On of the most important questions you can ask during labour is, “What are my options?”
You of course always have the option to agree with what is being recommended, you have the option to decline what is being recommended, and there is usually another option as well!
In this case, because their baby was preterm, CTG monitoring was recommended and they were happy to agree with that recommendation. But when the CTG started to interfere with her mobility and access to water, she wanted to know about her other options. For this mother, an electrode was the best option as it allowed continuous monitoring of her baby and also allowed her freedom of movement and use of the shower.
It’s all about being informed, understanding what is most important for you, and knowing that you always have options!

Here is Allirah’s birth story, as told by her empowered mother!

It was 5:30am when I woke to liquid beginning to leak from me, so I dashed to the toilet where it continued to gush liquid. I wasn’t sure if I should wake my partner up as I genuinely was like this can’t be my waters breaking I’m only 36 weeks and 5 days! And then I wiped and noticed some of my mucus plug and so I woke my partner. Then I started to experience some very light back pain (oh boy, I did not prepare for the back pain) as I continued to leak fluid.

I called the birth suite and explained what happened and they advised me to have some breakfast, bring our bags but leave them in the car, and come in to see if my waters had broken. Given I was not full term, I didn’t want to risk anything so we decided to head into the hospital after we organised some things at home, as of course we hadn’t completely finished packing thinking we still had a couple of weeks!

I began to feel light contractions that were probably about 5 minutes apart by the time we were on the way to the hospital. The car ride was so uncomfortable, I just wanted to move around to breathe through the sensations.
We arrived at the assessment centre, where we agreed to use CTG to monitor baby as she was technically not full term, they checked to see if my waters had broken and confirmed they had, and also advised I was 2 centimetres dilated!

That was when it really hit me that this was happening now! So I grabbed my oils and reassured myself that whilst this wasn’t the start to labour I had planned (for example, not being able to be very active) that things would be okay and we would meet our baby soon.

Unfortunately I had to have a cannula put in to give me antibiotics – this was another barrier as I was hooked up to another thing, but I pushed those thoughts aside and reminded myself that it was okay.

We waited for about 3 hours in the assessment centre while we waited for a birth suite and things progressed as we waited. I wasn’t able to move about because of the monitoring so I had to breathe through most of my surges laying down, but I remained focused and calm and with the help of my partner was able to get through them. The sensations felt uncomfortable but manageable.

By the time we were able to go to a birth suite, my contractions were getting to the point where I couldn’t lay down anymore. I was having to squat through them. And during my surges, my back pain was intense. My partner tried to relive it but despite his attempts, it was the most challenging thing for me to deal with.

Once we arrived in the birth suite, things began to move quite quickly. The midwife and student were amazing and asked me what I wanted to do – I said I need hot water on my back, I need the shower. They  got me set up with the exercise ball, my partner got our speaker, and I quickly began to get into my zone as I completely focused on breathing through the contractions using the breathing techniques from hypnobirthing.

I was in my zone, and my partner was giving me light touch massage and tickles during my rests. However as I was so active in the shower the CTG portable monitor wasn’t picking up my baby. The midwife asked what I wanted to do and reminded me that I wanted an active labour and that the shower was helping my insane back pain during the surges. I asked about my other options and the midwife said they could put an electrode in baby’s head so they would be able to track the heart rate and I would have my freedom of movement back. My partner and I discussed it and decided that having an active labour was important so agreed to have it done. When she was doing it, she advised me that I was at least 7 centimetres dilated, and was doing amazing and to keep doing what I was doing.

We went back to the shower and I continued to breathe through my contractions with some gas. Then the surges began to become extremely intense to the point where no position in the shower was helping.
The midwife and student were completely led by me and mostly left me to do my thing with my partner.
I felt immense pressure and Ben went and got the midwife and she asked where I wanted to have the baby and I said not in the shower!
I got positioned so I was leaning over the bed and then I began to push through my surges. I then wanted to move onto my back, and they asked if I wanted to see her head to help me, and boy did that help! I was able to watch as with each surge, I pushed my baby girl out.
My second stage of labour was 45 minutes and I pushed her head and body out in the one surge. My midwife did not direct my pushing but simply supported what I was doing, she was completely lead by me and my contractions.

Whilst our birth didn’t happen exactly according to plan, my midwife did not once tell me what to do. Instead she provided guidance that was completely lead by what I wanted and what felt right to me.
It shocked me how independent I was, I felt so empowered, it was such an incredible experience.
My partner was able to say and do just what I needed as he was educated, and he was able to communicate and advocate for me when I was in my zone.
I honestly don’t think our daughters birth would have been so amazing if we hadn’t educated ourselves through hypnobirthing.

Sometimes individual circumstances mean that we have to make choices that we were hoping that we wouldn’t have to make.
And with GDM and persistent hypertension, Nicole made the informed decision to go ahead with an induction.
She spoke with her caregivers about how her induction was likely to proceed and ensured she was clear on all the details.
We spoke about how to ensure her body as a ready as possible and how to apply her hypnobirthing tools to best support her throughout the induction.

While her birth looked different than the ideal birth she had been visualising, Nicole still had the positive birth that she prepared for!

Positive birth is all about feeling informed, feeling supported, and feeling safe.
Positive birth allows you to start motherhood on that high – feeling connected to your partner, feeling bonded with your baby, and feeling proud of yourself!

We welcomed our baby boy August to the world on Monday 15 at 5.22pm – 3.4kg and 55cm long.

In the end, due to GDM and persistent high blood pressure, I was induced at 37+6 gestation.
My induction started with a balloon catheter overnight and I had my waters broken the next morning at 9:00am. I starting having regular contractions but they weren’t lasting long enough and after three and a half hours I started syntocinon.

I spent a lot of time in the shower and was singing through contractions which helped me to keep breathing, stay relaxed, and it was good in terms of distraction.
At 7cm I got out of the shower and started changing positions a lot…I was moving from the bed back to the floor. The contractions started coming harder and faster.

While I was in transition, I tried using the gas to take the edge of the contractions. It made me feels really groggy and I hated it. They turned it right down to 10% with 90% oxygen and I used this throughout transition. I don’t know if it did much beyond helping me focusing on deep breathing, but even that’s all it was a positive thing. 

Baby started to crown and suddenly his heart rate dropped. They pushed the button that resulted in the room filling with people. My midwife encouraged me to try to push him out but I didn’t have enough time to stretch and he was getting distressed so I needed an episiotomy. After that he, was out in two or three pushes and up on my chest for immediate skin to skin.

Although it was definitely not the birth I had fantasized about, I feel so positive about it all.
My Kindred midwife was amazing and so supportive throughout the whole thing.
Matt and I felt informed and prepared and so much of that is because of you.
We are so glad that we did your course and would absolutely recommend it to anyone!

Alison’s baby almost came in the car park!

This was a second hypnobirth for Alison and Andrew.
Their first birth was very different as it took place at 36 weeks and unfolded entirely in hospital.
So Alison had some hesitations around when this birth would happen and how it would feel to labour in her home environment.
But she also knew that preparation would help.
So we did a six hour refresher to get her and Andrew ready for this birth.

And she totally rocked it!

I wanted to share Josh’s birth story with you.
Having started this pregnancy with a good deal of apprehension and fear, the classes Andrew and I did with you had such a massive impact on my mindset and without a doubt my birth.
The midwives at the RBWH Birth Centre were great too.
I’m so proud of myself – I had such a positive experience.

Josh’s birth story:

Happy Birthday!
We are so happy to have welcomed you into our family. Here’s the story of how you were born.
Your big brother, Nick, was born at 36 weeks and we were unsure when you would decide to meet us. It turns out that 38 weeks and 4 days was perfect – Wednesday the 7th of April 2021.
 
In the few days before your birth, I didn’t feel any different, but had been getting ready – Daddy and I installed your car seat, packed the hospital bag, I treated myself to massages, and started making lots of snacks for the freezer. On the day before you were born, I had been having lots of ‘practice contractions’ (Braxton Hicks) but nothing else had changed. That night, I found it hard to fall asleep and stayed up watching a show. At about 11:00pm I tried to go to sleep, but noticed that I was getting much stronger “practice contractions”. Within 30 minutes, I thought there was a bit of a pattern and started timing them. They were lasting for one minute and happening every three to five minutes – I certainly wasn’t going to sleep!

I let Daddy know what I was feeling, we called Nanna to come over to stay the night with Nick, and I had a shower and started listening to my relaxing hypnobirthing music. Daddy called the hospital and the midwife suggested to try to go back to sleep if I could. It was about 1:00am and I lay down for a little while, but soon after felt my waters breaking! It was a strangely satisfying feeling – and there was a LOT of fluid (lucky there were lots of towels nearby)! We packed the last few things for the hospital bag and got ready to head to the hospital. I left a note to Nick to let him know that we were going to the hospital to have his little brother! I don’t think we realised how soon we would be meeting you!

We arrived to the hospital about 1.30am. By this stage, my contractions had become much stronger and as we pulled into the carpark I started to feel like I needed to PUSH! You were on your way! I climbed out of the car, but couldn’t walk. I stood next to the seat and rested my body over it. There was misty rain which felt amazing on my back and arms and I kept my eyes closed and concentrated on us.

Even though it was all happening quickly, I trusted you and my body. I was breathing long, deep breaths when I could rest and making lots of noise when I was having the surges! I was getting really strong surges that lasted for about 30 seconds, then had a ‘rest’ for a few minutes. With every surge, I could feel you moving further and further down! It was so exciting but also a little scary – it was happening so fast and I didn’t really want to have you in the carpark! Some hospital staff came out from the emergency department and our midwives (Natalie and student Georgie) arrived soon afterwards. It makes me laugh to think of what people must have been hearing coming from this lady in the carpark!

I remember an amazing feeling during one of the rest periods. I felt you give a really strong wiggle (almost like a flip), like you were getting into a new position to head on down and out! It gave me confidence that you were ready and knew what you had to do! 

Luckily, I made it onto a bed that had been wheeled out (not the wheelchair that had first been brought) during one of the rest periods and was taken into a free room in the emergency department. I’m told that everyone who was in the carpark followed us into the room – it was noisy and bright, but only for a moment as our midwife told everyone to leave! Daddy was just about to do the same!

I stayed kneeling on the bed, with the head of the bed raised up high. There were rails on the side which I could grip on to and that really helped me during the contractions. I also made lots of noise – high, low, long, short…whatever felt good! With every contraction I felt you move further down – just a little each time. Daddy pushed on my lower back in the perfect spot during the surges which helped to ground and focus me (and distract me from the intense, but not unfamiliar feeling – I remember your brother’s birth too). He told me how strong I was and reminded me that we would be meeting you soon!

Just before 2.30am, I had a few really strong surges (you were so close) and after one really big one, and your head emerged!
It was quite a long rest time while your head remained there – in between worlds!
When we were ready, one more big contraction helped move your body (hand first) out into the world!

The midwife passed you between my legs and it was the best feeling to hold your warm, slippery little body in my arms.

We had done it!

You were calm and quiet, and gave just a few little cries. After a long cuddle on my chest, you had your first feed. Daddy and I stared at you and felt so happy you had arrived safely into our arms and family.

We stayed connected for a while longer until your umbilical cord stopped pulsing. After an hour, the placenta still hadn’t come away (despite lots of very intense contractions) so I had the syntocin injection to help. After about 15 minutes it was ready and the midwife (Georgie) showed me what an amazing organ it is! A few hours later, you were weighed and measured – 3.9 kg, 54cm long, 36cm head – just perfect.

About 10.30am, we left the hospital and took you home to meet your big brother. He was very proud of you and you just loved looking at him and listening to his voice. A few days later, you were named Joshua Leo Perry. We love you so much!

It takes a village to have a positive birth and a positive postpartum!
Here are some practitioners I personally know and trust. Most of them I either have seen or currently see as part of my own health care and wellness team!
But what works for me, may not work for you. Be sure to go with a modality and a practitioner that feels good for you!

DOULA:
Moran at 2Life Doula
Cheryl at Ideal Birth
Sammy Griffin Birth Support
Lisa at Divine Doulas
Caroline Reis
Abbey Braithwaite
Janet Purcell at Birth Place Doula

OSTEO:
Dr. Bron – East Brisbane
Bec at Freya Health – Woolloongabba
Sarah at Pivot Osteo – Paddington
Rebecca at Brisbane Osteopathic Centre – Wilston
Simone at Northside Therapies – Kallangur

CHIRO:
Jemima at Thrive Health Co – Graceville
Olive Chiropractic – Mount Gravatt
Liz or Belinda at HPC – Camp Hill
Belinda at Avenue Chiropractic – Ashgrove
Christine at Your Body Works – Gordon Park
Harriet at North Brisbane Chiropractic – Everton Park
Ohana – North Lakes

ACUPUNCTURE:
Amy at Sakura – Carina Heights
Kate at Awaken – Bulimba
Peter Kington – Greenslopes
Georgie Smith – Spring Hill
Kirsty Eng – Herston
The Happy Healthy Clinic – Ashgrove

MASSAGE:
Merakai Therapies – Hawthorne
Catherine Dore – Taringa
Marissa at Nurture Her Wellbeing – Auchenflower

NUTRITIONISTS – NATUROPATHS:
Miranda – Holland Park
Melissa at Elixir – East Brisbane
Bec at Freya Health – Woolloongabba
Larissa – West End
Mikaela Duffy – Ashgrove and Northlakes

PERINATAL EXERCISE:
Inna Bliss Yoga – Camp Hill and Bulimba
Stretch Yoga and Pilates – Holland Park
Pear Exercise Physiology – Stafford
Be In Blossom – Chermside
Bettina Rae – Online

LACTATION CONSULTANT – BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT:
Australian Breastfeeding Association – Various Local Support Groups, Online, and 24 Hour Helpline (1800 686 268)
Dr Robyn Thompson – Online
Julie-Anne at A Little Help – Norman Park
Dianne at Close Bonds – Graceville
Full Circle Midwifery and Lactation – Kelvin Grove

WOMEN’S HEALTH PHYSIO:
Sue Croft – Highgate Hill
Lissy at Physio One – Taringa
Body & Birth Physio – Paddington
Pear Exercise Physiology – Stafford

THERAPISTS – COUNSELLORS:
Kat Anderson Psychologist – Paddington
Anne Castles Perinatal Counsellor – Kenmore
Kirsten Finn Psychology – Ashgrove
Naomi Jama Psychology – Bardon, Spring Hill, Geebung
Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness – Springwood, Geebung, Morayfield

MOTHERS GROUPS
QLD Health Child Health Community Clinics
Australian Breastfeeding Association Local Groups
Playgroup Queensland
Making Mama – Coorparoo
Mothering Through Matrescence – Camp Hill
Modern Mamas – Morningside
The Mama Village – The Gap
Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness – Geebung, Springwood, Morayfield
Peanut

OTHER FABULOUS PEOPLE AND RESOURCES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT:
Belinda Chapman – Fertility
Brooke Maree – Babywearing Consultant

I am thrilled to let you know that The What Happens Next Workshop is on!

What am I talking about?

Dr Bron (of Dr Bron Osteo fame) and I are teaming up to support you with everything you need to know from preconception through to early pregnancy.

We both get so many questions and comments from you all about those early days – unfortunately there is a “I wish I had known” theme to most of them.

So we are here to help you know all the things so future you doesn’t have to say, “I wish I had known”

We will tackle all the big issues.

– how to get your body ready for pregnancy
– what even are my options for models of care
– how to choose a caregiver
– how to support your body during pregnancy 

And we can address all the small issues!
We really want this workshop to serve you so we will leave plenty of time for questions, chatting, and mingling.

Speaking of mingling, this workshop definitely has an eat, drink and be merry vibe.
As I write this Dr Bron (she is a good friend but even so I literally cannot refer to her as anything other than Dr Bron), is finalising our refreshment caravan.
Think mocktails and yummy apps.

We cannot wait!
If you are wanting to join us, the workshop is on Friday 30 April from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Soul Space in Newmarket.
Tickets are $50.00 and spaces are limited.
You can book in here.
Please feel free to bring along your bestie…even if they aren’t planning on making a baby any time soon, this workshop is about empowering women to take control of their health and insist on care that best supports them as an individual.

And if you are not in Brisbane, you can still come!
We aim to please so we have both in person and Zoom options.  
Whether you are with us in person or in spirt, we will make every effort to ensure you are included and feel connected!
To reserve a Zoom spot, please use the link above and the coupon code ZOOM for your $25.00 ticket.
And if you are tuning in from your living room, please feel free to mix up a mocktail so you don’t feel like you are missing out!

See you there!