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. I found the support from Norma and Chris amazing throughout my pregnancy. I contacted Norma through recommendation and was looking for something to ease some of my fears of child birth as it was my first pregnancy. The birth fit program was fantastic, it gave both myself and my partner a better understanding of what happens to your body during labour and what to expect. My partner was given advice on how to support during labour and pregnancy with various techniques. I used the relaxation CD most nights and had it on repeat throughout my entire labour. My little boy arrived in the world after 7.5hrs of labour and I had a planned home birth with only 2 paracetamol as pain relief. I always knew that I wanted to prepare for the birth of our first child but I just didn't know how. I read lots of books, magazines and searched for hours on the Internet but somehow I just didn't feel ready. They all told me how it would happen and in a way what would be 'done' to me. I knew that I needed to feel in control of my body and that it was down to me to bring my child into this world in the most relaxed and comfortable way possible. I was told about Creating Better Births through a friend and when I looked into it further I knew that this programme sounded like the perfect way for my partner and I to prepare for the birth of our first child.
Our meetings with Norma were very relaxed, informative and most of all enjoyable. She was very accommodating and would work around times that suited us. After each meeting we tried hard to take on board all the information that she shared. Norma helped me to realise early on that I was in control of my body and would be the main influence as to how my baby comes into this world. The pack we were given was great and became my pregnancy bible. I would listen to the affirmations CD every morning and evening going to and from work. My partner would regularly help me relax and work on creating an anchor for my deeply relaxed state. Towards the end of my pregnancy I would use all the suggested positions to encourage my baby get into the correct birthing position. The result of using all these techniques combined with Norma's communication by phone and email was that I had a very straightforward and trouble free pregnancy. The sessions of Bowen Therapy with Christine were also so useful and relaxing, she also reaffirmed to me that I was in charge of my body and the way I want my birth to progress. She reminded me not to have any negative thoughts, something which I tried really hard to remember.
Norma helped my partner and I to write a birth plan to ensure our wishes were known with the midwives. We planned a very relaxed, water birth at the midwife led birthing centre at the hospital, with no medical intervention (where possible) and were very clear in our own minds how we wanted our child to come into this world.
Two weeks before my due date my waters broke... it had started! All the planning, reading, practicing and relaxation techniques had to come to this point and it was time to put them into action. Things progressed slowly at first and then the contractions became stronger as the night went on. My partner was amazing and reminded me how to relax and stay calm. I breathed through each wave as Norma had shown me and really focused on my baby coming to me. I listened to the affirmations for birth whilst on the rocking chair in the baby's nursery... this helped me get through the night. I kept checking in with my midwife and was checked at the hospital twice but sent home as I was only dilating slowly. Norma came to see me at home and brought with her essential oils that I had planned to buy before my due date (but not got round to). She did some hypnosis with me to relax me as I was very tired by this point. After 24 hours I was told to come in to the Maternity Unit once again and was told that by looking at me and listening to me (as I was so calm) I wasn't in established labour yet. We were sent up to Preston hospital, which at the time was so upsetting as it wasn't how or where I'd planned to have my baby.
When we arrived I was put on a monitor and examined... I was 8cm dilated. So much for not being in established labour! The midwife wanted a second opinion as she didn't believe I could be as I was so calm, relaxed and breathing through each wave with no pain relief. She was right and I was taken straight up to the delivery suite to have my baby.
Things had started to slow down as I (and baby) had become tired. After another 4 hours they chose to induce me for the final 2cm. Even though this wasn't what we'd planned, I was still using all the techniques that Creating Better Births had taught me and they were working as I had NO pain relief. I finally felt the urge to push and ended up doing so for over 2 hours, it was hard work and certainly not how I'd pictured my baby coming into this world, as there were many more medical staff involved at this point.
I developed a few complications but our beautiful, healthy baby boy Jonah finally came to us at ... over 38 hours from when my waters had broken. I understand now that even if parts of the birth don't always go the way you had planned, certain parts will, as Creating Better Births taught me that it's down to your state of mind.
It was a very emotional and wonderful time, I could never have imagined the overwhelming love I instantly felt for my little man. My partner was amazing throughout the whole experience and never left my side. I certainly would not be writing about this positive experience without his, Norma and Christine's help. It was a chapter in our lives that is now imprinted in our memories forever. Even the midwife who delivered Jonah said she would highly recommend the people who helped me as she had never seen someone cope with labour in the way I had. Norma and Christine have a special place in our hearts and I know we'll stay in touch for the future. Thank you Creating Better Births for showing me that there is another way to experience pregnancy and labour. |