I was very apprehensive about the course and birth in general. I had always planned to have an elective c section so learning about natural birth was way out of my comfort zone. I am generally a very stressed and anxious person who likes to be in control.

We both enjoyed the weekend and felt that we had learned a lot. Our prenatal classes at our hospital were very negative and focused on PAIN! You gave us another way to see everything which was great. I was 33 weeks pregnant when we came to your course so we started practice right away. I found the CDs very relaxing and I must admit, fell asleep on more than one occasion.

Over the next few weeks we both saw a change in me. I became calm!!! I was not moody, stressed or worried as I had been but instead very relaxed. I was excited about meeting our baby and not scared at all about giving birth. I had expected that our baby would come when he/she was ready and just to enjoy the ride. So firstly I must thank you for a new peacefulness which I believe I will carry with me always.

The birth!! Well what a truly amazing experience!!! I went into labour almost 3 weeks early. I had previously been very worried about being induced as a lot of my friends had been. I need not have worried!

Labour started at 2am. I wasn’t sure to be honest if that was it. My husband started timing at around 4am and by 6am I was having surges that were about 6-7 mins apart. We phoned the hospital who advised me that yes I was in labour!!! We stayed at home as long as possible. I played with our cats and we went for a walk by the water.

I did have a moment of doubt, which came whilst we were still at home. I was worried that I had not done enough practice that I wasn’t ready and I couldn’t do it. My husband got me back on track by focusing on what I had achieved and after that I was fine.

We arrived at the hospital at around midday. I was 4 1/2 cm dilated. I was hooked up to the monitors and unfortunately the baby’s heart rate had dropped to around 45. The midwife started talking about a Caesarean and had to break my waters to look for meconium. There was none and the heart rate recovered and didn’t dip again. I avoided a Caesarean but had to hooked up to monitors for longer than we would have liked.

The other issue I had to deal with was a posterior baby. I used every tool I had to cope with this. The breathing techniques were invaluable. I visualised riding waves on a surf board, walking along the beach, singing to my favourite CD, looking at photos of my cats on the laptop, the bath etc.

My partner was wonderful at talking to me and pushing on my back.

I kept thinking about the videos we had watched at Bowral with women saying the surges were not painful. I would have to say that I did feel pain and absolute burning in my back. I don’t think I could feel the uterus at all. I kept thinking that my baby and my body knew what they were doing and I gave them complete control. I knew I could do it!

At 7.36pm our beautiful baby boy was born. It was such an amazing time. I did it! I still can’t believe I did it. A natural drug free birth! He went straight up on my chest for a few hours of skin to skin. He suckled not long after birth. The placenta was delivered without oxytocin and honestly this was very easy. Previously we were only going to have 1 child but within hours of his birth I said to my partner, I could do that again!

It was a wonderful and truly amazing experience. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn the calmbirth® techniques and would recommend them to friends. Benjamin is a calm and happy baby who rarely cries. Caring for him is far less stressful than I imagined it would be.

Anita & Pat.

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