Thread: *~^~*kiwi_babe's (Jules) birthing lodge*~^~*

Originally Posted by MrsMangoBabe

Writing my birth story was VERY therapeutic for me. It helped me understand it better to write it all down. I understand about it being an important part of your relationship and not feeling necessarily like it was a bad experience, even if it wasn't what you planned or wanted. I remember another mama here once saying that she felt a close bond to her baby after her c-section because she felt like they had already been through so much together. The memories of every moment of my DD's birth are extremely precious to me, even the moments I hope to not repeat.

This is what I wanted to say, you just said it much better than me....

OK so I guess that I will write a little more...

We decided to try for number 2 while on holiday in the UK last year and were extremely fortunate to fall pregnant immediately again. After being so lucky the first time, I certainly didn't expect the same result on the second go....I guess we'll have to be careful after this one arrives?? On the plane back to NZ, I had that "feeling" that I was pregnant and the airline food definitely wasn't looking appetising so I tested a couple of days after we got back (very restrained of me) and had a BFP - we found out a week or so before DD's first birthday!

Almost as soon as I found out I was pregnant I rang and booked my MW - a different one from last time but who I had seen a couple of times over my first pregnancy and I felt really comfortable with. She is very pro-homebirth and I was keen to plan this next labour at home. My pregnancy ran very smoothly for the first half with the exception of low BP and a few fainting episodes.....I guess I have issues with low BP and an epidural would definitely be a bad move this time....

Anyway, a chance remark by my MW at about 20 weeks who said something along the lines of "what would happen if we had to have this baby at hospital?". This freaked me out completely and I started having flashbacks of last time and was unable to sleep - very classic signs of PTSD. I had NO idea that I felt this way about my previous labour, I guess I had just blanked it out? My MW referred me to a counsellor and I started to gain confidence in the fact that this time it would be different...

I posted on this board a couple of months ago to see if anyone else had experience of this and was recommended Hypnobabies. So I ordered the Home Study kit (as there are obviously no courses here) and I am now on the maintenance programme. For me it has been wonderful, I am not sure how it will work during labour but I am keeping an open mind. But if just to start with positive affirmations and rethinking about how this time will be a positive experience...I think it has totally made the difference and the flashbacks, insomnia etc have all stopped and I am actually looking forward to meeting my baby now rather than terrified about the process!

I'm glad to hear that the hypnobabies has helped you with your PTSD symptoms and given you more confidence. I am planning on using hypnobabies with my next birth and if I ever get around to getting certified to teach childbirth classes, I think I would like to teach hypnobabies, as it seems to me to have the most to offer.

Love reading your story, Jules-- thanks for sharing. I'm excited to share in this journey, too!

DD is just beautiful-- and I KWYM about her entrance being part of your story. And I love that you up and moved to a new country-- how cool is that?

So glad you are here!!!

Oooh another hypnobabies story! I can't wait, I'm taking the class in July, and very excited about finding out from others how it works!

This birth WILL be different from your first, and you WILL have a positive birth experience to share!

wow your story is very interesting just as it has been a little scary. I'm really looking forward to following you the rest of the way.

Originally Posted by MrsMangoBabe

I'm glad to hear that the hypnobabies has helped you with your PTSD symptoms and given you more confidence. I am planning on using hypnobabies with my next birth and if I ever get around to getting certified to teach childbirth classes, I think I would like to teach hypnobabies, as it seems to me to have the most to offer.

I would definitely recommend it....hopefully I will be able to tell you how fantastic it was during my next birth in the next couple of weeks but in the meantime it has helped me change my thinking from Birth = terrifying to Birth = normal and positive!

Originally Posted by boilermaker

Love reading your story, Jules-- thanks for sharing. I'm excited to share in this journey, too!

Thanks Audra, it means a lot to me as I have loved following your journey too!

Originally Posted by boilermaker

DD is just beautiful-- and I KWYM about her entrance being part of your story. And I love that you up and moved to a new country-- how cool is that?

Thanks, I think she's pretty cute too

Moving overseas is always a great talking point! I have lost track of the number to times people have said to us that they wish they had tried it or that they had the opportunity in the past but didn't take it. There is always a reason not to do something like emigrating and you never know unless you try....we're though of as the "mad" ones in our families, which I think is pretty cool

Originally Posted by OperaDiva

Oooh another hypnobabies story! I can't wait, I'm taking the class in July, and very excited about finding out from others how it works!

This birth WILL be different from your first, and you WILL have a positive birth experience to share!

Thank you

Originally Posted by renee24

wow your story is very interesting just as it has been a little scary. I'm really looking forward to following you the rest of the way.

I think I am just a good example of why interventions during birth need to be researched and properly informed about - plus I was just unlucky the first time!

Originally Posted by renee24

I'm really looking forward to following you the rest of the way.

Thank you