Reflecting on the journey to my son’s birth, I find myself filled with pride and gratitude. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but this experience turned out to be everything I had hoped for and more—a true testament to the power of preparation, confidence, and a supportive environment.
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My first pregnancy was a joyful one until the unexpected happened—early rupture of membranes. My daughter’s birth was challenging, and looking back, I felt let down by the lack of support I received from the senior midwife. I ended up confined to the bed, opting for pain medication I hadn’t wanted simply because I felt so overwhelmed and as if everything was outside of my control. It left a mark on me, and as much as I adore my daughter and love being a parent, the thought of birthing again was something I faced with anxiety and fear when I found myself pregnant for the second time.
I knew I needed something to rebuild my confidence, and that’s when I stumbled upon hypnobirthing. Admittedly, I was sceptical at first—it didn’t seem like something that would resonate with me. But the more I delved into the science behind it, the more intrigued I became. By the time I started my hypnobirthing course, I was fully committed. My teacher, who had experienced a similar journey to mine, made me feel truly seen and understood. I left each session feeling more equipped and empowered, and I carried that positive energy into my daily practice of listening to MP3s, breathing techniques, and preparing mentally and physically for birth.
At exactly 39 weeks, at the crack of dawn—4:30 a.m. to be precise—my waters broke. It was a familiar moment, reminding me of my first pregnancy. My husband rang the hospital, and they asked us to come in for a check. We quickly bundled our daughter into the car and headed off, dropping her with relatives before making our way to the hospital. I’d been experiencing light cramping for a day or so, but it wasn’t anything particularly consistent or strong. At the pregnancy assessment unit, they confirmed that my waters had indeed gone. The midwife mentioned induction if labour hadn’t started within 18 hours post-rupture, but I wasn’t worried—my daughter had arrived swiftly the day after my waters broke, so I assumed this time would be no different.
We went back home and treated ourselves to a nice breakfast—pancakes with Nutella and berries, the ultimate comfort food! The day passed with a mix of feel-good TV and sporadic contractions that kept me on my toes. By the evening, I was feeling worn out after only catching a couple of brief naps, so I decided to lift my spirits with my favourite musical, Les Misérables. Singing along was just what I needed to keep myself engaged and positive—an unconventional choice for some, but it worked for me.
By 10 p.m., it was time to head back to the hospital. The moment we arrived, we were greeted by our midwife, Katy, whose warmth and attentiveness immediately put me at ease. I handed over my induction birth plan, one of three I had meticulously prepared to cover every possible scenario. Katy took the time to review it thoroughly, ensuring that everything was in place before we began. Knowing that a water birth wasn’t an option due to induction, I had only one firm request—I absolutely didn’t want to be confined to the bed during labour. This was something I had struggled with during my first birth, and I was determined not to repeat it.
Katy was incredible. She supported my need to stay mobile, helping me remain active and engaged throughout the process. She was present when I needed her and quietly observed when I didn’t, never leaving us alone for more than 10 minutes at a time. I laboured with the help of a birthing ball, my trusty TENS machine, and my birthing comb—a surprising hero of the day! Time became a blur as I focused on each contraction, relying on my hypnobirthing techniques and the encouragement of my husband and Katy.
Eventually, my body told me it was time. I instinctively moved to the bed, staying upright and using the back of it for support. 20 minutes from the overwhelming need to push, and before I really knew what was happening, our baby boy was here. Katy gently passed him through my legs, and I held him for the very first time—a moment of pure magic. I had done it. I had birthed our son with just gas and air, exactly as I had hoped. To achieve that felt empowering beyond words.
Not all the hypnobirthing techniques I had prepared came into play, and that was okay. Hypnobirthing isn’t about rigidly following a plan—it’s about equipping yourself with a toolbox of strategies to draw from as needed. The ones I did use were enough to make this experience exactly what I needed it to be: positive, empowering, and uniquely mine.
Looking back, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude. This birth was a healing experience for me, a reminder that preparation, support, and belief in yourself can transform even the most daunting challenges into moments of triumph.