Mama L says: “Once back at the hospital, the midwife was quite surprised I was already 9cm dilated having seen me only a few hours before when I was sent home as I was still in the very early phase of labour”

Hi Claire,

I hope you’re well.  It’s taken me a little while to put pen to paper but happy to share my birth story with you below.

I got home from a coffee with a friend about 5.30pm and started to feel pretty uncomfortable, which I put down to baby moving a bit lower, but nonetheless started to make dinner, which I ate bouncing on my exercise ball.

As the evening progressed, I got increasingly uncomfortable but was unsure if this was labour was starting as I’d not had any other signs (waters breaking or mucus plug). I decided to have a shower and by the time I got out it was clear these were contractions as I could see the muscles in my stomach working in the mirror! They were very manageable and actually seeing my body doing what it needed to do was amazing and it was quite exciting.  We rang the hospital and headed in around 9.30pm

They confirmed my waters had broken at the hospital and I had “the show” whilst there. We were sent home given I was in the early stages of labour.

I started to get ready for bed at home, thinking I’ll try to get what sleep I can to make sure I’m as rested as possible for the big day. Baby had other ideas however and the intensity of the contractions ramped up really quickly and I was very much drawing on the Hypnobirthing breathing techniques to manage. Before long I was at the ‘mooing stage’ and we went back to the hospital around 11.30pm.

Once there, the midwife was quite surprised I was already 9cm dilated having seen me only a few hours before.  I promptly got in the birthing pool, gratefully accepting the gas and air.

Our baby boy, was born at 1.40am after a straightforward delivery in the pool.  I used the Hypnobirthing breathing to keep focused and calm throughout and felt well informed about what was happening thanks to your hypnobirthing classes, which also helped me keep calm.

And the friend I’d had coffee with also had her baby boy the same day! I have no idea what they’d put in our drinks…!

Thank you, Claire, and I look forward to seeing you at mum and baby yoga soon!