Before having my children, I had a huge fear around birth. The unknown the stories I had heard and the idea of not being in control all felt overwhelming. I knew I needed to change my mindset, so I signed up for a Hypnobirthing course, determined to work on staying calm and learning as much as possible. My goal wasn’t just to prepare for my ideal birth but to gain knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions if my birth plan needed to change.
The process of shifting my mindset was incredible. Hypnobirthing taught me to trust my body to breathe through the intensity and to approach birth with a sense of empowerment rather than fear. I also involved my birth partner in the journey which made such a difference to our experience knowing he understood the techniques and could support me in the way I needed was invaluable.
Unfortunately, with my first birth my IBS flared up which meant I couldn’t feel contractions, just the pain I was used to. So, it made it hard to distinguish what was happening and I ultimately agreed to have pain relief. Even through the discomfort I was still able to ask the right questions and stay in control of my choices. I hung over the bed for two hours breathing through each moment and then I was ready to get into the water less than 10 minutes later Elizabeth had arrived.
Harris’s birth was completely different this time I felt the contractions just as I had learned about like a wave building and fading. I smiled between them fully aware what my body was doing it was amazing. The techniques I had practised worked and I was able to embrace the experience with confidence and calm.
Looking back, I’m so grateful I took the time to prepare not just physically but mentally. Hypnobirthing transformed what could have been a fearful experience into something truly empowering. Birth wasn’t something that happened to me I was an active participant making choices that felt right for me and my baby.
For anyone feeling the same fears, I’d say that knowledge is power, and birth doesn’t have to be something you fear. With the right mindset preparation and support it can be one of the most incredible experiences of your life.
Megan