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I was initially interested in
learning calmbirth® after reading about
it in a magazine and thinking - I need
more information in order to be mentally
and physically prepared for this big
event. Being pregnant, people often tell
you about the birth of their children
and often how it was such a negative
experience for them and that they would
only go back for second child 'once they
forgot about the first'. Well, I didn't
believe that that always had to be the
case, and certainly didn't want that, so
through learning calmbirth®, was really
hopeful in having a natural birth
experience that I would remember as
being positive. I remember my mum
telling me that when she gave birth to
my sister and I she felt no pain and
'went to another place' by practising
relaxation exercises that were a part of
ante-natal classes some 30 odd years
ago. Nowadays, depending on what
hospital you plan on going to,
ante-natal classes don't provide you
with enough information on how your body
works and what it's going to do and
certainly don't teach you how to relax
or 'breathe' during labour. This is
essential if you want to stay calm, in
control and positive.
I was lucky to find a calmbirth®
practitioner a few months before giving
birth and practised regularly at home
with my husband. I experienced a
'sporadic' labour over two nights and
didn't get much sleep but was grateful
that something was happening as I was a
week overdue and didn't want to be
induced. On the third night, I didn't
sleep at all and at about 7am in the
morning, went to hospital as the
contractions were getting closer. After
being assessed, I was given some gel to
speed things along, and not long after
it all started to happen very quickly. I
spent the rest of the time in the
shower, with my husband by my side,
encouraging me. I was able to stay
focused and in control by concentrating
on my breathing and the thought that I
would see my beautiful baby very soon.
About four hours later, Teagan was born
and it was the most beautiful, rewarding
and amazing experience I've ever had.
I'm sure the hospital staff thought I
was a little crazy though as I calmly
said when she was crowning 'oh look at
it's poor head, it's all squashed; and
oh, look at that hair!'. I am so proud
and happy to have had the birth
experience that I dreamt of and will
remember every detail for the rest of my
life. I certainly try and tell a lot of
people about it as well and truly
believe that I couldn't have had the
birth experience I had without calmbirth®.
I still use the principles today, when I
feel stressed or hurried.
Teagan is now nearly eight months old
and time has gone both fast and slow. My
husband and I get so much enjoyment from
watching her grow and develop and
certainly couldn't imagine our lives
without her.
Kylie XX
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