Beth’s Birth Story
‘It was more like a really powerful force going through my whole body’
Firstly, just want to say a massive thank you to TBU. Me and my husband loved the digital hypnobirthing pack. We learned so much and it was great to see Jade and Alix everyday leading up to our wonderful birth experience.Â
When I got pregnant, I was very nervous about birth like a lot of other people. Specifically, the ‘head coming out of the vagina’ part. I didn’t realise how brainwashed I was about birth and generally thought it was something I ‘just had to get through’. I didn’t question why I had so little faith in myself and turned to hypnobirthing after I heard about it from a drunk stranger on holiday. Thought I may as well give it a go.Â
As I worked my way through the course, I started to realise what an absolute badass I am. I started to realise that ‘of course I can do this!’ And not only could I do this, but I could absolutely smash it and it might even be an amazing experience. After a fairly reluctant start, my husband got into it as well and realised how important his role would be as my birth partner.
At 37 weeks and 3 days, I was woken up by our cat at about 7am (I’m sure he had a sixth sense about what was going on). I realised that my waters had broken. I felt very calm and had no pain. At this point I thought it would be ages until things really started happening so got a little more sleep. I then got up, put on a sanitary towel and went downstairs. I called the hospital, and they advised me to come in to check what was happening. As I felt no pain, I made some tea and toast. After an hour I woke up my husband. I still felt really calm and had no pain.
At about 8:30am we set of for the hospital. On the way I started to get mild period type pains. I started to feel a little nervous but mostly excited. When we arrived at the hospital, I consented to having a vaginal examination. The rest of my waters broke, and I was informed that I was 1cm dilated. I was quite surprised that I was dilated at all! At this point we were left alone. My husband went to find a tens machine. I was beginning to feel surges by this point but using breathing techniques really helped to manage them. I used an eye mask and just kept breathing (in for four, out for more). After about 45 mins, the midwife came back. She advised me to go home or stay and go for a walk. By this point, my surges were coming on quite quickly and although they were definitely bearable, I had to admit that I didn’t think I would be able to get up and walk around very easily. I consented to another examination. I was now 7cm dilated!
At that point I did have a little panic, but my midwife was amazing. She had read my birth plan and was telling me my affirmations as she wheeled me to delivery suit.
While she ran the water for the birthing pool, my husband prepared the room with fairy lights, clary sage oil, snacks, drinks and my playlist. The best feeling ever was getting into the warm birthing pool. It really is an amazing relief. At that point I started on the gas and air. My contractions were quite fast, but I got good at timing when I took the gas and air for maximum relief. At some points I was able to just chill in the pool and chat with my husband. It was lovely- especially being waited on hand and foot. It was a beautiful day and even though I had planned to use the black out blind, the window was frosted, and it felt right to leave the morning sun to come in a little.
I didn’t feel any urge to push, it felt like my body knew exactly what to do. I wouldn’t really describe it as ‘pain’. It was more like a really powerful force going through my whole body. It was quite intimidating, but I knew that the best thing to do was just go with it. Quite soon the baby’s head could be seen.Â
After a while, the midwife was becoming concerned because I had been ‘pushing for a long time’. She stared to suggest that we ‘should get the doctor to have a look’. I didn’t feel that this was necessary. Even though she was great in lots of ways, I remember her saying to me ‘you’re tired’. I said ‘no I’m not’. At this point, my husband was able to use the BRAIN tool about the ‘getting the doctor in’ suggestion. My husband suggested I move position. I turned so I was squatting with him holding me from behind. I remember thinking- ‘right, I am going to do this now!’Â
 I was really nervous about the ‘ring of fire’ bit. I don’t know if it’s because I was in the water, but it was absolutely fine. Shortly after, our beautiful baby Georgia was born at 2:29pm.
Giving birth made me feel so empowered. For me, it was a truly magical experience and such a privilege to experience. I’m so glad I was able to reclaim the birth experience and also share this. The secret is out- we were made to do this, and it can be wonderful!
Not only did Bethany love her birth, she went on to train with TBU Academy to be a Hypnobirthing Instructor!
Did you have a positive birth and now can’t stop thinking about how to share your knowledge with the world? If so, then we train people to become badass birth workers for that very reason! Head over to our website now to sign up for our next training intake which stars in August!
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