Unplanned Caesarean birth story – Julie & Chris’s first baby

Just wanted to let you know our baby arrived on Sunday weighing 8lb and 7oz. She is just perfect - we're absolutely over the moon.

I had a very long labour with my contractions starting on Thursday evening and baby being born by emergency caesarean section on Sunday afternoon. You will remember that I considered a section to be the worst possible outcome and so I did feel disappointed at first, I felt as though I had failed. However, on reflection, I am so thankful that this option was available to me resulting in the safe delivery of my gorgeous, healthy baby girl. And, up until the spinal anaesthetic, the only pain relief I had was paracetamol! I know this would never have been possible if I hadn't been practicing hypnobirthing!

Thanks to what I learned in your course I was able to completely relax and focus on my breathing. I also got to use the pool which was just amazing! I still can’t quite believe I didn't have any pain relief, especially given the length of my labour, but I just didn't ever feel that I needed it. While I was in the pool one of the other midwives came in and my midwife later told me that she had asked if I was even in labour (I was about 8cm at this point)!!

The reason for my long labour was because of Lilly’s position in my pelvis, something I didn't find out until I was in labour, so I had to be transferred to labour ward after a while so that they could monitor Lilly. There is a difference between the midwife unit and labour ward environment, so I really had to focus on the relaxation techniques at this point so that the change didn't disrupt me too much. Because I had been in labour for so long and was progressing slowly, I agreed to the hormone drip (I had also gone 3 nights without any sleep so was pretty exhausted by this point). However, despite this, I still wasn't fully dilated (I was at 9.5cm for what seemed like forever), the doctor recommended caesarean section. The surgeon later said that she didn't believe, given the position that Lilly was in, that I would have been able to have a natural birth.

So I just wanted to say a huge thank you!! Had Chris and I not attended your course I honestly believe my birth story would have been very different. It's just incredible what the mind, and body, are capable of. It really was the most amazing experience and I would absolutely do it all again tomorrow! Our baby is a very calm and contented baby and I like to think that this is partly due to me being relaxed during labour! I absolutely love being her mum, it’s just amazing, what a little miracle she is. Thanks again Andrea - will be recommending you to all my pregnant friends!!