Birth stories and feedback

The Birth of Archie Wood

I had a very traumatic time giving birth with my 1st child and swore I wouldn't have another one but 6 years later I was pregnant again!! I really panicked about the whole thing. I heard about having a doula and wanted to see if it would help. Tracey introduced both myself and my partner to lots of techniques giving us both ideas and information prior to labour on how to make the discomfort bearable, how I could control the discomfort and how Rob could support me. This was invaluable advice and really helped when I was in labour.
Tracey was there every step of the way through the labour, she knew when to be there to support, when to hold my hand, when I needed the extra courage to go on she was there. My labour was in my back and she knew just where to massage and ease the discomfort showing Rob where to apply the pressure. The breathing skills she taught us were invaluable it really helped focus my mind. Rob helped along the way and felt part of the birth process due to Tracey's encouragement and felt very involved and part of the experience
I can honestly say I would do it all again tomorrow and I promise that this is a miracle - The experience was moving, uplifting and a joyous occasion and I put this fully down to Tracey, her support and her pure birthing experience"
Really Crying now!!!!! Love Clare and Rob xxxxx

The birth of Lucas Parry

'Having Tracey attend our babies birth as a doula helped both practically and emotionally. It was great to have Tracey on hand to support us with our hypno birth from the first stages at home, right through to ensuring our baby was latched on and breast feeding following the birth. It was important for us to have someone with us at the birth that knew both of us, and could remain with us throughout, regardless of midwide shift changes, home to hospital etc. When I arrived at the hospital I was already 8cms dilated and never once even thought to ask for pain relief and Lucas was 9lb 1oz! Tracey was a calming influence and gave us both a huge amount of confidence during every stage. She also looked after all of the practical things on the day including making sure my bag was ready, talking to the midwifes, taking pics just after the birth, so it enabled my husband to focus solely on me throughout.'

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The birth of Edgar Beever

I found the course so helpful in preparing me for the birth of my first child. I had fears about what to expect and Tracey made the whole process of pregnancy and child birth relaxing. I also felt that the involvement of my partner in the course was so important. My husband at the birth, was very involved and used techniques we learnt in the hypnobirthing course to make me feel comfortable. Before the birth, I was keen not to use pain relief but still open to the idea as I didn’t know what to expect. However, the thought of pain relief never entered my mind during the birth and I believe this is totally due to the fact that I went through the hypnobirthing course. My birth was fantastic and very comfortable. I arrived at hospital at 7:30 pm and gave birth at 11:17pm! I could not recommend the course more, it has been so important, not only during my pregnancy and birth, but my son is also content, happy and a fantastic sleeper!

The birth of Oscar Owen

Before the birth Tracey gave us lots of support throughout our pregnancy and leading up to the birth, answering any questions and guiding us on our journey.
During the birth Tracey was an amazing support for both myself and my husband and it was great having Tracey there to liase with the midwives as she knew our wishes and help in decisions that needed to be made.
After the birth it was great having Tracey there as she’d just shared this amazing experience with us and otherwise I would of felt on my own. I knew Tracey was on the other end of the phone should I ever need her and it was great when she visited Oscar and we talked about my birth experience.
I think they should provide a doula for everyone (if only!) because they are a great support for both Mother and Father before, during and after the birth.
HypnoBirthing is a great technique for relaxing the mind and body for birthing and also helping adopt the techniques in other life situations.
It’s a great belief that you don’t have to have a horrible birth and you can achieve a natural calm environment to bring your baby into the world.

The birth of Frankie May Wadbrook Mc Lay

I was so relaxed, positive and confident leading up to the birth that I wasn’t aware of my labour starting. At first, I thought they were practice surges! As a result, I continued with my house cleaning, sat on birthing ball and relaxed with HypnoBirthing CD’s. Wasn’t timing contractions as didn’t feel regular. Husband had gone to work because I had been ironing that morning and he didn’t think I had started. Even asked me to get some milk while I was out!! At 3pm, I called him to say I was feeling uncomfortable and could he come home. Also called mum to collect son. She suggested, we go out for tea to take my mind off these early surges!! At 5:30pm, I decided I wanted to go to the hospital so I could get comfy and start my visualization, massage, and relaxation. We finally arrived at the hospital just after 6:30pm. On initial examination, the midwife accidentally broke my waters. To everyone's surprise, I was already 8cm dilated. The baby had already had her first poo, so I had to be monitored. I walked to the birthing room, got on the bed and 20 minutes later, Baby Frankie arrived!! The placenta delivered after a further 5 minutes. (I had requested the injection on my birth plan). Unfortunately, I had torn along the area of a previous episiotomy and so stitches were required. Apart from this, the birth would have been perfect. Was disappointed that I didn't have time for the well practiced massage from my husband. I’m sure he’ll make up for it! Completely different experience to my first birth, which was awful and caused anxiety and depression during this pregnancy. Tracey is a star and I can’t thank her enough for her counseling, support and positive attitude. Without her, and the course, I dread to think how differently I could be feeling both mentally and physically now. I highly recommend the course.
THANK YOU!

Emma Wadbrook-McLay, Warrington

The birth of Isabella

My labour with Bella was long and exhausting but well worth it. We would never have managed as well as we feel we did if it had not been for Hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing empowered both myself and my fiancé to ask questions, to not be afraid of our labour and for us both to play active roles within our birthing plan.The elements that particularly helped me where my counting down and visualisations. Complemented by relaxing lighting, music etc. Wanting a home birth was important to us and obviously being at home gave us a greater degree of control over our birthing day.
Surge and birth breathing got me through the toughest parts. I feel my birth story did not go as planned but Hypnobirthing saw me through and as a first time Mum gave me a much greater understanding of how labour plays out and what my options were, making informed decision with my fiance every step of the way .I recommend to any woman wanting to take control of her pregnancy and labour to consider Hypnobirthing. I'm planning my next baby and again I want to Hypnobirth at home x x

The birth of Poppy Arabella

Hi Tracey
Just to let you know baby Poppy Arabella was born on Wednesday night, 1 week early :)
She is a little dot of a baby at 6lb.

Used Hypnobirthing all the way through, only used a bit of gas and air when we had to do a hospital transfer because once I got in the pool surges stopped and never came back and I was just a bit gutted and dehydrated by this point because we had been trying to re-start them. We had got to 9.5am with Hypno and the last little bit of the cervix just wouldn't move out of the way. Just had to get on the hormone drip so we could start contractions again as they had been gone for a few hours an get pushing. I will always wonder if I had not got in the pool if she would have been born hours earlier and at home because the Midwives started getting their stuff out because they were convinced baby was on the way - then I said I wanted to get in the pool (bloody pool, damit !).
Just used a lot of effort and breathing for pushing her out though, I think I spent about 17 hours with my eyes closed off zoning! Paul said the Midwives kept telling him they couldn't believe how chilled out I was and the only way they could tell that there were any surges was when he pointed out the 2 different types of breathing I was doing apparently.

I am a bit gutted we didn't manage to have her at home and in the pool but know it is totally possible to use hypno for the whole birth and the end bit of pushing so I feel really pleased in that respect.
Amazing and totally worth the course without a shadow of doubt.
Thank you,
Angela & Paul x (and Poppy)