Chiara’s Birth Story - Positive Caesarean

Although Joe and I had planned and envisioned a natural birth from the beginning, we were met with a very unexpected circumstance. After a swim at a local pool and uncomfortable pain and cramping, our little girl decided to flip head up - breech. And, scan after scan she remained that way, despite my wildest attempts to turn her! (Inversions, acupuncture, moxibustion, bribery...) 

To be honest, I was pretty shattered. I wanted so badly to experience this euphoric, natural birth that you hear about, but it wasn’t to be for us. 

Throughout the remaining weeks of my pregnancy I felt completely held and supported by Michelle. She continuously checked in, provided me with tips and recommendations to help accept and release the fear I had surrounding a planned caesarean. 

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.’

In the end, it actually came down to me releasing a lot of pride and ego. I held the idea of a natural birth so highly that I found myself frustrated and upset that I wouldn’t even be able to have that experience. And then I realised, isn’t this the first test for me in motherhood? Sacrifice and surrender. 

From that stage (about 36 weeks), we booked a date for our daughter’s birthday and I started to visualise, talk and play out in my mind a beautiful, peaceful caesarean, with my husband holding my hand right by my side. 

We were fairly calm on the day. I felt so ready to meet our daughter and used the affirmations to keep myself centred. Even my obstetrician commented on how calm I seemed. When Joe joined me in theatre, he used the light touch technique (my favourite) and positive affirmations, and before we knew it, our little Lila was in our arms. 

We want to thank Michelle for providing us with the knowledge and skills for our birth. You really don’t know what direction your birth will take and it’s a test sometimes to release that control when it doesn’t turn out the way you had planned. 

We believe being informed is the best way to come out of the experience feeling positive and empowered and that’s exactly what this course provided. Thank you, Michelle.