Birth Stories > Wendy's Birth Story

With Julie’s help I was able to use the relaxation and breathing techniques for a very positive birthing experience with my third child. by Wendy

For my first two children, I had, what would be considered, “good” births.  Both babies had been born naturally without any drugs, but they were very painful and intense births and I assumed that was the best I could expect.  Both these births left me feeling frightened to birth again.  After speaking to a lot of women about their birth experiences, I was really surprised that some women had not been so overwhelmed by their birthing experiences and some even said they found birthing a joyful experience.  I decided I wanted to see if it was possible to enjoy a birth this time instead of just "surviving" one. 

I enjoyed the class sessions each week because they were very relaxing and they helped to keep me calm in the lead up to the birth.  I enjoyed having that time to focus on my baby with my husband by my side.  Julie’s approach was not dogmatic.  She encouraged me to find what I thought was helpful from each session and gave me the confidence to add some visualisations of my own for the birth. 

I had had a very difficult pregnancy this time with continual morning sickness and was entering into week 36 with my baby in a breech position.  I was not sure that I would have the birth I’d hoped for this time, because I was told by my obstetrician to be prepared for the possibility of a caesarean.  I continued with relaxation, breathing practice and visualisations of the baby in the ideal birthing position, and my baby turned at week 37.  

On the morning of my daughter Ilaria’s birth (at 2am, 2 days into week 38), my water’s broke with a “pop’ high in my abdomen.  Very soon after labour started.  I found it easy to feel focused and stay calm.  I joked with my husband and a friend who came to look after my children and watched “Rage” on TV while doing my breathing with the early surges.  We went into the hospital an hour and a half later because my last birth was very quick and we settled into a quiet birthing room with dim lighting.  With each surge, I concentrated on my slow breathing, and used visualisations to keep my uterus relaxed and encourage the gradual opening of my cervix.  I relaxed, almost able to dose off to sleep, between surges.  My husband was quietly encouraging and there to hold my hand if I needed. 

I was not aware of the time passing, but after about 4 hours I was starting to feel agitated and panicky and thought “Why am I doing this?”, but then realised I was nearly finished and needed to start to move the baby out.  With 4 slow birth breaths, my beautiful daughter was born.  I was not exhausted or overwhelmed this time.  I was on a high.  This birth was a gentle, spiritual, positive experience.  I birthed a calm and contented baby, and kept asking if she was alright because she was so quiet and peaceful.   

calmbirth® taught me that birthing doesn’t have to be something you fight against.  It can be a natural, beautiful, calm and spiritual experience.  I had only a small perineal graze which needed no attention and I have really felt fantastic since.  My baby is very settled and gorgeous, and my body needed little recovery.  I am still in bliss!