Birth Story Hypnobirthing

[RForrest]

I am 6 months pregnant with our second child.
We are about to do our hypnobirthing refresher course, and before it starts I thought it would be nice to document our last experience.
Our first child Holly was born 2 years ago at The Royal Womens in Melbourne.
The early labour phase went for 6 hours and most of that time was spent at home, on the birth ball, on a yoga matt, and using the hypnobirthing breathing techniques.
This part of the labour was fairly comfortable as my husband and I studies hypnobirthing with a hypnotherapist
After about 5.5 hours we started the drive to the hospital.
There was a short time where things got a little tense between my husband and I. He can never find a park!
The staff at the Royal Womens were very accomodating of the hypnobirthing process. I recommend them although I dont have any other experience to base it on except another friend who also had what she describes as a pretty comfortable birth there.
Once we got inside and went through triage I was already 6cm!
2.5 hours later Holly was born.
We couldnt believe it. No drugs! I was open to whatever I needed, if the birth went that way.
I had a couple of stitches, and the birth phase required a LOT of focus and dicipline to shut out the distractions from the hospital staff and only focus on the hypnobirthing, but once I put my ipod on I was fine.
I remeber the birthing phase as hard work, but I felt calm and relaxed.
The crowning still hurt. I am not going to lie, but from the moment Holly was placed on my stomach, nothing else mattered.
I had trouble feeding at first but once again the staff at the womens were great.
We are going back for our hypnobirthing refresher course next week.
I am hoping to have an identical birth to last time! But I know this isnt possible.
This pregnancy I have also done pilates in Prahran
I've heard great things about the benefits for pregnancy and post natal recovery so I cant wait to see the results, whatever they may be!
Baby number 2, I cant wait to meet you