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