Alexis, Steve & Tabatha

Hypno what ??? is usually the response I get when I get the chance to describe the amazing experience I had whilst giving birth to my daughter. I admit, I too was a disbeliever but then my curiosity got the better of me.....

I first went to a "workshop" which was just for a couple of hours one very wintery night. It was very poorly attended (just 4 of us) and I wasn't convinced it was just because of the snow. But as I listened I got very excited because it seemed to make sense and I just started to dare to believe that I may have the positive experience that I so craved. I went home and scoured the internet for a practitioner in my area. I found Marilyn and she is wonderful. She is the most gentle, empathetic and beautiful person. My husband and I signed up for a course.

Although this baby was our third, it was amazing how much there was still to learn and the videos we watched were so inspiring. My 1st baby was born in a London hospital, to two very frightened and bewildered 1st time parents. I had pethidine, gas and air followed by a very painful episiostomy which later became so badly infected it took weeks to heal. I was so frightened about giving birth the 2nd time I couldn’t really talk about it. I did however take the decision to have the baby at home which was mostly because I met a lovely midwife who recommended it. Everyone said it was brave but it really wasn’t, I think I was just pretending it wasn't happening!!! The birth went well but I still found it incredibly painful and I felt out of control partly due to so much gas and air.

So 3rd time lucky?!!! You bet, if only I had heard about it years ago - amazing to think it really has been around for years.

For a while it looked as if I wasn’t going to get the chance to test out all the relaxation techniques I had learnt as at 37 weeks my baby was breech. Marilyn did some sessions with me to try and turn the baby by visualising it happening. I went to hospital to organise the c-section. I was scanned - still breech, saw the consultant 40 minutes later and a miracle had happened - my baby had turned!!!!! I skipped home and got straight into my rainbow relaxationpractice!

Marilyn was lending us her birthing pool. We blew it up in our bedroom a week or so before my due date which was a Monday. On the day before, the weather was particularly warm and I worked hard in the garden. I was relaxed and happy. That evening my husband went to bed leaving me lying on the sofa watching recordings of Corrie!! I had been having trouble sleeping so this was nothing unusual.

Suddenly I heard a pop and realised that my waters had broken. After a fashion I made it up the stairs to tell hubby who flew out of bed. We made tea and I sat on my birthing ball and watched a few more episodes while he went upstairs to fill the pool. Steve had been given the responsibility of looking after the environment as we had learnt in the classes and he took it very seriously!!

He thought it was time I go upstairs and relax...By now my contractions were pretty strong and regular but I couldn't stop giggling. I went upstairs and found a candlelit room with 20 or so aromatherapy candles and soft music - I was blown away and it all felt so special.

I started to listen to the affirmations played on the speakers in my room and I felt invincible! I was in the bath at this point and still totally relaxed. I was very aware of the contractions but I don’t think anyone else would have been. It was about 4.30am that the midwife arrived together with a student. They wanted to examine me and do all their observations so we decided to get that all out of the way.

The baby sounded fine and I was about 5-6cm dilated, although I found the examination quite painful. The midwife said the cervix was behind the baby’s head which made things difficult and asked if the student could examine me too. Fortunately my husband stepped in and said no not unless it was really necessary - and I am so glad he did!

My relaxed state had been interrupted somewhat, and I was out of the pool. I felt extremely hot so decided to stay out for a while. I put some earphones in my ears with my ipod on which I had recorded all the rainbow tracks and affirmations etc.

I lay on the bed and let the words wash over me. I could feel the contractions getting extremely strong but found the visualisations I had learnt to be extremely effective and calming. I later learnt that the midwives thought I was asleep!!

I then got into the birth pool knowing instinctively that soon my baby would be with me. I kept my headphones on throughout as it helped me to shut out the world. I was aware of muffled conversations between the midwives and Steve but that was all.

As I started to feel the babies head I turned from lying on my back to kneeling, holding Steve's hands. It was intense now and I remember saying "I cant do it "! But as soon as I said it I remembered that alot of people feel that when the birth is very imminent and I felt immediately positive and in control once more.

I said "the head is out"! I saw a look between Steve and the Midwife who said "no, not yet, a little while yet" but I knew it was and within a few seconds my baby floated out and I was looking down into her face as she lay on her back in the water. I will never forget the next few seconds as I put my arms down and lifted her towards me.
I was aware that there was a little urgency behind me as the midwife recognised the cord around the baby’s neck saying she couldn't reach and to wait. But I was calm and gently unwrapped it from around her, turned around, sat down and cuddled my baby. It was Monday 6th April 2009 at 7am - my due date!

I sat in the water with her while my husband woke our other two children and they came in to meet our new arrival. The water was clear - there was nothing horrible for them to see and we cut the cord together.

I had the most wonderful shower and Steve made breakfast!!! By 8am only our little family unit was left with everyone gone and I had to pinch myself. Thanks to hypno-birthing and most of all Marilyn we had the best birthing experience possible.

If you are thinking of doing it then you simply must.... If you have done or are doing the course then prepare yourself for the most wonderful experience and know that you have done simply the best for you and your baby. Congratulations x