Isaiah's Incredible birth story.

Before starting the hypnobirthing course with Aimee I was super anxious about birth and I really wanted an unmediated natural birth. I put quite a lot of pressure on myself to do this and I had no idea how to achieve it, thinking about labour made me cry hahaha.

I thought it was almost a competition, as if I needed to show that I was the strongest woman and that would somehow make me the best mum… how wrong I was.

I was so scared to fail.

I booked the hypnobirthing course, to get my partner involved in the labour and to help him understand about birth so that he could support me better, who knew I needed it more than he did.

At 41 weeks I had been in early labour for 3 days. One the first day my contractions were inconsistent, I had spent the day in the dark with the diffuser on getting my oxytocin flowing. By day two the contractions were much stronger and were coming every three minutes. After an examination I was advised to go back home, my contractions had slowed down, they were now coming every 10 mins.

On day three I attended a routine monitoring appointment at the day unit (I had previously declined any inductions or cervical sweeps), I was hooked up to the monitor and straight away there was a drop in baby's heart rate. We were then rushed straight to delivery suite and I had an examination. I was told that I had no waters left but they hadn't broken, so I think they were just absorbed.

My babies heart rate continued to drop and the emergency button was pressed, we were having a cat 1 section. I felt a strange sense of calm, I could focus straight away that the priority was a healthy baby. I felt quite objectively about the situation and matter of fact, not emotional.

I was able to even tell my partner bode what needed to happen (make arrangements for the dog, get the colostrum here, call my mum etc) all whilst having conversations, and having a cannula inserted.

I knew exactly what would happen which helped me stay calm. I was informed and from Aimee’s class sessions, I knew the little things to ask for so that I still felt like I had control. I felt very involved in decisions and although I had baby within 30mins, I didn't feel rushed, it was beautiful. It was a gorgeous atmosphere in the room, people laughing and talking about the baby once he was here.

The tools that I learnt In the hypnobirthing course helped me enormously. The breathing was HUGE!! They struggled to get the spinal anaesthetic in my back in and I was completely unfazed. My partner continued with affirmations throughout. My mindset was solely focused on meeting my baby and from watching the caesarean video in our classes, I knew it would be quick. I was excited.

My partner also supported me with the breathing techniques and by stroking my arm. I felt completely listened to and respected by all of the staff, they were incredible and I owe so much to them. I felt so much more more in control, knowing what was going on, I knew my options, and the potential risks, so I could focus on enjoying the beautiful parts.

When I met my baby it was incredible and the most euphoric moment of my life. He was taken to be weighed and checked over but the moment he was brought to me, my whole world changed. I am so proud of how I dealt with everything, I think other people were actually quite shocked at how calm I was. I turn into a different person.

Would you recommend the karma babies hypnbobirthing course?

Yes one million percent! I knew what the possibilities were for every birth option which helped to take the pressure off myself and enabled me to see birth as an amazing, natural and absolutely 'doable' thing. It was the most amazing day of my life.

If i could speak to an expectant parent now I would want them to know that there is no failing, trust your body and know that whatever happens you will never beat that moment when your baby is placed in your arms. Try not to stress at the end of your pregnancy about what could or couldn't happen, it doesn't help (although I know that's easier said than done!). No matter what type of birth you have on the day, Aimee’s hypnobirthing course is incredibly important. So many women carry a lot of trauma around birth, and I personally believe this is because they are shocked and overwhelmed due to having a lack of information around it.