"Birthing at Busselton hospital"

Before completing the hypnobirthing course (offered at Bunbury hospital) I was quite concerned about birthing in the hospital system. I wanted a natural water birth.I found that the hypnobirthing course was incredibly informative, realistic and filled me confidence and trust. 

In the early hours of the morning of our girl’s birth I was woken up by surges. I didn’t check the time or allow my mind to start wandering as I clearly remembered the hypnobirthing advice to keep resting in between surges. We phoned the hospital in the morning and were advised to come in for a check. At the hospital, we were greeted by who I felt was a lovely and funny midwife who completed some investigations and just after midday we were officially 'checked in' as baby was coming!

Following this we were greeted by who I can only describe as the amazing midwife who would eventually deliver our baby. It seemed to me she understood the hypnobirthing process really well and trusted me to do what I needed to do. She hardly ever intervened but offered encouraging support throughout. All staff involved in our care read our birth preferences and the doctor on shift confirmed they could honour all of it but one aspect (which was explained).

Communication regarding our preferences and medical advice throughout the birthing experience was excellent! Some time in the evening, in the bath (I had my water birth!), I clearly recognised the transition that I’d learned about in the hypnobirthing course, when you think you can’t continue labouring. Instead of panicking and wanting to stop or request pain relief, it was a moment of recognition and excitement, because I knew I was getting closer to meeting our baby and baby and body were doing it! Feeling baby move in the birth canal is amazing!

Our daughter was born later that night. All as per preferences: I naturally delivered the placenta 45 minutes later. Baby rested on my chest for 3 hours, umbilical cord remained attached to the placenta. She was given a little bit of oxygen whilst on me and was otherwise in perfect health and aware!

I had a mild second-degree tear that I felt was stitched up skillfully by the doctor and there’s only a faint scar left now, she did a brilliant job! At no point since doing the hypnobirthing course did I envisage the birth to go any other way than it did - completely natural and with a lot of trust that my body was designed to do this and body and baby knew what to do! It’s amazing how they do! The course armed me with knowledge and skills and with the support of the hypnobirthing informed midwifery team we had our perfect hypnobirth!

Based on my experience, the postnatal care and breastfeeding support was generous and supportive. We chose to birth at Busselton Hospital for the service's excellent reputation and in my opinion, it certainly lived up to its reputation.