The Birth of Pandora: Born in an Elevator!
Emma attended my group hypnobirthing course in Dartford, as well as my weekly pregnancy yoga classes. As an IVF mum she was automatically classed as high risk and was expecting to have an induction. After the hypnobirthing course she said that she felt so much more in control and able to question whether a medicalised birth would be best for her and her baby. She went on to have a very fast natural birth. Emma writes:
I was really interested in hypnobirthing and came across Colleen via a Google search for courses near my area. Colleen offers free one hour taster sessions which was the perfect way for me to go along and see what it was all about without any commitment. Firstly a comment on Colleen – she creates the most relaxed and friendly environment from the moment you walk in. This was a real plus for me, I knew it wasn’t going to be one of those environments where you were going to be put on the spot or made to feel awkward in any way. I attended the free taster and was surprised and pleased that it is really quite scientific (as opposed to a bit ‘hippy’which lots of people dismiss it as (including my own partner!). You learn so much about the body and what’s really going on in labour, it’s very enlightening if you’re new to this.
The hypnobirthing taster class was enough to sell it to me and I attended the full course when I was about five months pregnant (on the hottest day of the year!) which gave me plenty of time to practice all the techniques Colleen taught us. I completed the hypnobirthing course without my partner, but gained enough knowledge that I could pass the important bits on to him.
| Fast forward a few months – I went into labour unexpectedly at 37+4. Thanks to Colleen’s education I was very keen to remain in my own home for as long as I possibly could, anticipating that the moment I stepped into a hospital with the unfamiliar smells, sounds, light etc that my labour would slow down. My waters went at 5.15pm and my contractions started around 6.45pm. I was able to breathe through my contractions on my hands and knees on the living room floor whilst watching the strictly results show under a lovely dimmed lamp light with my partner beside me. |
Being a first time mum I had no idea what to expect and just how advanced I was. My contractions accelerated super quickly and unfortunately I did leave it a little bit late to leave the house…
By the time we left home we had an extremely tense 10 minute journey to the hospital and I have to confess (sorry Colleen) that I didn’t quite manage to harness my breathing to control the pain at this point. By the time I steeped out of the car at the QE hospital car park I was already crowning! I found my way to a wheelchair and delivered my beautiful girl mostly in the lift on the way up to the delivery suite, where three super calm midwives pounced on me and undressed my bottom half to reveal baby nestled in my leggings! We had set off for the hospital at 10.35pm, and Pandora was born at 10.49!
All is well that ends well and I can honestly say that the principles of hypnobirthing and everything I learned from Colleen got me through 85% of delivery…. nobody is perfect! The only thing I would change about my labour is I would leave home 15 mins earlier … I didn’t get my water birth, low lighting, candles and relaxing playlist but things rarely go to plan in life. I don’t feel traumatised at all by the experience so my message to anyone would be to expect the unexpected when it comes to these babies… they will go their own way!
I was blessed to meet Colleen – meeting her opened up more than just the hypnobirthing, I attended her pregnancy yoga classes on Monday nights which I highly recommend. Not only that but you get a friendly face you can message any time with your questions which she always knows the answer to or has great advice to signpost you to someone who does.
Thank you Colleen @ Harmony Hypnobirthing, it was such an honour to have you as part of my story and I can’t wait for baby yoga when we’re feeling ready!