Fiona's Story

Only 90 minutes of labour with just Gas and Air despite being induced!

Holly was supposed to be due Christmas day in 2008, however being stubborn like her parents and feeling too comfortable in my tum she did not budge and she was induced on Tues 6 Jan 2009 We were told that once induced you could not leave the hospital so we took loads of stuff with us to keep us occupied and to take my mind of labour. Me and Chris although not interested in puzzles brought a second hand one of 1000 pieces to attempt, we took my mobile phone and used the MP3 and took hypno birthing notes and hypno birthing book and plenty of mags. Although induced at 09.00 am when the midwife discovered I was 2 cm dilated, my waters were not broken by the mid wife until 5 pm when she said I was 4 cm dilated. Then it was all systems go, I focussed on the breathing techniques taught by Dany and within about 45 mins I had really sharp contractions. I had the urge to go to the loo and trundled down the corridor with Chris. Once there I could not move and we had to call a midwife I think it was when I had my show although it looked like a mass murder had taken place. Thank god for timing Chris almost opened the toilet door when the monthly Sidcup hospital tour was passing and I hid just in time. The contractions intensified very quickly and I was wondering whether I’d need anything to help, the midwife wanted to examine me to see how far along I was, I think it was the first time this particular mid wife had been taken by surprise and said that there was no time and I had to stick to gas and air as baby Holly was on her way and I had to hold back from pushing as she was not ready. I then started to follow the mid wives instructions and disregarded hypno birthing. Baby Holly was born at 7.09 pm that evening after only just over 90 mins of labour and just use of gas and air and weighed 7 pounds and 15 ounces The key to it I believe was that my body was so relaxed by listening to the hypno birthing cd and practising the breathing techniques over a period of 2 months that the baby had an easy journey out. I am not saying follow all the hypno birthing instructions, but choose what is right for you.