Hospital / birth centre birth for 2nd+ baby
Rachel Howman
Queen Charlottes Birth Centre
Pregnancy relaxation, Birth preparation
2nd Baby
“The best £50 I ever spent. After an horrendous birth with my daughter who was ventouse delivery I vowed I would never go through that again and would never have another epidural. When I found out I was pregnant again I was terrified of the nearing birth. Once I had the cd’s and listened to them a few times I began to relax. I could see in my mind what would happen to my body and could actually completely relax to the point I would fall asleep. The day of the birth was wonderful. At 1pm I arrived at the centre, had low lighting and it was very quiet and calm. I felt so in control. At 4pm my water broke and I had the urge to push. I got into the pool at 4.30pm, as she came down the birth canal I did panic a little them relaxed and at exactly 5pm my 9lb 14oz beautiful baby boy was born. He is still calm and content to this day. I had no epidural and even he midwife was amazed considering his size and the fact I had one with my daughter who was 2lb lighter. I cannot recommend these cd’s enough they are truly brilliant”
Mrs Jeanne Baker
Royal Surrey Hospital
Pregnancy Relaxation, Birth Preparation, Fast Post natal recovery
2nd Baby
“I had Gestational Diabetes with my 1st pregnancy – had an epidural, episiotomy and forceps delivery. My recovery took 14 weeks. 2nd time round I knew I would be hooked up to 2 drips and be continually monitored. Knowing that this would severely restrict my movements I needed to find something else to help me through labour to avoid the epidural etc. My friend recommended Natal Hypnotherapy to me, so I decided to give it a go. I bought the CD’s and started to use them straight away. It felt wonderful to have an excuse for 30 mins relaxation each day. On Tues 15th Aug, I had my waters broken, by 1 o’clock I had syntocin to speed up contractions at 4.30ish the pain was beginning to get unbearable, and I was only 6cm, so I asked for Pethedine I was given hat at 5.30 but by then I had dilated fully! A few pushes later Freddie was born at 6.15pm. As I was so relaxed throughout, the staff outside the room did not even realise I’d had Freddie!
I felt so proud of my achievements and in control
I even want to have a 3rd baby as it was such a positive experience
Thank you so much”
Sarah Young
Helston birth unit, Cornwall
Listened to the Birth preparation CD 20+ times
“I went into established labour during the late afternoon of Sunday Mach 12th 2006. I wasn’t sure if it was really starting because since Friday I had contractions on and off. The pains quickly got stronger and by 8:30pm I was ready to go to the birth unit. I kept repeating ‘calm, relaxed and in control’ to myself to keep calm and just concentrated on each contraction as it came. I felt that the CD definitely helped me to control the pain.
I was already 8cm dilated by 9:15pm, I was thrilled! By the time the pool was filled I was beginning to feel the urge to bear down. The water was heavenly and really helped with the pain. Before long I was ready to push my baby out. I again visualised things from the latter part of the CD so that I could open up and eventually at 10:05pm my baby girl Daisy Bella was pushed through the water into my arms. It was so exhilarating, painful but I felt in control throughout the entire labour. Thank you Natal Hypnotherapy. “
Kathy Murphy
Hospital - Ireland
Listened to the Birth preparation CD 20+ times
“I was so relaxed that I didn’t even know I was in labour. The pains barely registered with me. It was only until 11:30pm that the pains were strong enough for me to call the hospital – even then I still wasn’t sure if it was the real thing. I was told to come in. We drove up and I still felt ok. I used the dialling it down method. When I got to hospital I couldn’t believe it was time to push! Three pushes later Julia was born – an amazing 20 minutes after we arrived! I felt completely in control, completely relaxed and I trusted myself and my body. I felt no fear – just calmness. I would recommend this CD to any mother to be. II felt so proud that it had gone so well! Thank you!”
Lucy Keller
Hospital Birth
Listened to the birth preparation CD 11 - 15 times
“I really wanted to write sooner, but thanks in large part to the Cds, I had SUCH a positive birth experience that I've been out and about, feeding and too busy!! :)
I spoke on the phone to a man who told me about his wife using the Cds for several home births- is this Maggie he spoke of? I was pregnant with 2nd child and had had a traumatic time with the 1st labour and subsequently with son in SCBU and was very nervous of the same thing happening. I didn't find out about the programme in time to order whole set so just restricted to Pre Birth preparation and Labour Cds. In all honesty it is only in retrospect one can tell how useful they were, i think. I managed to get to 37+2 weeks this time (son was 34.5) and was therefore allowed a water-birth -which is what I'd hoped so much for especially after reading all the literature with the Cd about a private, quiet birth place. Unlike 1st time which was in theatre (nowhere brighter, more crowded and scary then!! narrowly missed c-section was ventouse, huge episiotomy...stitches that didn't heal and a baby that was taken from me)
I felt in control, with no fear and though at times more aware of the pain than last time, felt each dilation like a flower opening - it was truly amazing. I could feel my body doing what it needed to and it was intense but fabulous and my husband thanks you too - we both do sooo much. i couldn't have believed in advance HOW positive it could be. Just a bit of gas and air, a 5 hour labour and the after-pains were the most painful bit!
Phoebe Diana was born on 15th June at 6.06pm and weighed 7lbs 10.
She's now a month old 8lb 2 on Tuesday and beautiful. I have already lent the cds to someone who used them for her labour!! She said they have been very helpful. Also have repeated this story to midwives and Health visitors and at breastfeeding support group to new mums and on Babycentre.co.uk birth board...so spreading the word.
Thanks so much again”
Diane Fairless
Frimley Park Hospital
Listened to the Natal Hypnotherapy Programme 20 + times
"My pregnancy and birth experience should have been distressing as I was completely alone, but listening to the CDs every night made the whole experience both relaxing and very rewarding
I have found the CDs have brought out an inner strength I never knew I had and have been a real confidence booster. I have suggested the CDs to many friends but until they sit down and try them, they do not believe they work. But once they do, they are converted to how powerful the subconscious mind can be. And there is nothing similar than getting into bed and relaxing yourself listening to the CD"
Osen Atternik
St Peters Hospital
Listened to the Birth preparation CD 20 + times
"I had the best birth experience. I was the one who kept control and made decisions during the birth I was able to use the breathing techniques during the birth when I needed it the most. Everything developed so quickly and I was so calm. Again the CDs help immensely during the pregnancy in terms of getting proper sleep and loosing anxiety that I had."
I wish everyone a same experience"
Naomi Deauville
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Listened to Birth preparation CD 31 + times.
“If the CD could help me as much as it did, then everyone should be given the chance to use it. My first birth as so horrific that I was devastated when I got pregnant again as I could not face going through that again. I started using the CD the day it arrived and used it every other day. Suddenly the nightmares stopped and I could sleep again. During the birth I had a student midwife with me who commented on how calm and relaxed I was. Even though I had the urge to push I was told not to. That is when the CD was particularly useful. I used a lot of the breathing and visualisation to ride the contractions and fight the urge to push. When they began threatening a c-section, I remember the end part of the CD with the description of opening up to allow my baby to be born easily. Suddenly the urge to push came again and 10 minutes later my baby boy was born. Nobody could believe it. I had no stitches, no tears, not even grazing which, considering the size of him was incredible. Since then I have had no post natal depression, no nightmare and am enjoying life with my 2 beautiful children. I am sorry it is so long winded, but I wanted to tell you what a difference the CD made to my life. I am firmly convinced that with out the CD and given both the size of my son and the way he was lying, I would have had a c-section and probably suffered for months afterwards.. If any of what I have told you can help any other mother from going through what I did 2 years ago, please use it. I am so amazed at what can be achieved through Hypnosis that I am considering training so I can try and help others. I really cannot thank you enough”
Jenny Gillman
Royal Surrey hospital
Listened to Birth Preparation CD 21 - 30 times
“Listening to the CD I was no longer in fear of going into labour. I have never been very good at relaxing, but it taught me how to release all the tension from my body. I felt confident that I could deal with the pain and was able to calm myself during contractions and use the techniques on the CD to control the pain during the first 14 hours. I did this by focusing on my breathing, by relaxing my body as much as I could and by imagining my wonderful beach and laying in the sun. I feel very proud of how I coped during the labour and I know this was due to the CD”.
"I am writing this because I want to encourage every mother to have natural births, working with their body and so having a positive birth experience. The CDs helped me so much, especially to have faith in my own body and my ability to give birth vaginally.
I started labour slowly having light contractions 5 mins apart. Because of my history, I was admitted to hospital. I continued to have contractions through to the next day, at which point I was told that if things did not get going I would have to have another C section. They broke my waters that evening. I imagined my body opening and stayed calm. I began to dilate more and more and the contractions became stronger. I listened to the birth music and reminded myself regularly that my body was designed to do this with ease. 2 hours later I asked for gas and air.
The consultant insisted that I have IV access in my hand in case I had to be rushed down for a section, irritated me all through the labour. I argued but had no choice. At 2 am I was almost ready to push. My midwife asked me to lie down and then pushed back the last bit of the cervix with her fingers. At this point I started to push. I wanted to get up but could not. It was hard work and the consultant was at the end of my bed saying " cut her", but my midwife said "no, she can do it!. I kept going and used my own hand to ease my perineum. He flew out suddenly at 3:28am. I was so happy, I had no stitches and although sore and grazed would do it all again. My notes confirmed how calm I was throughout and 3 separate midwives asked it they could photocopy the natal hypnotherapy notes I had! - I think you are doing a great job"
Thank you”
Lynn Kydd
West Suffolk
Listened to birth preparation CD 16 - 20 times
"At 38 weeks I was diagnosed with Choloystasis and had to be induced.
I was extremely calm throughout the induction and went for a walk - had some pain but did not really dwell on it. My husband did not think anything was happening so went to have dinner in the canteen. When he came back my waters had already broken and I was sitting on the edge of the bed ready to go to the delivery suite. It was very quick.
While I was waiting for the birthing pool I dealt with the pain by concentrating on my breathing and by visualising nice places. After being in the pool I was soon fully dilated and my son was soon born. I only had 2 puffs of gas and air as I did not really want it. I can’t say it did not hurt, but I managed my pain. I found this birth much easier than my first birth and my son is extremely happy and peaceful - he rarely cries and is a delight!"
Rose Pemberton
Hospital Birth
Listened to the CD approximately four times a week
"The whole experience was brilliant and I will definitely be using your CDs for the next baby and will recommend them to friends.
Ann McNeeney
Nottingham City Hospital
Listened to the birth preparation CD daily for nearly 3 months
“My midwife was amazed how clam I was without pain relief. One of the doctors was sure I had an epidural based on my calm demeanour.”
Penni Gillen
St Peters hospital, Chertsey
Listened to CD many times
“I found the whole experience quite positive and am looking forward to doing it again. The CD was a great help- listening to it during the last few months of pregnancy helped me sleep better, and meant that I was incredibly relaxed when I finally arrived at hospital.”
Joanne Bailey.
Hospital Birth
Listened to CD approximately 6 times
“The best thing I found about the CD was the strong antenatal bonding it encouraged. I usually found it an extremely moving experience to listen to it.
I was induced with only a pessary then had a rapid labour. It was pretty difficult to cope with the pain and my breathing practice went out of the window, but I found it very helpful to keep trying to visualize the pain as being my uterus strongly contracting to open and pull up my cervix.”
Emma Nicholson
St Thomas’s hospital, London
Listened to the CD 10 - 15 times
"This was my first pregnancy and importantly helped me relax prior to birth and helped me get to sleep when I was feeling uncomfortably large in bed.”
Rachel Kellar
Royal Gwent hospital
Listened to CD about 35 times
”Really relaxed me whilst listening to it and helped me sleep in the day, which I normally can't do. We arrived at the hospital at 12.30. Midwives commented on how calm and relaxed I was. I was 5 cm. Within an hour and a half I was fully dilated. After about 6 pushes Evie was born. As she had the cord around her neck I had to stop pushing, which I managed easily – again by breathing techniques and visualizing – so thank you!”
Kim Andrews
Hospital Birth
"I was able to use the word "relax" to manage my contractions. I also had my birth partners use the word. I believe that my positive outlook on labour, which I gained through listening to the Birth Preparation CD helped my along.”
Triinu Holman
St Johns hospital, West Lothian
“I found the CD a great help both during my pregnancy and through the birth. During Pregnancy the CD helped me relax. It particularly helped when I had panicky moments near the end. The CD gave me confidence and helped me look forward to the birth rather than dread it. During labour, the hypnotherapy helped at the beginning and the end.. I had a good pregnancy and positive birth experience. I definitely feel the Hypnotherapy helped me achieve this. I kept imagining I was on a beach every time the contractions came. I was really pleased that I had been able to stay at home so long. When the contractions were 2 minutes apart we went to hospital. There I got into the pool and thought I had only been in there 10 minutes and I felt bad that the staff had gone to the trouble of filling it only for me to get out as soon as I had got in. But my husband told me that I had actually stayed in the pool 2 hours.”
Julie Gunn
Hinchingbrooke hospital
“I felt relaxed throughout and felt confident with staff and my choices. My feelings of calm before during and after were due to the cd. I felt in control through and view it as a really positive experience. I felt confident and happy as a mother from the moment he was born. Those feelings are invaluable and I feel your cd definitely contributed. Thank you.”
Kim Douglas
Queen Charlottes
Listened to the CD 12 - 15 times
“I think the CD is brilliant I only wish I had had the opportunity to put more of it to use.”
Sarah Coulson
Basingstoke hospital
Listened to the CD 12 + times
“Thank you for your wonderful CD. I listened to your CD as often as possible before the birth. I felt very relaxed / calm / positive going into the birth.
They diagnosed me with pre eclampsia on the day of birth and said my cervix was closed and they said they would induce me in the morning. I spent the night visualizing my cervix opening (as you do on the cd) and by morning I was 2 cm……I pushed like mad and he came out in one go like you described in the CD) I had an extremely pleasant birth experience - nothing like I was told to expect. I would do it all again tomorrow. I do think it part I was very lucky, but mainly I think a lot was due to creative visualization and being positive.”
Emma Fern
Melton Mowbray St Mary’s hospital
Listened to CD 7-10 times
"As soon as I realised that I was having real contractions and not braxton hicks I had a mix of emotions, excitement and strange feeling of calmness.
It made me understand that instead of being afraid of the pain, I had to listen to my body. I don't think you can improve the cd. I would recommend your cd to everybody and it was well worth every penny. When I first listened to the cd I thought that it would do nothing but something just kicked in once I was in labour. I just found myself listening to my body and staying relaxed and calm, I pictured my special place when my contractions came. The midwives could not believe how calm I was and in tune with my body. I was so pleased I didn't need any more pain relief but I must say I was surprised as normally at the first sign of pain I take something for it.”
Hannah Hill
Royal Sussex County hospital Brighton
”I used it almost every day for the last 2 months of my pregnancy, it was my way of relaxing in the afternoon and I often fell asleep during or after listening. It was lovely to listen to with my husband. I felt he could better understand what I was going through. I felt very focused and in control with my breathing and positioning. I had my eyes shut nearly the whole time and felt in a trance like state (as I had done whilst listening to the cd) I held my husbands hand and was able to smile and relax between contractions. During contractions I found myself bellowing in a very primal way this seemed to help my focus. I didn't feel nervous about giving birth. I felt very well prepared - I'm most grateful for your cd and well tell my pre natal yoga teacher to recommend it to her class.”
Fleur Shaw
Clacton Maternity Unit, Essex
Listened to the C.Ds 11 - 15 times
“Excellent CD. I know now I should have purchased it earlier and listened to it a lot more. I refused all painkillers, I knew I could get through with breathing correctly and remembering what you said on the CD. I was so tired but amazingly positive and kept my sense of humour throughout.”
Kathy Evans
Sandringham hospital, Melbourne
Listened to the CD 28 times
“The CD was perfect. Thank you for enabling me to have the type of birth I really wanted. Third baby and the first with no drugs”
Julie Sharp
Hospital Birth
Listened to CD 20 + times
“I was able to manage my contractions through deep breathing and relaxing my shoulders. As the contractions become very strong I found it incredibly difficult to relax through the intensity of them. Eventually I had some Pethidine to relax me and give me a little rest. I was determined not to have an epidural although it was very tempting. I kept believing in the body’s natural ability to give birth. I fully support the principles of hypnotherapy and recommend it to all mothers to be. The end result is an easier, calmer birth and a content, calm baby. Thanks”
Maria Peterson
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Obstetric hospital, London
Listened to the C.D 16 - 20 times
“By listening to it several times before birth I believe myself more relaxed and confident the labour would go well and it made me so relaxed I got a good night sleep every time I listened to it.
I felt calm and reassured I could go through this with ease as I practiced your breathing techniques/relaxing. I felt no need of any pain relief at all. I actually started to look forward to each contraction knowing my baby will see me soon.”
Kerry Blood
Hospital Birth
Listened to CD approximately 5 times
“Throughout the contractions I imagined myself being at Home and counting down the ten stairs and telling myself there would be no pain when I got to the bottom. I even stepped over the cat that always sleeps on step 5!”
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