Taylor’s Positive Birth Story
Liz and Guy’s Hypnobirthing Experience for Their First Baby’s Birth
Liz and Guy took part in one of my group hypnobirthing courses in Dalgety Bay. Liz kept in touch throughout her pregnancy and joined our Fife Bumps and Babies Collective and frequently met up with other mums at out monthly coffee mornings.
I am so happy to be able to share this amazing story with you. From those early gentle surges to the amazing moment she held her newborn son, Taylor, for the very first time. This isn't just a birth story; it's a testament to the power of preparation, mindset, and the unwavering support of a great birth partner.
Early Signs and Preparation
On Thursday night, precisely 38 weeks into my pregnancy, I began to experience subtle cramping in my lower abdomen. These sensations were irregular and not particularly painful, and I put them down as Braxton Hicks contractions. Seeking relaxation, I decided to take a bath and tuned into a podcast playing positive birth stories, all while practicing my breathing techniques.
Throughout the night, these sensations persisted but remained inconsistent. I made a conscious choice to focus on them, refining my breathing patterns to find what worked best for me. Initially, I attempted the 4-8 breathing method, but I soon discovered that exhaling for 8 seconds was too long for me. Adjusting to a 4-6 pattern felt just right.
The following day, the sensations continued but with longer intervals between them. In the afternoon, a friend visited with her adorable baby, and their presence seemed to boost my oxytocin levels. After they left, the sensations intensified and began to occur more frequently.
Seeking relief, I returned to the bath, clutching a comb for support as I practiced my breathing. While the sensations still ebbed and flowed, I noticed that they consistently lasted for six to seven cycles of my 4-6 breathing pattern. Realizing that breaths two and three marked the peak of the sensation, I focused on the idea that, from the fourth breath onward, I was becoming more comfortable. This mental shift helped me manage, as it made each uncomfortable moment feel like a brief 20 seconds, followed by a sense of improvement.
I struggled to sleep that night, so I made my way downstairs for a cup of raspberry leaf tea, sitting on my exercise ball while I put on Seinfeld as it makes me laugh. Eventually, I returned to bed and managed to get some rest.
Embracing the Process
On Saturday I attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy. Guy had a golf game planned, and we decided he should go, with his phone at the ready in case I needed him. Originally, we had friends scheduled to visit for dinner that evening, so I began preparing food. Placing my birthing ball in the kitchen, I sat down whenever I felt a surge coming, focusing on my breathing, and clutching the comb. Cooking, something I enjoy, held the promise of boosting my oxytocin further.
As I finished preparing the food, I realized that having our friends come over would not be a good idea, so I messaged them, suggesting we reschedule due to the increasingly regular surges. It seemed like my body sensed the opportunity to fully embrace the process, and the surges intensified, both in frequency and intensity. I went for a warm bath when I began to feel the sensations in my back. Fatigue eventually overcame me, and I returned to bed. Although I caught some sleep between surges, at one point, they intensified so much that I decided to call Guy.
Guy was still at the golf course, but I informed him of what was happening and assured him I was okay, but I asked he return home immediately after finishing his game. A few minutes later, I realized I hadn’t felt the baby move for some time. Concerned, I got out of bed, moved around, and went to the bathroom. To my surprise, I noticed a slight trickle between my legs. Initially, I thought it might be my waters breaking, but upon closer examination, I realized it was blood. This prompted me to call the midwife-led unit for guidance.
During the call, I informed them of the situation and experienced three surges. I paused my conversation and explained that I had been practicing Hypnobirthing and focusing on my breathing. The midwife advised me to make my way to the hospital. I called Guy to check how far away he was, and fortunately, he was almost home. When he arrived, he swiftly grabbed our hospital bags and the car seat, preparing for the possibility of staying in the hospital. We reached the hospital at 19:15 and decided to leave our belongings in the car in case we had to return home. The surges were now regular, and I took my time to breathe through each one while holding the comb tightly. We were ushered into a serene room with dimmed lights, awaiting the night shift midwives who were undergoing a shift change.
A lovely midwife arrived and connected me to a monitor to check the baby’s heart rate, as I hadn’t felt movements for a while. Fortunately, the monitor indicated that the baby’s heart rate was healthy. She also examined my pad and assured me that the blood was a normal part of the process, known as the ‘show.’ She offered to perform a vaginal examination to determine my progress, and we agreed. To our surprise, I was already seven centimetres dilated, a significant milestone. Guy was immensely proud of me for enduring this stage on my own, and his celebration only heightened my oxytocin levels, propelling us forward. He quickly went to the car to retrieve our bags, as it was clear that the baby was on the way.
Because the baby’s movements were limited, the midwife suggested continuous monitoring using a wired machine. We accepted this, as I felt most comfortable sitting on the birthing ball, with no desire to stand or walk around anyway.
I was offered gas and air, which I gladly accepted. The midwife also applied my Tens machine to my back, which helped alleviate some of the discomfort.
Ramping up for birth
Soon, I began to feel intense pressure in my lower back, prompting me to shift onto all fours on the bed. Guy then applied essential oils with Clary Sage to my arms and hands, which seemed to really accelerate the process and enhance my breathing exercises as I felt like it opened all my airways.
Unfortunately, monitoring the baby’s heart rate became challenging, and a more experienced midwife arrived to assist. They recommended a scalp electrode, which we had hoped to avoid, as outlined in our birth plan. We inquired about alternative options, and they suggested a change in position, asking me to lie on my side. I moved to my side, and I focused on my breathing while ignoring the midwives’ attempts to monitor the baby. They continued to struggle, and once more, they suggested the scalp electrode. Guy asked for a little more time, and they agreed to a 10-minute trial. They also proposed a gentle touch on the baby’s head to encourage movement and better monitoring. We agreed, understanding that it might break my water. As soon as the midwife touched the baby’s head, he began to move, and my waters broke. They confirmed that the fluid was clear, with no signs of meconium. The release of my waters brought immense relief, and I felt an urge to push. With the baby’s monitoring now secure, we could concentrate on the final stage of labour.
The midwives encouraged me to listen to my body, and I was still on my side as the midwife began to see the baby’s head. She suggested switching to my back, believing it might facilitate the birth. I moved to my back, and with one powerful push, our beautiful boy, Taylor Guy Robinson, was placed on my chest for skin-to-skin contact. He was born at 21:47, only 2,5 hours after arriving at the hospital. We opted for optimal cord clamping and agreed to an injection for birthing the placenta, which arrived swiftly and without complications.
Although I didn’t experience the water birth I initially hoped for, I was offered a room with a birthing pool. However, I felt so focused and content in my current environment that I chose to stay put and forget about the water birth.
Guy was an incredible birth partner, understanding my desires and providing amazing support. I felt he was so proud, and he ensured I stayed hydrated and received massages when needed. He made sure there was a picture of our cats and Taylor’s little outfit on display right in my sight to boost my oxytocin levels.
I cannot speak highly enough of Claire’s course,
I cannot speak highly enough of Claire’s course,
The birth of baby Taylor was an extraordinary experience, made possible through everything Claire had taught us during our Hypnobirthing course. I cannot speak highly enough of Claire’s course, as I believe it played a pivotal role in our incredible birthing experience.
- Liz and Guy: Group Hypnobirthing Course 2023