Alesha’s Birth Story - Positive Induction

We had a minor change in circumstances where due to medical reasons it was recommended I should be induced early. Having already competed your course I felt educated enough to make that decision and by the date of my Induction I was prepared and so excited to meet our baby. 

When we arrived at the Birth Suite my partner Sam started to set up our calming space by switching off the lights and setting up our galaxy star projected. Before completing your Hypnobirthing course he would often describe his role in our pregnancy journey as feeling like a spare part. During the labour and birth he was incredible, he knew exactly what to do to support me and I couldn't have done it without him. He used light touch massage, recited our favourite affirmations, communicated with the midwives so I could rest, and advocated for me every step of the way by reminding everyone of our Birth Preferences. He played the Hypnobirthing tracks at the start to help me relax while I used the birthing ball, and when I wanted a change he put on a playlist of relaxing jazz music to keep our space nice and calm. He followed me round and round the birth suite plugging and unplugging my IV drip, holding me up, and rubbing my back as I moved from the chair to the bed to the birth ball to the bathroom and back, respecting my wishes for an active and upright labour. 

Thanks to your advice from your course I had the confidence to decline interventions that I felt were not necessary and used the BRAIN acronym to help me make those decisions. I was able to use all the resources available to me including asking for a portable CTG monitor so I could remain active in labour, requesting a birthing ball, and asking to labour in the shower under hot water which I highly recommend as it was the best relief for my surges. Being prepared, educated and informed helped me keep calm even when things became stressful. 

After several hours of labouring and becoming extremely exhausted between surges I felt a change in my body and knew from your course that baby was coming soon and that it was time to bear down. 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. 

Thank you so much Michelle for teaching Sam and I the tools we needed to have the most positive and empowering labour and birth. Your support helped us to navigate this new and unfamiliar time and enabled us to completely make it our own. I am so proud of us!