Birth Stories & Our Hypno-Baby Gallery
Jonny & Jo
I wanted to let you know our new son arrived a week early - at 4.55am on Sunday 5 December. I've attached a pic - he really is lovely. I had a great birth; my waters broke about 6pm Saturday and surges started around 9pm. I breathed through every surge so well that I didn't even realise I was almost fully dilated when I arrived at Worthing; I was really calm and didn't actually find the pain too bad. The midwives were really impressed :-) I went into the birthing pool at around 1am and stayed very focussed and it was really straight forward. Had some gas and air around 3am and then began final stage at 4...my contractions failed me a little towards the end and he wasn't budging so they got me out of the water, gave me an tiny episiotomy and he slipped out! It was an intense experience, but I wasn't afraid and I didn't feel the need for any pain relief beyond a bit of gas and air. Jonny was amazingly supportive throughout, the midwife was great and the post care in the ward also brilliant. I feel absolutely fine and fully recovered already. Our time at home before the hospital, with the meditations and visualisations was as much a part of the experience as being in hospital. It was a wonderful life changing moment, and he is gorgeous! Out of everything we did during pregnancy, our investment in you, and hypnobirthing was the best decision we ever made and we want to thank you so very much. I would never have had such a great birth if it hadn't been for hypnobirthing techniques. If I can ever recommend or endorse you, please let me know.
Thanks and all best wishes, Jo xx
Lucie, Chris & Elsie
Thought I'd drop you a quick email as our bundle of joy has arrived! She decided to appear 3 weeks and one day early! I thought you might like to hear about the birth so that you can share our experience..... My waters broke at 1am and because she was a day under 37 weeks we were told to go straight to hospital but no need to rush. I had a shower and we got the bag ready and got to hospital about 2.30am. We were really calm laughing and joking although I felt the surges were really strong for stage one - tried to just relax and put out of my mind as knew it was going to crank up over long period. Once in hospital I still felt ok with strong surges so they examined me and said I was fully dilated and she was already moving into vagina! The birthing phase took quite a while, think I was trying to breathe and relax but in the end did have to do some pushing as they were threatening to speed things up as my contractions were slowing down. The whole time had my hypno stuff on ipod, mainly the classical music I had been relaxing to and had affirmations in final half hour or so with Cris helping with some massage (he was amazing!) - feel very empowered by whole thing - not even any gas and air!! We came home next day and touch wood so far she seems very calm and happy - lets hope it lasts! Beforehand I was practicing rainbow relaxation about 2 or 3 times a week (which I didn’t listen too but def thought about when I was in labour) and listening to affirmations every day. Also sat on my ball for at least half an hour a day leading up to labour. I had about 10 chilled tracks which I listened to a lot and used in labour. Elise seems to like them now! I had 3 positions in labour (not too easy with monitor on) - left side, kneeling leaning on bed (remember you demonstrating!) and delivered standing up! I thought gravity would be the final thing to help and did thank god! Also did some perineal massage but only for a week really and pelvic floors and core exercises (pulling tummy in) every day for whole of preg - can already feel both sets of muscles coming back a bit. Also, I exercised almost every day when I was preg which I think helped too (was on cross trainer day before!) - they said the placenta was very big and healthy!
Thank you so much for doing such an amazing job with us - we would recommend hypnobirthing to anyone (and Cris was VERY sceptical beforehand!) - I was terrified of labour when I found out I was pregnant and always thought I would demand a caesarean! Birth was overall really positive and feel like I will recover fairly quickly - went to a baby shower when she was 2 days old and we have got out every day even though under-carriage and boobies still sore, certainly not unbearable. Thanks again for everything - we couldn't have really asked for more and am sure its because we had such a wonderful teacher! We are a very happy family. Feel free to get in touch if you need any more positive feedback - more than happy to provide. Thanks again - might see you again for the next one :) And will tell my friends!
Lots of Love Lucie and Cris
Jessica, Duncan & Ben
I just wanted to let you know of the happy arrival of Benjamin Huxley Worrall on Saturday (18th Dec) weighingi n at 8lb 5oz, and to let you know of hypnobirthing's role in his successful and peaceful arrival into the world.
I had a pretty lucky pregnancy with very few aches and pains especially after finishing work a month before my due date. We finally got the house decorated and furnished with about 5 days to spare before my due date.
The due date came and went but the following day at 4am I awoke to tummy cramps and diarrhoea, but then my tummy didn't settle afterwards and the contractions (i never minded that word so will use it instead of surges) then kicked in thick and fast - every 2-3 mins from the start. i managed to breathe and visualise my way through the whole process, and used the birthing pool at pembury hospital from when we got there at 9.30am until ben was born at 4pm. i didn't need any pain killers (i did try gas and air but it didn't do anything except make me feel a bit nauseous) and found i got into a trance (between contractions) which i have no recollection of - just remember coming round when each contraction started when i employed deep long breathing techniques to see me through each one. we used the hypnobirthing rainbow visualisation cd for a few hours which really lulled me to another place. i did some simple chants in my head and also reminded myself of the women i looked after in nepal when i worked out there, all of whom gave birth at home with no assistance and probably no nice warm pool to immerse themselves in. for some reason this really resonated - maybe because childbirth is so universally levelling.
The experience was utterly magical and i'm sure ben is a happier boy for having entered the world in a more peaceful and less drugged up state than others. I didn't tear and have no aches and pains now which i put down to the water mostly but being calm helped i hope!
So thank you so much for your part in preparing me for the birth. i practiced hard and will continue to gain a lot from the techniques i learnt on your course.
Do let me know if you want more of a 'testimonial' style write up of events for your records, more than happy to if is helpful for you.
Love Jess, Duncan and Ben x x x
Mr Otto Rafael Whitby.
Born punctually on his due date, 1st June, calmly and 100% naturally at home in our new flat in Hove. 7lb, 8oz.
Thanks for guiding us through the Hypno Birthing course.
A synopsis;
I had a show and contractions (mild but 3 mins appart) began on the stroke of midnight on his due date. I stayed in bed till 5.30 am then moved to the mattress we had set up in the living room. A midwife arrived at 8am by which time I was 7cm dilated already. Thought of moving to Crowborough was daft at this stage. Hypno cd on repeat. At 10am she suggested I get in the bath - stayed there for 2 hours, Ali tirelessly pouring soothing water over me as the bath too shallow for complete submersion. Deep breathing essential for getting through surges - 4 was enough. Shortly after 12 noon I was fully dilated and began birth breathing as surges became more intense. Changed position a lot. At 2.30pm I was encouraged to push more forcefully rather than breathe my energy out. This seemed to work and baby descended quickly. He emerged at 3pm. Stinging sensation for 2 surges, but no ripping and there he was! Head and body all came out in one push I think.
Midwives were great - very respectful of our birth plan and calm atmosphere in our flat and didn't hurry us for cord cutting or placental delivery.
Ali and I both had a very positive experience. Thank you for your contribution to that.
Otto is calm and peaceful most of the time, and very alert. He's feeding well and is already 8lb 13oz just 2 weeks later.
HypnoBirthing gave me many tools to call upon when the time came, and a better education than a majority of most birthing mothers.
All the best with future couples.
best regards
Thea and Ali and Otto
Carla, Nick & Alana
Just to let you know about the late (2 weeks 2 days over her guess date!) arrival of little miss Alana. Born 22.17 on 23rd October weighing 6lb 3.5oz. Just to remind you, we were planning a home water birth with an independent midwife - which is just what we had.
My active labour took only 6 hours with no pain relief. My midwife and the student who came to watch said they had never seen a birth like it. Nick was an amazing support - giving me affirmations, relaxation touches, massage and all I needed. He was amazed I breathed through all the surges and is so glad he was able to see his daughter born at home in such a wonderful, natural way. I really feel the hypnobirthing course and practice we did at home made this all the more possible. Had I not been able to stay positive about a 'late' baby and known I could cope with the whole birth process it may have been so different.
My surges started Wednesday night at midnight, one an hour until 8am, which I breathed through and slept in between. My midwife did a sweep the next day, due to the lateness of the little lady, and found I was 3-4 cm dilated and 50% effaced, so half way there! We checked on Alana's progress at hospital, as she was now over 42 weeks, and although the monitoring was fine they advised a scan the next day to check her fluid levels.
Early hours of Friday morning my surges resumed at about 1.30am, every 10 mins until 8.30am. I kind of slept in between and breathed through them, but felt a little disheartened when they stopped as I thought my baby would be along soon! Luckily my midwife came to do another sweep and found I was now 5-6cm dilated with Alana's head firmly in place and ready to go.
I went for my hospital scan, to be told her liquor levels were low, my waters should be broken and she was a huge baby (they said well over 9lbs!). I am glad I had been using relaxation and remained calm, as this was just more NHS scaremongering! My midwife attempted to break my waters several times but, as the membranes were so stretched over Alana's deeply engaged head, they did not break and she was born with a very scratched little head!
Instead my midwife advised me to go for a walk and keep upright/forward/open. My surges started in earnest straight after my walk, every few minutes for longer periods, I breathed through them, bounced on my birth ball, then hoovered and eventually got into my pool. When the more serious business of birthing my baby came it was a very different sensation, lots of pressure. I breathed/grunted/pushed, then the midwife said her heart rate was dropping and she had to come out NOW. I don't know where the last surge came from, but I stood up out of the pool and Alana was out in less than 2 minutes.
We sat together in the pool and I couldn't believe how precious she was. I was hoping to breast feed while we had our skin to skin, but as she had a tongue tie we haven't been able to manage it yet. My husband, Nick, was over the moon with her arrival and took her next while I thought about the placenta. I stayed in the pool, text my friends with her arrival, ate a yoghurt to regain my strength, did a visualisation then with one deep breath I birthed the placenta.
Many thanks for sending on the CD, I needed total silence for my birth in the end but baby Alana likes it very much! More importantly thanks for the course and the tools to make our home birth just what we wanted. I think our experience proves natural is the way to go.
Thanks again,
Carla, Nick and Alana
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Clare, Greg & Felix (St. Leonards)
My membranes released Sunday evening at 20.30 after I had been practicing my relaxation exercises. I'd been in the bath for some time listening to my tropical waves music and visualising being on the beach in St Lucia. There were no obvious signs that labour was imminent but as soon as I got out of the bath my membranes released. Strangely Greg had always thought labour would start on the 7th June as it was a full moon and he was right.
My surges didn't start straight away so we were advised to visit the Conquest Hospital for a routine check. My surges started at 21.30 and everything was going very well with my breathing exercises. We left the hospital at 23..30 with the intention of going home to rest before heading to Crowborough. When we got home my surges were 7 - 9 minutes apart but within 30 minutes of being at home my surges suddenly increased to being 3 minutes apart.
I felt really in tune with my body and let Greg know that I thought things were progressing quickly. We phoned Crowborough and they advised we head back to the Conquest for an examination but I'm pretty sure they thought we had a long way to go yet and would be heading home again.
We arrived back at the Conquest at 01:30. My surges were very strong but I used the deep breathing exercises and found them all manageable. After some monitoring the midwife was very surprised to find I was fully dilated so was ready to use birth breathing. Once we'd got the go ahead to start birth breathing I felt much better as I felt I could start the whole birthing process. I used birth breathing successfully but the midwife did request that I gave some pushes to aid getting the baby's head to turn the corner. Within 45 minutes of using birth breathing and some pushing Felix Indiana Duke was born at 04:25 perfectly healthy and weighing 7 lbs 7 ounces.
Although we never made it to Crowborough the birth was everything I had dreamed of. The midwife at the Conquest was very supportive of our wishes and made the whole experience relaxing and as natural as possible. I didn't have any pain relief so felt like I was in complete control at all times. We didn't really have time to do any light tough massage but we used the breathing exercises throughout the whole labour. Greg was really fantastic at reminding me about relaxing my jaw and helping me with my breathing.
Felix is a very contented baby and I truly believe this is because he had a smooth birth free of intervention and stress. He sleeps and feeds well so we couldn't ask for anymore. The midwives at the hospital were all amazed at how quick and easy my labour was for a first time mum and our midwife Tracy who was present at the labour said it was her favourite birth so far which was truly lovely to hear.
I didn't require any stiches which was fantastic and was probably down to me being relaxed and having practised perineal massage. I felt great after the delivery and still feel on a high now.
Thank you so much Rue for your guidance and support. Hypnobirthing made my pregnancy and labour a truly enjoyable experience and I will be recommending it to all pregnant women that I meet. It's nice to be able to tell people that labour can be an enjoyable experience if you let go and don't fear it.
Thank you again.
I hope you have lots more candidates for your courses and we will of course be spreading the word.
Maybe you'll see us for a refresher lesson when we have a 2nd!!!!"
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eventually went to the hospital at about 7pm as they were only about 2 minutes apart and very strong by then (we had been to the hospital earlier in the day to check all was well and went home to relax etc). The surges kept getting more intense and I used many of the techniques which we had learnt and been practising. Everything was going well but as it got later and later,when cervix was 10cm open, I really felt as though I needed something to help me cope so about 1.30am I had some gas and air which helped me over the last bit... I was already in the birthing pool. Olivia joined us at 2.35am and went straight up onto me and started feeding very soon.. So it nearly all went to plan and I am very happy that I only needed the minimum gas and air at the end.. Olivia is very big though 4.025kg or 8lb 14oz birth weight!!!Both midwives said that we did very well considering her size and mine.I also have a few stitches,but they said it could be much much worse.Thankyou for all your help and support. Olivia is a very calm, and relaxed baby. I know that without hypnobirthing I would have had a much tougher time.
thank you again,
Katka&olivia&david
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"[the best aspects of the course were] that birth can be a possitive experience. Both Rue and Sue facilitated the material really well. They came accross with real warmth and gave great examples/stories to make it come to life. We both found it really relaxing."
Leslie & Richard TW
*****
Delia R - Brighton
*****
"John was fantastic as my birth partner and when the midwife came to our house I was already 7cm dilated; she sat in the hallway and basically let John and me get on with it. John helped me concentrate on my breathing and let my body relax. There was such a difference in feeling on the surges that I tensed up on ....... HypnoBirting gave me a really postive experience, so thank you for all your help"
Anna C. Brighton
*****
“I was most impressed with how comfortable Sue made both me and my partner feel from the moment we started our first session.
I am very thankful that I undertook the HypnoBirthing sessions as I had the birth I had hoped for with minimal effort on the day.”
Claire C - Hove
*****
" I can't imagine how anyone gives birth without it! HypnoBirthing kept me feeling calm and in control throughout labour. The contractions were no problem at all.
I knew what to do and what to think. It gave me a better understanding of the physical and psychological aspects of childbirth. It also gave me greater confidence in myself and in my partner to work as a team, as I knew that we had the tools to ensure a safe and calm birth.
This meant that I avoided the use of pain-killing chemicals. I believe in myself (mind and body) a lot more now, and feel that perhaps there's even more I can achieve if I only put my mind to it.
I would advise every mother-to-be and her partner to try HypnoBirthing even if they intend to use drugs.
Kerry Woodcock,
*****
"I've never felt so well prepared for anything in my life! I went into labour, totally fearless. HypnoBirthing was a huge, huge, huge help.
It was amazing and the birth would not have been half as fulfilling without it. I now have a new understanding of what my mind and body is capable of and know that childbirth can be a very, very positive experience. It was phenomenal. Even the midwife said: "I've never seen anyone deliver like that!"
I'm so pleased that I was able to have the birth I wanted, and do it my way. People have commented that they've never seen me looking so well. I have let go of a lot of anxieties and the baby is so relaxed too because my response is much calmer. I'm so pleased I found you. Thank you!"
Mary,
As a midwife, I feel it is unethical for me not to inform my clients of the benefits of HypnoBirthing.
I strongly support HypnoBirthing, having attended a workshop and supporting several women who have employed HypnoBirthing and shown immense coping strategies and strength.
HypnoBirthing is not only invaluable in increasing the likelihood of having a natural birth, but also supporting women through antenatal discomfort and when births do not go according to plan.
HypnoBirthing is also beneficial for birth partners, in particular fathers, as it provides them with a practical role during the labour and birth and enables them to remain calm, informed and in tune with the birth process.
Natalie, independent midwife