Calm, Confident, Welcoming
Calm, Confident, Welcoming |
Phone Shari on 0407 775 783 Email shari@birthskills.com.au
Canberra Adelaide Perth Hobart
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Jay’s Birth by
Natalie Burgess My first pregnancy, labour and birth was a little
difficult, both emotionally and physically, so I was determined to have a more
positive experience the second time around. I practiced yoga regularly and also discovered
BirthSkills…it was important for me to learn how to relax and maintain my
sense of self. The pregnancy progressed really well, and I felt very
fit and healthy. The day before I was due, I was feeling really
emotional, and like most pregnant women at term, was a little fed up.
I was therefore really happy to discover that I had had a show when
having a shower, and also excited to know that I would very soon be meeting our
baby. The day passed uneventfully, but I felt really calm and
relaxed. I woke at 3am on my due date with a heavy pelvis and
general period like sensation. I got up to the toilet and discovered yet more
show. I did manage to go back to bed
to doze, but just before 4am felt my first contraction.
I wasn’t comfy lying in bed so got up, and allowed myself to enjoy
being the only one who knew that I was in labour.
I was really content to just be in my own company and
when I felt a contraction coming I would lean forward and I just allowed myself
to completely relax and withdraw into myself. At 5am I got my hubby up, and our 3 year old woke up
and came out to watch TV with mummy. At
6am I rang the hospital to let them know I was in labour, and woke up my
hubby’s sister (who was to be a support person) and her hubby (who was to look
after our son). Everyone had a cup
of tea, until I started to get a bit cranky…which then decided for me that it
was time to go in. My little boy
gave my tummy a kiss goodbye and off we went. I felt really special arriving at the hospital…I’m
a midwife there…as the 3 staff on that shift were waiting for me in the foyer.
A few days after I had my baby, one of the girls said it was like
welcoming the queen. I settled in to the labour suite, and continued to
comfortably deal with the contractions (every 5 minutes), leaning forward and
having someone rub my back. My hubby (Stu) and his sister were great, taking
turns rubbing my back with Stu and my midwife(s) reminding me to go loose and
limp. I had organized with a colleague to be my midwife/support person, so I was
really lucky to have the shift midwife and my friend as well.
4 support people lucky me. Time lost all meaning and I felt really comfortable and
totally relaxed…which I owe to all my practice with hypnobirthing. The girls suggested the bath…and at around 9am I made
my way into the bathroom. Just prior
to getting I the bath I had a really strong contraction, and knelt over the
birth ball and made the most amazing sound…almost chanting.
It felt so good to verbalize. Into the bath…which was absolutely fab…and now with
every contraction chanting and breathing. I
was so relaxed in between and really comfortable.
I even commented that I was really enjoying myself…and I have some
great black and white shots of me looking rather content in the bath. At around 10am the contractions (still 5 minutely)
started to get really intense, very tight with a bite right at the peak.
I remember crying and squeezing someone’s hand (and I think biting on
Stu’s arm), and at the back of my mind knowing this was transitional behavior,
but couldn’t rationalize with myself. I
wanted to go home and not do this anymore, and everyone just remained really
calm and talked me through each contraction at a time. At some stage I asked for gas, and it was fantastic.
I remember simply floating in the bath, eyes closed with the mouth piece
being firmly held by my teeth. I was
still totally relaxed, and had at this stage completely withdrawn inwards. One really intense contraction and I felt pressure,
then a pop as my waters released. Then
with the next contraction I felt my baby moving, rapidly, and I felt my vulva
open and then the contraction ended. I
put my hand down there to feel, expecting to feel a bit of head, and was shocked
to feel that I had just delivered my entire baby’s head on my own.
I think I freaked out a bit at this stage as I was still in the bath, and
no one was behind me. My midwife
friend moved behind me, and I heard her telling the other midwife that the head
wasn’t crowning, the head was out. After
that the next contraction delivered the body, and with a great whoosh of relief
our beautiful baby boy was born. Both
midwives later told me that I had not pushed, so I caught them a little unaware,
and appeared so relaxed that my baby literally birthed himself. I was amazed, exhausted and elated…I had just birthed
my baby the way I wanted. Birthing
in the bath was not part of my plan, but I don’t think anyone could have got
me out without a fight. I had birthed my baby without fear,
and even more special, I was the very first person to touch my baby (I
had not had any vaginal examinations as requested in my birth plan). Our baby boy is so calm and relaxed, and I believe that
my ability to relax and let go through the pregnancy and in labour has had a
wonderfully positive influence on our second beautiful son. |
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Email shari@birthskills.com.au .
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