Professional birth photographs courtesy of Jen from The Heart of Motherhood.

Feelings

I wavered between feeling like I was completely in control to panicking about interfering doctors during the birth. Because I was pregnant with my first baby at my advanced maternal age, I was treated like a high-risk patient.

The Doctors wanted me to be induced at 38 weeks and my midwife supported me to wait. I went into labour naturally at 40 weeks + 5 days. By the time I arrived at the hospital I was predominantly feeling strong and happy to go for the most natural birth I could.

The onset of labour

Cramping labour started around 9am and escalated throughout the day, we went to the hospital around 4pm and delivered at 11pm, active labour started around 8pm.

We had a very social and relaxed room, our midwife and doula were with us. We played music, chatted, joked and laughed before the “real” labour started. The room remained calm and relaxed.
The best part was eliminating fear of birth and empowering us to ask for and get what we wanted.

Birthing

I watched a couple of YouTube videos of HypnoBirthing breathing demonstrations because I panicked that I wasn’t doing it “right”. It was really helpful to confirm my technique.

I breathed through all of my contractions and felt calm and in control, with only my dog for company. I was most comfortable sitting on the couch (watching Project Runway), using the HypnoBirthing breathing techniques. HypnoBirthing was the best start to our birthing journey.

My doula and midwife were more supportive than I could have ever hoped, for both of us. They were on board with our birth plan and respected our wish for the calmest and most natural birth possible.

The support was a constant from our first meeting, during and after delivery.

Words from Dad

HypnoBirthing informed us of the norms of pregnancy and birth, what to expect from the medical system and demystified the medical jargon. ​

The best part was eliminating fear of birth and empowering us to ask for and get what we wanted. I felt like I was involved in the pregnancy and learnt how to look after Brandie while she was going through her contractions.

I was able to stop the medical team from clamping the chord straight away, and I could tell the medical team to wait while I explained to Brandie what was happening when an episiotomy was needed.

​Thank you to Brandie and Shaun for sharing their beautiful and empowering birth story. I appreciate my couples’ taking the time to share their honest experiences with you. B x

​Thank you to Brandie and Shaun for sharing their beautiful and empowering birth story. I appreciate my couples’ taking the time to share their honest experiences with you. B x