Birth Stories > Allison's Birth Story
I found the relaxation and breathing techniques worked amazingly during my birth. It was probably going to be a straightforward birth anyway but I think it was definitely quicker and more relaxed because of what we had been taught, by Allison
I had a show about 5am on the 22 Jan (2 wks before my due date). At about 3pm I started to feel the beginnings of contractions every 10 mins or so apart but they were really mild and I wasn't even sure if I was in labour. By 4.15pm I started to write them down and they were about 5 -10 mins apart and about 35-40 secs long. I was walking around slowly and calmly during the contractions and reading books to my son, Ryan in between. By 5pm they were 3 mins apart and about 40 secs long so I rang the hospital. The lovely midwife advised that we could stay home a little longer if I was comfortable but given that we had to drop Ryan off she was happy if we started to get our things together and came down to check on how things were going.
When I got into the car I started using the relaxation and visualisation much more because I lost the ability to move around during contractions. It was great to have something to focus on and I was using really positive self-talk even though the contractions were getting quite strong. 
We arrived at the hospital at 6pm and were taken to the delivery suite for monitoring. The midwife suggested that I lay on my side so they could monitor the contractions and heart beat for a few minutes. She indicated I was indeed in labour (which I was very sure of by then!) and that I would be staying. I was comfortable on my side and chose to stay in this position for the remainder of Stage 1 as I was completely relaxed and focused on my slow breathing - counting in for 20 and out for 20, all the while visualising the uterus contracting and the cervix opening. I simply shut my eyes during a contraction and opened them when the contraction passed. Todd was able to use this as a cue to rub my arm when I was having a contraction - I felt he was tuned into my contractions even though I was laying relaxed. He was able to defer questions from others during these times as well. Unfortunately the midwife didn't have access to the visual cue of me shutting my eyes (as I was facing towards the wall) and she was thinking things were in the earlier stages as I was laying so still and so quiet. At about 6.45pm she did an internal and realised I was 7cm dilated and said the waters were bulging and on the verge of bursting. She had no idea I was this far along and quickly went into action, ringing the Dr to come straight in, and preparing for the birth. She commented jokingly that it would be easier if I just yelled out like everyone else so that she knew what was happening (I should note that we had not given her a copy of the birth plan or told her about the course we did with Julie, as we were being left mostly to ourselves because we looked so settled).
I continued to use my slow breathing but was finding the contractions more intense. I was still completely calm and Todd was reassuring that we were nearly there. The midwife suggested I try some gas as she anticipated that things would be very intense and happen very quickly once my waters broke. (I had tried gas with Ryan but hated it). I agreed to try the gas as I thought it would help to keep my breathing on track (as it was getting harder to stay focused). The clicking of the gas machine was great to count to and it was quite easy to keep my breathing slow using the gas. I used the gas for about 6 contractions before stage 2 started (about 7.15pm) and I didn't need it anymore.
The Dr arrived within minutes of this and I was pushing. It took about 40 mins for Joel to come out (7.55pm) but he came out without assistance (this was the tiring part, although I pushed for 2hrs with Ryan!). He was healthy and looked perfect, and I didn't tear at all.
Todd commented that the birth was "too easy". I wouldn't say it was easy but it was manageable and a wonderful experience - fully relaxed, no fear and feeling in control. I felt confident in what my body was doing and it's ability to birth our baby. The midwife commented on what a lovely birth it was and the next day came to see me. She said I must have an incredible tolerance for pain as she had never seen a birth like it (she had also never seen the bag of water delivered either - it was a day of firsts for her too!). She was very interested when I told her about the clambirth®.
I would recommend the calmbirth® classes as a way to enhance the birth experience, whatever that may be.