Guest blog from Alison Barker
"I
attended the Natal Hypnotherapy workshop with Sandra in Wimbledon and
regularly listened to the CDs throughout my pregnancy. I believe the tools with
which natal hypnotherapy equipped me allowed us to have the home birth we
desired. I wanted to write to you to directly to thank you as I will always be
grateful for the incredible benefits of natal hypnotherapy.
There
was a slight nuisance to my daughter's birth which I thought it may be worth
explaining briefly - my daughter was a breech presentation. Breech was not
diagnosed until 40 weeks + 2. I had planned a home birth and therefore this
potentially jeopardised this. However, after a failed ECV I spent time
researching the area of breech presentation, having been told by the NHS that
the only option was a C section.
I
came across Ruth Atkinson from a google search (and Sandra separately also
recommended I speak to Ruth). Ruth had given birth to a breech baby vaginally
and she kindly took the time to speak to me and discuss her experience. Ruth
put me in contact with Maya midwives who I subsequently engaged to assist with
the birth.
In
short, my experience was that the NHS simply do not have the experience of
delivering babies vaginally as a result of (In my view) a now discredited trial
study. Therefore, the only option for us was to hire an IM. I also believe the
only way for me to attempt a vaginal delivery was if I was at home without
hospital intervention and to avoid the NHS policies/guidelines which could, in
my view, have significantly affected the outcome.
Firstly,
I believe I would not have had the confidence to commit to a vaginal breech
birth if it wasn't for the skills with which natal hypo equipped me. I truly
believe my body knew how to give birth and trusted my instincts. Second, I was
able to relax with the benefit of the CDs during the stressful period from the
breech diagnosis which I believe allowed me to go into spontaneous labour (at
42 weeks). Third, I was able to have a beautiful home birth with no pain
relief, other than a TENs machine and massage. It was an incredible experience.
Andrea
Barker of Maya midwives mentioned she has met you previously and that a breech
CD may be in the pipeline. If you would like my birth story for the website or
indeed for any other literature, I would love to spread the word to hopefully
encourage more women to make informed decisions for their birth, particularly
breech births.
Finally,
I wish to note that Sandra has been incredibly helpful throughout the latter
stages of my pregnancy. We thoroughly enjoyed her workshop in Wimbledon and am
very grateful for Sandra's assistance whenever I have asked questions of her regarding
issues with the NHS as to my birth preferences, even at ungodly hours of the
morning when I have been frantically researching! Also, Ruth has also been a
true inspiration and, again, has taken the time to lend her support to me. I
think Ruth and Sandra are great representatives of natal hypnotherapy.
Thank
you for creating such a fantastic product which we will passionately
recommend to friends and family."
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