I was 3 days over my EDD but had been having increased Braxton Hicks for around a week, which kept coming and going so being my first baby, I was a bit unsure for a few hours if I was in actual labour! I remember ringing my sister for advice and then it was confirmed when my surges (contractions) were getting more regular and stronger over the rest of the morning.

I rang my other half at work and told him it was the real deal this time but that I was happy for now at home on my own and would call if I needed him. I laboured at home all that day, in my safe little Hypnobirthing bubble, relaxing,snacking,hopping in and out of the bath and watching films including Wolf Of Wall Street (potentially the reason why we decided on calling our son Leo!)

We arrived at The Birth Centre at 7pm to the fire alarm going off!! luckily it was a false alarm and made us laugh.

We made our way up the stairs to the birthing centre, stopping for each surge to do my breathing. I was checked in triage and told I was 3cm dilated and if I wanted to could walk round the hospital or go home and come back.

I requested to use a TENS machine and we both made the decision to stay put as we would feel more comfortable. Walking round my surges were getting stronger and by 9pm I did start to think maybe we should have gone home for a bit so I could rest.

We went back to triage and they were able to find us a private room to go in but I found lying down quite uncomfortable so listened to my body and kept moving positions, concentrating on my breathing. As the room was dark it felt safe and cosy. Jonny my OH had even fallen asleep on the bed! I had strong pressure in my lower back and felt like I needed to wee but couldn’t. I kept getting up to go to the loo but nothing was happening. after a while I managed to get more comfortable then felt dampness between my legs but also instant relief as I realised my waters had released.

Jonny went to get a midwife who confirmed it and said I could go into a birthing suite.

After a few checks I was able to get into the birthing pool, the warm water felt amazing and really helped during the surges.The room was calm, dimly lit, Jonny put on our playlist and I literally zoned out listening to my body. I tried the gas and air available but it made me feel quite woozy so I just concentrated on my breath, my affirmations while Jonny read aloud the calming scripts.

My surges felt like a strong pressure in my back getting more powerful, after a little while my instincts told me to bear down. I told my midwife that I was ready to go for it. I used down breathing to help guide my baby out and I remember feeling the top of his head which was so surreal. The song Teardrop by Massive Attack was playing in the background and after only a few pushes Leo was out at 3:45am. I lifted out this 7lb 1oz of perfect baby and just beamed!

I felt like a total superhero!!

My daughters birth was just as empowering and wonderful as my first birth experience, just much quicker!

I had more confidence second time round in knowing the signs of labour, so when things started to happen at 40 weeks + 4 days I knew I was best staying at home as long as I could.

I called my mother in law in the morning to come over and collect my son, then I decided to change all the bedding,I did some washing, watched TV, ate little and often and bounced on my ball. I used my calm breathing and again used water (baths & showers) to relieve the pressure in my lower back and took some paracetamol.

My husband came back home from work in the early afternoon making sure I was doing ok. Then around 4pm whilst watching some really trashy TV and leaning over my birth ball, when I felt a really strong surge. My waters had broke.

I checked that they were clear and then asked Jonny to call up the Birthing centre to let them know we would be coming in in the next few hours. They gave me the options to stay at home if I felt comfortable or come in to centre.

We decided to go in as it was nearly rush hour and we needed to get on the M1 to the birthing centre. Also by this point my surges had ramped up so I wanted to get myself in the birthing suite as I knew this would make me feel more relaxed.

Once in the car I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breath work, feeling excited that we would be meeting our baby soon. I remember telling Jonny I would have her by before 7pm as things were progressing quickly.

Upon arriving at the Birthing centre, I asked to be checked and was told I was 6 cm dilated so could go straight into a Birthing Suite. Whilst I was waiting for the birthing pool to fill up, I had to keep dropping and going on all fours for my surges as this was most comfortable position for me!

When I was in the pool, Jonny put on our playlist and read aloud the relaxation scripts, used gentle touch and massaged my shoulders.This really helped to keep me calm and remain grounded throughout the powerful surges.Not long after, I felt a really intense urge to push so I began to bear down, using my breathing to help, my body taking over and birthing my baby.

When Phoebes head was out I expected her body to glide out like when I had Leo. Only this time she needed a little more assistance, the midwife asked to check me whilst I was still in the pool and thought that her shoulder was preventing her from coming out smoothly.

Even though this was a potentially stressful situation I remained calm, I was determined to try and do it myself so following my instincts so taking a really deep breath in and out through my nose I used my next surge to help her out.

She emerged like a little mermaid but more squishy! 8lb 9oz at 18.48pm (before 7pm like I had predicted haha!)

I felt a massive sense of achievement that I'd kept calm, trusted my baby and body to guide her beautiful Birth.

My dream was to have a calm, relaxed, peaceful, uninterrupted, natural water birth in the midwife led birth centre. I had visions throughout pregnancy of a dimly lit room, spa like smells, some of our favourite music playing in the background & a midwife telling me how marvellous I was!

I found Hypnobirthing quite early in my pregnancy and was practicing the breathing techniques and getting to grips with the science of giving birth from around 20 weeks. Hypnobirthing was so much more than some “hippy fad” (as my husband originally thought!) It taught both of us what happens during the labour process. It focussed my mind and made me truly believe I could do it. My husband had tools and learnt techniques meaning he could support me and feel involved; rather than just sitting on the side line.

Fast forward to 30 some weeks pregnant...

I began attending regular growth scans and at every scan I was told my little girl was “tiny” and still in breech position. I cannot deny I was disheartened and I tried every trick in the book to get her to turn. The closer I got to 40 weeks the consultants kept coming to see me to talk about EVC and c-section. I stayed true to my word and requested that I was allowed “another week” to get her to turn.

At 38 (ish) weeks the growth scan revealed that baby wasn’t surrounded by as much fluid, she was still breech and they were estimating a low birth weight. I attended this scan alone and was asked to wait to speak with a consultant. I knew my “one more week” request would likely be denied this time...

During the meeting I cried and said I really didn’t want a c-section, I wanted to birth my baby naturally. However, I used my breath to calm myself down and then applied some PMA to the situation. I weighed up the benefits, risks and alternatives and decided to accept a c-section there and then. I rang my husband and we went through the possible date options with the consultant, 31st March 2020.

23rd March 2020 Boris Johnson announces the U.K. lockdown.

Panic set in, a million questions raced through my mind...there were so many unknowns and I must admit I sobbed and sobbed. My husband suggested practicing some of the Hypnobirthing techniques; I got a bath, he practiced, what we call, “the palm tree” on my back and he counted for me whilst I practiced my breathing...calmness descended...

I re-wrote my entire birth plan the following day and opted for a gentle c-section with delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin, music playing in theatre, dimmed lights and hushed voices.

31st March 2020

I barely slept the night before, full of excitement and trepidation! We arrived at the hospital at 07:15am. We set up our little bay on the PACU unit and made it as relaxing and homely as possible.

I practiced my breathing, to keep my nerves at bay, and my husband held my hand whilst counting for me.

We walked down to theatre together...the next bit really does become a blur...

I remember my husband kneeling on the floor in front of me whilst the epidural was put in... I remember thinking how kind he was being and he kept reminding me to breathe and not hold my breath. I literally stared through his eyes into his soul and just lost myself there for a while. Once I was laid down he was there again stroking my forehead/face, reciting positive affirmations to me, checking I was ok and reminding the staff not to stick the monitoring tabs on my front as we wanted baby delivering straight to me for skin to skin! He had remembered my birth preferences - I was amazed! I noticed our music playing in the background and before I knew it my husband was peeking over the curtain and saying he could see her legs, then her bum and then she was here!

Florence was born at 09:25am on 31st March 2020 weighing a lovely 6lb 3oz. Emeli Sande Next to Me was playing in the background and it felt perfect. We were elated, completely in love and in awe of what we had created.

I would recommend hypnobirthing to anyone and everyone. It works, regardless of birth type and I have even put the breathing techniques to use since! They’re not just for labour!