I was really nervous about giving birth for the first time, panicked by many a horror story that other parents felt the need to tell me whilst I was pregnant. I then decided to do a hypnobirthing course to try to calm my nerves and help me make sense of the process. For me, the explanation of how our bodies give birth was the most reassuring information I could have been given. After learning about the biology behind birth I felt absolutely capable of this huge feat of human endurance, I had this.
By the time I was a few weeks away from welcoming our son into the world, I was eager to experience birth, however it came. Listening to the relaxing guides from earlier in the pregnancy meant that my head was full of positive affirmations and complete belief in myself. It also helped to calm any anxiety that would creep into my thoughts. When the sensations (contractions) started they were a little stronger than period pains but felt completely manageable. I took several baths in the early stages of labour (I love water) and put the hypnobirthing recordings on to 'get into the zone'. This was brilliant because as the labour intensified, I didn't feel the need to listen to them more, just my relaxing playlist I had made, because I had the affirmations in my head and was able to pool all of my energy and focus onto be 'within' myself.
When at the birth centre and in the pool the midwife remarked to my husband that I looked like I was on holiday relaxing in the water, I truly did feel calm and focused. I wont lie, the end of the labour was intense and pain was felt, but by reminding myself that the sensations I was feeling was getting the baby out meant that I was able to remain calm, centered and not panicked.
Although I realise I was extremely fortunate that my birth went 'as planned' without intervention, I know lots of women who have found that using the hypnobirthing techniques provided through many different types of birth has made a huge difference to the worry, panic and anxiety they felt, as well as reducing pain.
I would highly recommend hypnobirthing to all pregnant ladies and you'll be in great hands with the very calm Hannah at Reframing Birth Hypnobirthing.
Thank you Tillie for sharing your story! If you would like to find out more and book a course with Reframing Birth, you can contact me here.
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Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Hannah x