Birth story - Cheryl and baby boy

Throughout my pregnancy I had attended a fitness class once a week, and with recent Covid-19 protocols, we were recommended to have a look at The Positive Birth Company and Hypnobirthing in order to stay as positive and relaxed as possible in the current circumstances.

At approximately 35 weeks I followed PBC on Instagram and bought the book. The book was fantastic, and I found the science behind birth, and breathing techniques most useful.

As the pregnancy progressed, I downloaded the Freya app and would listen to positive affirmations every night whilst on my birth ball.

On the Monday I was 39 weeks, and I began to experience strong back pain in my lower back, and as the week progressed the pains began to intensify. I decided I would wait for the pains to move round to the front, then would start to monitor them with the app. In the meantime I continued to breathe through them and listen to the affirmations. However as Wednesday night arrived, I was really struggling with the pain and decided to use the app even though it was still all in my lower back. The app soon confirmed established labour so we made our way to hospital at around midnight, where an examination confirmed I was 7/8cm dilated already! I was elated, however as I reached the pushing stage it became clear baby wasn’t in the right position and wasn’t descending.

I made the decision to ask for something stronger than gas and air for pain relief and we were transferred to labour ward and then theatre to attempt a forceps delivery to turn baby and deliver safely. By 9.01am the following morning we discovered we had a beautiful baby boy who was delivered by the amazing staff at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

Following the PBC has taught me that the birth I had was right for me and my baby, the intervention, stricter hospital protocols did not in any way affect my experiences and I would highly recommend this resource to any expectant mum to be.