A positive natural labour: Oliver’s birth story
I loved being pregnant, watching my bump grow and feeling my baby kick. I was fortunate to have a very smooth pregnancy without any complications. I was pregnant during the coronavirus lockdown and enjoyed tuning in to HPHB’s daily yoga and Pilates sessions on Instagram.
I was in labour for a long and tiring 34 hours but was able to manage this at home using my TENS machine and the information and breathing techniques from the HPHB hypnobirthing session. When I arrived at hospital I was amazed that I was already fully dilated! In the end I was put on a syntocinon drip as my contractions slowed down and I very nearly needed an episiotomy (but baby was born just in time!). The Happy Parents Happy Baby course really helped me to understand all of the possible interventions I might require during labour and why they might be offered to me.
The first moment I saw my baby I felt a huge sense of relief and happiness that it was all over and that I had such a perfect, healthy baby!
The first days at home were a mixture of being completely exhausted, overwhelmed and over-joyed all at once. I was able to draw on information I had learnt in the HPHB breastfeeding session which helped feeding to get off to a good start. The practical tips on baby care were also very useful for us as first time parents.
I would definitely recommend the HPHB antenatal course - the varied and comprehensive information from a range of different professionals was really helpful. It has also been brilliant to meet other new parents in the same situation (even if it did have to be over zoom!)
Top Tips
Say YES to any offers of help and support from family friends, especially in the early days.
Not having to cook dinner or having someone look after the baby for an hour or so makes such a huge difference.
You can read lots more Positive Birth Stories here. We have positive birth stories from all types of births, including homebirths, water births, induction of labour, instrumental deliveries and Caesarean section births.
Download our free birth plan template and other resources for your pregnancy here.
Find out more about our antenatal and hypnobirthing classes in London, Essex and online and book your place here.
Access free hypnobirthing relaxations and videos to support you through your pregnancy on our Instagram TV page here.
Watch our free pregnancy and postnatal exercise classes here.
