Hannah’s Birth — The power of visualisations for birth.
Hannah’s Birth of Harry - Using birth visualisations to ride through tricky circumstances.
When I teach our Stairs into Pink Balloon Self-hypnosis & Visualisation I do so hoping that my wonderful clients will make it their own. Hannah did so beautifully in the lead up to her birth and it led her forwards with increased self-belief in her ability to birth her baby. Sometimes the language and behaviour of our care team is less than ideal, but Hannah was so in charge she just rode through it. I might have had a tear in my eye at the end of the birth story…
I had listened to the hypnobirthing recordings nearly every night, sometimes twice a day, since we first met, when I was 34 weeks pregnant.
I was 6 days overdue and was starting to get very impatient. I was a week away from my induction.
The Friday night I did the visualisation of walking down the stairs to the beach. Usually when I went down I’d meet my Nana and grandparents who had all passed away.
This time I went down all my family and friends were there which was really lovely and I think I must’ve had a rush of oxytocin! I went to speak to my Nana and she came in the form as a large butterfly.
The next morning I woke up and knew something was different but wasn’t 100% sure. By about 11am the surges started. I used the visualisations of walking down the stairs when each surge came and was moving with each surge. Hanging off doors etc!
When I was getting 2 every 10 minutes we called the hospital she asked about movements which I hadn’t noticed any. She said take note of them and call back at 2.
I hang up and within minutes was having 4 in 10 minutes. I knew then I needed to get the hospital. David called and told them we were coming in.
On the way to the hospital I had my head down & listened to the recordings. When I went into the hospital I made no eye contact with anyone had my headphones in and was lead to the waiting room.
Next the midwife strapped me to the monitor on the bed to get the heartbeat and we had to wait for a labour room to be cleared (the birthing pools were being used) which was being used for the labour of twins.
Being strapped to the monitor in this tiny waiting room curtained off was horrible as I wanted to move with the surges. I was 3cms dilated. I ended up just getting up and moving about as the surges were really strong. I was given gas & air but I couldn’t use it properly.
We were in there for approx 2 hours waiting. We finally went to the labour room. I was told straight away to try the gas & air again, I finally was able to use it which helped immensely!
They checked and I was fully dilated. The midwives were in shock, she was calling me superwoman!
I was told to push, I pushed once. The doctor then came in introduced himself and said he’ll need to cut me to get him out! No way I was letting that happen! I pushed again and Harry was born 6lbs 7 and amazingly with no need for stitches.
They called it a spontaneous birth. The hypnobirthing helped me hugely in staying calm and working with the surges!
To have only used gas & air I think I’m still in shock of! Thank you again for your help & expertise!
We stayed overnight (as Harry had a little meconium) to monitor him, we asked for a private room which they were fully booked. We instead were put into the prenatal ward which was completely empty and that night a butterfly came in and flew above us & Harry! I think it was Nana but who knows! :)
Want to learn hypnobirthing with us? Don’t forget that we have a full Online Antenatal Hypnobirthing Class that you can follow in your own time anywhere around the world. It is only £39/$49.
The Online Hypnobirthing Course
We also teach antenatal hypnobirthing classes in London in person with our One Day Group Hypnobirthing Class.
In-person Antental Hypnobirthing Group Class
If you’d rather prepare for your labour and birth solo with Melanie you can do so in the privacy of your own home in person if you live in London or via the Zoom platform wherever you are around the globe.
Private Antenatal Hypnobirthing Classes