In our first hypnobirthing class, I'll always remember being told "I bet by the end of this course, at least one of you will be considering a home birth" - well I was that one. Having been adamant I was having a hospital birth, my outlook completely changed over the 4 week course. I loved the blend of medical and practical advice, the positive birthing videos and the relaxation techniques but for me, the main thing that I took away from the course was a confidence about labour and delivery which I hadn't possessed before. It gave me confidence to have a home birth with my first baby.

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My labour was long - about 30 hours overall - and although I didn't feel calm, the midwives and my birthing partners assured me I was very calm and quiet throughout - one midwife even told me it wasn't like I was even in labour! I used a blend of pain relief techniques: a TENS machine, a birthing pool, relaxation tracks (although I was so tired, I must admit I forgot about the breathing as the labour progressed) and finally gas & air. The pool actually relaxed me so much that I had to smell Clary Sage to get my contractions going again... 

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Having had my first contraction on Wednesday evening, I finally gave birth to our little girl, Olivia, on our sofa at home on Friday morning with my husband, my mum and two midwives by my side. Those first skin-to-skin cuddles with her were incredible. She's now two weeks old and although we're tired, we wouldn't have it any other way.

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Thank you for giving me the confidence to have the relaxed home birth that I hadn't even considered as a possibility!