After being admitted for induction, the pessary did it’s initial job causing very mild surges getting me to 2.5cm. Mark was allowed to visit between 9am and 9pm and we went for 2 daily walks around the hospital grounds. I listened to my MP3s, refreshed myself on the humming and overall felt extremely relaxed!
On labour ward, the room was great and Mark did a brilliant job dimming the lights, massaging and setting up my MP3s and citrus oil.
I used the birthing ball as much as possible throughout my induction of labour, which really helped me feel more comfortable.
My waters were broken at 11pm and also the Oxytocin drip was administered. I was feeling surges in my lower belly and visualised the cervix opening.
It was so helpful knowing the physiology behind the “pains”. The most helpful thing for me was the balloon analogy during my surge breathing and going to my relaxing place in between surges. This literally worked and took me into another zone.
The surges progressed very quickly and the next thing I knew I felt pressure and the need to “push.” Mark said the whole thing took 20 minutes but I will be honest with you and tell you that in total it felt like two minutes….
My active labour was 2 hours and the only pain relief I had was gas and air. I think even the midwife was surprised it happened so quickly as she examined me at 2cm and then again when fully dilated!
I think I did not demonstrate enough “pain” on my face for her to believe that the baby was ready to come out but it was because of the hypnobirthing!
I cannot thank you enough Louise as it really transformed the way I thought and I was so happy with the labour. It seemed so straightforward compared to my previous experience.
