Helen & Baby Emmi

VBAC birth story of baby Emmi
I decided to try hypnobirthing after having a long and traumatic birth with my first, which ended in an emergency c-section after my back went. I always really wanted a totally natural, drug free birth and was really determined to have it with my second. However, after the events that happened before I was apprehensive and worried about the same happening again.
We were recommended Caron from a few friends. Both myself and my partner really enjoyed the classes. The visualisation and relaxation techniques were so good that even my partner (who struggles to fall asleep) would dose off as he was so relaxed!
Two weeks before my due date I came down with a sickness bug (bad timing!) I went to bed early as I feeling really unwell and slept terribly. I woke at 2.30am feeling really uncomfortable, before I quickly realised I was getting surges. They were so different to what I had had before with my first (who was back to back). I woke my partner who ran me a bath. Unfortunately at the time both our parents were away and so my partner tried to frantically ring our brothers to come and look after our daughter. Its funny as that would be something I would really panic about but at the time I was so focused, excited and relaxed about the birth that it just didn't worry me! Eventually we managed to get through to my partners brother and he got round at 4am.
Originally one of things I was dreading was the journey to the hospital as I remember how uncomfortable I was first time. However, I listened to my birth affirmations and the journey to the hospital was relaxed and calm!
On arrival at the hospital I knew I was getting close and said as much to the midwives. The senior midwife wanted to examine me, to confirm that I was in established labour. To be honest I didn't really mind (as I knew I was) and when the midwife came back I said I'm getting ready to push! Her examination confirmed this, I was 10cm!
The midwife had dimmed the lighting in the room and really tired to make every effort to make the room and atmosphere exactly as I wanted. My vision for the birth had always been standing up, leaning against the bed. Unfortunately where I had been so unwell before I was absolutely shattered and had hardly any energy to stand and my back was also starting to hurt. The midwife suggested going onto bed. Although I ended up on my back I still felt in control and knew that ultimately it didn't matter. I was so much more comfortable and didn't need any drugs.
At 6.59am I gave birth to our beautiful little Emmi. The midwife passed Emmi to me and I had skin to skin straight away. We didn't know we having a girl and I was so absolutely over the moon that I had this amazing (and quick) birth that the midwife prompted me and said do you want to know what you’ve got?! I hadn't even looked to see!
As it all happened so fast (2hours after arriving at hospital) I didn't even have time to get my anchor board or the rest of my tools out! I cannot put into words how amazing it felt to have the birth that I wanted. Hypnobirthing helped me to stay relaxed and also reminded me to listen and trust my body to know what to do. It also made my partner feel so much more involved. He felt like he knew what to say to me and how to encourage me. Also for me, with my first I didn't even want him to touch me and yet this time I was leaning on him and needed him next to me. It was a completely different experience.
I feel incredibly lucky to have had the birth that I always wanted and can’t thank Caron enough for helping me to achieve this and would highly recommend hypnobirthing to anyone.