Congratulations Caroline on the birth of Hadyn Kieran McDonald.
My contractions started 1am Saturday 31st July and what followed was 2 days of pacing around and 2 long walks - all in the hope of getting jnr to hurry up and arrive! I used my Yoga from the start - Golden thread breath particularly, as well as lots of squats, figure of eight & side to side hips, and even started doing the camel and elephant walks round, and round, and round the garden! The nights were pretty grim as I couldn't really lie down - and so watched episodes of the IT Crowd on I-player all night instead!
By Sunday my back - which is where I felt the majority of the contractions - was doing me in......and I strapped on the TENS machine....which was fabulous and seriously saved my sanity! Kieran had also learnt the massage techniques from 'The Gentle Birth Method' and administered them pretty constantly as the contractions picked up.
I then started humming! I think we only did the 'Humming Bee' breath once - but I remember thinking 'I love this....I can see myself using it'!......and I did, it helped me extend every out breath and helped me block out the sensations of each surge.
Things finally got going Sunday night and we went to James Paget Hosp at 3am Monday (which was a bonus as there was no-one about to see me humming in my PJs and dressing gown!!!). I then spent the rest of the day with Kieran, doing a fine job massaging my back, and me leaning on the window sill, humming, and moving my hips figure of eight, side to side and back and forth (oh and I had the TENs on max!). I was amazed how these simple things were enough to easily counter any pain. I felt calm and apparently one of the midwifes asked Kirean if I was always this controlled?! (No I had just been well trained in Yoga!!)
As things went up a gear I found myself on the other side of the room to the window and I started leaning on Kieran. I remember you reading about a waterbirth where the couple danced through each surge....and thats exactly what K and I did for hours, as he massaged my back. I started to use LOVELY gas and air.....and then Kieran and I finally got into the lagoon bath for the last 3 hrs. I wasn't convinced if the water would be enough to replace the relief given by the TENS machine....but it was and suddenly as I got in to the pool my back ache stopped. I used gas and air for each surge which were coming thick and fast. The midwifes just let things happen and then gave brilliant guidence just as I needed it - so I knew exactly what I needed to do - Bizzarely I actually didn't feel scared....I felt joyful!! I never thought that possible, but I did! (good stuff that gas and air!!!) The baby finally crowned at 6.20 and I felt a little fuzzy head, then at 6.30pm exactly Hadyn entered the world weighing 9lbs! The water birth experience was truly magical and I can't imagine doing it any other way!
He's absolutely perfect except for a little tongue-tie, which he's got an op for on Thursday, but consequently he found latching on for breast feeding tricky so we had to express and syringe feed for the first day and due to both of us being utterly exhausted after the Looooong labour we were kept in 3 extra days at hosp. I have to say everyone at James Paget were great and were not in any hurry to release us until we were both well enough.
But we are now home and Hadyn is florishing and feeding well.......well ALL THE TIME actually!!!! I bearly get to leave the sofa!!!
He's absolutely fabulous and Kieran and I are loving every minute of it....yes even getting excited at the multicoloured nappies!
I also want to thank you for all that the yoga sessions have taught me. I went into labour fully prepared and was lucky enough to have the birth we had hoped for as a result. The yoga techniques enabled me to keep calm and to cope with everything and I would never have thought of having a water birth before coming to the sessions. I loved coming to the classes - they were a god send and I always felt so relaxed and contented afterwards. I also met some great people who I hope I will be able to meet up with soon - when we finally get our acts together! I also learnt lots from the conversations we all had over biscuits!
I am still doing yoga at home to try and destiffen myself and to help me sleep. I also listen to the 'Grace' CD which is like the sound track to my pregnancy. I thoroughly enjoyed being pregnant, but being Hadyn's mum is just so much more magical than i could ever have imagined! - so thank you for everything.
Caroline, Kieran and Hadyn xxxxxx
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Baby Isaac born 26 March 2010
Our beautiful baby boy arrived on Friday 26th March at 11.51am weighing 6lb 3oz. We've called him Isaac Daniel.
I just wanted to say thank you for everything you taught me during the yoga classes I attended, without a doubt they helped me to have the most amazing labour & birth.
Feel free to share my birth story with other ladies in your class so they know just how well it can go & how beneficial the yoga techniques are.
I woke at 2.15am on 26/03 and had a show, I then began to have mild contractions which were coming every 10 minutes. Due to not knowing if this was 'it' I laid awake until my husband woke at 5.15am by which time I'd had another show and was sure that my baby would be here later that day or the next.
I sent my husband to work thinking it'd be a while and went back to sleep. I woke at 8.30am with strong contractions so decided to run a bath. I had about 4 contractions in the bath and knew they were close together so decided to get out. Whilst in the bath I used the warrior pose to ease the discomfort and used deep breathing too.
Once out of the bath at 9.30am my husband called and realised by the sound of my voice that I was in pain so decided to come home. Contractions were now thick and fast, every 2-3mins and they progressed to every minute within about half hour. I used the cat pose, rocking on all fours and breathing to get through the contractions (whilst tryin to dry my hair & get dressed!).
By the time my husband got home at 10.30am I was feeling the urge to push so we called the hospital and they said to come in asap. We got to the hospital at 11.15am, I was examined and was fully dilated. I started to push and felt the head crown but then retract again, the midwive told me to trust my body and push into my bum as hard as I could. I hadn't pushed hard out of fear but the midwife's words reminded me to trust my body. Three strong pushes and Isaac was born at 11.51am, just 36mins after arriving at the hospital! I had no pain relief, thanks to your advice I totally trusted my body and when I hit the wall where I thought I couldn't go on (whilst at home alone) I said aloud 'pull yourself together, you can do this! It's a natural process' and that helped me to calm down and manage the contractions.
Isaac was put straight to my chest and 20 mins later I delivered the placenta with no need to have the injection.
I just wanted to say thank you for everything you taught me during the yoga classes I attended, without a doubt they helped me to have the most amazing labour & birth.
Feel free to share my birth story with other ladies in your class so they know just how well it can go & how beneficial the yoga techniques are.
I woke at 2.15am on 26/03 and had a show, I then began to have mild contractions which were coming every 10 minutes. Due to not knowing if this was 'it' I laid awake until my husband woke at 5.15am by which time I'd had another show and was sure that my baby would be here later that day or the next.
I sent my husband to work thinking it'd be a while and went back to sleep. I woke at 8.30am with strong contractions so decided to run a bath. I had about 4 contractions in the bath and knew they were close together so decided to get out. Whilst in the bath I used the warrior pose to ease the discomfort and used deep breathing too.
Once out of the bath at 9.30am my husband called and realised by the sound of my voice that I was in pain so decided to come home. Contractions were now thick and fast, every 2-3mins and they progressed to every minute within about half hour. I used the cat pose, rocking on all fours and breathing to get through the contractions (whilst tryin to dry my hair & get dressed!).
By the time my husband got home at 10.30am I was feeling the urge to push so we called the hospital and they said to come in asap. We got to the hospital at 11.15am, I was examined and was fully dilated. I started to push and felt the head crown but then retract again, the midwive told me to trust my body and push into my bum as hard as I could. I hadn't pushed hard out of fear but the midwife's words reminded me to trust my body. Three strong pushes and Isaac was born at 11.51am, just 36mins after arriving at the hospital! I had no pain relief, thanks to your advice I totally trusted my body and when I hit the wall where I thought I couldn't go on (whilst at home alone) I said aloud 'pull yourself together, you can do this! It's a natural process' and that helped me to calm down and manage the contractions.
Isaac was put straight to my chest and 20 mins later I delivered the placenta with no need to have the injection.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Baby Ewan was born at home on 6 September 2009
"I had my baby, Ewan- a bit earlier than expected on 6th september.... I was so pleased to have had him at home and in the pool! The breathing techniques and positions taught in your yoga classes were so important to the positive experience I had and I just wanted to thank you. I was so much calmer and focused on the baby moving down the birth canal-it really helped. I managed with just gas and air and
the water was wonderful." - Kate P
"My son Harry was born on 29th July and I found your yoga classes extremley beneficial during labour. My midwife actually picked up on the fact that I had taken yoga classes due to how calm I was and my use of controlled breathing. I was in labour for 42 hours and had to eventually have a c-section. This was not the labour which I had planned for but everything which I had learned in your classes helped me through this. The one thing which I did not want to have was an epidural and I manged to get through without one. I would just like to say thank you very much for all that you taught me". - Louise
"I had my baby, Ewan- a bit earlier than expected on 6th september.... I was so pleased to have had him at home and in the pool! The breathing techniques and positions taught in your yoga classes were so important to the positive experience I had and I just wanted to thank you. I was so much calmer and focused on the baby moving down the birth canal-it really helped. I managed with just gas and air and
the water was wonderful." - Kate P
"My son Harry was born on 29th July and I found your yoga classes extremley beneficial during labour. My midwife actually picked up on the fact that I had taken yoga classes due to how calm I was and my use of controlled breathing. I was in labour for 42 hours and had to eventually have a c-section. This was not the labour which I had planned for but everything which I had learned in your classes helped me through this. The one thing which I did not want to have was an epidural and I manged to get through without one. I would just like to say thank you very much for all that you taught me". - Louise
Friday, 24 July 2009
Baby Daniel James Cubitt, 20 July 2009
Although Laura's birth did not go as she planned she was able to accept the path her birthing took. Laura was able to stay clam and focused throughout using breathing techniques practiced during classes and used yoga positions to help relieve discomfort during labour:
I attended your class unitl i was 40+2.
Just thought i'd let you know baby Daniel James Cubitt arrived at 5:20am on
Monday 20th July weighing 8lb 7oz.
My whole birthing experience didn't happen as id hoped but having attending
your classes i was able to take it in my stride keeping as calm as i could.
I was booked in for an induction on Friday 17th. On the Friday and
Saturday i was given the Prostin tablets to see if that would start my
contractions, after a number of false starts and a night of contractions at
five minutes apart that then stopped completely they decided to break my
waters on the Sunday. The relaxation breathing techniques we learned were
especially useful in this time as the hospital is not a calming place to be,
although i was very well looked after and think all the midwifes at the N &
N Are fabulous.
I had my waters broken at 6pm on Sunday, was given two hours to get some
rest then was put on a Syntocinon drip. The contractions started within the
hour and were very strong from the start. Within another hour they were two
minutes apart and i was in full labour. I managed to use my breathing alone
for quite some time, using the golden thread breath during the contractions
and the deep breathing relaxation breathing in between to regain strength.
After a coulple of hours i needed the gas and air to help but still used the
breathing for the main. I fell that if i hadn't attended these classes I
really would not have lasted as long with out stronger pain relief. I was
determined to not have anything too strong. The midwifes kept insisting i
have an epidural but with the encouragement from my husband i managed to
resist. The midwifes were great in helping me get into different positions
on the bed to help keep comfortable. The up cat position was particularly
helpful and spiraling my hips during the contractions seemed to help me
through them.
For the actual birth I had to have a Pethidine injection to help with the
pain relief. During the pushing stage little Daniels heart rate was going
down and the midwifes were quite concerned that it was because I was getting
too worked up, they wanted to keep a check on his oxygen levels by attaching
a monitor to the top of his head but my husband knew i really didn't want
this. With his help I managed to calm down enough for Daniels heart rate to
settle and for me to push him out succesfully.
I think I was able to pull that last bit of strength from your classes. I
think you should say to the ladies in your class to really talk through the
breathing and relaxation with their birthing partners and to focus and
practice them at home.
Sorry to have gone on abit. Just re-living the whole thing. I know it sounds
a bit chessy but hearing his cry for the first time is the best thing in the
world and I will never forget it. Just focus on that.
Lastly, the breathing is helping me while I'm breatfeeding as I'm struggling
a little although it's only been three days. But Daniel is a really
contented little baby.
So thank you so much Jessica. I am really grateful for all that you taught
me. Good luck to you and all the ladies in your current classes. I would
love to know how you get on with your birthing experience.
Laura
I attended your class unitl i was 40+2.
Just thought i'd let you know baby Daniel James Cubitt arrived at 5:20am on
Monday 20th July weighing 8lb 7oz.
My whole birthing experience didn't happen as id hoped but having attending
your classes i was able to take it in my stride keeping as calm as i could.
I was booked in for an induction on Friday 17th. On the Friday and
Saturday i was given the Prostin tablets to see if that would start my
contractions, after a number of false starts and a night of contractions at
five minutes apart that then stopped completely they decided to break my
waters on the Sunday. The relaxation breathing techniques we learned were
especially useful in this time as the hospital is not a calming place to be,
although i was very well looked after and think all the midwifes at the N &
N Are fabulous.
I had my waters broken at 6pm on Sunday, was given two hours to get some
rest then was put on a Syntocinon drip. The contractions started within the
hour and were very strong from the start. Within another hour they were two
minutes apart and i was in full labour. I managed to use my breathing alone
for quite some time, using the golden thread breath during the contractions
and the deep breathing relaxation breathing in between to regain strength.
After a coulple of hours i needed the gas and air to help but still used the
breathing for the main. I fell that if i hadn't attended these classes I
really would not have lasted as long with out stronger pain relief. I was
determined to not have anything too strong. The midwifes kept insisting i
have an epidural but with the encouragement from my husband i managed to
resist. The midwifes were great in helping me get into different positions
on the bed to help keep comfortable. The up cat position was particularly
helpful and spiraling my hips during the contractions seemed to help me
through them.
For the actual birth I had to have a Pethidine injection to help with the
pain relief. During the pushing stage little Daniels heart rate was going
down and the midwifes were quite concerned that it was because I was getting
too worked up, they wanted to keep a check on his oxygen levels by attaching
a monitor to the top of his head but my husband knew i really didn't want
this. With his help I managed to calm down enough for Daniels heart rate to
settle and for me to push him out succesfully.
I think I was able to pull that last bit of strength from your classes. I
think you should say to the ladies in your class to really talk through the
breathing and relaxation with their birthing partners and to focus and
practice them at home.
Sorry to have gone on abit. Just re-living the whole thing. I know it sounds
a bit chessy but hearing his cry for the first time is the best thing in the
world and I will never forget it. Just focus on that.
Lastly, the breathing is helping me while I'm breatfeeding as I'm struggling
a little although it's only been three days. But Daniel is a really
contented little baby.
So thank you so much Jessica. I am really grateful for all that you taught
me. Good luck to you and all the ladies in your current classes. I would
love to know how you get on with your birthing experience.
Laura
Monday, 8 June 2009
June 2009
Baby Stanley was born Tuesday 26 May 2009 8lb 13.
Kate attended Pregnancy yoga until 41 weeks.
Stanley was Kate's second child, her first, Ivy, being by cesarean.
Stanley was born naturally with no pain relief required.
"I had 3 days of contractions and the yoga postures and relaxation poses really helped as I was quite tired. Without them I do not think I would have been able to stay at home for as long as I did..... I was 6 cm by the time I went into hospital... The things I learnt during pregnancy yoga helped me to feel more in control.... It gave me more strings to my bow - more resources to call upon. I told my partner the things we learnt in class and asked him to remind me when I was in labour and that really helped. Thank you Jess for all of your help"
Read more.........
"I hadn't had the opportunity to attend any antenatal classes when I was pregnant with Stanley and as Ivy was born by cesaearean the thought of giving birth was quite daunting just like any other first time mother. Attending the classes in the weeks leading up to the birth allowed me to focus on the birth in a positive and practical way. The actual classes were great for strengthening my body in preparation and focussing my mind on the possibilty of a positive and natural birth experience. The yoga poses and breathing tecniques learnt were undoubtedly really useful during my labour - the ones I found especially useful were poses that allowed me to rest in between contractions as I found it impossible to lie or sit down for the three days that contractions were occurring including extended child (propped up on pillows), up cat during contractions to ease back pain and the one when you're on all fours and circle your hips to aid the contractions. The breathing tecniques that we had learnt in the classes I practiced at home and then found to be unbelievably essential during labor - from the very onset to the final pushing ones they allowed me to cope with their increasing intensity by extending my out breaths and using golden thread breathing. It definitely really helped telling John about the breathing techniques and poses as he was able to remind me of them when I was finding things a bit tough.
The classes helped me to approach the birth in a positive and prepared way - and definitely added strings to my bow. I was really pleased to be able to see the majority of the labour through at home where I was comfortable and relaxed. When I got to hospital the contractions went form being really intense and almost back to back, to pretty much stopping. I was able to use the birthing pool there and used some of the hip circling poses to help get things going again.
Although I was in labour a long time I found the whole birthing experience amazing - and it felt so empowering to feel in control of my body and the situation and as natural and non medicalised as possible even though I was in hospital (which I never thought would actually be possible). I truly feel that the yoga classes helped me with this and am so grateful.
The classes were absolutely fab - they were was always such a nice freindly calm atmosphere there and I really enjoyed coming to them. Thanks so much for all your help Jess. I hope all the other ladies are getting on ok and that they have good birth experiences too. It'd be really great to hear how they (and you of course) get on.
Stanley is doing well - feeding loads and putting on weight which is good. He's a big long legged boy but has been pretty chilled so far and sleeping lots so far!
Thanks again for everything and let me know if you run any postnatal classes in the future.
Kate - x "
Kate attended Pregnancy yoga until 41 weeks.
Stanley was Kate's second child, her first, Ivy, being by cesarean.
Stanley was born naturally with no pain relief required.
"I had 3 days of contractions and the yoga postures and relaxation poses really helped as I was quite tired. Without them I do not think I would have been able to stay at home for as long as I did..... I was 6 cm by the time I went into hospital... The things I learnt during pregnancy yoga helped me to feel more in control.... It gave me more strings to my bow - more resources to call upon. I told my partner the things we learnt in class and asked him to remind me when I was in labour and that really helped. Thank you Jess for all of your help"
Read more.........
"I hadn't had the opportunity to attend any antenatal classes when I was pregnant with Stanley and as Ivy was born by cesaearean the thought of giving birth was quite daunting just like any other first time mother. Attending the classes in the weeks leading up to the birth allowed me to focus on the birth in a positive and practical way. The actual classes were great for strengthening my body in preparation and focussing my mind on the possibilty of a positive and natural birth experience. The yoga poses and breathing tecniques learnt were undoubtedly really useful during my labour - the ones I found especially useful were poses that allowed me to rest in between contractions as I found it impossible to lie or sit down for the three days that contractions were occurring including extended child (propped up on pillows), up cat during contractions to ease back pain and the one when you're on all fours and circle your hips to aid the contractions. The breathing tecniques that we had learnt in the classes I practiced at home and then found to be unbelievably essential during labor - from the very onset to the final pushing ones they allowed me to cope with their increasing intensity by extending my out breaths and using golden thread breathing. It definitely really helped telling John about the breathing techniques and poses as he was able to remind me of them when I was finding things a bit tough.
The classes helped me to approach the birth in a positive and prepared way - and definitely added strings to my bow. I was really pleased to be able to see the majority of the labour through at home where I was comfortable and relaxed. When I got to hospital the contractions went form being really intense and almost back to back, to pretty much stopping. I was able to use the birthing pool there and used some of the hip circling poses to help get things going again.
Although I was in labour a long time I found the whole birthing experience amazing - and it felt so empowering to feel in control of my body and the situation and as natural and non medicalised as possible even though I was in hospital (which I never thought would actually be possible). I truly feel that the yoga classes helped me with this and am so grateful.
The classes were absolutely fab - they were was always such a nice freindly calm atmosphere there and I really enjoyed coming to them. Thanks so much for all your help Jess. I hope all the other ladies are getting on ok and that they have good birth experiences too. It'd be really great to hear how they (and you of course) get on.
Stanley is doing well - feeding loads and putting on weight which is good. He's a big long legged boy but has been pretty chilled so far and sleeping lots so far!
Thanks again for everything and let me know if you run any postnatal classes in the future.
Kate - x "
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