Jordy’s Birth Story - Hospital Waterbirth
I was 40+6 and feeling very nervous at the prospect of an induction if he did not decide to come on his own. I had been having consistent contractions all day however 10 min apart and not progressing. We continued about our day and even went to the movies that night as I think we had given up the idea of him coming!
When we got home before bed we went through the practice for birth video as we had done many nights before. I was very relaxed by the time we went to bed and within the hour the contractions really started to increase in intensity. I got up and went and sat in the nursery with soft fairy lights and just tried to focus on bringing him down. The contractions were slowly becoming more frequent however I notice I had started bleeding so the hospital suggested we head in to be checked out to make sure everything was ok. By the time we got there I was having contractions every 5 minutes but the bright lights and adrenaline of getting there sent me into shock and all signs of labour started to slip away. My waters broke but still I couldn’t seem to get the contractions back frequently so they hospital sent us home at about 3am.
By this point I was determined. I sent cal to bed for a few hours rest and got out my headphones and completely withdrew to focus on bringing it back on. I can’t tell you how many times I listened to surges of the sea and rainbow mist but for the next 3 hrs I did nothing but meditate in my own bubble. I was so focused I had forgotten to count how many I was getting and how frequent until I realised I was barely getting a break between sets! I quickly woke Cal and we headed back into the hospital at 6.30am.
This time I was ready. I had a jumper wrapped round my head to keep out the light and 3 affirmations that had been resonating with me all night just chanting in my head “I am calm, I am strong, my body and baby know what to do”. Cal was incredible he took over and spoke to all the midwives so I could concentrate. He knew so much thanks to the course and was so supportive. We were taken to the assessment room to see how far along I was before hopefully being admitted this time. My plan had been to try the gas first and if I decided too unbearable to ask for an epidural. By the time I got in there I was demanding an epidural and saying that I couldn’t do this (transition had already begun). The midwife did a quick check and we realised I was fully dilated already and he was ready! It was too late for an epidural 😂 and the midwife suggested I try a water birth - we were open to this and I am SO GLAD we gave it ago.
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 honestly don’t know how things would have gone if we had not done your Hypnobirthing course. I was terrified of birth prior to your course. Afterwards though I looked forward to the day with nervous anticipation and felt much more equiped to deal with whatever came at me.
We used so many techniques we learned during your course, affirmations, self-hypnosis, light touch massage, visualisation, low lights and breathing techniques. I think I usually have a pretty low threshold for pain but I got through the whole experience with just hot water and the gas - I truly felt like superwoman.
We are so grateful and know we are also very lucky for the wonderfully positive birth we had as first time parents. Arlie is also a little dream!
I am exceptionally proud of what we went through and feel we owe a lot of it to what we learnt from you.
Thank you again.
Jordy and Cal
