Anna’s Feedback

Anna’s Feedback
6/05/05

I wanted to let you know about the birth. The preparation and cd was really helpful. I really used those words and phrases through the birth.

It started at 1 am on the full moon. We kept thinking it would happen at the full moon. 1st stage was pretty easy, about 12 hours. I spent some time colouring one of the mandallas you gave me. It helped to focus my mind. 2nsd stage was about two and a half hours. By the last couple of hours I couldn’t talk through contractions. My midwives didn’t think I was in labour. She was born face to pubes (posterior). There were only a few minutes when I thought I couldn’t do it.

My midwife didn’t think I was in labour. She suggested going for walks and sleeping. By 7pm contractions were more regular, but not stronger. Midwife said it was probably just pre labour and that it could well be tomorrow when it starts properly. At that point I doubted myself. I thought ”I can’t do it” Midwife suggested that I sleep. But I couldn’t sleep. I wondered what would happen. I couldn’t sleep; it was going to get worse, pain was going to get worse, I wouldn’t have the energy… It was then I stopped. I got into a different frame of mind. I got into positions where I could be active, rise into contractions, then sink back into relaxing.  I started to get more positive. By midnight my waters broke. My midwife came out at 2 am and when she checked I was 9 centimetres dilated! I did my first stage of labour without realizing I’d done it.

Throughout labour I didn’t go with my thoughts. Just stayed with my body. It’s the most present I’ve ever been. Except for that one time after speaking with my midwife when I panicked, I just stayed with my body: breathing, relaxing, letting go.

I didn’t even consider getting away from pain. I didn’t have any panic or fear. There were no thoughts of pain, just dealing with the next contraction. Focus on: letting go, relaxing space.

I really enjoyed the dreaminess of labour. It’s the most powerful 24 hours of your life, unrivalled by anything else.

It’s made me think about control. I’m aware how important it is to control the things you can control: the Environment, Quiet and calm. Its important to tell everyone to be quiet during contractions. And there are things that you can’t control: you just have to surrender to contractions.

Labour is a really good preparation for motherhood. If you didn’t have to rise to contractions you wouldn’t let go so much. Afterwards, it’s the same thing that’s important: Just relax. Difficulties are like contractions; you just have to let go.