Mama E says: “The breathing techniques I learned at your yoga classes, keeping active and upright, all helped so much while waiting for this baby to come, and then during labour – my husband also breathed with me, and was the best advocate.”
Hi Claire,
I had my second son on 3rd July 2022, and wanted to share my birth story with you, and to say thank you for the huge part yoga played in my mental and physical health during pregnancy and labour.
My first son’s birth, was difficult and required forceps, and a long recovery afterwards. It was due to a shoulder dystocia, so nothing I did caused the difficulties, and I’m very grateful for the medical assistance I received at the time.
Going into this birth, I was feeling positive that it would have to be better, and it really was! I was a lot more active through pregnancy, running after a toddler and having fewer aches and pains anyway – baby was low, rather than pushing up against my ribs.
With agreement between the consultant and me, we booked in an induction. Baby was measuring reasonably big at 39 weeks, and I wanted to reduce the risk of another shoulder dystocia. As I was 3cm dilated on admission to the induction ward, I didn’t need gel or pessary but was put on the (very long – read: days!) waiting list to have my waters broken.
My time finally came late one night. My waters were broken and back-to-back and strong contractions started soon after. As soon as a precautionary cannula was put in my hand, I was stood up, swaying, leaning against the bed.
Soon after, my Midwife suggested I might want to get up on the bed, on all 4s. I sensed something was up… in a good way!
Within another few minutes I was mooing, on all 4s, leaning against the raised head of the bed. My husband asked if I’d like gas and air, YES PLEASE! My Midwife then told me she could see the head crowning, and my response was “that’s the best news I’ve ever heard, I thought I could feel something!”
I agreed to delivering then on my back, as we lost the monitoring and I wanted to ensure safe delivery. Our son was placed on me straight away, and let out a lovely little cry. He was absolutely perfect.
The breathing techniques I learned at your yoga classes, keeping active and upright, all helped so much while waiting for this baby to come, and then during labour – my husband also breathed with me, and was the best advocate.
Our son was 8lb 15.5oz born (I apparently only make big boy babies – our first baby boy was 9lb) at 41+2 after a recorded labour of just 1hr 54mins, using breathing techniques and gas and air. It was the most powerful and primal I’ve ever felt, an experience like no other, and – although it was something I wanted to feel after an epidural with my first son – I’m happy to just do it the once, and enjoy my two boys now growing up together.
I will see you next month as I have signed up to mum and baby yoga.
Thank you again
