Positive Birth Stories from A Mother World Clients
First Home Birth: Third Baby
"I would strongly encourage others to consider home birth as an option, to take the time to find out more, and to make sure that any decision made about their birth is informed and is their own."
"Owen is our third child and he was born at our home with the help of the Lavender Home Birth Team.
Despite being considered "low risk" for each of my pregnancies, I hadn't considered a home birth with my first two children. I hadn't been provided with any information about home births and didn't feel confident giving birth away from a hospital. I was lucky enough to have positive experiences in hospital with my first two babies, with a very speedy water birth for baby number two. I was concerned about making it to hospital on time the third time round and so I attended a home birth meeting (or "huddle") during my second trimester to find out more.
At first, I was quite sceptical about this being the right choice for me. I knew I wanted to try to have another water birth but felt very anxious about my options for pain relief being limited and not having further medical assistance to hand. The Lavender Team gave me further information and answered all of my questions about the risks and logistics of home births. I also met some families who kindly shared their wonderful home birth stories. I really liked the sound of having a small team of midwives providing consistent care throughout the pregnancy, with my later appointments taking place in my own home. I took comfort in the fact that my body would know what it was doing and decided to switch to be placed under the care of the Lavender Team.
This decision instantly empowered me to plan the birth that I knew I wanted. I could visualise where my baby would be born and I arranged to collect a birthing pool ahead of time. My husband and I discussed the birth plan in detail together. I used a playlist and scented candles to help me to relax towards the end of my pregnancy, and we replicated this environment when I then went into labour.
Owen arrived one day after his due date. My waters broke in the morning, without any sign of contractions. I notified my midwife who arrived for my 40 week appointment as planned, just after 2pm. My contractions started soon after and my husband filled up the birthing pool when it was clear that our baby was on his way.
It was great to be in my own space for the early stages of labour. I felt calm and in control throughout. When I was ready, I went into the pool and my husband supported me as I concentrated on my breathing. Our midwife was quietly present throughout, offering reassurance when needed and closely monitoring me and baby Owen, who was born at 4pm.
Following the birth, I was able to rest in my own bed. My other two children had been with my mum and she brought them to meet their baby brother when he was just 20 minutes old. It was really special to share those early moments as a whole family.
All follow up appointments were also with the Lavender Team. They supported me with feeding and ensured that we were all happy and healthy.
My home birth experience was wonderful. It allowed me to prepare myself and my family for Owen's arrival and was definitely the right choice for us. I would strongly encourage others to consider home birth as an option, to take the time to find out more, and to make sure that any decision made about their birth is informed and is their own."
Grace - Third Baby
Unexpectedly natural: A Twin Birth Following IVF
" I knew I could do it. It really hurt but I knew it wasn’t impossible and the end result would be more than worth it, and it was."
Pregnant with twins (IVF), expected to give birth via planned caesarean but attended the workshop with an open mind and we explored all her options....
“Looking back there were a few signs I might labour early, but at 32 weeks and 3 days, my waters broke whilst I was at work having lunch with colleagues. I arrived at hospital at 4pm and was seen by a Dr who confirmed my waters had broken. I was advised that with antibiotics the babies could be stabilised until even 37 weeks, but we could expect my [already booked] c-section to be brought forward. I didn’t make it to my hospital so was in a completely new environment with people who didn’t know my history.
They wanted to keep me in overnight because of the high risk of infection so my husband went home to grab some bits for an overnight stay. I didn’t think anything would happen so was convinced he should stay at home. But by 9.00pm I was starting to cramp so I asked him to come back. He arrived back at 9.58pm to be met by us walking from the labour ward to the delivery assessment unit. He messaged his brother at 10.20pm saying everything was fine and I was just getting checked.
By the time they got me on the bed to assess me I was already 9cm dilated and the first twin’s head was in the vaginal passage. I’d had no pain killers by this point and a section was too late; we were delivering. We were run down a corridor into a delivery room with what felt like a hundred people I didn’t recognise. Throughout the whole process I never felt the urge to push but thanks to the hypnobirthing course I knew the pain would never get too bad and I would be able to cope
10:56pm twin 1 was born. 11:01pm twin 2 followed.
The things I learnt from the course that I kept revisiting throughout the night was:
1. I didn’t need to lie down if I didn’t want to, that was my choice.
2. I had spoken to my husband about our fears and knew what he’d be comfortable with and what he wasn’t. In return he knew that he just had to stay talking to me which, given the fact his voice was all I recognised, was invaluable.
3. I knew how to breathe, how to use a ball and what positions might help when the contractions got going
4. Finally, and most importantly, I knew I could do it. It really hurt but I knew it wasn’t impossible and the end result would be more than worth it, and it was.
The natural birth also meant I was up and showered withing 5 hours and with my boys in neonatal care. It also meant I’ve been able to hold them, express for them and do as much of their care as possible and I haven’t been battling any surgery side effects, or large tears etc!”
Nikki - First pregnancy (twins via IVF)
Hypnobirth at Frimley Park Hospital Birth in the Mulberry Birth Centre
"My husband and I to feel empowered to make informed decisions about our care."
"When we found out I was expecting, I knew I wanted to try hypnobirthing but wanted a course that was evidence-based and factual. I found Sophie’s company online and we took the complete workshop which included access to soundtracks and other resources that we found really useful, as well as signposting to lots of excellent evidence based websites which I looked at often.
The tools and information we learnt over the sessions were amazing. It really helped us understand what our choices are in pregnancy and birth as knowledge is power!
When I went into labour, I was able to use the breathing and calming techniques we’d learnt to cope with the pain and was able to weigh up decisions about my care using the tools I’d learnt in the workshop. Sophie’s course enabled both my husband and I to feel empowered to make informed decisions about our care. Birth was the hardest thing to experience, but I can’t imagine doing it without having done hypnobirthing! I’d recommend Sophie’s course to anyone who wants to learn about birth and feel empowered!"
Freya - First baby
Positive birth at Royal Berkshire Hospital with epidural - informed decision making for a positive birth
"I genuinely had a very positive experience"
"I actually at the end planned for home water birth after all, however my water broke earlier this week and I have not prepared the house at all (or myself haha).
I ended up going to the midwife led unit, but I was in active labour, overall 36 hours since contractions started, so although I tried not using any interventions, I think it was the lack of sleep of day two that made me want to relax and I ended up having the epidural for a few hours.
The last few hours of pushing I wanted to feel it all again, so did not top up the epidural, so proud of myself and all the breathing and relaxing techniques I learnt the way, thanks a lot. Although my labour was quite long, I genuinely had a very positive experience, which I wanted to thank you for."
Alex - First birth
A very positive birth following traumatic first birth
"I managed to make it incredibly positive!"
"Our Baby girl was born on Monday, I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing refresher course and the nudge to see a counsellor to help deal with the trauma of my first birth experience.
I think the combination of both really, really helped me achieve the positive birth I so needed. We were going to have a home birth but were transferred in due to meconium in the water.
It looked like it was going to go the same way but I managed to make it incredibly positive by turning down all VE, continuous monitoring etc, believing in my body and advocating for myself.
Thank you soooo much! You made a huge difference to our family and I am so grateful ❤️"
Tamsin - Second baby
"Big baby" delivered with gas and air at 42 weeks - informed decision making!
"Midwives couldn't understand why I didn't want to be induced!"
"Baby finally arrived at 42 weeks exactly! Homebirth team were great regarding not rushing us, but we did agree to go in for a scan and monitoring Tuesday morning just for peace of mind. None of the hospital midwives couldn't understand why I didn't want to be induced! Literally were just baffled and kept asking why not? What were my concerns?
I had been having mild contractions since 3am so was quite confident things were starting to get going but they still wanted to push induction. Scan picked up that baby was measuring very big (didn't realise it was a growth scan) which we weren't surprised about, but tummy was measuring large which increased the changes of shoulder dystocia? Recommendation was therefore to deliver on delivery suite should anything happen.
Left feeling stressed and emotional as had really put the scarers on us. Homebirth team obviously supported their recommendation but I do think if we had pushed for Homebirth they would have supported us and they made it clear it was our decision so can't fault them. For both me and [Dad] though we felt it was best to go to RBH as too worried to stay at home and the worst end up happening. We also had to make a quick decision as contractions were underway!
Homebirth midwives came over in the afternoon for a couple of hours and I consented to a vaginal exam which put me at 4cm at 5pm ish. Also consented to a sweep as the exam was much more comfortable than I expected.
Ramped up from there and we came to the hospital about 7pm. Refused more exams as was just too uncomfortable and couldn't bear the thought of getting on my back! I was worried on delivery suite they wouldn't want me to get back up again either and expect me to labour on my back! Ended up on a mat on the floor and baby boy arrived at 21:07 with just gas and air! Waters didn't break until the last second - apparently they were bulging out and I remember the intensity of this more than anything else.
Baby weighed 10lb 7ozs so turns out the scan was accurate after all! I had the injection for the placenta as was recommended due to blood loss in my first labour. So all relatively straightforward and fortunately being in delivery suite didn't negatively impact our plans for the birth."
Katie - Second birth
Positive birth with epidural at Royal Berkshire Hospital
"Your course empowered him to be an incredible partner during the birth."
"I wanted to reach out and express my deepest gratitude for the hypnobirthing course, it made such a significant difference in my birthing experience. I was induced at 39 weeks and 4 days due to reduced movement and only measuring 33 weeks. We challenged whether the induction was necessary, but it was medically advised because they were unsure if the placenta was functioning properly. Fortunately, the induction didn't work, and I went into labour naturally over the next few hours. Despite the epidural only working on one side of my body, I was able to remain calm and focused and able to manage the surges.
Your guidance, especially the breathing techniques of inhaling for 4 and exhaling for 8, was invaluable. These techniques helped turn what could have been a stressful situation into a positive and healing experience, especially given the trauma I had from [my first labour].
I am thrilled to share that [baby] was born healthy and safe, weighing 6lb 7oz. The labour was truly a dream, and I believe that your support and the tools you provided played a massive role in that.
[Dad] was the best support and biggest cheerleader throughout the process, and your course empowered him to be an incredible partner during the birth.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did for us. Your course gave me the confidence and skills I needed to have a positive birth experience, and I am incredibly grateful."
Ava - Second baby
Empowered Emergency Caesarean Birth at Royal Berkshire Hospital
"...we had the exact birth that we had wanted and dreamed of."
"I just wanted to message you and thank you so much for the knowledge and empowerment the course and you gave to me and [Dad] helping us to be in the optimal position to birth our baby our way.
Although baby did end up being delivered by C-Section due to accessorising herself a new scarf out of her umbilical cord, we had the exact birth that we had wanted and dreamed of. We knew exactly what we wanted and the knowledge and power we had from your hypnobirthing course helped to empower us to be able to decline any interventions that we didn’t want.
We will definitely be recommending you and your course to everyone that we know! Thank you so much again and baby and I will be joining you on the walkie talkie mummies very soon!"
Louise - First baby
Positive Induction Birth Experience
"...a positive, incredible birth"
"I gave birth to my son yesterday morning. I ended up being induced with a more medicalised experience this time, but it was still a positive, incredible birth and I managed to push out a 10lb 8oz baby! Thank you for everything - all the breathing, affirmations, preparation and feeling informed helped so much."
Ellie - Second baby
Positive, empowered natural birth at Royal Berks Hospital
"Having all the knowledge and feeling so calm was amazing"
"So thought we should give a little update! I know I emailed and said I thought she was getting ready! Didn’t quite think she was getting herself this ready! But our little girl...arrived the day after!
All we can say is thank you so much for your help and the course!! We would have really struggled (particularly Dad) without it! It moved very quickly so the fact we knew what everything meant and had discussed it was an absolute life saver!!
My waters broke at 6am and because she was under 37 weeks we went in to check everything was okay! No real pain at this point, was popped on an assessment unit just to wait and see what would happen by midday I was 4cms and then she was here by 15:20! No time to think about anything really! I suddenly noticed I was in the transition stage quite soon after! We had to make decisions really quickly, so having all the knowledge and feeling so calm was amazing! They have said home birth next time as I probably won’t make it!"
Charlotte - First Birth
Home Birth with Royal Berkshire Hospital
"Incredible experience"
"Baby A arrived early Saturday morning! I'd been having on and off early labour symptoms for a few days but woke at 3.30am to my waters breaking and he arrived at 4.34am!
Very intense and no time to sort out anything except my breathing (which helped a lot!). The midwife arrived at 4.25am, and we managed to only fill half the pool! I managed to stay in control and calm, despite the speed as I understood what was happening and got away with a minor tear from slowly breathing him out and not pushing (despite being 8lb 8oz!). Dad was also really calm!
Incredible experience and he is a lovely baby! It was lovely to be at home and not have to go to hospital. We were all tucked up in bed by 6.30am in time for our daughter to wake up and be introduced, which was just perfect!"
Rebecca - Second Birth
"The birth was amazing!"
"Baby was born yesterday - I was breathing through my contractions and went from 2cm to 10cm in 5 hours and pushed for about 10 mins!
I tired gas and air but I didn’t like it, but when it came to me needing to push I had it back! The birth was amazing! Can I just say thank you so much for everything you did and helped me with. I really do appreciate it as you didn’t need to but you did because you are just so lovely!"
Sophie - First birth