Breathing Baby Out; Hannah’s Story

Hannah had a water birth to give birth to her first baby. Hannah was surprised she didn’t overly need gas&air for her birth and she describes really using her breathing techniques and “breathing baby out”. Read this amazing and positive birth story…

First time mum here. I did the course having seen it pop up on Instagram with one of Beth’s videos explaining the shape of the pelvis. Just this small bit of knowledge drew me in!

I’m so glad I did it as I was able to breath my daughter into the world.”

My sisters all talk about Labour Land. Not remembering your labour due to the pain etc… I remember every moment, which is a very special time to recall and reflect on.

Knowledge is power and having power over my breath and breathing is what got me through my labour.

Having done The Bump to Baby Chapter, I felt mentally prepared for my birth and I was determined to have as natural birth as possible.

Labour Starting

On Friday afternoon after a day out, my contractions started approximately 4 pm. Through the night using only my breathing. They carried on and got stronger and closer together. Every time I reached about one minute long, five minutes apart for an hour they would become sporadic again.

I managed a little sleep as I could handle due to the contractions waking me. Throughout Saturday, they continued.

By 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, my contractions were strong, ongoing for about an hour and a half, four minutes apart and a minute long. At this stage, my partner called the Labour Triage and advised them of our situation. We were advised to come in to be checked.

Heading to Hospital

I had heard lots of stories of women’s contractions stopping when they change their environment from home to the hospital. Because I was aware of this, I think this helped me a lot to keep a calm and positive mind. My contractions continued the whole way to hospital. The walk from the car to the ward, and even while I was in the ward being checked, all the while using my breath.

On arrival, I was 4 cm dilated. I was really proud of myself because I had been able to breathe through to that point having only taken one paracetamol for back pain.

I was advised to walk up and down the hallway (longest walk of my life), while they found a room for me As I live far away, it was not practical to leave and come back. Left with a birthing ball and my breathing, I was checked an hour later and was at 6 cm. At this time, my waters then broke.

I was moved to the labour ward where they were preparing a bath for me. Then I got in the water which was soothing. I used a mixture of breathing and gas & air to get through my contractions.

Something not from my birth preference, due to the severe back pain I was experiencing I did opt for an injection for the pain. However, this did wear off rather soon.

Breathing Baby Out

What surprised me a lot was I didn’t use the gas & air through every contraction. Many I would breath through it and if I needed a little extra then I would use it but I found I could breath through a lot on my own. In for four and out for seven.

The last hour I was advised to try use my contractions with out the gas & air. I was able to give birth by breathing baby out through the contractions and bring my daughter into the water.

My breath brought her into the world.”

My active labour, was five hours, and I have never been more proud of myself. Our daughter was born in the wee hours of Sunday morning 12th Feb.

The Birth Chapter gave me so much knowledge of what to expect, and who to expect in the birthing ward, how to mentally prepare myself with amazing knowledge and how to how to breathe through my contractions by practising.

When I first started the course I didn’t have the lung capacity to breathe out for seven, but by practicing I could exhale a long ribbon like breath through the pain.

Two things I learnt and really appreciated knowing:

Your body is designed to do this, don’t underestimate yourself.

And…

Don’t listen to peoples negative stories, stop them before they start. Only hearing positive birth stories created my positive birth.

Thank you for everything!

-Hannah, proud Mum!