[Deb]

Hi Deb

I wanted to thank you for the great preparation the prenatal yoga classes provided for me and let you know how my birth went!

Jacob Peter (aka Jake) was born at 1.58 on Friday 15th June, 7lb 10oz and perfect! I had two reflexology sessions after my due date to try and get him out on time - the second on Thursday morning - then at 3.45 on Friday morning my mucous plug popped out like a cork! We were instructed to go to hospital straight away which I was apprehensive about - I was worried about being kept in for hours while not much was happening, but by the time we got there about an hour and a half later I was having contractions every 2-5 minutes! They continued that way for about 8 hours. Then after half an hour of pushing Jake arrived with a yell!

Despite my determination to use massage, birthing ball, showering, walking and changes of position in my labour I ended sitting (upright at least!) on the bed for almost the whole time. Because the contractions were coming so quickly there didn't seem to be time for much else! My husband had a very easy time of it as I retreated into myself and breathed my way through them all. I also pushed on my back and holding my breath - two more things I was determined not to do - but again they seemed to be the easiest for me at the time.

Where I did stick to my plan was resisting the hospital's attempts at interventions! Other than an IV, which was compulsory, we didn't have any. I was offered epidural as soon as we arrived at hospital and again at regular intervals. Fortunately we had a fantastic and experienced nurse who read our birth plan and really took it on board. She supported and encouraged us throughout and even fended off the ob-gyn for us. The ob turned up at the pushing phase and immediately suggested that they put me on pitocin without even looking at my chart (I guess she was in a hurry!), but as I moaned 'no' the nurse backed us up (the print out showed regular and strong contractions every 3 mins for about 8 hours so there really was no need!). The ob did at least agree to allow me to tear rather than cut and was amazed when I didn't - mostly thanks to our nurse who was doing perineal massage and support.

The ob was astounded by my birth and said she couldn't remember the last time she'd seen one like it - which I think says more about her approach to delivery than my birth (which wasn't particularly long or difficult - or is that the hormones speaking?)! We also had a student nurse with us who stayed 3 hours beyond the end of her shift to see me give birth because she was told she wouldn't see another one like it. I don't think I'd realised quite how interventionist the hospital and ob would be! Having said that I'm glad that I did go to hospital because, for my first time and going into the unknown, I needed to know that I could have pain relief if I wanted it. Overall we had a great experience, but I wonder if it would have been the same if we had had a younger and less experienced nurse with us.

Two things that really helped me:
- I bought the Ina May book that you recommended in class the day before I went into labour and the positive message of the book of relaxing into the birth really helped to prepare me and reduce my apprehension of the whole process. I felt that I has some influence how my body responded through the labour.
- concentration on and control of breathing, that we've practiced thoughout the classes, really carried me through the whole labouring with little awareness of how long it was going on. I really felt that I had some control over how I experienced the pain and the ability to ride my way through it. Without that focus I think I would have had a much harder time.

Thanks for all your help. I'm looking forward to joining several of the post-natal classes as soon as the adoring grandparents head back to the UK!

Nicky Wilson