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To Doula or not to Doula? ...that is the question!

22/3/2018

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It’s seven weeks later but I’m still on cloud nine. I attended the most beautiful, calm birth and I just can’t get over how incredible it was! Although I’ve been a midwife for a long time and been teaching hypnobirthing for five and a half years, it’s rare I get be at the birth too. 

I was asked if I would be my client's birthing partner in addition to her husband and I couldn’t contain my excitement. 
I first met Mairi-Claire and John four years ago when I helped her with hypnobirthing for the birth of her daughter.
It was so lovely to be asked to provide them with a refresher session for the preparation of the birth of their next child.

This time was different. I had a couple that knew birth could be a positive experience. One in which they could be completely in control. Over the four sessions I watched their confidence grow and grow. More than anything I watched them become so excited to meet their second beautiful baby.

They were dedicated to the technique practice. Even their daughter was saying the words "calm and relaxed" whenever she knew I was coming to deliver the next session.

The night they asked me to attend their birth was amazing. I felt so honoured. I left feeling privileged that they would want me there at such a precious moment in their lives. I was ‘on call’ and loved the suspense that it could be any minute. Luckily, my husband is self employed, so I had the flexibility that if I could be there for them at any time. 

Mairi-Clare’s timing was perfect. We had been out for my husband's birthday, had a lovely night and just as we had fallen asleep, I got the call to go!

On arrival, I was so impressed! Mairi-Clare and John were the perfect team. She was so focussed on her breathing and she barely noticed my arrival as I quietly sat next to her. The midwives respected her wishes and her birth preferences were honoured. They did they essential checks of mum and baby but the support came down to John and myself.

I watched in awe as labour continued and Mairi-Clare’s breathing became instinctual. Her body knew what it had to do. She went with it and relaxed into each surge.  She was incredible! 
 
In a short time, her beautiful son Daniel came into the world!

Born into a pool in their living room, he had the perfect start to life. Being born into such a calm atmosphere where the love in the room was palpable!  I knew Mairi-Clare would do it! Her determination and strength was so admirable. She is officially my hero!

Once baby and mum were all settled, I made my way home to my husband and beautiful babies. I was in such awe of what I had just seen. 

But now I’ve got the bug! I want to do it again!

Being a midwife is amazing but I loved being there solely a support role! So I'm planning to do a doula course this year so I can do this again and again! 
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Number 100!

29/9/2017

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I can't believe it's been five years this month since I did my Hypnobirthing training and started my business!

When I started, I thought it would be a hobby. Starting my business changed my life and it really is the best thing I've ever done.
Being a midwife is such a rewarding job and something I trained so hard to do. It took a lot of dedication and blood sweat and tears.
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One of the biggest challenges for me and for many other midwives is there are so many women but so little time. I wanted to be able to offer the couples I teach and the wonderful gift of time. I love spending time helping couples prepare for their birth and have time to answer any questions. When you have never done something before, it's the great unknown that makes it frightening. When it comes to birth it is no different. 
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I love teaching people about their bodies and how they work in labour. Teaching them amazing relaxation skills that not only benefit birth but can be used throughout life. My favourite part of teaching The Wise Hippo is the way it involves the birthing partners in the process and allows them to understand what's going to be happening on the day. ​
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I just finished teaching couple 100!
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I started doing this for friends and family and now it is my job, my passion and my dream. I truly believe I'm helping people more than I ever did before. Couple 100 was a milestone I wanted to celebrate! 
The lovely couple had no idea and I managed to keep it secret until I surprised them with some balloons and gifts on their final session.

​So I just wanted to use this blog to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every person who has been a client, liked and shared posts on my page and recommended me to friends and family members. 
I love my job and not many people can say that. 
I also want to thank my Husband and my family for being so supportive. Knowing Stuart believes in me and in what I do is so important. You have seen it first hand when I rocked the births of our children! 
Born This Way is continuing to grow and I've just launched the latest programme I will be teaching which continues on the preparation for parenthood called the F.U.S.S free format. I'll be taking couples through helpful and practical support with feeding, understanding baby, sleep and state. (For more information please see the wisehippo.com or email me for more information)

I also have plans for additional training next year so watch this space. 
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I will be taking people from bump, birth, baby and beyond and I just can't wait to get to work with you in your pregnancy soon!
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Stopping at two!

15/8/2017

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Today, I'm turning 35 and I'm feeling old! It's been an exhausting few nights of teething, working late and our toddler fighting bed time. Jonah comes up with hilarious excuses when it comes to bed time. The one last nights was no exception: "Jonah it's bed time!"
"No daddy! It's not bed time, it's train time!" 
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I've taken my birthday off. Life is going by so fast and scheduling time to get my hair done at the moment is hard. However, I'm in the hairdressers having a hot cup of tea and I've got a cinema date later with my handsome husband. The last time we had time for us was January. Although life is busy and crazy, I wouldn't change it for the world!
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On Friday Stuart is getting a procedure done (snip snip). Need I say anymore... but our baby days will be over. 

We have decided to stop at two children and I have such mixed emotions about it. We have discussed it at length and know it is what is right for us. I'm still breast feeding Sofia. I plan on stopping in a couple of weeks when she turns one and that in itself makes me feel very emotional. To know we won't have another newborn makes me feel sad. 

I loved pregnancy and birth and would do it again in a heartbeat. I loved the changes in my body, feeling the baby move and getting a whole new appreciation for how women are when you can see the result of birth. It is so amazing! 

When I watch the births when I'm teaching the course, my ovaries start twitching at the moment the baby comes out. Knowing I won't feel that again seems incomprehensible. However, I have felt it.  I am so lucky that I have felt it twice! If I could bottle and sell that feeling I would. It's phenomenal and indescribable.

I know sometimes the journey to have a baby is not always an easy path and lots of people struggle and for some people it never happens and I would never take it for granted that I have two children.
Before we had Jonah and Sofia we had a miscarriage and that was very hard. Anyone who has experienced it will know the second you get that positive test you plan your whole life. For that to be whipped away in such a harsh way is devastating. I still think of that moment often. A hard time for a newly married couple to get through but without Stuart's love and support I wouldn't have coped. He was my rock and continues to be everyday and definitely stepped up for labour too.

I am so lucky to be a mum and spend each day with my incredible little people who make me laugh. I love them so much that I could burst. I just feel so lucky to be able to have my business which allows me to spend so much time with my family and that is what means the entire world to me.
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Getting to teach people skills that not only prepare them for birth but beyond is really the best job in the world. But knowing that when I leave, they will get to experience the most amazing feeling in the world is my favourite part of all.
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The Change Starts With You!

6/6/2017

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I feel really strange today. I'm sat in my conservatory working as the rain is pouring down outside. I've got a hot cup of tea and a naughty biscuit that I really should be avoiding if I ever want a bikini body. I feel strange because for the first time in over nine months I have a day to myself!

This time next week I will have returned to my other job as my maternity leave comes to an end. I'm only going back two days a week as Born this way is keeping me very busy. Plus that way I get to spend lots of time with my beautiful babies!
Sofia went to nursery today to settle in. Jonah (the best big brother) held her hand the whole time as I carried her to the baby room. He kept saying "your a big girl now 'fia!"

She went into nursery smiling. She didn't bat an eyelid and really adapts to any new environment and situations with ease. It's me that is anxious about leaving her and I was exactly the same with her big brother too. I know they get the best care and will both love nursery. They continue to amaze me every day with how relaxed they are and resilient in life. Most of all, they are happy and content and that makes me feel like I must be doing something right!
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There has been devastation recently due to attacks in Manchester and London and it feels a little too close to home. These things have always affected me but after having children it hits even harder. I couldn't imagine losing a child and not being part of their lives is completely unthinkable.
People do terrible things. The world is far from perfect things need to change. I do not want my children to keep seeing and hearing of such devastation and growing up in a world with so much hate. When I look at the innocence in their eyes it makes me wonder how someone could grow up and do something so hurtful and awful.

I'll admit I live in a fantasy land. I am forever thinking of winning the lottery and speak of it most days. When I'm awake during the night breast feeding I'm forever looking at million pound houses that I could see my family living in.
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​I don't think it's unrealistic or silly to have hopes and dreams and when the world is so bad. It's definitely a useful coping strategy to be able to exchange negative thoughts for positive ones. 

When I teach the Wise Hippo Birthing Programme, this is something I focus on. Babies are so aware of our emotions. They impact them so it essential to find ways to keep calm, relaxed and positive. The programme teaches simple tools that can help stop negative thoughts in their tracks so that they don't stand a change of penetrating into your mind.
The programme teaches you to bond with baby which creates a strong foundation for emotional intelligence and helps love build for your little bundle even before birth. A baby who is loved and adored will feel safe and secure long before it's entrance into the world and what a great start in life that is! 

There needs to be more love and kindness. If things are going to improve then I hope what I do makes a very small difference. So today, I choose to spend my first day I've had to myself in nine months doing some studying for Born This Way because I believe in order to make a change for future generations we need to start with the parents.
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Are You Ready?

14/5/2017

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How long did you spend planning your wedding?

How long did you spend planning and preparing for the birth of your baby and parenthood?


Five years ago this month the countdown was on. In a year we had planned our wedding and I was so excited.
​I remember the butterflies and the nerves just hoping everything would be perfect. Would the dress fit? Would Stuart like it? Would I walk too fast down the aisle? Would I say my vows without messing up my words? For months the saving was our focus, then colour schemes, hen and stag planning and ring buying was all we could think about. The venue took time to decide on too and we just couldn't wait to finally be Mr and Mrs.  

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The day was amazing and even the sun was shining that day. It was perfect!
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The wedding preparation became our everything but it's not just preparing for a wedding day that is important. A marriage goes beyond that wedding day and preparation for a new life together and all the new times it will bring is also important. 
The time and effort everyone puts into their wedding planning is profound so if having a baby is one of the biggest times in our life why do so many people not make a plan. 

Lots of people think what's the point of making a plan because it could all go out the window on the day but I believe preparation is key.

To prepare in a way that makes you feel that you understand what is happening during labour and why things happen takes the fear aspect away and removes that feeling of the unknown. 
The wise hippo birthing programme gives you tools and techniques but beyond that it gives you knowledge and understanding and for me and my clients this is why I'm so passionate about what I do. 

To see a women go from anxious and frightened or scared of the unknown to being ready and excited to meet their baby is the biggest job satisfaction. 

I believe antenatal education is more than just about birth. 
It's necessary to prepare beyond that one day and it's about preparing for your new future.

On the 1st of May I had the pleasure to be at a Wise Hippo training day in Essex and found out more about one of the programmes launching later in the summer. I am so excited to tell you all about the Early Parenting Programme.

This will be so helpful for Expectant parents. This course is designed to be taught during maternity leave before the baby arrives. 

Once a baby arrives life gets busy. Nappies, feeds and sleep all seem to be the hot topics and actually having time in the first few weeks is really difficult. 
The old saying "sleep when baby sleeps" is what people tell you so in those early days it's not the best time to be trying to learn any new skills to help you feel equipped for life as a new parent.
The Early Parenting Programme will be the perfect solution and it will teach expectant parents so many new skills. 
During the course it will cover feeding, sleep, and lots of practical parent craft advice to make the transition so much smoother. Another aspect in the programme will be to teach new parents how to nurture and look after themselves too and self care usually becomes the last in the list of priorities however you can't look after someone else of you don't look after yourself first. ​

Parenthood has its challenges and there is no such thing as the perfect parent. When we get our babies home from the hospital they do not come with a manual or an instruction booklet and it's so easy to feel overwhelmed by the massive life adjustment.
By taking the time to learn new skills and gaining knowledge and understanding not just about the birth process but about life as a new parent and learning how to understand your baby you will feel calm, relaxed as you take on any new experience and ready to take each day as it comes with confidence.
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The Snoring Husband, Teething Toddler and the Breastfeeding Baby!

17/3/2017

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Six months has flown by but it feels like no time since Sofia joined our family. It's two o'clock in the morning and our double bed is full to the brim with bodies. All of them sleeping... except me so I thought I'd write this! 

Stuart my husband snoring away blissfully unaware that our toddler is now sandwiched between us in a diagonal position because he woke up with "back teeth sore" and I'm mastering some balancing skills to breastfeed Sofia and not fall out of bed at the same time. The transition from going from one child to two is very different from going from none to one. Mainly because you have still not caught up on sleep from the first time round!

Being a mum of two is a complete juggling act. Once you stop putting pressure on yourself to be Wonder Woman it really is an amazing job. 

Watching Jonah and Sofia together is just the most magical thing. They completely adore each other. No one can make Sofia laugh like Jonah can.
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I know before long they will be fighting over toys but I just wish I could freeze time and keep them like this forever. I look down at them in my bed and I feel so lucky to have been blessed with these great little people in my life. It doesn't even bother me that I carried and birthed them both, doing all the hard work and they both end up look exactly like their daddy! 

When both babies are sleeping I place Sofia back in her crib. This is where it's often difficult to get back to sleep before the next mini human alarm clock requires a feed, a cuddle or a nappy change. 

As I try to get back to sleep I pull on my breathing techniques I used during pregnancy and birth. The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 relax technique works so quickly as I'm so used to it. Before I know it I'm sleeping quickly enjoying my next instalment of sleep.

The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme really does teach tools for life.

The 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 technique is my sleep solace. Any time I want to feel more calm, in my mind or my body, I use this. 
For road rage, for busy supermarkets, when I often burn the dinner, when the toddler decides to decorate the bathroom with toilet roll... this is what makes me stop and regroup and remain calm, relaxed and in control. 

I was always a worrier growing up. My dad used to say if I wasn't worrying about something, I'd be worried about why I wasn't worried. I can honestly say since I started my Born This Way, I'm not that person. I take things much more in my stride and have the tools and techniques to get me through these crazy, hectic, sleep deprived days. 

These days won't last forever, my babies are growing too fast and I want to cherish every second I have with them as they amaze me every day. So for me my tools are essential. As well as regular cups of tea, chocolate, good friends (who are in the same boat) to drag you through the frazzled days. And a big elbow for when the husbands snoring just gets a little bit too loud!
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The Birth of Sofia May McGillivray

7/3/2017

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When we found out we were pregnant we were so excited. Since having Jonah we had never been happier and we got so excited about our family growing. I had been teaching the Wise Hippo birthing programme since Jonah's birth and couldn't wait to put it into practice what I teach others to do.

My previous birth had been a lovely experience however this time if all was well with baby and me I was keen to have a vbac (vaginal birth after caesarean) more for the practical reasons of recovery and being able to drive my little boy to nursery. Due to being a previous section I was considered 'high risk' so was consultant led during my antenatal care so they could monitor me incase anything deviated from normal. However when I met my consultant he couldn't have been more supportive of my choices. I explained I was keen for a vbac and keen to birth in the midwife led unit and he was completely on board. This made me feel determined and even more focussed on the ideal birth I would love.
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One of the first homework tasks in the wise hippo is to write down your ideal birth as if it has already happened. Stuart (the Hubby) and I did this together and it was something I found very emotional and it made it feel much more real. This was something I read often and focussed on as part of my practice for birth.

Our labour started on Friday the 26th August. I had been having niggles on and off for a few days so wasn't sure things were not going to settle again. I had been to see the consultant that morning and I chose to have a membrane sweep and I was 3 days past my estimated due date and the consultant advised I was 2cms dilated. I didn't look too much into this as I firmly believe the cervix can change so quickly so did not want to focus on numbers too much.
I went home and had a lovely day playing with Jonah but was aware of some cramping sensations that came and went and I relaxed and watched Dexter while Jonah napped and enjoyed a pink magnum ice cream (not sure if a real craving or just too delicious to resist.) Stuart came home and we decided to get a takeaway and I continued to relax/ bounce on birthing ball when I could feel niggles coming and going.

Jonah went to bed and I was aware of actual surges now. Surges feel different for every woman but for me I felt period like cramp in my lower back which then went to the front and travelled up my stomach to a peak then eased off but my wise hippo breathing techniques got me through them with ease. At this point they were coming even ten mins and Stuart was timing them.

​We had been watching television but at this point I felt I wanted to become more focussed so Stuart put my birth playlist on and lit the candles in my living room and sprayed the relaxation scent I had been practicing with.
Soon the surges were six minutes apart and we debated whether or not to call my mum to come and stay with Jonah so we informed my mum we thought things were happening but wanted to wait a little longer. 
The surges kept on coming but they were easy to breathe through and I kept thinking I'm sure these will settle and I'll be in bed soon fast asleep.

After another half an hour I contacted the midwife led unit and as I was explaining what had been happening I had to pass the phone so I could breathe through the surge and passed the phone to Stuart. Due to us being about 35 mins away from hospital they advised we make our way in. 
I listened to my wise hippo mp3s on my earphones so I could stay focussed on my breathing during the journey which even included a pit stop to McDonald's so Stuart could get a drink.

On arrival we met our lovely midwife Margaret ( who I knew from training at the hospital but she is also one of the hypnobirthing midwives and acupuncture midwives.....jackpot!!) she was truely the perfect person for our labour and birth and although I was in a new environment it did not feel stressed in any way.
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​She checked me and baby over and observed me for a while to see what my surges were doing then asked if I would like to be examined which I was happy for as I kept thinking I'm not sure this is it so didn't want to waste anyone's time. 
I was 2-3 cms and by now the surges were much more regular. She offered me acupuncture and the option of staying in the lounge to see if things became more regular. We went into the lounge and I had my music playing and moved between the cub and birthing ball and things picked up quickly.

I was so focussed on my breathing and Stuart was doing soothing strokes massage and I was completely calm and relaxed. Soon after I could begin to feel some pressure in my bottom and asked Margaret if the pool was available. 
This next bit felt like a dream. As a midwife when I worked in the hospital I always said I would love to birth in the pool and couldn't believe the pool that was running was for me.

I soon got into the pool and it felt amazing and soon things picked up. Stuart and Margaret were an amazing support. I just kept using my techniques and could feel the baby moving down.
I then hit the transition stage and told anyone that would listen that I couldn't do it and this is when Stuart and Margaret were even more amazing at keeping me focussed. I felt an intense pressure as my membranes ruptured.
I just kept focussing on the song that was playing 'a thousand years by Christina Perri' and the lyrics kept saying 'one step closer' and I knew I was. 
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Soon the head was out and before I knew it I had done it!!!!! 

I pulled the baby towards me and onto my chest and opened my eyes. What an amazing moment our beautiful girl was here safely and I had done it! No drugs just amazing breathing techniques and an amazing supportive husband and midwife.
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We are so in love and so is Jonah. I feel so lucky to have completed our family and we definitely had the right birth on the day but for me it was perfect!
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Misconceptions About Hypnobirthing

29/9/2015

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​I'm going to be completely honest. When I first heard about hypnobirthing I never knew a thing about it. I immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was some hippy style craze. The hypno part immediately made me think of all the stage hypnosis shows I had seen on TV where people make a complete fool of themselves for the entertainment of others.
I could not understand how this could be used in birth and why anyone would want to feel out of control. Boy was I wrong!
​​I first saw hypnobirthing in action as a student midwife in my final year of training. Up until that point I had only seen medicalised births where women were mainly on a bed and usually on a lot of pain relief.
On one particular shift, I was informed there was a lady in the pool room who was 8cm dilated and was using hypnobirthing techniques. I was assigned care of the woman along with my mentor.
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 I was cynical but intrigued and curious to see what was involved in this "hypnobirthing”.
I walked into the room and the environment was so tranquil. The lights were dim and there was relaxing music being played in the background. What really stood out to me was how relaxed the woman looked. 
Her head resting on the side of the pool and she had her husband there holding her hand and stroking her arm. I couldn’t believe this woman was in labour! It was the opposite of everything in my training up to this point. 
Being with this woman and supporting her and her partner to be calm and confident had been my most enjoyable birthing experiences. It changed my life, my practice as a midwife and my belief in how amazing the female body can be!
There are many different opinions when people mention hypnobirthing and this is why I wanted to clear a few things up.
I do not have any special hypnotising powers! If I did my husband would run me a bath every night and do all the ironing.
Hypnobirthing is relaxation and breathing techniques to prepare women and their birthing partners for the most amazing day of their lives. I teach birthing partners how to support their labouring partners. To understand how they can make a huge difference in how women feel about their whole pregnancy and birth experience. It's something they go through together and can help them enjoy the pregnancy and bond with their baby even before it arrives.
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The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme is a full antenatal education programme taught in the comfort of your own home. It teaches you how to become an expert in relaxation and the tools you’ll need for not only before but also after birth.
It allows you to not let things worry or stress you out and to take control of your emotions. 
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You will watch some positive births throughout the course. These are great for empowering you and showing you birth can be a calm and relaxing experience. You will learn how the muscles of the body work and not importantly how to relax them. It's a birthday after all and should be looked forward to with excitement not filled with dread and fear.
There is no danger, no mind control and certainly no pocket watches swinging from side to side. It is a different way of looking at things and it can make a huge difference to your labour. The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme is stepping away from using the "hypnobirthing" word because of the misconceptions with it. It is a tool that empowers you and your birthing partner and gets you excited about labour.
It’s all about having the right birth on the day and I believe The Wise Hippo Birthing Programme is the way of achieving that!
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How to Become a Wise Daddy

20/8/2015

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When I meet new couples, most of the time the men/birthing partner tell me they have no idea what they have been signed up to. They are usually just wondering if this is worth missing out on football on the TV for the next four weeks. 
The biggest thing I have seen Hypnobirthing do for the couples is make them connect on a new level. They develop a new understanding of the miracle of birth and how amazing their lives are going to become. 

Session one of the Wise Hippo Birthing Programme is an introduction to why we need to learn how to birth. By the end of the session the men/birthing partner usually say "that makes complete sense why doesn't everyone do it this way”.
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As a midwife I have attended many births where men are anxious, nervous and scared of the unknown. They leave the midwife to get on with their jobs, however men also have a vital role in labour and Hypnobirthing teaches them this. The course teaches birthing partners how to be supportive, confident and above all, a protector of the birthing environment and their partner.

Through lots of techniques, the Wise Hippo Birthing Programme teaches them how to help their partners keep calm, relaxed and in control by reading relaxation scripts. It gives positive affirmations and soothing massage techniques which reassure and empower the women at a time where she needs to feel safe and secure. This is why her partner providing this support works so well.

Together you have made a baby and you’ve watched the bump grow week by week. It makes perfect sense to support your partner through this amazing journey. This will make you even more excited to meet this new person that is about to join your family.

Midwives are experts at supporting a woman in labour as they are trained to do this. I truly believe if the birthing partner is telling you how proud they are, it is far more powerful than the midwife that you have only recently met.

Throughout the Wise Hippo Birthing Programme we learn how fear affects labour and how to become experts in relaxation. Having your birthing partner learn the techniques with you allows them to bring you into a deeper state of calm. You have love and trust when you are in a relationship and to have their support during such a life changing event has a profound effect on the experience. 
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Men/birthing partners have a place in the labour room. By having an understanding of labour and birth through completing the Wise Hippo Birthing Programme gives men a confidence to understand why things are happening and relieves fear. This allows them to be interested in the birth and feel that they are playing an active role in the birth of their baby. 
Do you know any birthing partners that are looking for a more active role in the birth? 
Please share this blog and let me know what you think in the comments section below. 
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My Hypnobirthing Experience

23/7/2015

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The Born This Way Blog is where I plan to give some advice in my own words. Tell you about my experiences and hopefully make any soon to be mums relax about your due date. I thought what better way to start this than to give my story of how Jonah came into this world.
After finding out I was pregnant I felt so excited to finally experience what pregnancy was like and also excited to finally get to use the techniques I had taught so many other couples. I had had a miscarriage three months previously so had understandably some anxiety that everything would be ok this time round. 

We were given a reassurance scan and when we saw the heart beat flicker back at us I felt so much relief. From teaching Hypnobirthing I'm very aware of the impact that stress can have on the body and how aware developing babies can be so I made a point from that moment to become an expert in relaxation not just for me but for my growing baby.
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I listened to my Hypnobirthing music and just loved how quickly I could switch off and destress and soon this became easier and easier with repetition. The only occasional distraction was my husband’s snoring. Stuart couldn't get more than three minutes into the music before he was sound asleep. I took such comfort in the fact that when I relaxed my baby did too and this was definitely apparent by the lovely movements I felt when I relaxed. 

We found out the sex of the baby and felt this helped us bond even more and we just could not wait to become a family of three. As the end of my pregnancy approached I grew more and more excited to experience labour and put my practice to use and meet our precious baby. Seeing the difference in Stuart was amazing too. With the knowledge and skills he had from the Hypnobirthing course he knew what I needed from him as my birthing partner and he felt he had a role and a purpose in the labour environment. I'm sure he thought I was making him do the soothing strokes massage much more than it was required and maybe I did!. 
My estimated due date came and went with no sign of our baby. He was far too comfortable. When I was six days overdue and after much discussion and informed choice, we opted for induction as our baby was measuring over ten pounds and I felt it would give me more chance of having a normal delivery.

When labour got going I was having regular surges and kept waiting on it to escalate to a level that I expected to be labour. Even with my knowledge of Hypnobirthing, I was still cynical I could relax enough in labour. More fool me! The techniques were excellent. I was calm and relaxed in the ward, bouncing on a birthing ball and listening to my Hypnobirthing music and keeping hydrated. 
I felt so excited and at this point my surges were coming every four minutes. I was moved to the labour ward where I had lovely midwives that I knew well looking after me. The doctor came in and was suggested rupturing my membranes because they were concerned my labour wasn't advancing. 

Stuart and I spoke it over and decided this would be a good idea. I had excessive fluid and when the baby’s head came down he was not in the optimum position for labour. I continued moving about and was dancing at the side of the bed, rotating my hips and we were all singing along to The Carpenters and the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. 
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The atmosphere in the room was calm, relaxed and fun. Things progressed quickly and I made the decision to have an epidural as the baby was back to back. It was something that personally I didn't feel made much of a difference as I was still aware of a deep pressure when it got to the height of my surge. The breathing techniques kept me calm and in control and at no point did I feel any fear at all. 

The day staff then arrived and I saw Tracy, a midwife I had previously worked with, and I instantly felt calm and reassured. Tracy is hilarious and I knew her personality would keep the environment calm and happy. There was also a student midwife in the room who was so lovely and really curious about Hypnobirthing. I was explaining to Tracy that originally I wanted a pool birth but due to special circumstances here I was in the labour ward on an epidural 
and being induced. She said “right, let’s get you back in control” and she was amazing and for what she did next I will always be grateful. Tracy put my music back on and was stroking my hair. She whispered words of encouragement and then Stuart and Tracy really got me back to being focussed on my breathing. It was amazing. 

Stuart read scripts and I could feel my whole body relaxing down and felt the connection with my baby intensify. Within a couple of minutes the pressure feeling had gone and all I could hear and focus on was my breaths, my music, Stuart's voice, his touch and Tracy being generally awesome. 
Time distortion happened and at one point I opened my eyes to a room full of doctors on the ward round and I didn't even know they had came into my room and the truth is I didn't care. At that point I felt like I was lying on the beach and could have continued like that for hours more. After a while I got examined. I was 9.5cm dilated but baby was still back to back. Through informed choice, I decided the best plan would be to go for a section. Having the confidence to choose what was right for us and our baby was incredible and I felt so empowered. Off to the theatre we went and I had my music playing in the theatre and there I remained calm and relaxed. 

Our precious boy Jonah Wilson McGillivray was born on 30/06/2014 and weighed 9lb 1oz. He is the best thing that has every happened to us. He is such a calm and chilled out baby and everyone comments on this. 
I never got the pool birth I planned but I truly believe I got the right birth on the day and can't wait to do it again! 
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