Theodore Thomas James Cunningham arrived into the world at 7.29pm on 29th May. Teddy was delivered by emergency caesarean, however I do believe that hypnobirthing helped me immensely through his entrance into the world.

I attended the classes from around 30 weeks pregnant, and what I loved most about the course was how involved my husband could be in the labour process. Both Craig and I are anxious people, and it was important for me to have a tool kit to see us through what is perceived as a traumatic and stressful experience. As soon as I met Bonnie, I knew I would trust whatever she told me. I felt relaxed and welcome and that she really knew what she was talking about.

What I found most useful in the classes themselves was, firstly, understanding the physicality of what is actually happening during labour and delivery – I had read lots about pain relief and contractions but this was the first time I had learned about the uterine walls pushing baby down, and how the cervix thins and lengthens. I also learned lots about hormones, and how stress inhibits the production of oxytocin – vital to help baby on his way. The relaxation techniques carried out in class were also fantastic – having the guidance and safe space to relax deeply was something I had never experienced before, and I found it wonderful.

I tried to listen to my relaxation MP3’s regularly. I had written out some of my favourite affirmations on little cards to give my husband so that he could remind me of them if I felt overwhelmed during labour, however I seemed to have ingrained them into my subconscious as I did not end up needing them. My personal favourites were “Each surge brings my baby closer to me” and “I slowly breathe up with each surge”.  I had also purchased some lavender essential oil to make a relaxing room/pillow spray with and I used this for a few weeks while practising my breathing so that it would become an anchor of relaxation for me.

My waters released without warning around 3.30am on Thursday morning as I was relaxed in bed. I had been painting my kitchen earlier that day as I tried to stay as active as possible in late pregnancy due to SPD and sciatica.  I contacted the midwife led unit to let them know, and they asked that I go in to be examined later on that morning, although I had told them I did not believe I was in labour. They confirmed this fact later that day and made an appointment for me to return on Friday morning if nothing had moved along. I was very happy to go home, so that I could relax. I sat on my birthing ball and watched Disney films between naps and snacks. A lovely, pleasant day spent with my husband, knowing that our son would soon be with us.  Again, I continuously suffered with back issues through the last trimester so I decided to have a bath around 11pm. I had been in the bath for two hours and I started to notice some regularity in the twinges in my back, as well as feeling more fluid being released with each twinge. I listened to the deep relaxation tracks that Bonnie had sent me, and focused on my breathing. I passed perhaps another hour or so in the bath.  I got back onto my birthing ball to do some rotations and bouncing, helping baby on his way. As the hours passed, each surge become more intense. I cannot highlight enough how important surge breathing was for me at this point. I focused on breathing up with each surge, repeating my affirmations to myself. Although they were becoming very intense, I completely trusted my body, and that my baby was doing what he was meant to be doing. This meant I felt no fear, I was relaxed and proud of myself for being able to birth this wonderful boy. I woke my husband up around 4am to let him know his son was coming and he sat with me for some time, massaging my back and breathing with me. He was keeping track of the time and length of each surge and decided we needed to contact the midwife. I spoke with her on the phone and she asked me to come in to be assessed.

I tried to stay as relaxed as possible on the way to hospital, focusing on my breathing and blocking everything else out. The midwife was excellent in her response to our hypnobirthing wishes – she was very happy to accommodate our needs. After examination she told me I was 6.5 cm dilated (yes! Not even a paracetamol taken!) and that I could go into the birthing pool as soon as it was ready. She had filled the pool, dimmed the lights and put on some quiet music for us. The relief from the pool was incredible, I felt so relaxed, safe and happy. After three hours, surges were continuous and I requested some gas and air as I felt very intense pressure. Another hour passed, surge breathing in the squat position in the pool and the midwife requested to examine me. I had gone to 7.5cm in that time, however the baby was showing some signs of distress. He had turned back to back, and the midwife said although he was within touching distance, his head appeared not to be straight down in the birth canal which was stopping him coming down further to be born. Due to the fact his heartrate was dropping because of this, the midwife asked how I felt about him being turned with forceps. This was my worst nightmare, however I still felt in control and accepted that the beautiful calm water birth I had wanted was no longer going to happen, and that alternatives had to be discussed. Had I not been hypnobirthing, I would probably have lost myself to panic at this point.

When the consultant come, he had a look and decided that due to baby’s position, he did not feel that it would be the best route to use forceps and that due to baby’s heartrate being erratic he would recommend an emergency section. Again, this was not the way I had planned my son coming into the world – I had invested time and money into a relaxed, natural approach, however the most important thing at this point was a safe and happy baby.

Hypnobirthing saw me stay calm through an almost two day labour, and even as I was being operated on I stayed calm, focused on my breathing and affirmations and still had a magical moment the first time I saw my son. I still had my skin to skin, and my boy latched on easily and quickly for his first feed after his long journey!  I could not more highly recommend this approach to birthing and parenting (the classes and book discuss the fourth trimester and breastfeeding) and I have a happy, healthy baby boy.