Hi Kate,
Just want to say a big thank you for teaching and preparing both Ross and I for our birthing experience.
Here is how it all started…
At 7am I began to have some intense period like cramping not lasting very long. I let Ross know who then started monitoring and timing from then on as I continued to get ready for the day as well as alert our family who would be looking after Patrick.
By 930 we had dropped Patrick off to his grandparents and I was back home alternating rocking on the fit ball and walking up and down the hall. Ross played my hypno-music, track ‘adrift’ was on repeat and seemed to keep me in the zone with each surge I hunched over the arm of the couch rocking.
I also had my affirmations board in front of me and recited them in my head whilst I did my breathing.
By 1 pm surges were 5 minutes apart and lasting a long longer. We rang the hospital who advised us to come in.
Once at the hospital our amazing midwife who was familiar with our birth preferences was happy for Ross to set up the room with LED candles, my affirmations, and hypno music.
I didn’t want to sit on the fit ball anymore and instead found standing and rocking, leaning on Ross most comfortable. I just kept repeating in my head ‘my baby and I are working together’, ‘I breathe my baby down’.
‘My baby and I are working together’
‘I breathe my baby down’
A couple of hours in around 4 pm not, my midwife was advised by my doctor to do a vaginal exam to see how far I was – 4cm and progressing well.
After this I found myself on all fours on the bed, rocking in a circular motion with each surge reciting my affirmations. Ross and my midwife were amazing, my midwife coming in and out and leaving me to it whilst checking baby’s heart monitor. Saying softly you are doing great, well done. Ross was amazing with his light touch massage, praising me and wiping my face, neck, and shoulders with a cool towel. At times when I was quite vocal when I’d have surges close together, Ross would recite a few of my favourite affirmations which is what I needed as I began to self doubt myself and if I could withstand the intensity of my surges without pain relief.
Time to meet baby
By 7 pm I started feeling intense pressure in my bottom and with each surge I had the feeling I want to push… my midwife advised me I was fully dilated and called my doctor, he was on his way.
I was so relieved and felt ready to have this baby and having to push with each surge kinda took the focus off the pain as I knew I’d be meeting my baby soon.
After a little while of pushing my doctor recommended to use the vacuum to help assist with the birth, I consented and with a couple of pushes our beautiful son, Ethan Wiliam was born.
I couldn’t believe it…. Ross and I, high on adrenaline, were brought to tears as our baby was brought to my chest.
After 14 hours of labour I had successfully had my VBAC drug free.
I could not have done it without the skills and techniques I learnt from the Hypnobirthing Australia™ course and the ongoing support of you Kate. You prepared Ross and I so well. So thank you again.
I feel so proud to have achieved a drug-free VBAC and believe anyone can give it a go if they believe in themselves enough.
Jess x
P.S. I couldn’t have done it without Ross and he gives the course and yourself the credit in his preparation.
I forgot to mention – the days following the birth both my midwife and obstetrician said how well I did in my labour and how calm and strong I was….even though I felt like I was very loud and vocal.
Kate Vivian is a Mum of three and pregnancy and birth geek who helps Mums-to-be find their voice during their own pregnancy and birth.
After a less than fantastic birth of her first baby that ended in a caesarean section, she realised that having a positive birth was all about being empowered to make your own decisions. Kate went on to have two incredible, positive vaginal births after caesarean (VBAC) having found her own voice.
Regardless of the journey you walk during your pregnancy, Kate will be your biggest cheerleader. She will be the voice behind your voice as you walk your journey with confidence.
To find out more about Kate, check her out here.
Are you ready to start writing your own positive birth story? Click here to find out more about Hypnobirthing Australia classes