Calm Through Every Surge: Angela's Birth Story
Angela's journey offers a powerful example of how hypnobirthing techniques can create such a peaceful birthing experience that even healthcare providers might not realise how far along you are. As a mother of a toddler, she found herself navigating early labour while managing household tasks and childcare - yet remained so serene that when she called the hospital, they couldn't believe she was in active labour.
The Early Hours
Angela's birthing time began around 8:30 am on a Saturday morning, though at first, she didn't realise it. "I thought they were the trial surges I had been experiencing previously," she recalls. Using the breathing techniques she'd learned in her hypnobirthing classes, she continued with her regular routine, even managing some house cleaning as the surges came and went.
It wasn't until around 3 pm, when the surges began coming more frequently, that Angela recognised she was in labour. Even then, she remained calm and focused while simultaneously responding to her two-year-old daughter's needs - a testament to the effectiveness of her preparation.
Trusting Her Body
By 5 pm, the surges had intensified, and Angela was experiencing three every five minutes. When she called the hospital, she encountered an unexpected challenge - the person who answered didn't believe she was in labour because she sounded too calm! This is a situation I often prepare my clients for, as deep relaxation can make you sound so peaceful that others might not realise how far along you are.
While waiting for her husband Henry to return from work in Reading, Angela found herself at a point where her daughter's needs were becoming difficult to manage alongside her labour. Recognising her own needs, she wisely arranged for a friend to care for her daughter, allowing her to fully focus on her birthing time.
A Warm Welcome
When Angela and Henry arrived at the hospital around 9:15 pm, they were greeted by Eve, a midwife whose understanding approach helped calm their nerves. An examination revealed that Angela was already 8 cm dilated - a beautiful demonstration of how effectively she had used her hypnobirthing techniques during the earlier hours of her labour.
Though Eve's shift was ending, she ensured a smooth handover to Emma in the delivery suite, who proved equally supportive. When the surges intensified and Angela experienced some back discomfort, she used gas and air to help regain her focus, combining it effectively with her breathing and counting techniques.
A Beautiful Meeting
At 11:15 pm, Emma confirmed that Angela was fully dilated, and just twelve minutes later, at 11:27 pm, baby Sammy Joseph Raphael Jojo made his entrance into the world, weighing a healthy 3.6kg. The positive atmosphere continued after the birth, with Angela noting how every member of staff, from the midwives to the tea lady, worked together to create a memorable birthing experience.
The family's journey went so smoothly that they were able to return home with Sammy just five hours after his birth, allowing big sister Sasha to meet her new brother in the comfort of their own home.
Looking back on her experience, Angela shared: "Claire, we can't thank you enough for your support, kindness and generosity throughout this episode, I have to say that without your guidance the situation wouldn't have turned out the way it did."
Angela's story shows how hypnobirthing techniques can help create a calm and positive birth experience, even while managing the demands of family life. Her ability to remain so relaxed that hospital staff didn't believe she was in active labour demonstrates the profound effect that preparation and confidence in our bodies can have on our birthing experience.
Are you pregnant and interested in discovering how hypnobirthing could help you prepare for your own calm and confident birth? Learn more about upcoming courses here or book a complimentary 30-minute call to explore how you can prepare for your own empowering birth journey.
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