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Some people feel that you can't plan for birth and in one way they are right. Birth plans can need to be put one side as babies, blood pressure and contractions do not play ball. However if you have prepared using hypnobirthing you will be in the best possible place to handle what ever comes up.
I thought I would share Kate's induction story with you to show how hypnobirthing helps even when things don't go according to plan.
1. How did you feel about birth before starting the Embrace Bump to Baby course?
I did an NCT course too, so I knew about the "process" and importance of oxytocin and relaxation, but had no idea about how to achieve this relaxation. I was also feeling a bit apprehensive about the pain, and rather terrified that something would go horribly wrong.
2. Why did you decide to learn about hypnobirthing?
Because hypnosis really helped to calm me during 4 stressful years of trying to conceive. I also thought it would be a great tool for connecting with my bump.
3. Why did you decide to do the Embrace Bump to Baby course in particular?
I worked with you during my fertility treatments and you know that pregnancy following infertility can be wrought with fear as well as gratitude. I like your informal, understanding attitude and the way you bring together various tools in your course.
4. How did your partner feel about birth before the course?
He was nervous that something might go wrong... And that he couldn't help me, he'd just have to watch me in pain and be unable to help. He didn't like the thought of being useless.
5. Did he participate and did it change how he felt?
He participated in some of it. He particularly enjoyed being made to feel useful with his physical and emotional to do lists! He ended up doing so much to support me during my labour, thanks to the list of things I'd like to hear him say and, perhaps more importantly - what not to say!
6. How much practice did you do? I.e. did you do the homework tasks? How often did you listen to the MP3s?
Probably not as much as I should have done, but the closer I got to my due date, I found myself "needing" the relaxation MP3s in particular as my anxiety tried to creep in. I knew how to recognise it and that I needed to act upon it. I followed your exercises of reading positive birth stories and trying to focus on them. I did all the exercises, but repeated them if I needed them again.
7. How did your feelings about birth change during the course?
I felt I could take control of myself during labour, I felt more confident that there was no reason why anything should go wrong, that it was more likely to go right. This helped quell a lot of anxiety.
8. Tell me your baby's birth story in as much detail as you like.
I was induced at 38 weeks due to gestational diabetes. My baby was clearly not ready to come out as none of the pessaries or sweeps did anything. I spent 2 days on an induction ward watching people come and go, but I kept remembering that every minute that went by was a minute closer to meeting my baby. My doctors were keen to avoid a c section due to previous abdominal surgery. They managed to break my waters and so we were moved to the delivery suite. My partner made the room so beautiful with fairy lights and lovely music (thank you for the suggestion to build a nest, we really did), so much so that every midwife on the ward wanted to come in and see!
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