A (positive) Birth Story

A while ago I asked if any friends or readers wanted to share their birth story since I have been on the topic of babies for about 9 months now. A friend of mine kindly shared her really positive birth experience and has allowed me to share this with others who may be interested in reading about a really positive experience (rather than a horror story!)

Thanks Jen!

Hi Victoria,

So here is a short (well I will try & make it short) version of my birthing experience with Abby.

I was always terrified of needles and pain (personal pain and other peoples/animals pain)! I fainted over almost everything! Even in front of the vet when my horse had a tiny mole removed from below his eye. I passed out when I had my ears pierced, passed out when I broke my arm, passed out when I had the cast removed...anyway you get where this is going ...

So when I found out I was pregnant with Abby I was super determined to not pass out or freak out! I wanted to have a peaceful beautiful experience giving birth to my baby. I had already decided a long time ago not to let other mothers 'horrid' birthing stories effect me - not an easy thing to block out of one's mind. I also had decided to try for a natural drug free birth.

I came across Hypnobirthing and a few friends from Muriwai had done the course and had the most beautiful birthing stories to share. So I booked Andy & I in to do the course when I was 28 weeks. In short Hypnobirthing is not about being Hypnotised while giving birth, it's a course to teach your mind and body how to be 'very' relaxed - I would describe it as being in a kind of 'daydream' state but being 'present' in what your doing at the same time. Part of the Hypnobirthing course is listening to the 'Rainbow Relaxation' cd - yes sounds a bit 'out there' but Andy and I listened to it often and had it playing in the background in the birthing room. The Hypnobirthing course also got me over my fear of needles and I was able to have blood tests with total confidence!

So on my first day off work - 4 weeks until Abby was due, my waters broke! Noooooo, this was NOT part of my birthing plan story that I had written to myself. Off to the hospital I went with the midwife with NO bag packed! Andy left work and met me at the hospital and waited until I was set up comfy in bed and then I sent him home with a list for things we needed (next time I'm packing the bag 8 weeks in advance!).

Andy and I knew we may have a good amount of time before baby decided to come, so we went for a big walk around the hospital and it was such a clear sunny day and we looked up and there was a perfect rainbow! That for us was an amazing sight and sign to see - we took a picture. My contractions started at 1.00am and I had Abby at 6.25am. The time between went so fast and Andy was a super star talking to me quietly and letting me just zone out and he talked me through the different breathing techniques. At the pushing stage I craved cold fizzy lemonade which was so weird and I would sip on the straw and push - sip - push - sip - push .....

The moment Andy passed Abby to me was insane - it was the most amazing feeling of gut punching love that I had never felt before. I felt so fantastic after giving birth to Abby - I had so much energy and I was so proud of myself. I now had a positive birthing story to share with others. The days that followed were a little harder. Abby was tiny - only 4lb 9oz. The next day Abby decided to stop breathing in Andy's arms - luckily this happened within minutes of arriving in the SCBU (special care baby unit) and nurses and doctors were onto her right away. She had to have so many awful tests including a lumbar puncture and over the next 4-5 days she would still stop breathing. It was so hard having her in an incubator and not being able to hold her,  however after day 3 we were allowed to hold her as much as we liked and the skin to skin contact was the best thing for her and us. We were in hospital for 2 weeks and it took this long for her to latch on to breast feed, but so glad I persisted as there were many days where I felt like giving up. Bringing Abby home was nerve wrecking - we drove like nanas! Muriwai put on a beautiful day for her home coming and a magic sunset of course :o) X

 

How happy and beautiful does Jen look here. Jen actually was the reason Mr D and I went to hypnobirthing. It was such a positive workshop, and we learned a lot about each other, as well as the birthing process and relaxation. I absolutely loved the course, and if anyone out there currently pregnant is interested then do contact Amanda www.naturalgentlebirth.co.nz She is a wonderful teacher. I'll let you know how we get on with using the techniques in a few weeks time!!

4 weeks to go!!!!!!!