Categories
Archive
01 Jun 2023
Our calm second birth.
My birth story starts on 22nd April at 36 weeks pregnant when Anna came into our house for a hypnobirthing refresher session with my husband and I.
We had attended a hypnobirthing course previously three and a half years ago and I believe that through the techniques I learnt the birth was quick and pain free. But this time I needed support with not only how to approach the birth but also how to mentally tackle the remaining weeks of my pregnancy as I was struggling to accept that there was going to be a baby at the end of it all as I was not allowing myself to prepare or fully enjoy my pregnancy as we had previously suffered heartache.
By Anna talking to us about positive affirmations and techniques to switch my mind set I immediately started to believe and understood that I needed to be calm and positive in these remaining weeks of pregnancy. One affirmation I particularly honed in on was ‘I control what I can and let go of what I can’t’ I wrote this on cards and displayed in the kitchen and bathroom; places that were explicit to me seeing them and to encourage me to say them out loud when I saw them.
Leading on from our refresher session my husband and I would listen to the mp3s that Anna sent us. I had a little routine that every evening I would massage my bump, spray a familiar scent in my bedroom (the same one I sprayed when I delivered my daughter 3 years ago) then get comfy in bed and listen to a positive recording.. I would practice my breathing techniques which allowed me to switch off and to really tune into my baby and have that bonding time together with baby and my husband. This was something Anna said I needed to allow myself to do and by following her relaxation recommendations I started to look forward to the evenings when it was just the 3 of us.
As my due date approached the word induction was mentioned several times. From reading various research I was aware that this was something I didn’t want to engage in unless my baby or I were at risk. From having informative discussions with Anna, I realised it was my body and I was in control. I also reminded myself of my affirmation ‘ I control what I can and let go of what I can’t’ this gave me the strength and the power to inform my midwife in a clear way that I was not willing to follow her guidance at this point (recommended induction and 40+5) as I was listening to my body. Again, feeling this power and control with my body allowed me to believe that I understood my body and knew what was best for my baby.
I mention all of the birth as I don’t really feel I have much of a birth story as it was very quick… 3 hours from my waters breaking and to baby girl arriving. But I believe that it was due to the positive affirmation that I firmly believed in, the fact that I understood my body and had confidence with that and the previous work I had done with my breathing and listening to the mp3s that all contributed to my quick and pain free labour and the informed choices I made within those 3 hours.
My waters broke at 40+4 at 4.20am, the night before I had been for my ‘usual’ half an hour swim and also had a pregnancy massage as I was aware that as the days went on I wanted to be as stress free as possible and continue to participate in the activities I enjoyed. Again, all advice from Anna.
When my waters broke this was the first sign I knew that my labour had started. I immediately called Worcester royal as the last time this happened my daughter arrived within 2 hours! I remained calm but politely informed them that as my waters had broken I was on my way. The midwife was polite but surprised that I was making the journey as I hadn’t experienced contractions at this point or any pain. I said that I knew what was happening as I had experienced this before. After waking my husband and arranging childcare we set off for the hospital. At this point I was having mild tightening contractions and breathed my way through it.
After being assessed I was informed that at 5.30am I was 5cms dilated and that baby was arriving today, I was thrilled! That elation suddenly turned to disappointment when I was informed that baby had done a pooh in my waters. Immediately I said “that means no water birth and no access to meadow birthing centre” which was my preferred choice of birthing centre. However the disappointment didn’t hang around for long as I remembered that I needed to remain calm and focussed as my contractions would slow down and my affirmation was firmly at the front of my mind ‘I control what I can and let go of what I can’t…
I walked to the birthing suite and the lovely midwife apologised it wasn’t the meadow suite but to make the room into ours and to do what we needed to do to make it as comfortable for us. My husband went to collect my items from the car and arrived with my birthing playlist and the familiar smell which he quickly sprayed around the room. The whole time I remained calm and quiet whilst I was at ease with my thoughts and breathing. I turned down any pain relief as I honestly felt I could ride out the waves as they felt manageable, I expected them to get worse as time went on.
However, an hour after settling into the room I said I needed to stand up as I wanted to push. I leant on a chair whilst being in squat position and delivered our baby girl within 20 minutes of saying I wanted to push. Within that time my husband was breathing with me and reassuring me I was doing all the right things. It was such a special moment when he told me “we have another girl”
I felt so calm and at ease throughout the whole process thanks to the previous 4 weeks of preparation I had done due to Anna’s recommendations and guidance. That is why I believe my birth story started on 22 April and not on the 1st June.
Lucy and David - Stourbridge