Simply Birthing
Mia’s Birth Story
"Using the breathing and relaxation techniques we were taught, I was able to get through twelve hours of contractions with absolutely no pain at all. All I could feel was pressure.
The final part, where I was pushing Mia out, stung a little bit but that was all, and I didn't need any pain relief - not even gas and air.
What's more, my sister saw me soon afterwards and said I looked as if I'd just come back from a health farm, not just given birth!"
Catherine Jackson
Catherine’s husband, Mark was equally enthusiastic
"Several of my friends have had babies recently, and many of them told me it was a traumatic and stressful experience.
They said they felt powerless to ease the pain their partner was going through, and didn't know what they were supposed to do.
I was able to help Catherine right the way through, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the birth - it was fantastic!"
Mark Jackson
Sarita’s Birth Story
After the exhilaration for finding out that I was pregnant came the planning stage and a mild foreboding that the culmination of pregnancy was labour. My outlook significantly changed when I found out more about HypnoBirthing®. The course seemed to bring Matt and I even closer as we could share a highly positive view about the birthing experience. We even started to plan for a home birth. Our plans started to unravel a little at around 35 weeks when I was told that my blood pressure had shot up. Justina was hugely supportive and gave me a 'top up' relaxation session - a welcome contrast to the twice weekly medical checks insisted on by the consultant.
Fortunately we made it to 40 weeks without the pre-eclampsia becoming serious, although at my 40 week checkup it became clear that my condition was worsening and our baby needed to be induced. The medical procedures now took over - but after three attempts our baby was still not ready to be born. I was determined to avoid a caesarian if at all possible. On the fourth attempt to induce we were successful and my waters broke, so I was put onto a drip to bring on the surges - I had a day of labour before we were told that our baby was in distress and we finally had to go for an emergency caesarian and our beautiful daughter Sarita was finally born.
So why am I writing about this medical birth for Justina's HypnoBirthing® website? The pregnancy was relaxed and happy, focused on our baby rather than full on fear. Also the lessons that we learnt on the HypnoBirthing® course were invaluable with coping with the unexpected turn of events.
It enabled us to concentrate on Sarita, the wonderful soul who I had been communicating with during my pregnancy. I could focus on what was important - even the consultant who came to check on me in recovery (as it was obvious that it was not my ideal birth) seemed amazed by our positive outlook. I did not have the home hypnobirth that I had wished for but I had a beautiful, healthy daughter and I made a fast recovery!
Sarah Dawnay
Nade’s Birth Story
We wanted to let you know how well my labour went and what a fantastic success the HypnoBirthing® technique was.
To start with, the Rainbow Relaxation & affirmations helped so much in the build-up to the birth - I had high blood pressure and was advised to finish work a little earlier than planned.
After 1 week of doing the Rainbow Relaxation twice a day my blood pressure was back to normal & I was able to continue working for an extra couple of weeks. This gave me a lot of confidence that the birth would be manageable at home for as long as I was able to stay there for - which turned out to be for the whole birth, much to Scott & my surprise!!
I woke at 02:30 on Thursday 24th Feb to an uncomfortable feeling that could not be dismissed as anything other than the start of labour, so I settled down & did some sleep breathing to relax myself - once the surges got a little stronger at around 4am I had a 4 hour bath, listened to the music CD & went well and truly into deep relaxation.
Scott played the CD's for me & said that he tried to talk to me but I was so deeply relaxed that I just looked at him with a 'tranced' look on my face & continued to focus entirely on my breathing & rocking my hips back and forth - I stayed mobile throughout the entire birth experience.
When my waters broke at 11:30 I felt my breathing change quite naturally - I'd phoned the hospital & my midwife before my waters went & they both assured me I had 'hours' to go - so when the midwife phoned at 12:40 she told us to take a slow drive into hospital.......Nade was born 15 minutes later.
As soon as Scott got off the phone to the midwife I had a strong urge to push & breathe very deeply, I felt the head & got Scott to phone for an ambulance at that point. Poor Scott thought he was going to deliver his son on the bathroom floor & I'm not sure who was more relieved when we heard the ambulance coming down the street. Dave the paramedic was up the stairs & was just in time to catch Nade as he made his entrance.
We were taken into hospital for a check up but I was completely aware of everything, able to walk & not tired at all.
I had about 8 people come & see me specifically to ask about the HypnoBirthing® & I couldn't endorse it enough - looking back I can see how well I handled the situation & my friends who've had babies can't believe how well I coped (I think they were all very sceptical even though they didn't say anything). The next one will definitely be a planned home birth though.
The CD's are invaluable even after the birth, Nade sleeps well at night with the music playing in the background & I have been able to do some deep relaxation at the same time which has helped me cope no end with the major changes that have happened since his birth.
Zara & Scott Peasland
I would have to say that HypnoBirthing® is the most amazing phenomenon to observe in action. Women seem to sail through the birthing of their babies, working as a team with their birth partner who is the essential anchor for her.
There is nothing for the midwife to do except sit quietly and watch and wait. The entire experience seems to bring the couple closer together as they share in the achievement and benefit from the enhanced trust in one another that they have developed.
I also think from an educational point of view couples seem to really take on board the physiological process and how a positive environment is essential to a normal outcome.
And finally, I think the real success story for HypnoBirthing® is its benefit to men. Men have the hardest job really, being supportive to their partners but not really having a defined role.
Men's role as HypnoBirthing® partners is clearly key to the whole success story and being actively involved in the birth of their children allows men to bond easily and immediately with them.
Jacqui , independent midwife UK
Emily’s Birth Story
Several month’s into my pregnancy, my husband read an article in one of the major newspapers about HypnoBirthing®. I was very interested in the article, though a bit sceptical as I have a very low threshold for pain. My husband who had had hypnosis for an old sports injury said I should be open-minded and to give it a try. So we did.
Over 4 get together’s, Justina opened my eyes and mind into the HypnBbirthing® ideas. By the end of the sessions, I was starting to believe that I would have a pain-free birth, albeit with a little discomfort perhaps. I started listening to the Rainbow Relaxation track, and would often find that I would fall asleep halfway through, only to wake up just before the end. This concerned me for a while, until I realised that I was obviously relaxed enough to fall asleep!
My membrane’s ruptured at 3am on Friday morning. Calling the hospital 5 hours later, they told me to come in, once the contractions started. By 3pm, the hospital called me and asked me to come in for a check. They monitored the baby’s heartbeat, and asked whether I was having any contractions. I replied that I didn’t think so, as I was still feeling fine. They informed me that once I started feeling pain below my belly button, and the contractions were closer and stronger to return. At midnight, I returned. Once again they monitored the baby’s heartbeat, but I was still so calm and feeling fine, that they sent me home.
The next morning, at 7am, I called the hospital. The contractions were now 60/90 seconds apart, and they were lasting for about 30/45 seconds. That’s when they informed us that we would need to go to another hospital, as I was considered “high risk” due to the amount of time that had lapsed since my membrane’s had ruptured. The initial hospital was only a 10-minute drive away, and the change of hospital now meant a 30-minute journey. 10 minutes into the journey, I told my husband to call for an ambulance, as I now had a great urge to push. I honestly thought I was going to have our baby at the side of the road! Fortunately, the ambulance arrived within minutes and I was rushed to the hospital, only to be told by the doctor that I had to stop pushing (which was easy for him to say!). It was now evident that the baby was an undiagnosed breech, which meant I had to have an immediate caesarean section.
Emily was born at 10h35 on the 16th July 2005, weighing in at 3.435kgs (7lbs 9oz), measuring 55cms.
I later overheard the midwives say amongst themselves that I had arrived at the hospital fully dilated. It was only then that I realised that up until the operation, I had gone through my labour without any form of pain relief. Exactly how I wanted things to go. HypnoBirthing® really did work for us!
Nancy Blatchford
As a midwife, I feel it is unethical for me not to inform my clients of the benefits of HypnoBirthing®.
I strongly support HypnoBirthing®, having attended a workshop and supporting several women who have employed HypnoBirthing® and shown immense coping strategies and strength.
HypnoBirthing® is not only invaluable in increasing the likelihood of having a natural birth, but also supporting women through antenatal discomfort and when births do not go according to plan.
HypnoBirthing® is also beneficial for birth partners, in particular fathers, as it provides them with a practical role during the labour and birth and enables them to remain calm, informed and in tune with the birth process.
Natalie, independent midwife, UK
I gave birth to Fintan Joseph on Mon 10th May at 20.04. My surges started irregularly about 1pm, I then started timing them about 2pm.
Called Steve home from work at 3pm, because I wanted to relax more. Had a long deep bath, and they seemed to kick in fully then.
Midwife arrived at 7pm (when I was 7cm) and Fintan was born at 8.04pm. Pretty swift really. Oh and I had him at home as planned - which was lovely.
Midwives were well impressed at how calm and serene I looked.
I found that sleep breathing was excellent. It really did make the discomfort go away and is empowering as you know what your body is doing so you work with, instead of against it.
Steve was a fantastic birthing partner, calming me and talking me through my breathing - I wouldn't have been able to do it without him. I played the CD constantly as well, and kept saying the affirmations in my head to make me focus on the job-in-hand.
As for the J breath, I loved it - it made the actual delivery easy-peasy.
I can't rave about it enough. Plus one push and the placenta was out - who needs drugs?
Believe in the power that is HypnoBirthing® and you too will be talked about at midwife meetings.
Our community midwives actually said it was one of the easiest first time-mother births that they had seen in 20 years - now that is some recommendation!!
Marie Cooksey
(This was the HypnoBirthing® couple featured on "Richard and Judy")
Esa’s Birth Story – 2006
The thought of giving birth again horrified me even though my daughter’s birth 2 years prior to the due date went alright and I felt I made the right choices given the circumstances then (first child, epidural once other forms of pain relief failed to work, forceps delivery after 17 hours established labour). I even started looking into having an elective caesarean, but once I investigated the pro’s and con’s I realised that it was not the panacea that I had hoped it to be. That is when I remembered watching Richard & Judy when they covered the HypnoBirthing technique.
I am an open-minded person and open to all sorts of alternative therapies. I undertook a Google search and found out a bit more about HypnoBirthing. I contacted a number of practitioners and eventually found Justina. I immediately felt comfortable talking to Justina and she was willing to do sessions during the week. The sessions were booked for 2 months before due date. In hindsight this was the best decision as I was later to discover that the NHS had cancelled ante-natal classes in my area due to an increased workload and the NCT did not have enough 2nd timers wanting to do refresher classes.
To be honest I was not looking to have a natural pain-free birth but something that could relax me whilst pregnant, help me get to sleep and would help me cope with the early stages of labour (the time before going to hospital).
I felt that HypnoBirthing classes explained labour in a very different way, using language which was embracing rather than surgical/medical. I was better able to understand what happens in my body before, during and after labour in very simple terms. The relaxation techniques that were introduced quickly worked their magic and I was able to get to sleep in about 10 minutes rather than 45 minutes as was the norm; in fact I still use them now after the early morning feeds! The best thing about the classes was the fact that my husband had homework to do (i.e. practicing the techniques on me.)
Justina’s rainbow relaxation voice became a part of our bedtime routine. I am certain that every time I heard it, I heard something different. By week 4 it did start to become really boring but we stuck with it. A couple of nights we left the CD on repeat and I would wake up slightly startled hearing Justina’s voice snapping me out of the hypnosis.
As the pregnancy progressed I had plenty of opportunity to practice as I had to spend a couple of nights in hospital. The relaxation and breathing exercises helped me cope during those times and the midwife did comment on how calm I was, especially when the steroid injections were being administered (in my bottom) and while others in the ward were screaming in early stages of labour.
As D Day approached the Braxton Hicks continued to come and go; an ideal opportunity to practice the relaxing, breathing and visualisation techniques. Every night I would pray silently for the labour process to start.
The night before D Day I started getting twinges that eventually faded, to my disappointment. On D Day I had an urge to go out for lunch so my husband and I went for a pub lunch. As I sat outside in the beautiful sunshine at 1pm I became aware of some very slight twinges, but this time they continued and they did not prevent my eating heartily (a memorable steak and onion baguette and a Belgian waffle ice cream). They did not hurt. That afternoon the twinges continued so I continued with my breathing and taking the homeopathic tablets that I had been taking (caulophyllum). At times my husband would get me more relaxed, including light touch massage, and timed the surges. I was in full control and very relaxed.
At 7.30pm I suggested that we get the babysitter to come and look after our daughter. I remember it being 9.26pm in the car on the way to the hospital when my husband said that he would not believe that I was in labour until the midwife confirmed it. At which time I could have done some serious damage to my husband for not believing me. In hindsight I think he was surprised at how well I was coping.
At hospital I had a wonderful midwife who read our preferences and respected my wishes. We explained about the HypnoBirthing course and philosophy and she seemed genuinely interested. I was apprehensive beforehand thinking that the midwife may think we were new-age hippies.
I was checked at about 10pm and to my relief I was 4 cm dilated. The midwife predicted that when my waters broke the baby would be born very quickly.
I will be honest at this stage I was starting to tense up and panic internally, hence the pain started to intrude. In response both my husband and the midwife got me to focus upon the breathing again. I was transferred to the Labour Ward and a quick ultrasound was done, as the midwife wanted to confirm the baby’s position. Apparently he had a very bony bottom, which less experienced midwifes might believe was a breech position. He was definitely head down, but unfortunately back-to-back. It was the back-to-back which was causing me great discomfort (as it had with my daughter)!
I was given the home-from-home room. This was beautiful and it had an en-suite bathroom, which included a corner bath. Definitely hotel quality!
I was checked again at about 11pm and to my surprise I was 8 cm dilated. My waters had not yet broken and the midwife said that she would not make any intervention but rather let nature take its course. I remember wishing that she would prick my waters so that this baby would come out sooner rather than later as I was starting to get tired. The pain factor started to become an issue and I do remember asking/pleading for some pain relief knowing that none would be given as I was so far advanced.
Suddenly I started getting a very strong need to push at which point my husband reminded me to start the J- breathing. Poor man, he had to put up with me shouting at him as the sound of his voice was extremely irritating. My waters had not yet burst and the pressure inside me was incredible.
The midwife did say that she would not be surprised if the baby would be born in his waters and that children so born are considered lucky . I was moved into various positions to aid the process along. I continued the breathing techniques and changing position, which at one stage involved being half on and half off the bed. Very very strange but that was what my body needed!
My waters eventually broke; I heard a loud gush followed by my husband giggling to himself as it really was quite a gush! Within about 3 breaths my son was born! He was incredibly calm and alert. He did not cry immediately and, when he did, it was as if he was whispering to the world that he had come.
I remember being given him immediately and thinking, Oh My God!!!!
I still cannot believe how quick the labour was (less than 4 hours after I was getting a ‘painful’ sensation) and that I had delivered without any pain relief. I am not superwoman and take painkillers for the slightest twinge so delivering a baby without anything is still remarkable for me. My family and friends are also amazed by this!
I was offered, and took, a 6 hour discharge as I had a text book delivery with NO complications at all. It was nice to take my new son home to meet his big sister as soon as possible. It was strange going home so soon with my fresh-born baby.
I took my son and myself to see an Osteopath within a couple of days, who was amazed at how well both of us were. He had a very slight tight left jaw (which was very very minor in comparison to my daughter’s state at a similar age). Apparently the midwife had done a good job on me as well as I had nothing wrong, apart from some leg and arm strains due to the positions I had adopted.
A number of people have asked me about HypnoBirthing. When I try to explain it sounds so simple and not quite real. How can something so simple be so effective! The money I spent on the course is negligible compared to the benefit it has given me and my son. I am also very disappointed that the NHS does not cover the basics such as relaxation and breathing in its ante-natal classes as I am certain that it would help a large number of women, reduce the need for medical intervention and save the NHS money!
In an age in which there have been a growing number of horror stories about labour, insufficient midwives and the state of our hospitals I am very glad to have had a wonderful experience, one which I could not have wished for in my wildest dreams. My attitude to labour has been totally transformed and I do believe that there is another way.
Salima Shariff
Sophia Elizabeth Skrodzki's Birth
“We wanted to let everyone know what a wonderful and totally gratifying experience the birth of our new baby was. Sophia Elizabeth came to us in the most gentle way on 23 Jan 2003. Labour lasted around 17 hours, but thanks to HypnoBirthing®, only felt like a fraction of that time. I was able to remain relaxed and focused throughout my labour. The Rainbow Relaxation tape was invaluable. I think I wore it out. Tom also utilised the birth prompt card throughout the labour. That too was most helpful. His soft voice and gentle touches made all the difference. With all our practice it came naturally to us. It was incredible! We were both completely amazed at how much of a difference HypnoBirthing® made. I was also incredibly glad that we did perineal massage each night. I was able to birth my 8lb 4oz baby with ease. No perineal tears at all!”
Thomas and Melissa Skrodzki
Dr Lorne R Campbell
“I began delivering babies in 1983. I believed in the use of medications to manage obstetrical pain. I saw many complications. This included babies with compromised breathing. I believed that epidurals were a medical blessing. I had a 25% C-section rate.
Patients demanded natural births. I interpreted natural childbirth as “no drugs”. I then performed hundreds of deliveries using pushing, blowing and holding off analgesics until the mother could no longer take the pain. I saw babies that no longer had compromised respiratory conditions, but were exhausted and quite often needed respiratory support with oxygen. But my C-section rate had fallen to 5%.
I began using visual imagery to manage pain. I occasionally still had to use narcotics and a rare epidural. I still saw exhausted babies who were not fully able to bond. I still had a C-section rate of 5%.
I began using hypnosis to manage pain during birth. The results were ok. Mothers still had pain but it was significantly managed. Babies were less often compromised and very rarely needed oxygen. I still had a 5% C-section rate.
I have made the transition to HypnoBirthing®. I now believe that birthing involves no pain. I have attended over 100 births where HypnoBirthing® was used. I realise that I no longer perform deliveries; I attend births and observe as the birthing companion receives the baby. It is as if my new role is to be present and witness the miracle of natural birth through HypnoBirthing®.
I have given absolutely no analgesic drugs since I have used HypnoBirthing® with mothers. Every mother has been excited about the birth event. The hospital staff is excited about performing births with me. One nurse commented that these births are so wonderful, but the best part is they have to do nothing but give the mother reassurance and support. That is why they became nurses. Support people become involved in a meaningful way.
I attended the birth of the granddaughter of a nurse. She had worked on the Labour and Birthing Deck of Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY for over 30 years. Her remarks after the birth were effusive. She had never seen anything as incredible as the birth experience that her daughter had the day before.
I have had no complications. No babies have needed oxygen or any support other than warming by mother's body. My C-section rate is 1 (that was very early and she was a VBAC).
I routinely lecture to medical groups about HypnoBirthing®. I am more than happy to talk to any healthcare professional about my experiences with truly natural birthing. I have a number of patients and husbands who love to talk about their experience.
I am a Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. I am also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, USA”
Lorne R Campbell, Sr MD, New York , USA .
Francesca Lauria, Midwife
“ I have been attending births as a midwife for over 12 years. During that time I have attended primarily homebirths which in general are much more peaceful and gentle than hospital births. I became trained in water birth as well and found that to be even more peaceful and gentle still.
I became a Certified Hypnotherapist and started doing hypnosis with my birth clients prenatally in order to reduce the amount of complications and the length of labour, which I was tremendously successful with. I rarely had a transfer or a complication. I was not yet aware of HypnoBirthing®.
I discovered HypnoBirthing® before the birth of my own child and taught myself the method from the book and tapes because I could not take a class (I was living in Central America at the time).
My biggest fear was that I would have the baby quickly as my mother and sister had with theirs and I did not want to do that because after having practiced midwifery for over 10 years I really wanted to “experience” birth and was not intent on getting it done quickly – I wanted time to enjoy it.
When I tell other women this they think I am crazy!
So my birth began on Tuesday and I went about my work in my birth centre with clients because my uterus was doing it's job and needing me for anything yet. Later that evening after getting home I prepared my birth supplies and got my birth pool ready because I knew I wanted to be in the pool for some of the birth at least. Hours passed and I finally filled the pool and got in. It was so relaxing. I just listened to music and breathed and occasionally would stand up and sway with the music – that is my favourite memory of that time of the birth.
I do not have any memory at all of all the hours I was having the surges – they are like a fog. I had no one with me so there was nothing to stimulate my neocortex and bring me out of my self. My membranes released in the morning and surges kept on throughout the day because I did not feel I could give birth in daylight – I knew I would wait until night came again – and I did. When I finally felt my baby move down the birth path I had tremendous pressure. With each surge these primal, guttural noises came out as I breathed him down to my perineum. I guided his head out with my hands and waited for the next surge to come. Once it came he came floating out into the water and I reached down for him and pulled him to me.
I was more than ten minutes before the cord stopped pulsating and I went to tie it off and saw that it was a boy. The Rachmaninof Rhapsody was playing as he was born and this music still delights him today.
I was so profoundly touched by my birth experience, which I consider to be birth in it's purest form, that when I came to back to the US , I became certified to teach HypnoBirthing®.
I have since started teaching women HypnoBirthing®. Most of these women have their babies at home so unfortunately the hospitals aren't being exposed to it. But the mothers are happy and have such positive and empowering experiences free from fear. My hope is that I can help many more women give birth joyfully and that they feel the tremendous empowerment that birth is meant to be.”