 Some people might laugh at me when I say that labour can be comfortable and enjoyable. Maybe they think I am nuts. (I guess I am a little!) However, I can put my hand on my heart and say that the contractions, for both of my children, didn’t really cause me any real discomfort. I am by no means a warrior, nor do I have any super powers; in fact I am quite a weakling when it comes to muscle power in everyday tasks. What I did possess in the lead up to both labours was information, tools and techniques.
 Every birth experience is different. One size does not fit all and no two women are the same. Therefore understanding that pregnancy, labour and birth can be very different, it is really important to know what ‘could’ happen; what choices there are available to you and know that you can decline intervention, if you feel that it is not right for you and your baby.
 By preparing yourself with hypnobirthing you increase your chances of the birth that you want, often without the need for medical intervention. If you need to have a planned C-section, hypnobirthing can help you prepare for that birth too, in a calmer, more informed way.
 The Microbiome Effect by Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford is must-read. It is a fascinating account of emerging research that shows how vital bacteria are for human health. Our exposure to them during labour, birth and beyond helps develop the immune system. It talks about how C-Section deliveries impact the immune system. This in turn makes them more susceptible to non-communicable diseases.
Here is my synopsis for all birth educators and expectant parents. In this blog, I want you to understand the intricacies of a vaginal birth and the vital components that help your baby thrive.  There are different types of antenatal preparation to get ready for the birth of your baby. One of them is hypnobirthing. I am a KG Hypnobirthing instructor based in Romford, Essex. In 2017, I wrote The Power of Hypnobirthing: 10 reasons why it’s for you. I am a firm advocate that hypnobirthing can benefit every mother, in every pregnancy. Let me tell you why...
Hypnobirthing may conjure up certain images in your head. But don't be put off by the word. Hypnosis doesn't put you in some altered state of reality. It doesn't make you do things you wouldn't normally do — it only puts you in an altered state of consciousness. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis — only you can put yourself into a ‘hypnotic state’.  This is a very important question to ask? Is it your medical caregiver or you, the parents?
The answer is YOU. It is up to you to choose where to give birth. Will it be a hospital, a birth centre or at home (read more about this in my blog: How to decide where to give birth: what are the options). You need to decide what type of childbirth care you want/need to have. This is either midwifery care, or obstetric care. Midwives will take care of women opting for a vaginal birth. This can start either spontaneously or it may be induced. A woman using obstetric care will usually have a more medicalised labour. But here are some things to ponder when it comes to your baby's birth.
If you are not confident about what labour and birth may bring, speak to your midwife. You may also want to consider investing in an antenatal course such as hypnobirthing. It will arm you will all the information that you need about what to expect. It will give you lots of tools and tips to keep you calm, confident and comfortable during labour too. For more information about course availability visit our hypnobirthing classes page. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  Here are some things you should think about to help formulate your ideal birth:
1. Where do you want your baby to be born – hospital, birth centre, at home? 2. How do you feel about being induced/having your waters broken? 3. Do you have a preference to only being seen to by women? 4. Would you mind any students being present during your labour and birth? 5. Do you want to be active during labour, such as being able to walk around? (ask your midwife to use the wireless monitoring if you need it, formally known as telemetry) 6. What labour techniques do you want to use? Hypnobirthing, water birth, listening to music etc? 7. Do you know what pain relief you would/wouldn’t like? 8. How do you want your birth partner to support you? 9. How do you feel about medical intervention? Detail your list in order of preference. 10. How long do you want it to be until they cut the umbilical cord? Read about Optimal Cord Clamping. 11. Do you want your partner to cut the umbilical cord? 12. How do you want to find out the sex of the baby - be told/see for yourself? 13. Do you want your baby delivered onto your stomach? 14. Do you want to do skin-to-skin contact straight away? 15. Do you want to try to breastfeed straight away? 16. Who do you want to get the baby dressed? These are just some pointers that will help you decide what is right for you. If you want some extra help, go the NHS website to download a birth plan template. Be sure to write it down and attach it to your maternity notes. Make sure that your birthing partner knows where it is so that they can relay your preferences to your midwives. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  For all expectant parents preparing for labour. You need to know:
But before we jump into what choices might be available to you for pregnancy, labour and birth. Ask yourself how often you research options. Say for example when buying something. Do you do comparisons between different models, providers, services etc. Once you have gathered enough information you will then make a decision on which one to buy. Am I right? So why is it that so many couples go into labour and birth not fully understanding the process, their choices and their rights? Often expectant mums will put their trust in their care providers. They believe that they have their best interests at heart. Ultimately they do. Be aware of hospital protocols, bureaucracy, red tape and senior management that constrain our caregivers. The days are long gone when they focused only on giving care to expectant mums. Going in blind could leave you open to helplessly being carried along by the system. You could miss out on the birth that you had hoped for. Quite often I hear, ‘Oh, I had to be induced’ or ‘I didn’t know I had a choice’ or ‘I just did what they told me’. When I dig a little deeper, I find out that they weren’t aware (at the time) that there were alternatives. They weren’t presented with the real picture of what their options were. They weren't given a choice. An example: Induction for ‘post-dates’ in a 'low-risk' pregnant women. It is very common in the UK for women to be induced between 41 and 42 weeks gestation. Often the mum will hear this: ‘If your baby hasn’t arrived by next [Wednesday], we will book you in for an induction.’ Many will accept that this procedure as best for mum and baby. They may not be told about the pros and cons of accepting an induction. Very rarely will they be told about the pros and cons of declining an induction. Parents should know both sides of the story for each option to be able to make a fully informed decision. Common reasons that parents hear are:
These phrases will scare a mother and her birth partner into accepting an induction. Why? Because it has been presented as the better option. But is this the case? In the UK the 'due date' is set at 40 weeks, guided by the date of the last menstrual cycle and by the dating scan at 12 weeks. This is a 5-week window, not a single date in a given month. For a baby to be born around the 42 week mark is perfectly normal. The World Health Organization states babies are usually born between 37 and 42 weeks. So take a moment to think. When a woman accepts an induction before the 42-week mark, is her baby ready to be born? Or is she interrupting pregnancy and the final growth stages of her baby? Why would you want to do that if you and baby are both well and there are no medical concerns? If you feel strongly about not wanting an induction, you can decline. Ask for extra monitoring during these final days. ‘Informed choice’ is one of the many topics discussed in a hypnobirthing course. Before your baby is born, it is important to understand the most common options for labour and birth. You and your birth partner can then think about which are your preferred options. Knowing your choices and understanding the risks and benefits, will give you the confidence and calmness to deal with any situation. You will then be able to look back on it as a positive birth experience that you were in control of. Remember, giving birth is your right. How you want it to be, is entirely up to you. The caregivers are there to support you for a happy, healthy and safe delivery. They are not there to force you to do anything you are not comfortable with. Your hypnobirthing teacher will explain to you the common scenarios that might occur. This will help you and your birth partner decide on your preferences. Then, if/when a situation arises during the course of labour, you will: 1. Be aware of what options are available 2. Instinctively know what your preferences are about those options 3. Confidently decide which choices feel right for you and your baby It therefore becomes a positive birth experience to look back on, regardless of any twists and turns in the process. Because no matter what the outcome of your birth experience is, you know that:
Would like to approach labour and birth with calmness and confidence? Would you like to be prepared to be able to take control of your birth journey? If you live near Romford, Essex, try KG Hypnobirthing with Magical Baby Moments. Contact Christine on 07764 680 215 or email [email protected]. If you want to read more about what a hypnobirthing course entails download the first chapter of The Power of Hypnobirthing: 10 reasons why its for you by filling out the form on the home page. Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  If you're pregnant and looking for an all-encompassing antenatal course that not only teaches you about late pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond, but also teaches you how to approach labour with calm confidence, then book yourself and your birth partner onto a hypnobirthing course with Magical Baby Moments.
A hypnobirthing course is a comprehensive course that takes you through what to expect, and how to be prepared, for labour and birth. Find out what is covered by reading the course modules. "I would definitely recommend a hypnobirthing course with Christine. It has helped me prepare for a stress-free labour." Romford Hypnobirthing Course - Evenings The Group Evening Hypnobirthing Course is a four-week programme taking place in Rush Green, Essex. The lessons run between 8pm and 10:30pm. If you prefer a weekend course, check for availability on the website. What people thought of Magical Baby Moments "I have thoroughly enjoyed every session. I feel much more knowledgeable and confident that I can do this! Relax, relax, relax!" Read more testimonials and birth stories from past couples who have been on the course. Book your place now Places on each course are limited. But if the date is showing on the calendar, then there are still spaces available - so you can book your place right now. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer email: [email protected] Want to read more about what a hypnobirthing course will offer you, read the first chapter of this book for free, email [email protected] Follow Magical Baby Moments on its social channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter  It’s vital to have someone there who you are confident that they will support you. It's important that they know your hopes, feelings and preferences for the birth. They need to be confident about your preferences, so that they are able to speak up for you, if needed.
|
Magical Baby MomentsFrom maternity to motherhood
Hypnobirthing classes in Romford, Essex and surrounding areas Thorntons Farm Ave Romford RM7 0TT 07764 680 215 | [email protected] |
|