Molly’s Positive Birth Story
Linzi and Marks Unplanned Caesarean Birth with Hypnobirthing
Linzi and Mark chose to do a 1:1 Hypnobirthing course with me to help them get prepared for the birth of their first baby. It was a good thing that they gained so much knowledge and knew their options when things took a surprising turn during a routine scan appointment. I never get tired of reading this story as it's one of resilience, laughter, and the incredible power of hypnobirthing in the face of the unexpected.
Important Decisions
I would say that things started for me on the Wednesday. My husband and I had attended our weekly growth scan (my full pregnancy midwives kept telling me my baby was measuring big). Only at this appointment they advised that baby’s growth had tailed off - this poor baby couldn't win!! Immediately the midwife offered me an induction. This was a huge shock and instantly sent my brain into overdrive. So a few deep breathes and I remembered to use my BRAIN. I asked if my husband and I could take an hour and come back to speak to the doctor. After some thinking and a conversation with the doctor, there was no immediate risk to my baby, or I and I would go home for now. On my due date (Sunday) I would come back in, and we would review and need for induction then. So off I went home to sit on my Birthing ball, order a spicy curry and lots of cuddles. I thought this could be the last few days as a 2 so we should make the most of it!!
From Cramps to Contractions
On Friday around 4am I woke up with period like cramps. I was convinced this was labour, it felt like Christmas! I was so excited and woke my husband up to say this might be the start of things. He told me it would likely just be Braxton Hicks - talk about raining on my parade!! I decided to try and get some more sleep, if this was the real thing, I thought I had better get as much rest as possible.... looking back I am so glad I did! Once I got up, I decided it was best to keep myself busy so got on with cleaning my oven and Tupperware cupboard. I should have known for sure this meant I was in labour as that's not how I'd choose to spend my afternoon normally.
The cramping feelings were becoming more intense but very much bearable, so my husband and I went to my mums for dinner that evening. It was around 10pm that things picked up slightly so I phoned my brother in Skye and said he may want to come home tomorrow or Sunday as I was in labour. He wanted to be there to meet his niece as soon as possible so thought I’d better give him some warning.
My husband and I went home, I really couldn't sleep at this point so decided to have a little time on my Birthing ball and watch Still Game on Netflix - we also thought this would be a good time to start the Freya app and time my contractions. At some point in the early hours I decided to go for a bath to try and get some rest as things were ramping up and sleep wasn't an option. It was around 6am that it pinged and said I was in established labour, so we phoned the midwife, and she asked us to come in.
Once at the hospital, I was happy to be examined and I was advised I was 2cm dilated. I was a little deflated as I had hoped I would last at home a lot longer than this! So off we went back home. Most of that Saturday passed in a bit of a blur. I listened to a lot of relaxation music, lots of gentle touch and my TENS machine were getting me through at this point. My brother, his girlfriend and my mum visited - all a welcome distraction. I was even managing to have a laugh with them all in between contractions. The moral support lasted until the early hours that night. I had decided to go for a bath to try and ease the discomfort, as my contractions were still very sporadic at this point but were extremely intense. It was around 4am that I felt a huge pressure down below and shouted at my husband to phone the midwife quick - I thought I had waited too long and feared we may not make it to the hospital in time!
Whilst at the hospital my husband and I were taking bets on how far along I would be! After an examination.... still 2cms!! You had to be kidding me! By this point I was so tired, and I had struggled to eat much since Friday. As I was booked in for an induction later that day the midwife asked if I wanted to stay, and I may be seen earlier. I decided that I actually felt safer and more relaxed at the hospital so wanted to stay.
We were moved up to the ward and I was able to put on my TENS machine and tried to get some rest. My husband was on the boost button duty as soon as a contraction was coming which allowed me to focus solely on my breathing.
Some hours later, I was moved to a private room in preparation for the induction. My husband and my mum got to work making the room my safe space by the end it was like a nice cosy spa - I had my tea lights, positive affirmations around the room and my music playing through my speaker.
The midwife decided to give bursting my waters a try first to see if this would give my body and baby a little nudge. At this point I was also given the gas and air!! This took the edge off my contractions but more than anything it helped me really focus on my breathing.
I was trying to remain in my UFO positions throughout, hoping that gravity would help bring this baby on. I had still not progressed much further, so I was then put on the drip to try and give baby a nudge. This is where things really started to ramp, and my breathing was getting me through this completely. This is where I will say, practising your breathing is essential!! I am so glad I practised the breathing a lot towards the end of my pregnancy.
Navigating the Unplanned C-Section
Around 11pm on the Sunday, the consultant advised that I had still not progressed, we were continuously monitoring baby at this point, and it was restricting how much I could move around - he took me through the reasons for recommending a C-section. Together we decided to give it one more hour and then make the call. 12pm came and I was still only 4cms so was very happy at this point to proceed with the section and get this little baby out and in my arms.
I was taken down to theatre and the midwives, consultants etc. got on with what they needed to do. I focused on my breathing and the fact I would soon be holding my baby in my arms. I was actually very calm at this point and just super excited. The next thing I remember is my husband walking towards me with our girl - this memory will forever fill me with warmth. Our little baby was placed on my chest as we were heading back up to our room and the wave of love that hit me is indescribable. After I got to enjoy the golden hour, daddy also had some skin to skin time.
I think it is fair to say my labour wasn't quite as I planned. I don't even really know if I had a specific plan as such, I think that's the beauty of hypnobirthing - it prepares you for any eventuality. My labour was the most amazing experience, I feel so strong and utterly amazed at my body and my baby. My baby knew exactly what she was doing to arrive safely for both of us! The breathing techniques were invaluable.
Hypnobirthing taught me that my baby and my body were the perfect team and I had total confidence in this.
Hypnobirthing taught me that my baby and my body were the perfect team and I had total confidence in this.
Everything I learnt on my hypnobirthing course with Claire truly helped me have the most amazing labour experience. There could have been so many times that I panicked over the 3 days of my labour, but hypnobirthing taught me that my baby and my body were the perfect team and I had total confidence in this.
- Linzi and Mark: 1:1 Hypnobirthing Course