"I'm so grateful to be able to say that I had a truly positive birth. I know this was impacted by several things - reading up on the mechanics of birth, having a supportive birth partner, and both of us understanding and using hypnobirthing preparation and techniques. All of these things were hugely helped by the Mind Over Mama course.
I would recommend discussing with your birth partner what you will do if you go into labour at different times of day - I went into labour at around midnight and I had agreed if this happened and I could manage the early contractions (which were like period pains) then I wouldn't wake my partner so he could get rest. When the morning came and I was in early labour, we already knew from the course ways that we could promote relaxation and the right hormones to help labour progress. I had hoped for a home birth but due to concerns about baby's movement went into the the hospital - hypnobirthing helped keep me calm even in the car on the way and whilst being monitored.
Both at home, and in hospital, we used all the senses to move through labour - listening to affirmations and relaxation audios that I had listened to many times in my third trimester, using calming smelling oils, eating tasty snacks, watching favourite comedy, using massage.
I was also really glad I had practiced the breathing - even a little practice helps with this.
Hypnobirthing especially helped my partner know what to do when I reached active labour - we had an awesome birth playlist and he helped remind me how to breathe which meant I got the best out of the gas and air, too.
I used a birth pool but had to get out at push stage to use a catheter as my full bladder was blocking baby's route out and I hadn't been able to wee! I used my knowledge of active labour positions to keep baby moving down and I paced myself during the push stage so I could help baby come out as smoothly as possible.
My partner stayed calm throughout and used the tools and techniques advised to really help me. We can forever look back on our birth story and feel great and this is in no small part thanks to the M.O.M course - thank you."
'Our birth story really couldn't be any more boring but for that I am so happy! I started feeling surges around 10 pm, 3 days after my due date, at first I wasn't sure if these were braxton hicks but soon after they started i really felt them in my back and could tell that they were just different. my husband ran me a bath and i got in, topping it up every so often, the water really helped me relax. the surges became intense pretty quickly but i practiced my 'up breathing' and visualizations each time, riding the wave! I actually smiled because i knew i was doing it, i was having my baby and i began actually welcoming each surge! i spent time in and out of the bath, moving around and listening to positive affirmations, my husband read these out to me too. at around 5 am i felt the urge to push kick in and my waters broke as i was stood in the bathroom. i had a moment of overwhelm but very quickly got my breathing back on track and i had a good idea that we needed to go to the birth centre which is where we had planned on birthing the baby. the journey was tough, it wasn't far but i had really enjoyed moving around at home so being sat in the car felt uncomfortable. When we arrived I really really felt like pushing and was examined the minute we got through the door. I was 8 cm! In the next hour I was on all fours and with just a few gentle pushes and my down breathing our beautiful baby girl Olivia made her way into the world weighing 8lb 3oz! I couldn’t be more thankful for the online course that my partner and I did with lucy from mind over mama hypnobirthing. I had always been pretty scared of giving birth but I actually understood what was happening at each stage, what I did and didn't need to do. I felt so confident in my body and actually felt excited during labour which feels crazy to say! I'm so happy to have started this new chapter in our lives feeling good and most of all confident! thank you lucy!' ... Katie & Mike
The birth of our beautiful daughter, was a lot different to what we had planned. But after our lessons from Lucy we felt informed and confident throughout the journey. We religiously practiced all of the tools and techniques, and did our own research on the lead up to labour which made a huge difference.
Our journey started on 31st, where my waters had broken but only a small amount ( I didn’t realise at the time that this is what it was!). The Labour ward weren’t concerned so we waited till midwife 3 days later & then the midwife confirmed it was actually my waters. We were told we had to go to labour ward because worries of infection. My midwife told me ‘I was going to have a baby today’ Toby and I were so excited. I had planned on labouring at home for as long as possible before this but It felt right in the circumstances that we went to the hospital.
When we arrived I was offered an induction and advised that I would need antibiotics, which was not on our plans but we were happy to do what was needed to bring our little person into the world safely. We felt in control and informed as Lucy had talked us through different ways of induction prior and I knew what to expect.
I was soon put in a room where they put me on hormone drip and antibiotics. I was being monitored continuously, and for some time laid on the bed, because babies heart rate was inconsistent, and midwives needed to monitor my contractions.
I made the decision to stand for a while and even took the opportunity to play cards with Toby. This was my favourite part of labour! I felt so in control and happy to be contracting. The midwives even commented that I was ‘too calm’.
But it was only because I was completely in my element, using my Hypnobirthing breathing and relaxation techniques; and knew I’d been meeting my baby soon.
My wishes were respected on the labour ward in regards to low lighting, using candles & music. This really helped the atmosphere in the room. These tips really helped me keep calm and relaxed in the environment and grounded me.
My waters were broken for me, and the surges ramped up so much!! I proudly lasted 7 hours on gas and air. I truly believe the pain was manageable using the Hypnobirthing techniques that I learnt from Lucy and support I had from Toby. I couldn’t have managed this without the Hypnobirthing for sure! We used tools such as light touch massage, music and positive birth affirmations.
Toby did an amazing job, he reminded me of small things we learnt throughout the course with Lucy, such as how to effectively use the gas and air.
After 7 hours I felt really exhausted and upon discussing it with Toby I chose to have an epidural, not without giving it a good attempt without first! It was also on my own terms, so again I felt in control.
It was then just waiting game, around 2am I was 2cm dilated, and at this point I was offered a c-section. Toby and I discussed how I felt and we made the decision to wait and see if things moved along themselves. I caried on labouring and became fully dilated. I was told that baby’s head was in awkward place and because I was on epidural I couldn’t move to help baby to move down. I agreed to forceps, and if that didn’t work, then we would have a c-section. Before we agreed to this we discussed the pros and cons with the doctor first, so we felt fully informed. We had deviated further away from our original plan however nothing was a complete surprise to us, as we had learnt about and prepared for the alternatives. Because of this I still felt in control.
I was taken to theatre and they tried to move baby via forceps, but she was feeling stubborn and didn’t want to come. So I agreed to have a c section!
Earlier in my Pregnancy I was apprehensive about having a c section and there had been talk of a planned c section because for a little while I had a low lying placenta. However, after discussing this with Lucy, she taught us about caesareans, the different options and what I could/request to ensure I was still calm, relaxed and had a positive experience; if this is was how I was going to give birth. This really put my mind at ease both during the course and when we found ourselves making the decision to have a caesarean on the day! So I felt prepared for this option.
My wishes were respected for Toby to tell me the gender and to have immediate skin to skin when she was here. It was just incredible when she was born and Toby told me we had a baby Girl. Seeing her was just the most magical experience for both me and Toby, making the whole journey worth every second. Even though our birth journey turned out different to what we had planned, I still felt confident and in control throughout. I honestly and completely believe it would have been very different for me and Toby if we hadn’t have done Lucy’s hypnobirthing course! So for that we are so grateful! Honestly from the bottom of my heart, thank you! I think without it, I could easily come away with birthing trauma. Instead we were informed, in control and felt so supported from each other and supported by the knowledge we had learnt from the course.
Thank you so much!
My courses are fun, practical and effective. Everything that I teach is evidence based and backed by science so that you can be confident in using your fabulous new skills during labour and birth!
I give you all of the tools that you need to:
- Train your brain to believe in your body (it really is Mind Over Mama!)
- Feel confident in knowing what your body is doing and why
- Know your rights, make confident & informed decisions
- Have a positive experience so that you come away feeling empowered and in control for the next stages of parenthood
- Continued 1:1 support after your course has ended, leading up to and after the birth of your baby
Mind Over Mama Hypnobirthing courses are realistic and honest, it's all about YOUR BODY and YOUR BIRTH, however YOU want to do it!
I offer private, face to face courses to clients in the following areas: Felpham, Yapton, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, West Worthing, Findon and Arundel. If your location is not listed but you would really like help, please do get in touch!
Alternatively courses can be delivered via ZOOM!
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