Sari & Benji Birth Story. April 2023.

I didn't think that it was possible for me to have a natural birth. It just wasn't an idea I had really heard about.

I was lucky enough to be surrounded by friends that had natural births, and it started sparking a curiosity in me, and a belief that it was possible. However, my friends that had natural births, I saw as 'hardcore'. Really strong women that could push through anything. And I didn't see myself in that way, so maybe it was just for those types of women? But then... a friend told me that her sister did hypnobirthing and had an amazing birth... and she didn't view her sister as 'hardcore'. This gave me the confidence I needed.

I learnt hypnobirthing through Robina from Bayside HypnoBirthing. The techniques we learnt were soft, flowing and relaxing. That I could do!

When my birth started, I called the hospital to let them know. They told me to come in when I wasn't coping. "But I plan on coping the whole time..." I said to my man. I felt so happy, and relaxed. A few hours of surges later, we had called my midwife to come over as I felt I was getting closer to birth. She was calm, positive and encouraging. Her grounded energy was reassuring.

I could feel the surges, but all the techniques I learnt made them easy to get through. I visualised a flower opening. I visualised playing in the park with my man and new baby. And during this time my man was doing light touch on my back which made me feel held and relaxed. I also had a tens machine on my back which helped so much and was such a blessing!

When I felt like my baby was arriving, we headed to the hospital. I was in the back of the car on my hands and knees pushing. My eyes were closed, and I remember opening my eyes at one point, looking out the window and saying "The world is so beautiful!" and then closing my eyes again.

When we were walking into the hospital, I kept having surges. I would crouch down and push. My eyes were closed, and I could hear people around us asking if we needed help and showing us to our room. I remember this feeling of being completely aware of what was going on around me, but not responding to it, letting my man speak to the hospital staff for me, so that I could stay focused on my body. At one point the hospital staff started asking me basic questions like my name, address etc. My man said to them politely, "Please ask me the questions instead." This is something he learnt from the hypnobirthing. He was protecting my focus and energy. What was really cool though, was that I was still completely aware of my surroundings, and advocated for myself when I needed to. It was like a complete ownership of my space and body, while still being in a stunning birth trance.

Everything went smoothly, and my beautiful son was born naturally 2 hours after getting to the hospital. The whole time, I felt soft, calm and happy. At no point did I need to turn on this 'hardcore' persona I originally thought you needed to have to give birth naturally. 

My body recovered so quickly from birth! And that first week after, I literally felt high from the experience.

I really can't thank Robina enough for the massive impact she had on me! I am so grateful that we can learn from the women that gave birth before us, and learn the techniques that worked for them ❤️🙏