The Birth of Olivia - Positive 3rd Birth
Katie’s Birth Story;
Ok, so those women you see frantically screaming and out of control on programmes like One Born Every Minute, those that you roll your eyes at and think ‘is it that bad?’ Well, that was me! I was actually told off by my midwife during my first birth as I was screaming so much! In my defence, it really hurt! I didn’t know what else to do but scream at what was the most excruciating pain I’d ever experienced. Completely forgot about actually needing to push. My second child’s birth was the opposite end of the spectrum. She came at 34 weeks, in the car and only 3lb. She required no pushing and literally flew out in record time! Traumatic in a whole different way.
Anyway, 5 years later and pregnant with baby number 3, I was adamant that I was going to enjoy this birth. I needed to change my mindset about the whole experience and get it right this time. Now I’m not really one for any kind of therapy or hypnosis or anything like that. I’m just a ‘get on with it’ type of person. Or at least I was until a friend recommended Katy and her Hypnobirthing course.
Sam and I deliberated a lot about doing the course (well I did, Sam was happy to go with whatever I felt I needed) and eventually decided to give it a try. Neither Sam nor I are massively open and up for ‘sharing’ with a group of people we don’t know but Katy just made the whole thing completely relaxed and safe.
For me, all I wanted was to enjoy the birth! Did I enjoy it? I don’t know if I can say I enjoyed it but I felt much more in control and much more positive. I found Katy’s breathing techniques helped me the most, along with the knowledge of what was actually happening at each stage of the labour.
Our birth was another speedy one. After a full night’s sleep and a morning of Netflix binging, I started to feel some mild contractions. After a hot cross bun at around 10:30 and a bit of bouncing on my birthing ball, I decided to phone the hospital (I’d been told to go in straight away due to Bella’s appearance in the car) and as expected, was told not to come in!
Not wanting another delivery in the car , I insisted that we went in only to be directed to the assessment unit... not the labour ward! Whilst waiting, on my own, my contractions began getting stronger and stronger. Me being me, I began to panic! I needed to think positive... this isn’t going to spoil my birth.. I needed to remember my positive affirmations. After being examined I was told I needed to go to the labour ward. (Oh... really?! For goodness sake.. I could have told you that) I didn’t actually say that.. I’m too polite! So we walk around to meet Sam, stopping to breathe through my contractions on the way. We finally made it to the delivery suite at 1:00pm and I decided on my positioning for birth... went for all fours to let gravity to its thing. This was a million times better than lying on my back. We didn’t really have time to set the room up, dim the lights, get my carefully selected playlist on or anything like that as I was pushing almost instantly. Sam was just amazing, really positive, reminding me to do all of the breathing techniques I’d been practising. After half an hour she was here!!!! 53 minutes after getting to the labour ward.
Despite not being able to put everything into practice, Katy’s hypnobirthing changed my mindset from the onset... I wasn’t anxious or scared, I felt like I knew exactly what to do this time. I mean, yes, it still hurt... a lot! But I knew what my body was doing and what I needed to do.
I just wish I have known about this before my third baby! It was invaluable and I’d recommend Katy to any expectant parents... even if you think it’s not for you. It is!
