M & A

The birth of our son Charlie would not quite have been the same without the classes we took, and support we had, from Norma over the last few months.  The principles of hypnosis in birthing were both useful and interesting. Possibly more importantly, the information and guidance which we were provided with throughout the pregnancy helped us both relax even more deeply - before and during the birth.  Learning to know what to expect, and what my body was going to go through helped me to prepare mentally and physically for what in the end was a very natural birth of Charlie at home, with my husband Matt and daughter Lene present.  I would highly recommend the support of both Norma and Christine for your pregnancy and a completely beautiful birth for you and your baby.

 R & A

Baby Ruby

A & R

As I was approaching my final weeks of my pregnancy, I began to worry a lot about the birth (I believe this is normal), The antenatal classes I attended from my local hospital were not really what I expected them to be and they did not concentrate on the breathing exercises as much as I would have liked. For this reason my worrying and nervousness became very troublesome and upsetting for me, so for this reason I approached Norma and the Creating Better Births programme.  

Although I was late starting this programme, Norma was more than willing to tailor me a few sessions in order to teach me some relaxation and breathing techniques.

I received a warm and friendly welcome from Norma and was presented with a lovely booklet containing the CBB techniques, positive affirmations as well as a few DVDs relating to positive better births.  Norma was very professional in assisting me to understand how my body prepares for the birthing process. The offered me an insight which I probably would not have gained had I not joined the CBB programme.  These sessions assisted me to calm my nerves and trust in my body to deliver my beautiful baby.

As my labour progressed, I applied the techniques Norma had taught me and felt I had a better understanding of what was happening inside my body. (just through the difference in the surges)

Throughout my pregnancy, I had experienced extremely painful lower back pain which I was unaware was being caused by my baby's positioning. My baby was back to back, her spine was facing my spine and this caused the baby's weight to be pressing backwards instead of forwards and resulting in this extreme pain. Had I been aware of this earlier I would have approached Norma's partner Christine, who I believe works with the pelvis and can assist you in creating the optimum baby's birthing position which again would have eased my back pain and assisted in my labour.

After 14 hours of labour, my consultant advised that due to the baby's positioning, I had to have an emergency c-section. I was not disappointed by this due to having an open mind about my labour in the first place, which is something Norma taught me. I had prepared everything for a home water birth, and still love the thought of my water baby...this is just being created by our swimming lessons instead. :-)

For anyone who is anxious about their new baby's arrival, I would highly recommend Norma and the Creating Better Births programme as it helped me to be open minded about my birth, it created a better understanding of how my body is preparing for the birth and the most valuable breathing and relaxation techniques. I still use these techniques now for when I need to relax, enjoying an aromatherapy bath or assistance falling asleep.

I now have a beautiful baby girl who is my world!!!

Lily’s birth was an enjoyable experience, we felt very calm and focused throughout and for a first birth, I think I got off lightly with a 7 hour labour!  As Lily was born a week early, I didn't actually realise I was in labour until, on arrival at the hospital, I was told I was 5cm dilated.  I'd had back-ache that day, which I'd tried to alleviate with a walk into town, and at night, after I'd eaten a big tea, I was sick, but felt that I'd simply over-done the carbohydrates!!  

I then developed very intense cramps in the tops of my legs and when I couldn't settle I rang the maternity unit for some reassurance.  They didn't initially realise I was in labour either; when I reported the symptoms of cramps in my legs and nausea they thought I was ill.  I rang again an hour later and they told me to go down to the maternity unit just to get checked out.  The strange thing was that throughout the day I wasn't aware of any stomach contractions whatsoever, and this lack of feeling continued throughout the labour, even though the mid-wife said she could tell when I was getting one. 

I was attended throughout Lily's delivery by an excellent mid-wife who stayed with us all the time and who was incredibly supportive.  I initially went into the birthing pool, which I enjoyed, and at that point the mid-wife thought I'd deliver very quickly. However, I did tire of the experience and felt that I wanted to get out and walk about after a couple of hours.  When I did so, the mid-wife said the labour had slowed and that, without signs things were picking up again, I may have to go to Preston for an induction drip.  I really didn't fancy this option, and fortunately, after the repeated application of clary sage oil, things started again.  But I still wasn't aware of any contractions or any desire to push.  However, I still felt calm and very relaxed, which the breathing techniques undoubtedly helped with, and the mid-wife said she could see the baby's head after five hours in the hospital.  All the cramping sensations and back-ache had disappeared and I didn't feel in any pain, which very fortunately lasted for the remainder of the birth, even through to the delivery itself.  I didn't even feel any stretching or burning sensations prior to the crowning (which, like the stomach contractions, I was expecting....) However, on the plus side, I didn't need any pain-relief.

The only negative about the whole experience was that, probably due to the lack of feeling with regard to any contractions, I wasn't able to work with my body to push Lily out.  I had instead to make a conscious decision to push and force the situation; otherwise I think I would still have been in labour now!! This unfortunately meant that I did experience a slight tear and bruising, but due to the mid-wife's competence, I didn't feel much discomfort afterwards and have healed very well and quickly.

Lily is a lovely baby and, for the most part, very good-natured with a happy personality. She is feeding very well and has gone from a birth weight of 7lbs 10ozs to 8lbs 1oz in a week.

I'd like to express our thanks to you and Christine for the excellent sessions that A and I enjoyed.  Not only was the experience incredibly useful  and beneficial during Lily's birth, but many of the techniques you employed during our course have equipped both me and A with 'life skills' that would be useful in, and applicable to, lots of other situations. The course left us both feeling empowered with lots of knowledge about the experience of labour which undoubtedly helped us both feel calm and relaxed throughout and as a result have given us very positive memories and a sense of pride about the whole experience of pregnancy and Lily's labour.