"My second birth"

My husband and I completed the Positive Birth Program, funded by WACHS and held online over several weeks. This was the second time we had undertaken the program, as I wanted to regain access to the online resources which I found very useful in preparation for the birth of my first child. While my first birth was unlike any of the calm, low-intervention videos showcased in the program, what I found very helpful this time was the facilitator's advice to think through the different potential scenarios and have an agreed plan for action between myself and my partner, should any scenarios arise during labour and birth.

My husband and I spent much more time discussing options and preferences for our second child's birth, so this specific advice was excellent. The meditation tracks and affirmations provided in the online course were fantastic, and I still use the meditation tracks post-birth. I felt more confident and ready to go through labour as a result of the Positive Birth Program, even though our first birth had some complications and I felt that some of the hospital staff were not on the same page regarding our hypnobirthing approach.

When in labour with our second child, I used the breathing techniques and the meditation tracks taught in the Positive Birth Program. My labour stalled for about 8-9 hours and I recalled the advice to keep active; rocking on a fitball, doing a light workout, climbing stairs and light walking to increase contractions.

The staff we saw at St John of God hospital Bunbury were outstanding and supported my husband and I to navigate labour our way. They completely respected and supported our birth preferences, which were adapted from the Positive Birth Program. I achieved the drug-free natural birth I wanted by using a TENS machine, accupressure points undertaken by my husband, breathing techniques learnt through the program, and birth positions that I had seen in the handbook. I advocated for adapted medical support like intermittent rather than continuous monitoring. I felt completely present during labour and because I was educated in the stages of labour through the Positive Birth Program, could tell when I was moving through the phases of labour which helped me understand what might be coming up and be confident in how I could manage it. My husband was an incredible birth partner, and so attentive to the changes of labour and my needs to manage the pain and stay calm and focused.

This whole birth experience was positive, educative, empowering, and I felt completely supported in my wishes for a drug-free, calm birth by the team around me and the information we received in the lead up to the birth.