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!

Another positive birth story for you!

Because of COVID restrictions, this couple took the course over Zoom.
And I think this birth story goes to show you that it doesn’t matter so much how you get the information and the tools…they work!

I also love how this mother mentioned that her birth was not a calm and serene hypnobirth…because most aren’t!
Especially towards the end of our labours when we are bearing down and pushing our babies out…that is a demanding time and often part of letting go involves making noise, crying, and asking more of our partners.

And speaking of partners, birth really does work best when they have the same knowledge and tools that we do and can support us physically and emotionally.

Hypnobirthing isn’t about a quiet birth or a totally tranquil birth…it is about ensuring that you and your partner have the information and the tools that you need to make birth the best experience for you!

I wanted to write to let you know our little girl was born about two weeks ago.

I am so thankful that my partner and I did your hypnobirthing course. 

I had always hoped for a natural, intervention free birth, and thanks to hypnobirthing, I also went in prepared for whatever course my birth needed to take. 

I woke up at 2:00am on Sunday to the beginning of very strong surges. Being our first baby, I was unsure if it was the real thing or not (this is not to say the surges were not intense, because they were! I was just very wary of “false labour” and being turned away from the hospital if it wasn’t the real deal). 

I had your advice to labour at home for as long as possible in mind. And between 2:00am and 9:00am I was comfortable labouring at home.
Then around 9:00am I vomited, my waters broke, and I had a sudden urge to bear down and push… and we realised it was definitely business time! 

We arrived at the hospital at 9:30am (after a very rough car ride).
The midwife decided to take me straight to the birthing suite, and my first and only examination revealed I was fully dilated and ready to go. 

I’ll admit it may not have looked or sounded like the calm hypnobirths that I have seen in videos. There were tears and lots of noise. There were definitely times when self doubt and fear crept in. However in those times, my partner and my midwife were fully equipped and easily able to help bring me back to a positive birthing mindset.

I was also equipped with the knowledge gained during your course, that those feelings I was experiencing usually occur when the body is about to undergo a huge transition. Knowing that I was close to meeting our baby was reassuring to me. 

There was ONE particular affirmation that kept popping into my mind during the hardest times – my baby and body know what to do.
These words really helped me to surrender. 

I birthed her on all fours, in the shower of the birth suite, at 11:13am. Her birth was completely natural and intervention free – exactly as we had hoped for.

She has since been a superstar baby and my recovery is going really well. Which I’m sure is partly due to how much a healthy, positive birth can influence things like breastfeeding, sleep, and healing.

Thank you for your wonderful course and follow up messages prior to the birth. 

You helped us achieve the type of birth that I always knew I wanted, but that in our society nowadays is made to seem unrealistic or unachievable. 

I am SO grateful!