position in the pool and had to catch him when he was born and pull him out of the water. It was an amazing experience, quickly followed by total shock at how big he was. Even the midwife (and mid-husband - we had a male midwife there too!) were shocked at just how big he was when they weighed him - 10lb 7.5oz, and no pain relief!!!! I even managed to deliver the placenta without the injection.

I had torn quite badly along the scar tissue from William's birth. I instantly regretted not having done more perineal massage, but the midwife said it was pretty much unavoidable due to his size and the existing scar tissue. I had to be transferred to Wexham Park, Slough for a consultant to stitch me up. Mick had to take George in the car. I was disappointed to then have to have an epidural to have the stitches, after going though a completely drug- free birth. Eventually came out of theatre about 2am and then had a funny turn as my blood pressure suddenly plummeted - I'd gone into shock from the epidural and was dehydrated. Didn’t get any sleep the rest of the night as they had to keep checking my blood pressure every hour! Came out of hospital the next day though, and have recovered really well.

When friends have asked me how I managed without pain relief to deliver such a big baby, I can honestly say that it didn't enter my head to ask for any! And of course, I didn't realise that he was going to be quite that big. The midwife staff were great, and followed our lead on the hypnobirthing.

George is a really chilled-out baby and a good sleeper. Very unlike William who screamed a lot, suffered with colic and only slept for half an hour at a time during the daytime! George is breastfeeding well and already weighs 12lb 11oz at only 6 weeks (91st percentile)!!

A big thank you Vanessa for helping us achieve the birth we wanted. Apart from the stitches bit, we managed to follow our birth plan to the letter! Mick was excellent at keeping me focused, so all the practise really paid off. Such a different experience to our first birth.

Attached is a photo of George at 1 day old and 1 of him at a month old - he is a big smiler!

Many thanks again,
Vicki, Mick, William & George xx

 

The Story of Albert James Anderson’s Birth
Friday 30th April – Angela had passed a very nice day with lots of visitors – Rachel and Ben in the morning, James’ dad just before lunch and then Eugene came over for lunch and to finish up the final DIY and decorating he had been doing in recent weeks. Eugene headed off about 3.50pm and Angela went out a walk towards the station, to meet James off the London train. Angela was feeling very well and she and James even discussed going out to the movies/for dinner, but decided against it.
At 7:30pm, at 3 days overdue (due date of 27th April 2010) Angela started to get weak cramping sensations. We didn’t think much of this at the time and watched a film (“An Education”), which started at 8:00pm and finished at 9:30pm. We ate some baked potatoes during the film. Angela started to get what we thought might be surges (contractions) and we tried to time these on James’ iPhone (James downloaded the ‘CTX Timer’ app for his iPhone to help us with this!! And if nothing else this app gave us much distraction over the next few hours!). The surges appeared to be between 15 and 20 minutes apart at this stage (9.30/10pm).
At 10:15 to 10:30pm Angela started to get some diarrhoea. She went back and forth to the downstairs bathroom and was reading birthing stories from Ina May Gaskin’s ‘Guide to Childbirth’ book while this was happening.
Since we thought we were in for a long evening, James got dressed (he was already in his pjs for the movie) and planned to go out to Tesco to get in some supplies for the midwives when they arrived – needless to say, this shopping trip never happened as things progressed so quickly!
James called the delivery suite at Royal Berks Hospital to advise them that we thought labour had started and to confirm what would happen next, as we had elected for a home birth. They discussed the contractions and one of their team asked to speak to Angela. They mentioned that there had been another home birth, and the lady had had to come in to the hospital, as such there was only one community midwife at present - but not to worry, as it didn’t sound like we were very progressed at this stage. They explained that they wouldn’t have admitted us if we were booked in for a hospital birth at this stage anyway, and they encouraged us to run a bath, take some paracetemol and keep doing what we were doing (breathing, moving around etc) and to call back when the contractions were more progressed.
Through the contractions, Angela kept moving around (elephant walk – yoga) and concentrating on the breathing she had learned at hypno-birthing and as they got more intense, she leaned on the kitchen table and James did some lower back massage which really helped.
Between 11:15 to 11:45pm Angela had ‘the show’ and experienced some bleeding. James gave Angela 2 x Arnica 6 tablets at 11:35pm.
(Angela has an e-mail to James’ mum saved in her drafts file timed 11.41pm, so was clearly writing e-mails and working on other things at this stage).
Angela and James moved upstairs, to run the bath in the en suite, as advised. James tried to call the Royal Berks again, to discuss the bleeding, as it was ongoing (but not severe) - to make sure this was normal - but couldn’t get through as the phone lines were either engaged or just ringing out. James then called the midwife-led unit in Wallingford to ask their advice (Angela was booked in to Wallingford for the birth as a ‘plan b’) and they suggested trying to measure the blood loss for 30 mins and if it was heavy to go to hospital.
Angela was upstairs in the main bedroom, moving around and starting to experience some deeper surges and stronger lower back pain/pressure. Angela listened to her hypno-birthing affirmations CD at this stage. The surges seemed to be coming more frequently – every 3 to 4 minutes. James did some gentle back massage to try and help this as Angela leaned against the bed frame. Angela recalls looking at her mobile phone around this stage and the time was 00.42am. She asked James to prepare the room by getting out the shower curtains/sheets etc (which had been bought especially for the occasion!).
Angela then progressed quite rapidly. She felt a pressing need to go to the toilet and sat on the toilet in the main bathroom. James gave Angela 1 x Arnica 30 at this stage.
Angela remained sitting on the toilet (occasionally getting up to lean on the bath); she wanted all the lights off and was getting very warm. She removed all of her clothes except her bra. She wanted cold flannels to keep cooling herself down, and lots of water to drink. Angela’s waters broke on the toilet – quite a ‘pop’! Angela seemed convinced that although she hadn’t been labouring for long, the birth was rapidly progressing and she thought a midwife should now be present. James called the Royal Berks and they contacted the midwife. Jenny Baker, the midwife, called James at 00:58, 01:03, 01:10 and 01:15. Jenny was based in Henley and she called and asked James how far Angela was progressed. James explained how things had started/progressed. She said she was on the other side of Henley from Caversham but was coming immediately. (Jenny later said that James sounded remarkably calm on the phone but that she thought the noises Angela was making suggested Angela was already in stage 2).
Angela felt the baby’s arrival was imminent. She could not get on top of the contractions, they seemed to be rolling one into another, so she couldn’t get a breath. Angela kept trying to keep on top of her breathing. Angela felt the baby move into the birth canal and was feeling the urge to push. She was making low, animal-like sounds which helped keep on top of the surges (she recalled her yoga teacher saying that ‘more noise equalled less pain’ and so went with the urge to make these sounds, which really helped).
Jenny called back and James explained that he thought he could see the baby’s head moving down the birth canal (01:10 or 01:15?).
Jenny asked if Angela could be moved onto the floor and onto her side to slow down the birth. Angela couldn’t get off the toilet as the birth was progressing so quickly, so Jenny asked James to get an ambulance by calling 999. Angela was determined to have the baby at home and was not entertaining the prospect of going to hospital in an ambulance; she felt strong to have the baby safe at home. Angela thought of the flower visualisation, with the baby’s head emerging (from HB course, she has been looling at this image on the door of the fridge every day for the past few weeks).
At 01:18 on Saturday 1st May 2010 James called 999. This call lasted 8 minutes.
James spoke to the lady 999 operator saying Angela was in labour and was about to give birth. James was transferred immediately to the ambulance operator, who walked James through the rest of the birth.
James saw the baby’s head emerge (with one surge, the baby’s head was delivered). James cupped his left hand over the baby to support it as it emerged. James then put his phone on speaker and placed it on the bathroom windowsill. He asked Angela to move forward on the loo as there wasn’t enough room for the baby to come out as it was going to be caught between Angela and the toilet seat.
Angela moved forward on the toilet seat and with one more surge the baby was fully delivered. James held the baby in both hands. The baby started to cry and the operator heard this and knew the baby was ok. The operator asked for the cord to be checked to make sure it wasn’t wrapped around the baby’s neck. James confirmed that the cord was going straight down from the belly button and was well positioned. James gave the baby to Angela who held him against her body. The 999 operator said an ambulance had been called.
Angela checked the baby and confirmed it was a boy. James got a towel to wrap the baby in from the bathroom and cleaned the baby up a little. James could see the lights of the ambulance flashing from the bathroom window and so went outside to guide them in. A 4x4-type ambulance with one male paramedic had arrived and James led him upstairs. He made sure the baby and Angela were ok and asked James to get a softer towel for the baby and to get Angela a dressing gown. 3 other paramedics then arrived (all ladies). They clamped the umbilical cord and James cut it. 2 of the lady paramedics took the baby into the nursery and conducted the APGAR score. He scored a 10 and 10 - perfect!
The paramedics said that the midwife wasn’t coming and asked for Angela to be transferred to hospital. Angela did not want to go to hospital at this stage, and James asked for Angela to stay at home until the placenta was delivered and said he had spoken to a midwife and confident she was coming.
Jenny, the midwife, phoned at 01:28 am and soon after, arrived at The Paddocks.
Tara Bird, a Maternity Care Assistant from Newbury, arrived and helped Jenny deliver the placenta (she’d had to go via Royal Berks en route, to pick up supplies). James gave Angela the Caulophyllum homeopathic remedy about 20 minutes after the cord was cut. The placenta was delivered naturally without intervention, 50 minutes after the baby was born.
At 01:57 Angela called her parents; at 02:00 James called his parents.
Angela had to have two stitches due to 2 small first-degree perineal tears (one stitch in each area).
In total, established labour was about 3 hours. Albert James (he had to have James’ name after his heroic performance) is a very calm, peaceful and beautiful baby.

Mabel Rose Rughani – Born 31 March 2010
Mabel Rose was born calmly and gently to Claire and Kayur Rughani on 31st March 2010.

This is what Claire has to say about her experience:-
“Yep, the little boy I had been expecting, turned out to be a gorgeous little girl. She arrived a week early on 31 March and we have called her Mabel Rose. Life has been totally hectic since then - no matter what people say, nothing quite prepares you for motherhood! As for the labour - it went really well & I definitely believe that this was down to everything you taught us! I managed to stay at home until I was 8 cm dilated, just focusing on my breathing & relaxation techniques - active labour was just over 6 hours, so very short & the hospital had to rush to find me a room when I arrived - I think they assumed I wouldn't have progressed that far for a first pregnancy. I am pleased to say that even when I got to the hospital, I didn't resort to any drugs (not even gas & air) despite being convinced from the beginning of my pregnancy that I would have an epidural. The only unfortunate thing was that after pushing for 2 hours & making no progress, Mabel was showing signs of distress (dipping heart rate & meconium in the waters). She had turned into the wrong position, which meant I had to have a forceps delivery. Still, I believe this was the right thing to do & remained calm throughout.

I'd just like to thank you for all you Vanessa for all you taught me & K - it meant that I was able to approach labour without any fear and that I felt calm & in control throughout. I'd definitely recommend hynobirthing to others”
Claire & Kayur Rughani

 

Birth Story of Nic and Mike Adamson – first time parents:  Meet Oliver Adamson – born 3rd February 2010 weighing 8lb 10oz.

“We got the water birth we wanted at the John Radcliff Spires Unit and from the first surge until he arrived was only 9 hrs! The hypnobirthing gave us the tools we needed to get through those intense surges and really helped with coping mentally throughout the labor.

Ollie arrived and is the most peaceful chilled baby, we really think that it due to not using any drugs and coming into the world in a peaceful way. Thank you for the classes, the principles and techniques saw us through the most intense, wonderful, and exciting days of our lives and we came away with our lovely little boy.

It was the best experience we could have hoped for Ollie and us. We are totally smitten with Oliver and thank you for helping us with the tools that allowed him to enter the world in the way we wanted!

Best wishes
Nic & Mike
Xx

NB: Do see Nic and Mike’s video clip taken just after their HypnoBirthing Class preparing them for Ollie’s birth. It will give you an idea of how these classes can help you too to have a better birth.

 

Birth Story of Madison May Davey
Born 19th April 2009, 3.10am – 6lb 3oz – 3hours 10 mins labour in total.

My labour began in the afternoon of Saturday 18th as slight backache which I didn’t realise was labour beginning – it was my mum that told me it labour! It was on and off all day and I went to bed at 10pm and got up again 12.30pm as the backache got stronger. The sensations were stronger and coming every 3 minutes and so I knew it was time to call the hospital because she was on her way. The midwife, over the phone, told me to have a soak in the bath and take a couple of paracetamtol as it was going to be hours and hours yet as this was my first baby! So, I had a bath, I woke Adrian up, and he remained really, really calm which was excellent. It helped that I was really calm throughout my contractions. I simply used my breathing that Vanessa taught me and I had been practising. It was brilliantly effective and kept me going. Adrian was timing my contractions for me which were still every 3 minutes, I then realised that I really did need to go to hospital and it was not going to be hours before she arrived!

I called the hospital again who told me to come in, so we called a taxi, and my contractions were stronger in the taxi on the way there so I kept on breathing and focussing. We arrived and were taken to be examined where the midwife told me that I was 9cm dilated! I felt sheer shock, and really excited that I had done all this so far on my own. My only disappointment was that I had wanted to water birth but didn’t have the time!

I was taken straight to the delivery suite where I had a little gas and air and Adrian said afterwards that I had gone into myself, into the zone where nothing else seemed to matter, just Adrian, me and Maddie. I felt that urge to bear down, and I wanted to push so I started breathing and pushing at the same time. For a while there was just us and the midwife and an assistant. Then Maddie’s heart rate dropped a little and they brought some extra staff in, gave me a little incision and told me to really focus on getting her out. They used a ventous for the last couple of minutes and I pushed really hard, and out she came. In total my established labour in the hospital was 1hr 10 mins, altogether including home was 3hrs 10 minutes! Not bad for a first baby and I put it all down to letting go of my fear of childbirth and learning through the hypnobirthing techniques how to manage my body’s sensations more comfortably!

 

Birth Story of Tanya and Neil Brady

The Birth of Devon Anne Brady – Born 17/5/09 6lb 14oz.

Thankyou so much for teaching me the hypnobirthing techniques that helped quide me through my first birthing experience.

I found the breathing techniques helped me cope through the surges and took me through the 13 hours that i was birthing! I am so glad I made the decision to choose a water birth at home.

The midwives were so calm and relaxed and listened to what we wanted and I felt I could take my time. The result was a beautiful calm baby girl , who is a delight to us all.

Thank you so much Vanessa

Birth Story of Devon Farrant – 24th June 2009

I got up to go to the loo at 7.15am on the 23rd, and as i got back into bed, i felt a small gush, and ran back to the bathroom (didn't want to get the carpet messy!) but no more came out. I waited until 8.15 and still no more waters, so i phoned my mw, and she came straight round, she was concerned as it was a small amount of water and i just had period pain type cramps, i had an appointment with her at 12 so said i would keep that assuming nothing happened in the mean time. We went to her clinic and my blood pressure and urine was fine, bump was wiggling, but she heard a dip in the heart beat after the surge (still only niggly type cramp). She thought that bump may be distressed, so we reluctantly agreed to go hospital for monitoring, she warned me if it was not good news then it was likely they would have to do a c-section, so with me blubbing all the way home and shoving stuff in a bag we went to hospital...

Got there, me still blubbing and Paul trying to get me to relax by using by doing some sleep breathing, it worked and I calmed down! They were lovely and stuck me on a monitor for 40 minutes, the midwife came back in and checked everything, and THANK GOD everything was fine. I then had the one and only internal check for my whole pg and labour, and I only agreed as it was a speculum, she confirmed my waters had broken and the fluid was clear! We were told if bump hadn't arrived by morning they would highly recommend induction. We left hospital determined to get bump out that day!! Cue loads of visualisation and affirmations!!!

After lots of walking about, I started getting surges every 15 minutes, so we walked some more and then Paul did silver glove and depthometer, which worked brilliantly, he threw in some affirmations for good measure. At about 8pm the surges were every 5 minutes, so he phoned mw who said she would be an hour as she had to collect the entenox and phone for the other midwife, we also agreed to a trainee midwife to attend.

Midwife arrived at 9.15 and surges were every 3 minutes by then, I found the only comfy place was kneeling on bedroom floor leaning on the bed, Paul was doing affirmations and light touch (fabulous highly recommend lots and lots of light touch!) all the way through.

I decided I wanted to get in the pool, so went downstairs and had another 3 surges before I could stand to get in the pool... oh my goodness it was bliss, that was it I wasn't budging out the water!
God knows where time went but by about 1.15am ish the feeling was starting to change and the 20-20 wasn't as effective anymore, I started to panic, as I didn’t like the feeling I was getting I said to Paul stop me doing this, so he forced to slow my breathing to 4 and 8, then he started telling me to do birth breathing... I couldn't focus, so he said the baby is so close you just need to breathe, so I started birth breathing, but found that my body took over and Paul tells me that I was birth breathing and grunting so I’m guessing that the natural expulsion reflex was doing its job, I’m pretty sure I didn’t consciously ‘push’ the baby out. At 1.30am the mw said she could see the head, and at 1.47am bump popped out and was put straight on to me, bump was a boy, and he is called Devon, weighing in at 7lb 15 2/3oz.

The hypno-birthing worked brilliantly, the established labour to birth was just under 6 hours, so pretty short for a first baby. I would say the feeling is one of discomfort rather than pain, and it was totally bearable. Karen (my midwife) said that it was one of the best home births she had been to; as did Amanda the other midwife and they each have 30 years experience. Liz the trainee couldn't believe I did the whole lot with no pain relief at all, and when I asked for gas and air as Devon was crowning, they didn't give it to me as they knew I was listening to my body and the gas and air would throw me, and I'm so pleased they didn't as I can very proudly say that I birthed my baby with Paul’s amazing help, no medical intervention and no drugs. I had a very small tear and one graze, which Karen said I'm not even going to offer to stitch that as it’s so small, it goes to show while perineal massage is a bit icky, it must work!!!

I'm so glad I opted for a home birth using hypno-birthing, and I’m so pleased I had supportive mw's who left the room to discuss my progress, and even said surges rather than contractions, and was reading the affirmations out that we printed and stuck to the walls in the lounge.

 

Birth Story of Claire and David Hempson
Finley, 8lb 6oz born on 20th April 2009

Finley, was born on the 20th April (his due date) at 11.49 at night
(so just scraped in there by 11 minutes!).

I have to say that I thought Joel's birth went well, but my experience second time round was even better. My birth was a total of 4 and a half hours from start to finish, and the early surges weren't bad at all. I stayed home for as long as I felt comfortable, listening to my CD and doing some of the exercises with David while having a nice bath, and then we headed for the hospital at about 10.30pm. This time I went to the Royal Berk's birthing suite instead of the labour ward, which was so much nicer, and I continued to listen to my CD and bounce on a birthing ball, with David expertly performing light touch massage on my back, which I really needed, as this time my back was really sore.

I said no to the gas and air when we went in, and the midwife we had was really supportive, encouraging me to continue and focus on the CD when I had a moment of weakness and asked for it a bit later on! I was so glad of this though as having a clear head really helped me focus on my breathing and I wasn't so tired which meant I stayed upright on my knees, my waters went naturally and I even remembered to use my J breathing this time - my second stage was only 4 minutes! - and lovely Finley was born without any distress or fuss, a healthy, pink, 8lb 6oz little boy. I even said no to the injection for the third stage, so did the whole thing from start to finish without any drugs whatsoever... I have to say I was very proud of myself and I am sure I have a lot to thank you and hypnobirthing for.

Anyway, after some, tea, toast and a lovely shower, we came home at 3am and snuggled up in our own bed. Far nicer then a stay on the postnatal ward. All in all a fantastic experience, albeit one I don't plan on repeating as I am more then happy with my two lovely boys now :-)

I have attached a picture of the new arrival, who is settling into Hempson family life well. Joel is a bit unsettled at the moment, understandably, but he is very loving and gentle with his new little brother, so hoping all will be fine again soon.

Thanks again.

Love Claire, David, Joel and Finley x

Birth story of Adam and Sarah
Jan Rozycki born Sunday 10th August 2008
at 2:22PM 7lb 15oz.

We decided to see Vanessa for hypnobirthing as i had a planned cesarean with my first son as he was breech and I had no birthing experience. I wanted to maximise my chances of birthing naturally.

We learned how to think positively and relax whilst pregnant with my partners help. I really enjoyed practising the techniques each night and it helped me to sleep. I particularly found it useful to visualise our lovely baby inside, the birth and our new family and remove any fears. I'm sure the opening flower picture helped my body to prepare for birthing, days before it started. We learned so much about the birthing process that we would not have learned on the NHS.

We didn't think our baby was coming even when the surges were three minutes apart as we were so relaxed! We got to the hospital just in time to start birthing our baby. We were relaxed and felt confident and in control the whole time. My partner was brilliant and knew how to help and assist through the whole process with Vanessa's help. The midwives were really good and really listened to our requests in the birth plan to allow for our hypnobirth.

Our son was born in 6 hours, naturally and calmly just as we wanted.
I still use the breathing and relaxing tecniques daily to give me energy and keep me calm whilst bringing up two children.

Many thanks Vanessa
Adam, Sarah, Sennen and Jan.

 

Birth Story of Jessica Lena Beth Elliott
was born on the 17th Feb 2009 at 15:08 weighing 7lb 11oz.

My membranes released at about 2am on the 17th February, 5 days before my guess date. I'd been told, you can go back to sleep and get as much rest as possible, but we were too excited. We went downstairs and put on the Birthing Affirmations and Rainbow relaxation, in readiness for our planned home birth. Pretty much since waking up, my surges were about 10 minutes apart, so there wasn't much time in between to eat sandwiches or listen to our favourite music, or more to the point, for my husband Rob to use the well practised scripts Vanessa had taught us.

We called our Midwife Jess, who had attended our Hypnobirthing classes with us and she arrived about 4am with the on-call Midwife. By the time they got to the house the surges were about 5 minutes apart and I had the Steven Halpern music and the Mongan scripts on repeat, I was totally in the zone using the slow breathing to control the surges. There were a couple of occasions where I came out of the zone and the surges crept up on me, this was when I realised how effective the Hypnobirthing was.

By 9am I was fully dilated, and baby Jessica was due anytime, it was really hard not to get excited now. Unfortunately baby Jess had moved, and even though she had been Vertex since December , she had moved back to back, and was stuck. We tried everything we could at home to move her, but she couldn't get past my spine. The decision was then made to take a ride in an ambulance and make our way to the hospital. All the while, I was still listening to Mongan tracks and using my breathing to keep the surges under control.

When we got to hospital we were assessed again and put on Syntocinon, which is an artificial hormone to speed up and strengthen the contractions, for an hour. I was advised afterwards that this is not normally administered without an epidural, but we Hypno-birthed our way through it. The doctors seemed to find this quite extraordinary, the phrase "Is she asleep" was asked quite a lot and one doctor even said, "Hypno-what?"

Sadly, baby Jess didn't move and was very stuck at the top, so an instrumental delivery was also out of the equation. I was actually quite happy about this as this would have distressed her and my ideas of bringing her into the world as calm as possible would have been shattered then. So a C-section it was. Jess heartbeat didn't increase or drop throughout, so this was the best way to have brought her out. So all in all it was a drug free birth up until the c-section, but I don't think even hypnosis would have helped at that point without them.

When I first became pregnant, I couldn't even think about the birth because it scared me so much. I was very lucky to have been sent a copy of the Mongan Method by my sister-in-law in the US, and there I discovered nature’s way of birthing, rather than the medical professions way. I actually looked forward to the birthing process, and meeting my baby, the fear went away. My whole Hypnobirthing experience was amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone, in fact I have been to anyone that will listen.

Sue and Rob Elliott – March 2009

 

Simone McKinnell about the birth of Baby Isla
8th June 2008 – 6lb 3oz

Giving birth to my baby girl was a fantastic experience!

Hypnobirthing helped Craig and I to prepare for a very special day in our lives, but most importantly to me, it helped me shift all the negative and very sad memories I carried with me for far too long following the birth of my son six years ago - it can be very difficult to picture a positive experience when all our memories come from a very difficult time. However, Hypnobirthing made absolute sense. With the breathing techniques, I learned to relax and I think I had underestimated how important this is.

I was preparing for another quick birth. The surges started at home and they were quite close together just like the first time round. I chose to go to hospital because I felt more secure. Craig and I had already agreed that leading up to and during the birth he would be my spokesperson. Partnership is so important. At each surge, I would simply close my eyes and breathe, whether mid conversation with the midwife or not - this was my time! Thinking back, after practicing all the different ways in which Craig could support me, on the day I never actually said ‘do it this or that way’. Without any words we both settled for simply holding hands – Craig knew when to do it, I didn’t have to ask. That gave me an immense feeling of being supported and encouraged.

I chose to have an epidural but rather interestingly, it only worked on my right leg -which was very strange as I could still feel everything, so, I had to use my slow and 20/20 breathing anyway. It really worked!

The happiness I felt when I finally met Isla was overwhelming. I still get this incredible rush of good feeling which comes out of nowhere and I feel like I am floating! Sounds weird? No, this is very real indeed but you must believe it to see it. I did.

 

Birthing Story of Penny Way

One mum who has already tried and tested the techniques is Penny Way from Tadley, who gave birth in just two hours free from pain.

“It was so incredibly easy compared to the difficult birth of my first baby, I couldn’t believe how easy and comfortable it felt to apply what I had been taught – even my midwife was amazed at how peaceful and serene the entire experience was.

I would recommend this to any mum-to-be who (first or second time around) wants a natural, peaceful birth for themselves and their baby. My little boy is so easy going, calm and good natured. HypnoBirthing was a real gift.”

Birthing Story of Kathryn Shapcott

Kathryn decided to use HypnoBirthing for the birth of her second baby as her first labour and birth was 20 hours followed by emergency ceasarian and was extremely traumatic for mum, dad and baby. She wanted things to be very different this time around and decided to book her classes with Vanessa Turner.

Baby Keiran was born on 17/8/06 weighing 8lb 3oz after a 5 and a half hour labour. Kathryn says of her HypnoBirth “Everything went just as I wanted it, my contractions began at home in the early hours, I remained in control, simply sleeping, resting and relaxing as I had learned. I arrived at hospital with contractions 2/3 mins apart and went straight into the birthing pool.

After about an hour with contractions 1 minute apart things slowed down, I came out of the birthing pool and I used the time to rest, relax, used my breathing and visualisations Vanessa had taught me and before we knew it I was guided by my breathing, my body, my baby and the support of my husband Dave and my midwife. Labour then sped up and Keiran arrived easily - it was one of the most euphoric moments of our lives.

The midwifes commented that our birth was the most peaceful birth they had ever seen! I know this wonderful experience was due to the techniques I had learnt and how confident and calm I remained. My contractions were not painful. It was a little uncomfortable at times that is fair to say, but I had no pain at any point in my labour and birth. Keiran is a healthy, beautiful boy, very settled, feeds and sleeps extremely well – words can’t express fully the amazing birth we had! I would simply say to any mum wanting a natural, easy comfortable birth – take the HypnoBirthing classes! I know I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Claire and David Hempson – The Birth of Joel Taylor

Joel Taylor Hempson was born into the world on Friday 23rd August at 10.37 am, weighing in at 8lb 2 and a half ozs, and he is absolutely perfect!

After a curry on the thursday night, surges started at 4.30 am, stayed home until I virtually felt the urge to push (upon which David looked very pale!) went into hospital at 9 am, gave into the gas and air for the last bit and out he popped, screaming, apgar scores 10 out of 10, and he is so lovely and placid, a proper hypnobirth baby - I stayed in one night on a ward with 3 screaming babies and he didn't make a sound!

I really don't know what sort of birth I'd have had if I hadn't done the course, but I'm quite sure it wouldn't have been as speedy as that... the midwives at the hospital couldn't quite believe it! I've told all my friends they should definitely give it a go.

Thanks again for all your support, David was brilliant too, he certainly learnt lots from the course, which really helped me. I've attached a couple of pictures for you.

Samantha Culyer – Birth Story for Emily Francesca
born 18/12/06, 7lb 8.5oz

I was at home, it was the early hours of Saturday morning when I began recognizing feelings like period cramps. I went to the toilet and noticed I’d had a show. I went back to bed and began using her slow breathing with each rising sensation. They were coming in waves, surging and about 9 minutes apart. I felt an excited anticipation yet was calm, relaxed, managing my body’s surges with the breathing learnt and relaxation music.

Around 5.30am the hospital was called and wanted to know how much pain I was in, they told me to have paracetamol and call later. I was managing my body quite comfortably and decided rather than go in then I’d have a bath. Robert got up around 8am and timed my surges and discovered they were 2 minutes apart.

We went into hospital at 10am, unfortunately when checked was only 1 cm dilated, advised it was early labour and sent home. I remained calm.

When I got home I went up to bed and the surges definitely slowed down to every 20 mins and then to 1 per hour. I rested as much as possible in this time. By 6pm the surges began quite strongly and so I went back into hospital where when checked I was 2cm dilated! I stayed in for a bit and then agreed to go home at 9pm as the delivery suites were getting very busy and it was suggested I go on the ward or go home. I continued to use my sleep breathing and slow breathing for my surges, I moved around into lots of different positions to maximise comfort. I decided to put on my tens machine to help naturally.

At 8am on Sunday morning I went back in and was 3.5cm dilated! They let me stay in especially as baby was 15 days overdue at this point. By 12pm I still hadn’t progressed despite frequent surges and the midwife was keen to progress me so suggested releasing my waters. I agreed as was very very tired, wanted to see my baby and decided to put aside that part of my birth plan and have some pethedine to get some rest. Breaking my waters accelerated my surges, I was sick and then requested an epidural but continued using my breathing right up to this point.

I wanted to have an active birth on all fours but due to the epidural this was not possible so I remained calm, accepted my position and realised that I couldn’t feel my body to work with it due to the drugs but wanted to try the Birth Breathing anyway. The midwife was supportive of this but I realised that without feeling the proper motions of my surges it was hard to use the Birth Breathing properly. The midwife then told me to start pushing but it seemed that Emily’s head hadn’t turned fully so getting her out was proving long and tiring. Robert and I consented to a surgical delivery on this basis, we remained calm throughout. I was even laughing at seeing my husband in his scrubs. What was amazing was that even in theatre as I was calm I thought I’d only been pushing for 5/6 mins but it was actually 1.5 hours. Despite the sense of urgency growing from the delivery staff I remained totally relaxed and calm.

I eventually found the energy from somewhere and after two big pushes Emily emerged. I tore and had had an episiotomy but throughout everything I simply remained calm and relaxed.

Many other mums have been asking me how I feel expecting me to be in trauma about the birth due to the outcome. I however am looking forward to the next one. I truly believe that despite the fact that my birth didn’t go exactly as I would have preferred, the techniques we learned and the daily practice in my HypnoBirthing classes enabled me to cope admirably and remain calm and relaxed. We simply dealt with each step confidently and calmly. I was never frightened at any point of my labour, even of my surges or theatre.

I am in no doubt the techniques helped me and I shall use HypnoBirthing again for the next one!I would say to couples interested in birthing naturally that HypnoBirthing provides all the necessary tools to mentally and physically prepare for birth and to be free from fear at all times. I was really pleased particularly with how I managed my labour at home and how I used what I had been taught.

Samantha, mother of Emily Francesca

Birth Story of Katy Adams

We are on cloud 9 with the arrival of Yasmin Sophia Adams. She arrived after an acupuncture session to induce labour on 21st Sept 2007. I am so very grateful to you for giving Greg and I the confidence and techniques to be able to acheive a natural birth without drugs or assistence. Yasmin weighed in at 9 lbs 13 oz and arrived in 3.5 hours - a massive achievement for me to do it all with some gas and air and lots of hypnobirthing breathing which proved to be a great success.

Thanks to the natural non-assisted delivery she is free of cranial problems (something v important to me!), hence a happy baby, a good sleeper and feeder. This was the opposite to Jessica’s birth whose forceps birth gave her a lot of problems at the beginning. I am singing your praises and will always try to send people your way for a positive experience and attitude to child birth.

Birth Story of Emma & Chris Aked

Hi Vanessa, well our beautiful little girl Millie Rose made a very early appearance on the 28th February at 00:51am weighing 5" 5 oz. I guess she just wanted to make it for Mothers day :)

I’ve' only just got around to emailing now because we have been in the special care unit for the past 10 days due to her prematurity. According to the paediatricians that assessed her the original scan dates must have been out because they assessed her as only a 35 week gestation. Still confused by that - but anyway there were some concerns around blood tests etc. As you can imagine I was not happy with the unfortunate amount of intervention that was required in her first few days of life but I guess they needed to make sure she would be fit and healthy.

I therefore made sure I was in the unit every few hours providing skin to skin contact and providing expressed breast milk that was fed to her through a nose tube.

As for the birthing experience I have to say the hypnobirthing classes assisted immensely with a totally out of the blue situation and we did have a calm and controlled birth with not analgesic required at all. The midwifes couldn't believe how calm I was and that it was my first baby. I was certainly able to use all the breathing techniques and the J breathing was great for the actual birth.

My waters broke out of the blue at 6pm on the 27th February with no other warning signs, in fact I was listening to the rainbow relaxation at the time. I couldn't get hold of Chris for ages because he was in a big executive presentation in London. I also couldn't get through to mum and dad, but I remained calm. The surges came 10 mins apart and then went straight to 5 mins apart with not much warning so I ended up calling an ambulance and was taken to Frimley Park hospital. I think the ambulance men thought I was going to deliver in the back and they kept trying to offer me gas and air - which was really annoying. By the time I was at the hospital I was 7cm dilated.

Luckily I was only at the hospital a short while and Chris arrived. In total the whole labour lasted a total of 7 hours. Chris was able to apply the massage techniques and I did the breathing and we listened to the relaxing music. Due to the rapid onset of the labour and the circumstances it was difficult to get into a very relaxed space and use some of the other tools but I always felt in control and calm.

The first midwife was very intrusive and didn't wish to follow our birth plan, but the student midwife that took over was excellent and just let me and my body take the lead.

Millie arrived calmly into the world and enjoyed a feed and skin to skin contact with her mum and dad.

Thank you again the classes were invaluable and we will continue to practice relaxation techniques well into the future:)

Emma , Chris and Millie xxx

 

Birth Story of Kelly Flockton

Milly Ann, born Monday 6th November 2006 at 6.31pm, weighing 8lb 9oz.

“I woke up on my due date morning of 5th with a feeling like my old period sensation. The feeling was mild and intermittent so I went back to bed for a while, got comfortable, chilled out practising my relaxation exercises for the rest of the day, sleeping and listening to the Hypnobirthing CD. An instinct inside me told me to rest and relax as I knew something was going to happen soon for the birth of our baby.

At 2am on the 6th I realised that these feelings that felt like the sensations of having a period were coming regularly, around every 6/7 minutes although my waters had not released at this point so I just continued watching TV, timing my surges, listening to my birthing affirmations CD and using my slow breathing when I wanted to maximise each surge.

Around 5am my surges were 4/5 mins apart and I rang the Royal Berkshire Hospital. I woke Robert & went in, after an assessment I was advised that I was 2cm’s dilated. The midwives recommended I return home had a bath & relaxed, which I did whilst continuing with my relaxation welcoming each surge. The only indication Robert had that I was surging was when I closed my eyes and used my breathing techniques as I had been taught in class. The surges came closer to 3 mins apart and as I knew instinctively everything was ok, I continued resting and using my breathing throughout the morning. Vanessa, my HypnoBirthing Practitioner rang by chance and spent a little while talking me through my breathing and shortly after I rang the hospital as my surges had moved to 2 mins apart - they seemed to believe I knew what I was doing (which I did) & just said "see you soon then"! We arived at the hospital at 12.30pm. Robert made sure I was settled in the Delivery Room (5), then rang my mum and asked her to come as she had been my birthing companion in class.

The midwives were very welcoming and supportive of my wanting to have a natural birth. I had another assessment and was 6cm dilated. Everything felt comfortable and right, I continued with my breathing, everything was very peaceful, mum and I didn’t need to speak very much as I was just managing nicely closing my eyes and working with my body as it surged. The midwives were very impressed at this, being my first baby, how peaceful everything was. I lost track of time really at that point and things progressed more fully, my surges continuing..

At just before 4pm I felt something weird happen - my waters released naturally. I then felt the need to just turn & lay on my side, my body made a great downward surge that I was ready to push. I told the midwife & she asked if I was sure & I really was. I was checked again & I was now 9.5cm. I followed my body and shifted to kneel up and lean on the back of the bed and with my first big urge, began breathing my baby firmly into the world. I had no sensation of pain at all. I focussed inside, following my body as I was bearing down and breathing through each large sensation, these were reassuring me as I knew I was about to meet my baby. In between each large urge that I had to bear down I rested for a few minutes, my mum would give me ice, while rubbing the bottom of my back. Then I felt a really heavy feeling down below, another large urge to bear down, a burning sensation that then went numb and then Milly’s head came out, rested for a few minutes, then another great downward sensation and I breathed down and out came Milly.

The Midwives immediately put her on my back and then to my side to give me time to turn around. The whole 2nd stage was only 1 hour and although I did tear a bit and needed some stitches everything felt so normal, Milly’s apgar score was a perfect 10. The midwives were amazed because there was no strain, no noise, no fuss and I had barely even broken a sweat! Both Milly’s & my pulse & BP remained as it was in the early stage of labour because we were both relaxed. Turns out we were the talk of the ward because of how simple and effective this method of birthing really is. I kept calm and remained in control and fully alert throughout the entire birth and actually really enjoyed the whole thing. The midwives, were pleased as they could just simply let me get on. My birth in total was 11 hours in established labour including 1 hour for 2nd stage.

All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better first birth. It was a great experience and Milly is perfect. Her features are perfect, she is a very relaxed easy baby, very content and alert.

To any mum thinking about using HypnoBirthing if they have not used it before I would simply say “DO IT!”. The techniques are simple, practical and most of all THEY WORK. I do believe the work in class to prepare the mind and body for birth was essential to our success.

Kelly Flockton