Alice and Charlie had to be induced at 35 weeks with their first baby, as it was felt that she wasn’t growing properly due to a problem with the placenta. This was obviously a worrying time for them, but the were absolutely amazing and their birth story is wonderful! They are testimony to how you have the control to make any situation a positive and calm one. This is their story:

“ I just wanted to let you know that I gave birth on Monday the 13^th of March to a baby girl called Flora Ruby. I was admitted to hospital on Thursday to start the induction, but the delivery department at the hospital was overflowing with women giving birth – they were turning people away! Apparently it was sue to the full moon that weekend….

So they didn’t break my waters until Sunday at midnight, and Flora was born at exactly 8am the following morning. We used a lot of the relaxation techniques you taught us from Thursday onwards because we were waiting so long they were really helpful to keep us calm and the rainbow relaxation helped me to get a full nights sleep each night. We listened to the relaxing music once my waters were broken, and dimmed the lights so the room was very calm. The nurses all commented on how calm we were during the labour. However, the contractions were coming thick and fast and were very intense, after being checked at 7:30 I was told I was only 3cm dilated and would be checked again in 3hours. After this I lost the plot a bit, and made quite a bit of noise (which made Charlie laugh – which actually really helped me!). And Flora was born half an hour later!! So actually I was in the transition phase… but even after everything we’ve been through, I see the birth as a really positive experience. Your course really helped us, not just with the birth itself, but also with the lead up to it and throughout all of the scans and appointments we were attending. So thank you!!

Flora was born at 35weeks, weighing just 3lbs 4oz. Other than being small, she is perfect! No problems at all. So she is in the baby care unit until she gains some weight and can breastfeed. Im expressing lots of milk for her, and today she had a little latch onto my breast. So don’t think she’ll be in here too long – fingers crossed!”

Marley Adelaide was born 19^th July, at 11.07pm. She weighed 7lb 11.

I will start by saying the best advice was not to have too definite a plan as in a way the opposite happened. However she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and had a lovely calm entry into the world.

On Wednesday lunchtime I felt my waters break. When I looked it turned out she had been to the toilet inside me so after calling the hospital I drove myself to the maternity unit as they wanted me in as quickly as possible. This is where I used the breathing techniques to keep me calm. Pete arrived and we moved around the room, laughing, massaging, generally feeling excited rather than apprehensive. He kept reminding me of the affirmations and we felt ready. The doctor asked for a final ultrasound and she turned out to be breech. They explained my options but due to the risk of her swallowing the meconium they advised that a caesarean was needed. Again I took this calmly and we continued with the relaxation techniques.

Maternity was very busy that day so I experienced about 8 hours of surges before we went in to theatre. Despite the fact she was back to back I managed to breathe through until the very end when I had some gas and air. Again in the theatre I stayed calm, Pete using the massage techniques. And then she was here. She immediately seemed relaxed and happy and was given straight to Pete whilst they closed me up.

In the room afterwards she latched straight on for a feed an I truly believe she had a calm birth. She had not swallowed any meconium which was a relief.

She is struggling a bit to latch on now and is always hungry so breastfeeding is proving a bit of a challenge but again I am using breathing techniques and the midwives are helping with positions.

She has a small tongue tie so we are keeping an eye on it. 

Thank you so much for helping us with all of the techniques and giving us knowledge. It made the birthing experience perfect, even though unexpected.