By 3pm Sunday, I was feeling drained and needed reassurance that my body was progressing. I requested a midwife review and a vaginal examination. Finding out that I was 3cm dilated and my cervix was thinning provided me with much-needed relief. The midwife suggested a bath, which felt like heaven and quickly led me into established labour.

Hypnobirthing is often surrounded by misconceptions, and it’s important to clarify what it is not. Firstly, Hypnobirthing is not about being in a trance or losing control during labour. Many people hear the word “hypnosis” and think of stage performances where individuals are made to do silly things under a hypnotist’s influence.

Having a strong core will enable you to carry the weight of your baby with ease and have a quicker postpartum recovery, allowing you to thrive as a mother.

The journey to meet Jack began mostly at home. We relied heavily on hypnobirthing tracks, breathwork, light touch massage, and a heat pack on my back. We created a serene environment with a dark room, utilized the FLOP technique, and explored various labour positions, especially on all fours.

Ahh… you’ve finally got your beautiful baby in your arms. But now you’re wondering… how am I supposed to prioritise my self-care when I have someone who is 100% dependent on me?

Mama, I got you.

Let’s break down what self-care actually is…

I got on all four and told him to call the ambulance. I felt the urge the push. In this moment I surrendered and repeated to myself that me and baby are safe, my body and baby work in harmony and I will soon meet my baby. I let my body push and felt him move through my body feeling every sensation in such a beautiful way.

There was a moment where I suddenly realised the importance of having your own relaxation tools for labour and not just relying on the medical pain relief of the hospital. The truth is, the hospital didn’t want me in the Birth Suite until I was in more established labour, so labouring at home is what we did. I can’t even begin to imagine what my labour would have been like if I didn’t have the Hypnobirthing tracks, light touch massage, breathing techniques and various other tools!

I put my hand down to feel if I could feel a head – it felt like a bulge, like your head was coming. I couldn’t walk too well and ended up half on the bed, half on the floor…

Our baby's grand entrance, unveiled after hours of labor, was a tribute to the grit we found through Hypnobirthing and the beautiful support of our midwives. Michelle's phone-call wisdom proved gold. This birth tale is a shout-out to staying cool, the power of teamwork, and the magic that Hypnobirthing can weave in the face of curveballs.

Childbirth is a miraculous journey that brings immense joy, but it can also come with challenges, including the risk of perineal tearing. However, there are several ways expectant mothers can reduce the likelihood of tearing during childbirth, promoting a smoother postpartum recovery.

The Hypnobirthing sessions had equipped us with invaluable tools. The hypnosis scripts Michelle taught us played softly in the background, guiding me into a deep state of relaxation amidst the intensity of labor. With every surge, I focused on my breathing and visualization techniques, allowing my body to work harmoniously.

“Childbirth is a transformative journey that can be both exciting and daunting. Many expectant mothers seek ways to make the experience as calm and positive as possible. Hypnobirthing has gained popularity as a technique that promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety during labor and delivery. In this blog post, we'll explore the effectiveness of Hypnobirthing and how it empowers women to approach childbirth with confidence and serenity. “

“Bringing a new life into the world is a profound experience, and preparing for childbirth involves a multitude of factors that can significantly impact the journey. To ensure a positive, informed, and empowering birth experience, here are five essential steps:…”

“When my waters broke, there was meconium in my waters which meant I had to get out of the bath and onto the bed, where I leant on my knees up and over the bed head. I remember this part vividly as the transition from the water to the bed was incredibly painful. “

“The journey to parenthood is a remarkable one, but it can also be filled with trepidation, particularly when it comes to the fear of giving birth. This fear affects many expectant mothers. However, there are numerous ways to overcome this fear and step into the world of childbirth with confidence and empowerment. Below we'll explore several strategies to help you conquer the fear of birth and instead prepare for a positive birthing experience.”

‘The sensation was exactly as you described and felt almost out of my control. I birthed Teddy kneeling on the bed with my arms and upper body braced on the raised bed head in one of the positions we practiced in class. In those final moments before we met our baby Sam was amazing, he helped me regulate my breathing and continued to remind me of how this pain was good pain, he made me feel so strong and capable when I was beginning to doubt myself in those final seconds. He held my hand almost the entire time only letting go so he could catch Teddy as he entered this world and again to cut the umbilical cord. ‘

Whilst the bath was running the bearing down phase started so they whisked me off to the room and I started bearing down. I think I was in this phase for about 2.5hrs I struggled at the start to understand how hard you really had to bear down but we got there. It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done but just magical. Eventually I was able to catch him myself in the water - it was just the most beautiful moment.

‘I used a lot of the fear-release tracks, visualisations, light touch and created my own affirmations. The one I ended up creating and using most was ‘I love and trust my body and baby. Our baby knows the safest way to enter this world.’