Giving birth can be something that women dread. From a young age, we are fed the story that it will be the most excruciating experience we’ll ever go through. I mean, how in the world do you get that to come out of there?!
When I found out I was pregnant, I delivered the wonderful news to friends and family. On cue, they promptly shared every horrific birthing story they knew. I was terrified. Quite frankly, these “war stories” are the least helpful thing a mom-to-be can hear. Where are the positive stories? I want to hear that it was trouble-free, empowering and a memory to cherish. Surely bringing a new soul into the world can be a beautiful experience?
Where are the positive stories? I want to hear that it was trouble-free, empowering and a memory to cherish. Surely bringing a new soul into the world can be a beautiful experience?
I want to hear that it was trouble-free, empowering, and a memory to cherish. Surely bringing a new soul into the world can be a beautiful experience?
Here’s the great news:
Birth definitely can be beautiful!
Yes, of course, it will be intense and powerful. But your body is made to do it and it will do it (almost always) perfectly if you go into it feeling positive, prepared and relaxed.
Hearing positive birthing stories will help you to have the birth you want
I began seeking out positive birthing stories. Ina May Gaskin’s “Guide to Childbirth” became my birthing manual – it’s brilliant. Packed with amazing stories of women from all walks of life birthing their babies completely naturally. And I began to watch videos of women birthing their babies without the need for medical intervention. I was in awe of these incredible women and I really hoped to become one of them.
And guess what?
I did it! Leyla was born into water after a six-hour labour that was wonderful, calm and empowering. It really couldn’t have gone any better.
6 videos sure to get you excited and eager for birth
I want to share some of the positive birthing videos that were so helpful for me. So here goes…
Beautiful home hypnobirth in water
This short video outlines some key hypnobirthing principles that helped this woman achieve a calm and beautiful birth. Hypno Birthing, in a nutshell, involves breathing exercises, visualisations, intimate knowledge of our body during the different stages of labour and intentional use of language.
Ewan’s hypnobirth
This video of baby Ewan’s birth is great! It’s a busy day at the house with children, grandparents, and the medical team in attendance. Anna’s sister is watching in on Skype – even the gasman comes for a meter reading! But in all the chaos the mood is happy and calm and Ewan is brought into the world in such a beautiful way.
Norah’s natural hypnobirth
It’s her first baby and she’s big! He gets a little stuck and yet she doesn’t make a sound. Whaaaat?!
Oliver’s pain-free hypnobirth
Oliver’s very calm and gentle water birth. I aspire to this!!
Adeline’s beautiful birth
Adeline Elise’s calm hospital birth. Just lovely.
Kingsley’s gentle hypnobirth
Baby Kingsley’s birth was so gentle he didn’t seem to notice he’d left the womb and continued to sleep on mama’s bosom. (By the way, his mamma, Alecia, is a Hypnobirthing Mongan Method instructor. Well worth a look.)
CONCLUSION
Being prepared and positive will give you the best chance of achieving the birth you want.
Two resources that we used were Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May, and The Hypnobirthing Book: An Inspirational Guide for a Calm, Confident, Natural Birth by Katherine Graves. We swear by both of these and think They should be mandatory reading for all moms-to-be. Please read them as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
We wish you a beautiful birth.
