The Birth and Hypnobirthing

On 1 August our baby boy was born at 3,250 grams.  The birth was an extraordinary experience, greatly thanks to months of hypnobirthing preparations that enabled me to have a natural birth using the birthing pool and a dash of gas & air as pain management.  I had a tens machine at home but never got around to learning how to use it, so that was a waste of money!

I used the Kathryn Clark hypnobirthing home course, with an extensive ebook explaining why births are expected to be painful and how we can change this around and instead experience a wonderful birth.  It worked for me and for another few friends who tried it, so I would warmly recommend it.

I am also very grateful that there was a team of midwives at the hospital who have had training in hypnobirthing and knew how to address this type of birth.  I brought my birth plan along where I had detailed my wishes, including no reference to pain when the spoke to me (it made a HUGE difference to me), everything was very positive and relaxed. Towards the end they got more involved and advised at the right time and in a gentle manner.

Breech Baby and Moxa Treatment

At 36 weeks my baby was still in breech position and my midwife just mentioned acupuncture in passing, so I saw an acupuncturist who did Moxibustion on me – and within a few hours I could feel movement that I hadn’t yet experienced during the pregnancy.  Three days later I could suddenly feel kicks in my ribs and he had turned the right way around, enabling a natural birth, which was just the most extraordinary thing.

There were no needles involved in the treatment, instead a stick with a Chinese herb called Moxa was lit and held next to my pinky toes.  The acupuncturist did this for me once, then I continued doing it for ten days at home, 20 minutes per foot, per day.  Apparently the heat produced has the effect of stimulating the point which is linked to the uterus and it all worked wonders.  I listened to the hypnobirthing tracks during those 20 minutes which made it a very efficient affair!

Pregnancy

I loved being pregnant and I feel so grateful that everything went so smoothly.  Being plant-based meant that everything I ate contributed with beautiful nutrients to building the little baby.  As per usual, I would just eat until I was full, I never counted calories or felt bad about having eaten anything “naughty”.  My wedding and engagement rings fit throughout the pregnancy and beyond, I didn’t suffer from any of the pregnancy ailments that I kept being warned about and I had an abundance of energy and slept well throughout the pregnancy.  That was probably the last time I slept well 😛