Positive Birth Story at Blackpool Birth Centre using Hypnobirthing
Eleanor lives in Lytham and supports families across the Fylde Coast and in Preston. She provides antenatal hypnobirthing courses and postnatal trauma support.
Holly’s healing birth story after a difficult first birth
After an induction-led first birth left her feeling disempowered, Holly and Ryan were determined to do things differently second time around. Through Eleanor’s Hypnobirthing course, Holly gained the confidence, knowledge, and tools to trust her body and make informed choices. At exactly 40 weeks, they welcomed baby Clara in a calm, empowering waterbirth, a truly healing experience on her terms that showed just how powerful it can be to know your options and prepare as a birth team.
Holly and Clara (captured by Juniper Plum Photography)
Birth preparation that actually prepares you for birth
The birth of my son involved a lot of intervention due to being recommended an induction because my son was measuring small (but looking perfectly healthy). I felt I was doing the right thing at the time by following the advice of the medical professionals, however, after the birth, I realised that this was not the right choice for me. With my second pregnancy I was determined to avoid this and advocate for myself, but I needed to be more informed and more confident. The Birth Rights Website is a wonderful place to start if you want to know more about your rights in birth.
I had heard lots of positive stories involving hypnobirthing throughout my first pregnancy but struggled to find somewhere local offering classes and, to be honest, the classes I could find looked expensive so I decided to just go with the flow.
As soon as I found out I was pregnant for a second time, I knew that hypnobirthing was a non-negotiable this time.
I signed up for a full day course and informed my husband that I felt it was completely necessary, and he supported this decision (despite him having no idea what hypnobirthing was). It was the best decision we made by far.
Following a Group Antenatal Hypnobirthing course with Eleanor, we were feeling very positive about working towards an empowered birth experience. We listened to the hypnobirthing tracks every night, I listened to the affirmations on my bus journeys to and from work, we discussed our birth preferences and we eventually wrote a birth plan which felt suitably secure yet flexible.
At my latest midwife appointment the bump measurement plotted on the growth chart had the baby measuring at approximately 8lbs 9oz. Despite the fact that she hadn't raised any concerns, I had some anxiety over the thought of trying to naturally deliver such a large baby (my first birth was a struggle with a 5lb 13oz baby). I reminded myself regularly of the affirmations, particularly "my baby is the right size for my body". If you’re worried about the size of your baby, I recommend reading, The Big Baby Trial, summarised by Dr Sara. Wickham.
Early signs of labour: contractions or braxton hicks?
In the 39th week of pregnancy, I woke up in the night with strong pains which seemed to come and go every 5–10 minutes. I was excited, hoping that this was the start of labour but also unsure as to whether it could be Braxton Hicks. What are braxton hicks contractions?
After the pain had been keeping me awake for a couple of hours I decided to take some paracetamol and try to get more sleep. To my disappointment, I woke in the morning with no sign of labour beginning.
2 days later, the same happened again. I was a little disheartened but tried to reassure myself that my baby would be here soon enough, in her own time. I reminded myself of the affirmations whenever I felt frustrated by the uncertainty.
What is Hypnobirthing? Is hypnobirthing worth it?
There’s a lot of confusion about what hypnobirthing actually is… probably because how it’s taught can really vary! My approach is full birth preparation, leaving you prepared for every version of birth.
You’ll understand what’s happening in your body, how to work with it, and what to do when things change - so you stay calm, confident, and in control, no matter how your baby arrives.
Hypnobirthing in action: the start of labour
Just another normal evening at home, I sat watching TV with my husband and had some pains again at around 10pm, but having had these same pains before I wrote it off as Braxton Hicks and got out my yoga mat to try to do some stretching.
When the pains seemed to get worse after half an hour or so, we decided that the best course of action was to take some paracetamol and go to bed to try and sleep it off. Within another half an hour it became very clear that the pains were not going anywhere and I was likely in labour.
I was finding it harder to breathe through what we now realised were contractions as they were only a few minutes apart. We decided it was time to call the hospital. After a discussion with the hospital we knew it was the right time to come in.
We quickly arranged childcare for our son and I thrust a list of last minute hospital bag items at my husband as I was finding it difficult to speak with contractions coming thick and fast.
I was shocked by the speed of it all, as I had anticipated more time to prepare, so I listened to the affirmations track on the car journey to the hospital. Eleanor had mentioned that we would know it was time when I began to sound like I was mooing, which made me laugh when I recognised that this was happening.
Giving birth in water at Blackpool Birth Centre
As we arrived at the birthing centre at around 12:30am I was asked whether or not I wanted to use the birthing pool. I hadn't settled on this idea but liked the option so we took the available room with the pool.
My husband handed our birth plan to the midwives who were very positive about it and appreciative of having a clear idea of my choices. I had asked specifically not to be offered pain relief except gas and air unless I asked for it and they were fantastic at sticking to this.
Myself and my husband were very clear on my desire to be in a UFO position throughout. I agreed to be examined on the bed on the basis that I could change position immediately afterwards, and the midwife began filling the pool so that I had options. She informed me that I was already 5 centimetres dilated and my waters were still intact.
I decided to move to the pool for some additional relief and spent the duration of labour in the pool. Are there any benefits to birthing in water? Yes! Read more about water births here.
My husband chose some relaxing music, the lighting was dimmed and he took turns passing me sips of water in between contractions, as I had the gas and air, breathing through as much as I could.
I felt my waters break and the midwives informed me that contractions would ramp up from there. They weren't wrong! It escalated very quickly and the urge came for my body to push. I found it initially overwhelming as it had all happened so quickly. I said that I wasn't ready and instantly remembered that Eleanor said I would feel this way right before the end, which was very reassuring. (Holly was in the midst of transition and knew that the adrenaline of wanting to go home actually meant her baby was closer than ever.)
I felt a wave of anxiety at the thought of having to push out a large baby, but I reminded myself again that my baby would be the right size for my body. Whilst I still wasn't sure I was ready, my body knew it was.
With just a few pushes, Clara was born at 3:16am and placed straight into my arms. After the worry of having to push out a ‘big baby’, Clara weighed 6lb 9oz…nowhere near the estimated weight of 8lb 9oz.
“How will I know when to push!?'“
Is a question I get asked on every one of my antenatal courses. Knowing when to push is golden information if you’re wanting to have a smoother, more comfortable birth (whilst reducing the chances of tearing).
Want to dive into how instinctive pushing works, why it’s so often interrupted in hospital settings, and how to prepare your body and mind for a calmer, more effective pushing phase?
Feeling empowered after birth
I immediately felt a huge sense of peace, relief and empowerment. I couldn't believe what a positive experience it had been. I felt so instantly connected to our daughter, filled with pride and completely trauma-free!
It was an incredibly healing experience and I feel very grateful for that.
We got to stay in the Blackpool Birth Centre for several hours, just us and our beautiful girl. It was wonderful!
Eleanor's calm guidance and advice stayed with me, helping to reassure me and keep me calm throughout the birth. I couldn't recommend her antenatal course enough! It has had a hugely positive impact on my life and renewed my confidence in my own abilities.
Thinking about having a birth with hypnobirthing tools but not sure if it’s for you?
If your birth partner’s giving you the “hypno-what” look, I get it, the name sounds bizarre.
Say no more. Below is my FREE Masterclass that explains everything you need to know. It also gives you a good excuse to pop your feet up and grab a biscuit!
