“It was so important for us to work together as a team on the day and ever since”
This time last week (11th Oct) I gave birth to our lovely little daughter!
I was still working (due to finish work on 14th) so was a little unprepared both mentally and physically I think, but when things started at 4 a.m. I kind of knew and felt both excited and mildly hysterical (as in, I was laughing a lot!). I used the balloon breathing and lots of moving around to cope with the surges at home and then called the hospital in the morning and went in expecting to be sent home, but membranes broke whilst there and i was then strapped up to various monitors!
Without too much detail, things didn’t pan out quite the way we had hoped, the baby’s heart rate kept dipping (or maybe it was the equipment I was all strapped up to which the staff seemed a little unfamiliar with!) but even though I wasn’t able to be active, as I had wanted, I used the hypno techniques to stay calm and relaxed and Dil was fantastic in supporting me and massaging my back til his own hands were sore!
I lost all track of time but it did feel like a long day and I was very exhausted by the end, but managed with just gas and air from about 6pm. At the end I had the infamous failure to progress scenario but felt calm and ready to meet our baby so after having a bit more time to try, we had some help which although was not what I wanted, probably turned out for the best as she had her cord around her neck and things could have escalated to a more serious intervention I suppose. Anyway, she was placed on my chest straight away which felt wonderful.
Since then, i’ve had a very sleepy baby and we went back in to hospital for a night as she had jaundice, but we are home again now and things are improving. We’re having a few feeding troubles but we’re persevering and she’s getting more alert and lively as the days go by.
So, there you go – my advice, if you haven’t done so already, get off on maternity leave, make sure your bag is packed and keep on with the hypnobirth techniques – whatever your birth scenario, they will undoubtedly help you! Also, partners – be strong and don’t be afraid to challenge anything you’re being told is necessary – it may not be the case.
Thanks Kat for everything that you taught us – for us, it was so important for me and Dil to have come to your classes together and work together as a team on the day and ever since.