Vicky tells her story - The Birth of Charlie

I decided to try hypnobirthing before I was even pregnant as I have always been totally terrified of giving birth and thought it would be worth a try. I've never been good with any type of pain but finally the yearning to have a baby had overturned the fear. I found Juliet to be really friendly and felt so comfortable chatting with her about our worries and hopes. It was so relaxing that she came to our home and we were not in an unfamiliar room with a load of couples we had never met.

We first met Juliet when I was about 5 months pregnant. After that I had listened to the first CD she had given me a few times a week and found it to be really relaxing. I also tried to do the other exercises as often as I could and whenever I thought about it. Every time I listened to the CD I had a feeling that I could cope with anything – no matter what terrifying thoughts may have entered my head that day!

On the day I turned 38 weeks I pulled out the second CD and began listening to that. Around the same time I noticed that I was getting occasional period type pains but only a couple a day. I told the midwife when I was 38+1 and she said it sounded like my body was getting ready and also told me the head was starting to engage!

The following day (38+2) was my last day a work before beginning maternity leave. I realised by lunchtime that day that I was having several brief period "pains" but laughed it off with my colleagues that I was not going to make it through my last day. I did make it though – even though the "pains" became more and more regular. I was torn between excitement and fear – but pretty much assumed this was a practice run as they never got closer than about 20 minutes apart and weren't painful at all.

On the next day (38+3) they continued all day getting closer to 10 minutes apart. Then I got the fear – I decided in my head that I wasn't ready to become a mummy quite yet. (I had always expected to be late being my first.) Surely enough, my body slowed down and the ripples became further apart throughout the day.

On the following day (38+4) I became all excited again that I might be getting to meet my baby soon and decided to try and speed things up again. I listened to my hypnosis CD and burned Clary Sage in my oil burner. Surely enough every time I imagined the rippling lake a ripple would happen. As it got to the night my contractions got as close together as 5 minutes apart but then I got the fear again and was too frightened to call the hospital. During the night the ripples slowed down again to about 15 minutes apart.

I called the hospital in the morning (38+5) to say what had happened that night and they told me the "contractions" must be consistently 3 minutes apart before I come in but they were sure it wouldn't be long now. I was half relieved I didn't need to go yet but also a little tired from having ripples all night. After a rest in the morning I tried speeding things up in the afternoon and surely again the ripples got to 5 minutes apart by the night time but again I got the fear and everything slowed down again by morning. On the next day (38+6) I decided I was going to take a rest from thinking about going to hospital. I watched TV and snuggled in my duvet all day and everything slowed right down. The ripples never fully stopped but were about 40 minutes apart.

Again the next day (39 weeks) I decided to take a break from trying to bring it on however the ripples were much more painful than before and in my back. I hadn't found them to be too uncomfortable up to this point but I decided to take paracetemol this day to try and help with the feeling and my mum kindly came and visited and massaged my back for me. Again they were never more than half an hour apart.

On day 39+1 – it was the 1st of December. My sister-in-law wanted me to have the baby this day as it would be the same number of days early as it was for her first baby. She came to visit me and decided to try and bring the labour on. She brought her baby for me to cuddle and we went for a long walk and I ate pineapple. Everything seemed to have pretty much stopped at this point and I felt so exhausted physically (from very little sleep) and mentally (from all the emotional ups and downs of the week). I decided to visit my acupuncturist that afternoon to see what she thought. She thought I didn't seem mentally ready even if my baby and my body was, so she decided not to treat me to bring on the labour but instead to relax me mentally and emotionally. After visiting her I felt a new lease of excitement and energy and decided to give the hypnosis and Clary sage another go. That evening the ripples got to about 4 minutes apart and again were painful in my back and I felt like the baby's head was pressing really low and I felt like I sort of wanted to push (although not overwhelmingly). I felt ready to go now so called the hospital. When I phoned they again told me they need to get a bit closer before I go in. I called again a little while later to ask about the back pain but they said that was normal. A little later again I had some blood and panicked so called the hospital again and they told me it was totally normal and to call again when the contractions were closer together. Unfortunately they didn't get closer than 4 minutes all night so after a night of no sleep I felt in a bit of despair by the morning (39+2). My mum came and visited me that morning and called my community midwife to check on me – which she did. Firstly she told me that I was unfortunately having a very long first part of labour but offered to send me to hospital to have Pethadine to let me get some rest. I was not keen on having any type of pain relief but at this point the idea of some sleep was very appealing. She then offered to examine me and see if I was getting anywhere. When she examined me she couldn't believe it but told me I was already 7cm dilated and had been doing really well to get this far at home by myself.

I felt another surge of excitement and energy and rushed around to get ready to finally go to the hospital. Suddenly all fear had left me and I couldn't wait to meet my baby.

At the hospital I went to an active birthing room which didn't feel like a hospital at all. I had put on my birth plan that I wanted to be left on my own with my partner as much as possible and that I didn't want to be examined too often. They really followed my birth plan to a tee! At first as we were left for a few hours on our own. Luckily the pain in my back had stopped and I was still having ripples – only every 10-15 minutes though. I expect on some level it was the nervousness of being in the hospital. I actually kind of wished I hadn't asked to be left alone as I wanted to know what was happening. After 3 hours my midwife came and visited me and examined me. She told me I was still 7cm but she could feel a bag of waters right in front of the baby's head. She said that if she was to break the waters the baby's head would be able to press down further to help open my cervix more. I didn't hesitate in responding. I was ready now. She broke the water and we headed for the birthing pool. The birthing pool room was dimly lit and I forgot I was in a hospital at all it was so relaxing! I played the second CD while I was in the pool and the ripples got really close together. I found the CD really relaxing and it reminded me to keep relaxing and let my body do what it's meant to. I felt it was much easier to cope with the ripples if I relaxed – as soon as I tensed but and resisted them they were much more uncomfortable. Even at this point in the pool I knew I must be moving on I wouldn't have described the feeling as pain (apart from maybe period pains – but not even much worse than period pains I had experienced). The only thing I felt was difficult was that there was very little time between ripples so no time to relax – plus I was exhausted from no sleep. After a couple of hours in the pool I decided I didn't want to stay in the pool. It was too warm for me as I was getting hot from the ripples and I couldn't get into a more upright position that I felt I needed to be in.

We moved back to the first room to free up the birthing pool for someone else. After a few contractions I said I really wanted to push. The midwife told me to resist pushing as when it's time I won't be able to say I want to my body will just do it. I couldn't tell if I was pushing or if it was my body so she offered to examine me again. I was keen to find out so she looked and told me I was 10cm and I could push if I wanted to. She explained that I need to give 3 pushes for each contraction and not to make a noise just focus on the pushing. It took a few of contractions to get the hang of it but it was brilliant advice. The only position I felt comfortable in was standing up and squatting for each push. Luckily there was a pole attached to the wall for this very purpose to help support. By now I was really ready to meet my baby and I forgot all about how tired I was. I pushed with everything I could each contraction and very soon after starting I could feel the head pushing right down. As I stood back up I feel the head go back inside so from there on I stayed squatting to stop the head going back up. I pushed a few more times and I felt the burning sensation of the head crowning which surprised me how quick it had happened so I stopped pushing when I felt it. This was the only point I thought I need pain relief now as this is going to hurt – but I knew it was far too late for that! Next push I decided to just go for it as I have to do this bit – there is no turning back and no point delaying it. I pushed really hard and to my surprise the head popped out. There seemed to be a bit longer before the next contraction. The midwife encouraged me to push but I knew it wasn't time. I waited until the next contraction started and gave a big push and in a few seconds my baby boy was out. Unfortunately I didn't get to hold him straight away as the cord was round his neck but my husband held him while the midwife unravelled the cord and he quickly breathed after that and I got to have skin to skin contact and he latched on by himself straight away.

Even though I decided to have my baby at hospital I found the midwives to be really supportive and the atmosphere was so homely. The midwives were really pleased to see that I had hypnobirthing sessions and did really well to use the terminology, and totally stuck to my birth plan!

Even though my story sounds like a long ordeal I really think it shows how your mind can have such an influence over your body. Every time I used the hypnobirthing techniques they sped up my labour and every time I decided I wasn't ready and stopped using them I slowed down. Also a lot of the course was about understanding what is happening to your body during labour and being of the right attitude. From when I got to the hospital to giving birth I managed to have no pain relief all because of the things I learned from the hypnobirthing course. I definitely understand how people can describe their labour as pain-free however as Juliet explained from the start "pain-free" doesn't mean you don't feel anything. You feel your body working to push your baby out and it isn't the most comfortable feeling – but it doesn't have to be painful!

Saturday 8th October Walked into Farnham to have lunch for a friend's birthday, when I arrived at the pub I realised I had lost some of my mucus plug. I then walked home from the pub (approx 1.5 miles each way) and noticed I had lost a little bit more.

Sunday 9th October Went to my Aunt and Uncle's for the day. Whilst there we took the dog for a (approx) 2hr walk which involved climbing over stiles! Again I lost more of the mucus plug throughout the day. I then Woke up in the night and was awake for 3hrs with period pains that lasted approx 30-45 seconds every 13 minutes. I fell back to sleep and woke up in the morning to nothing.

Monday 10th October When I woke up I had what seemed like a trickling of water but realised it was probably just more of the mucus plug. I decided to continue with my normal routine so went swimming and swam just over one kilometre. I then had to go to court as we had taken our plumber to court and the date was today, the hearing lasted just two minutes. I then went and bought the plastic sheeting we needed and – most unlike me – a large bag of malteasers! I think I knew something was going to happen as when I arrived home all I wanted to do was sit on my pregnancy ball and sniff clary sage! I also wanted to walk so when Matt arrived home went for short walk to the post office (I was conscious of not going too far!)

At 8pm we were sat watching Eastenders & I started to get the period pains again. I had three period pains that lasted about 30 seconds within 45 minutes, at 9pm we decided to go to bed and watch TV. I did however take a look around the lounge and realise there was just one thing I didn't think I would be able to do if I was in labour and that was move the trunk we have as a coffee table, so I asked Matt if we could move it then. Again I think I knew something was going to happen. The crampings continued when I got to bed. At 10pm I decided to go to sleep but the crampings intensified. At 11pm I became quite uncomfortable with back pain so was in and out of the bathroom. I listened to my hypnobirth CD and used some techniques that helped me to deal with and alleviate the back pain allowing me to fall back to sleep for about an hour. When I awoke the back pain had returned so I was again in and out of the bathroom – for some reason sitting on the toilet helped me to feel more comfortable. At 3am I felt as though I wasn't coping very well, being a Hypnobirthing practitioner I had it in my head that I shouldn't be able to feel anything (thinking with a more realistic head I know that with the fertility2birth programme we are very aware of managing expectations and not telling our clients that they will not feel any discomfort throughout birth. Our programme helps women to manage any discomfort of birth and this is something I did really well). I woke Matt and asked him to start getting the room ready downstairs, filling the pool etc and to call my friend Helen who is a midwife and was to be our birth partner. Helen arrived at approx 3.45am and immediately I felt calmer. Helen asked me some questions and helped me to remember some of my breathing techniques. At 4am Helen suggested I take a couple of paracetamol which I did. Helen then called Tanya, the midwife on call & explained exactly how I was feeling, she arrived at 4.29am. Tanya examined me internally and said that I was 100% effaced but not yet dilated, this was a huge blow for me as I felt I was quite far on due to the feelings I was experiencing. However when Helen asked who we should contact when I need someone to come back (Tanya was only on call until 8am) Tanya replied that she would be back before 8am, she said that I had done the first part very quickly for a first time mum and that the baby's head was very low. Tanya also felt the position of the baby, throughout pregnancy the baby had been in exactly the correct position – until about two weeks before I went into labour when she switched to lay on the right side of me. When Tanya felt this she told me that the baby was going to turn around to my left side throughout labour and although we want her to turn via my front she is going to turn via my back. I believe this is what caused me to have the back pain throughout and unfortunately no relief from any discomfort in between contractions. Tanya then went home and said she would see me later. I continued as before with Helen and Matt there helping. At approx 7.30am things had intensified so Helen called Tanya back. When Tanya arrived she did another internal examination and told me that I was 3cm dilated. This didn't make me feel great as I was so desperate to get into the pool but I was pleased to be progressing. I was however refusing to sit or lay down. Tanya and Helen told me that I needed to get some rest to make sure I had enough energy for the later stages of labour. I was so worried things would slow down but I also knew that I needed to conserve energy. I curled up on the bed and got into a zone. Helen & Tanya stayed with me but I was very much in my own place, it was extremely calm, they were both very quiet whispering only words of encouragement to me every time I had a contraction which really helped. At one point Tanya gave me a lovely foot massage which really helped things get going. Suddenly, after two hours rest I felt the need to push. I told Helen & Tayna this and Tanya offered me another international examination. I was 7cm dilated. Hearing this was like music to my ears, I could get in the pool. The baby's head was so low it was pushing on the Ferguson reflex point, which was making me push. Tanya said I should try to breathe through the pushing to avoid swelling of the cervix but that my body knew what it was doing so to just go with it. At 10.30am I rushed downstairs and 'jumped' into the pool. The relief was immense, I had a little cry as it was so beautiful, Matt had lit candles all around the room and put the motivational signs that I had made myself up on the walls. There was also music playing, LeAnn Rimes followed by Lionel Richie. I remember at one point he put on Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love, all the girls questioned him on this one! Matt put some Clary Sage into the oil burner and also a flannel covered in Clary Sage by my head this really helped things move along. At approx 11am the second midwife, Deena arrived. My time in the pool was just beautiful. The atmosphere in the room was lovely; I think that the midwives, Helen, Kate (our birth photographer) and Matt were all having a nice time and a bit of a laugh. At certain times I was able to join in the conversation but for the majority I was focusing on what my body was doing. I do remember that I was shaking quite a lot and was concerned that it was because I hadn't eaten so I asked for some pineapple. I do feel that the shaking subsided after that. I enjoyed reading the signs I had made myself while I was in the pool and just really appreciating the experience I was getting – after all everything was going exactly to plan, I couldn't have wished for anything different. I was pushing from 10.30am (from just before I got into the pool) but my second stage of labour (from when I was 10cm dilated) was only 17mins. I pushed Ezra out in a very controlled, calm way. At 12.55ish I felt myself push her out, seconds later the midwives were shouting at me to 'catch my baby' it felt like minutes before I registered what they were saying but then I reached down and brought her to the surface. We stayed in the pool until I had delivered the placenta. It was such an amazing beautiful experience and one I can safely say I experienced every little bit of. Fully managing to deliver naturally with only 2 paracetamol at the beginning to mask any feelings is something I had said I wanted to do, even refusing to hire a tens machine. As someone who works with pregnant woman, educating them in a very successful hypnobirth programme I wanted to be able to talk from experience in the future and didn't feel I could do this if I had masked my feelings in any way. Despite the fact there were times when I looked at my bed and thought I wish I could turn a switch, stop everything and just collapse on the bed and fall asleep I feel that the techniques learnt and the information given in the hypnobirth programme meant that I could manage the feelings. I remember reciting certain parts of the programme to myself in my head when I was particularly uncomfortable and the techniques were invaluable especially in the early stages. One thing I will always recommend to people in future is that they have a second birth partner. Helen was amazing, both Matt and I say we couldn't have done it without her. Having her there meant that Matt could get everything set up without needing to worry about me, she was also able to support Matt & keep him calm during a time that is often a bit scary for men. I was very lucky to have had a home birth, after Ezra was born I stayed in the pool for about half an hour while we waited for the placenta to come, this meant we had some great skin to skin contact. Once the placenta had been delivered I passed Ezra to Matt and I got cleaned up and checked over by the midwives. I then got comfy on the sofa and Ezra was laid on me for some more skin to skin and to start feeding. Matt made everyone pizza and tea and we had a really nice time chatting and eating while the midwives wrote up their notes. After about an hour the midwives checked Ezra over and then left shortly after (they returned in the evening to check we were ok and every day for ten days after the birth). I was able to have a shower in my own shower, get changed into whatever I chose out of my wardrobe and then snuggle on the sofa in front of the TV with Matt and Ezra... bliss.

Cheryl & Rob welcome baby Zara

Story told by Juliet

I was privileged enough to attend the homebirth of a HypnoBirth couple that I had worked with. I was asked earlier in the year to be a birth partner for Cheryl and Rob and I jumped at the chance. I'd never been to a live birth before and I don't think being an avid viewer of One Born Every Minute really means I have a good knowledge of what women experience during birth. For the past month I've been waiting for that phone call from Cheryl, making sure my phone goes everywhere with me and is on loud at all possible times! Cheryl was convinced the baby was going to come early – to the point she almost ordered the birthing pool to arrive a month early, however as it was the baby came a few days late. At 5.30am on Thursday 2 June I got THE phone call. Cheryl had been having ripples (what we call contractions in the Fertility2Birth world) since 3am. She was however still laughing, joking and sounding incredibly normal so we arranged for me to get there at 7am. This gave me enough time to get showered and nip to Tesco to get straws (essential birth item!), pineapple – well if it brings on labour it must keep it going too right?! Energy tablets, again another essential birth item and bananas to keep that energy up. Thankfully everything got used, the pineapple was eaten when I arrived, it turned out we only needed one straw not a pack of 200 but hey better to be safe than sorry. Cheryl was stuffing the energy tablets in like I'd never seen; the labour was making her feel as though she was going to be sick so although she wanted to keep her energy levels up she found it difficult to eat anything. Finally a banana on toast sorted Cheryl out once she had birthed the baby. I drove to Cheryl and Rob's house feeling incredibly mature and responsible. I wanted to stop people in the street and say "guess where I'm going" or "I'm going to watch a baby be born". I knew it was just going to be a fantastic experience because I knew how much effort Cheryl and Rob had put into their HypnoBirthing. When I arrived Cheryl was still laughing and very much her usual bubbly self. She was breathing through all the ripples in the exact way we had discussed and Rob was being very successful at making her laugh – one of the birth partner's duties. The ripples were coming every 3 minutes and lasting approximately 45 seconds. At 7.30am the midwife phoned to see whether she should pop in before a 9.30am appointment that she had elsewhere or after. We agreed that she should come before. I was incredibly aware that HypnoBirth Mum's are a lot calmer so it would be good to know how things were progressing instead of relying on a screaming Cheryl. Tanya one of the midwives from the brand new Royal Surrey Hospital Home Birth team arrived at 8am. She found Cheryl in the same state as I had; calm, relaxed and giggly. Tanya pretty much said "you're doing great, call me when you need me. I won't be far away, probably see you this afternoon" but she offered to do an internal examination if Cheryl would like one. We thought it was probably a good idea and it was lovely to find out Cheryl was already 2-3cm dilated. Tanya said the same again "I'll go off, call when you need me... see you later!" We had a brief conversation about what we should look for, again keeping in mind how calm and in control HypnoBirthing Mum's often are. Tanya told us to call when Cheryl couldn't talk in between ripples and also told us a trade secret. There was a pink line that started at the top of the crease of Cheryl's buttocks. This, Tanya said would go a dark purple as she dilated more. We should keep checking that and call when it was a darker purple. At 9am we were left as three again. Within 10 minutes things suddenly changed. The ripples became more intense and then Cheryl's membranes ruptured. Cheryl felt that she needed to wee so off she went to the toilet. Here we could clearly see the transition from the first stage to the second stage of labour. Knowing that a birthing woman is best left alone we did our best to leave her in the bathroom popping in every now and then to check she was ok. At this point Rob started to fill the birthing pool. At 9.40am after a very intense 30 minutes the pool was ready and we helped Cheryl to get in. I reminded her to relax, talking her through all of her muscles and she became very calm again. At 10am Cheryl told me she needed to push, at this point poor Rob was rummaging through a cupboard trying to find a fan as Cheryl was so hot. I shouted to him that he needed to call the midwife, "ok I'm just trying to find the fan"... "No Rob I think you need to call now"... "Ok won't be a minute"... "No Rob NOW"! He finally understood and called but Tanya's phone went straight to answer phone! This wasn't a problem as he just called Jane, head of the homebirth team, instead. Jane said she would leave the hospital immediately. It's only ten minutes drive away so we knew she would be there very soon – especially if she put her foot down! – However at 10.30am she still hadn't arrived and Cheryl was still pushing! At 10.40am we thought it best to call Jane again, thankfully she was just pulling into the road. When Jane arrived Cheryl calmly told her what she was feeling, including the pushing. Jane said this was fantastic but she'd just do a quick internal examination to check everything was ok to push. Jane did this and in a surprised but happy way said "OK I can feel the head, push all you like". This was fantastic news especially as Cheryl was still so calm. Tanya arrived at about 11am and we all spent the next hour really encouraging Cheryl. At approximately 11.50am after a huge sniff of Clary Sage (which is amazing during labour) everything intensified and at 12.07pm little Zara Walker was born. Rob and I were a complete mess crying our eyes out. I think even the midwives had a little tear but Cheryl was just beaming at her brand new daughter. It really was a truly magical experience. For those that don't follow on facebook or twitter, or those that missed it I put together this lovely slideshow of pictures from the morning click here. It's very short but well worth a watch. If you are pregnant and not considering a HypnoBirth maybe this will change your mind – it really can make for an amazing birth experience. Babies born using HypnoBirth tend to be calmer, feed better, sleep better and experience less trauma, because they are more often than not gently and calmly breathed into the world at their own pace. Scientific research has also shown that the babies usually have higher Apgar scores as well. One thing I would like to add is a big thanks to Cheryl and Rob for being so dedicated to the HypnoBirth. They did all of their homework religiously. We say to listen to one CD every day but Cheryl was listening to both of her CDs every day. Throughout the birth I kept hearing Rob saying little things that he had picked up from the HypnoBirthing and so well done Rob for listening and obviously doing reading after the sessions. When I arrived all of their HypnoBirth pack was out on the table so they had obviously been looking through it in the days or weeks leading up to Thursday. Thank you, congratulations and well done Cheryl and Rob.

To watch the photo story of this birth please see the video at the top of the story.

Natalie welcomes baby Tallulah

Story told by Natalie, Natalie is the mum of a five month old baby girl called Tallulah and below is her story of how Fertility2Birth's HypnoBirth program helped her through her pregnancy and birth.

"I felt, before I had a baby, that there was an elite group of women telling you that you will know what they have been through once you have had your baby. It is like this clicky group that find it quite easy to tell you all their horror stories. Or they just won't tell you anything. As soon as I had Tallulah I wanted to tell people and inform them of just how my birth had been, and share that birth doesn't have to be like that. I thought beforehand that it was going to hurt and that I was going to tear, I was so anxious about it all, I mean really anxious. I remember having panic attacks on the toilet as I was having a pooh. I was constipated and I likened this to having a baby and surely having the baby is only going to be worse because of the size. I also never thought that I would have a baby because of the pain, I passed out when I was a kid and had my ears pierced, I pass out when I have needles. I would love to give blood as I have a rare blood type, so know that I should but I would rather have another baby than give blood!

There are many things from the course that helped me during my pregnancy, like having pictures and sayings stuck around the house, from a picture of a baby in the correct birth position to positive affirmations that I had to write, although I did find this very difficult, as we don't often say positive things to ourselves. I felt that I had done all I could to prepare myself for the birth. From the HypnoBirth to yoga, I read and looked at everything, and just knowing that Sue was on the phone at any point reassured me a great deal. I am so happy that I wasn't overdue; I kind of knew that I was ready even though she was early, but I was prepared. I didn't go into hospital thinking that I was having a premature baby, I didn't even worry that they would take her away, and I didn't think that she would be in danger which is really bizarre. It is as though my brain had changed everything into a positive.

I had been into hospital 2 weeks earlier, when I was 34 weeks, as I had some bleeding. Whilst I was being examined I just thought of the lake, concentrated on my breathing and tried to keep my bottom jaw relaxed. All of this helped so much as I hate having smear tests and examinations. This happened again at 36 weeks; I just thought here we go again. It was a Saturday night and we had sky + Ant and Dec, I was just settling down to watch it, Craig was cooking us a curry and I went to the loo, when I wiped it was just like the last bit of a period, sorry for being graphic but I think people need to know. When Craig bought me my dinner I told him that I had had some blood on wiping, as he passed me the tray I felt something just like a period cramp, I didn't think anything of it. I had no idea that this was the start of labour. So I ate my dinner just in case I needed to go to hospital again due to the bleeding. Thinking of it I never did get to watch Ant and Dec as he deleted it!

The cramps started coming regularly so I thought that we had better call the hospital, I wasn't in any pain, just a slight discomfort. I also realised that I hadn't got any make up on, and that my bag and the baby's bag wasn't done, so I went upstairs and pottered around for about an hour just calling down to Craig every time I felt a contraction, but again I wasn't in pain. We were advised to go into the hospital to get checked due to the bleeding, so as we eventually got into the car, Craig said shall we take the baby seat, I told him not be stupid, why would we want it, as I couldn't be in labour. I thought I was having Braxton Hicks, as they were not painful; they were inconvenient, and annoying. I felt like I needed a great big pooh a little bit like having stomach bug. We decided to take the baby seat and in hindsight I am glad that we did.

On the journey all I needed to do was my breathing, I loved the breathing because I had been into hospital so many times what with my scans and bleeds and when I did my breathing Tallulah would always kick and move around, this would always reassure me that she was ok. When we got to the hospital I thought that it would be like it is on the films, that the car would screech to a halt outside the doors and then there would be loads of medical staff waiting with a wheel chair, oh no, we had to park miles away and then climb what felt like a million sets of stairs, it is not like it is portrayed on the films and TV so why do they need to portray it that way, always such a drama, mind you I suppose that TV does that all the time, they always televise dramatic births but never calm ones and we wonder why we all have this fear of childbirth!

Even when we got to hospital I still did not think that I was in labour. They showed me into a delivery room, I sat on the bed and saw the baby cot, and for the first time I actually thought that this might be it. By this time my ripples (commonly known as contractions) were increasing, they still were not painful there were just more of them and they lasted for longer. The midwife then came into the room and asked how I was feeling and then asked if she could examine me, to my astonishment I was nearly 7 cm's dilated! I asked her if I would be going home, much to her amusement. My legs then started to shake as I realised that this was it I was going to have my baby girl. I then started asking her about everything that was going to happen as I love to be in control. If I know about it I can then remain calm about it which the HypnoBirth has taught me, it also taught me that I can deal with needles if I have too and not to worry about it.

I told the midwife that I didn't want Pethadine because I believe that it can make the baby floppy and spaced out and also because it is morphine based, it may sound silly but heroin and morphine are in the same family, heroin is a nasty drug and I never wanted to put that in her or me. I just continued with my breathing, as I was doing this I was concentrating on a grey plug socket and the midwife was just casually putting things around the room. I asked her about pain relief and she then told me that I was just frightened. I hadn't noticed but I had become frightened, then I remembered about the fear tension pain syndrome that I had been taught and how that would affect my labour, so I concentrated on becoming calm, with my visualisation of the island and my breathing. The midwife did say to me that I didn't seem in pain, and when I thought about it, no I wasn't I was just a little scared of the unknown. I then remember that the midwife lifted the sheet to see how I was doing and I told her that I was having another one whilst talking all the way through it. She then stood to one side, I wondered why, I thought that can't be the head surely not, but oh no my membranes ruptured and no word of a lie my waters shot across the room at least 10ft! My immediate reaction was has it hit my new boots, which thankfully it hadn't. The midwife then told Craig to come and have a look as they could see Tallulah's thick black hair; she was sitting there just waiting to be born. At that point I asked for some gas and air, not because I was in pain, but because I felt that I wasn't in control, but it didn't last long. Looking back now, if I hadn't done the HypnoBirth program I think just how out of control I would have felt right from the start and how different my birth experience would have been. This is why I wanted to write my story, to educate other anxious mums and let them know that it doesn't have to be like that.

If I had not been bleeding there is no way that I would have gone into hospital and would have probably had Tallulah at home, which actually was my intention from the start. Anyway very shortly after my waters had gone, I thought to myself how am I going to know that I need to push but about 30 seconds after that there it was, just as Sue had taught me, an overwhelming urge to bear down just like I needed a pooh, the midwife told Craig to hold one leg and she held the other and I just started pushing, I don't remember feeling any contractions, I just remember thinking the harder I push the quicker she will be out, which in hindsight was probably not the right thing to do, as I wasn't listening to my body, after 41 minutes there she was, my beautiful baby girl. As soon as she was born she was taken by the pediatrician to be checked out as she was only 36 weeks. She was then handed to Craig, at my request, as I wanted him to bond with her as I had carried her all this time. He keeps me safe so I wanted him to do the same with her. I still couldn't believe that I had done it; I thought that it was going to be worse than it was, but it hadn't been.

The placenta was delivered 13 minutes after delivery, the midwife had a few tugs on it which I felt was quite annoying, but I then pushed and it just came away. I did have a small tear but I feel that this was because I was pushing too hard as I am stubborn. I didn't allow my body to adjust, this I will remember not to do next time. I didn't have my tear sutured and it healed nicely so just remember they don't always have to be sewn up, just remember when you go for a pee afterwards gently pour warm water over the area to help dilute the urine, which prevents it from stinging. Tallulah weighed 6lbs and 8oz which was a good weight for 36 weeks; they did put her in a warming cot although we noticed that it hadn't been working and she had been maintaining her own body temperature, which meant we soon had her out of there.

The best thing about doing the HypnoBirth course was definitely listening to the CD's, they calmed me down during pregnancy as I had a high powered job, I also had less migraines and I would sleep much better at night too. The scripts that Craig would read to me were fab as we could all bond as a family, but he was away a lot so I listened to the discs too, they would knock him out in 30 seconds when he listened to them, focusing on his uterus, which was hilarious! I would always see her wrapped up in a beautiful pink colour, safe and happy and this would reassure me. I still use the control room today, actually I used it last night, it is great as most of the things we learnt on the course we can use in everyday life, they were not just for the pregnancy and birth. And of course the breathing, it actually gets you in tune with your body, so you really can focus on what is going on, it means taking time out for ourselves, which we just don't do anymore. Craig also got to be a part of it all, he read to me and he helped with my affirmations, it brought him into the experience as he had something to do. Even if I had gone for a C section at the last minute I would have benefited from doing the course, it helped me from 30 weeks of pregnancy, it helped me to relax and trust in my body. I also have a very calm and chilled out daughter, everyone always comments on how happy and content she is, I know that being calm and taking time out when I was pregnant has got something to do with it. Well, a first baby, a labour and delivery from start to finish lasting only 5 hours and 11 minutes - it doesn't get much better than that does it! I will certainly be using the method for my next one; I wonder how quick that one will be? I just want everyone to know about the course as everyone deserves to have a labour and delivery like I had."

Kim Welcomes Baby Bailey

Story told by Kim, Bailey's Mummy.

We had our first son in April 2009. I was induced at 6 days overdue and had a long and hard time as you can see in the picture. It was a heavy medically involved delivery and I had to lie on that bed for around 12 hours. I had entonox, pethidine, 2 epidurals, a pitocin drip as well as a catheter. I also had to have a heart monitor put on Alfie's head whilst he was still in my womb. Whilst my placenta was delivered or more pulled out, it tore and 9 days after delivery I haemorrhaged and had an operation to stop me bleeding. Although all said Alfie was delivered healthy. I know that pictures of yourself after delivery are not always the most flattering but my gosh I looked like I had been through it!

Then we fell pregnant with our second baby, I was determined not to have an experience like this again. My midwife put us into contact with Sue Smith a local hypnotherapist that specialises in birthing. And as a result the delivery of our second baby was the most magical experience of my life. Bailey was 6 days overdue. I was woken up at 6am on the 11th September 2011 by a familiar feeling. It was bound to happen this day as my in-laws were renewing their wedding vows later that day! I left my husband and Alfie in bed and timed the ripples (contractions) and they were coming regular and fast. I woke David and called my parents to come and collect Alfie. After having a shower we called the hospital and went in. Within ½ hour of being there the ripples stopped I was encouraged to walk around the hospital, and after 4 laps nothing, I was offered a lavender bath and even had breakfast in there too but nothing. We went home and waited for it all to start again. Once we got home they started but where very irregular. After having something to eat, I thought I would get some sleep as I was expecting it to all start again at some unsociable hour later that night. I woke at 6pm and after a while could not feel Bailey move and he had been fairly active all day. I called the hospital and they asked us to come in for a trace, as I was not having any ripples we thought they would check Bailey was ok then we would go home. We left the bag in the car and walked into the delivery suite. After having the monitoring belts put on I started experiencing strong ripples and asked for some entonox as I could not move off the bed whilst being monitored and rocking my hips was how I got through them. Within a few minutes I was in full labour. It started so quickly. I started to panic as I did not have any of scripts or music with me as they were in the car. David called Sue and what seemed to me like seconds she was beside me talking me through my hypnobirthing. I focused on my lake and my breathing. By this time there where no midwives with us. I started to push, I could not control it. Sue recognised what was happening and "took a look", there he was, she called the midwife who only just had chance to put her gloves on and there he was on my tummy. I was still pushing at that stage I had not realised I'd had him! As Sue can vouch for what can only be described as a lions roar which left me as I realised what had happened. WOW! A much healthier looking mummy from the last picture! Throughout the whole birth it felt like I was on the ceiling watching myself, incredible! I had no physical control over my body whatsoever; it just knew what to do. Bailey is such a calmer baby compared to Alfie and I credit that to his hypnobirthing. A wonderful experience I can not thank Sue enough a bond that will never be broken.

Our beautiful babies x Thank you x