|
|
PowerBirth® Stories
VBAC
"Whilst my midwife, husband and yourself were extremely positive and supportive of my decision to go with a VBAC, I had come up against a lot of naysayers where I was to give birth and from my in-laws who were convinced of the once a caesarean, always a caesarean theory! I felt a wave of pride surge over me as I birthed my 4kg baby - a drug free, vaginal birth after a caesarean. It was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I had ever done and I would not change a thing!
Your classes helped prepare me for the challenge and I can't thank you enough!"
Chelsea 2008
"I had a quick and stress free childbirth. I counted them, there were only 5 contractions and very strong, I used my breathing. After forceps and cesarean with my previous labours, it was lovely to actually feel my baby come out and all naturally this time!"
Patricia, 2004
"I had a fantastic natural vaginal delivery! Such a wonderful experience and so different from my 1st by caesarean. Thank you so much for helping me to really believe I could do it!"
Megan, 2006
"Thank you so much for your guidance and for giving me the confidence to believe in my body as I was able to have a normal birth after a C-section!
Erin, 2009
CAESAREAN BIRTHS
"They told me that they would have to do an emergency caesarean, again I used my breathing to keep calm. While it was not the birth I had hoped for, PowerBirth helped me look upon childbirth as a beautiful experience to be embraced, it helped me look upon childbirth with peace and calm. The 14 hours before delivery were beautiful and just as I had imagined. Without PowerBirth I would have looked upon birth with fear of pain, instead I looked to birth with much excitment and calm. It was with this peace and calm that I was able to bring relaxation to my body. Thank you so much for all you have given me, the strength, courage and wisdom to embrace this experience!"
Julie, 2008
"I knew I had to be positive. After all I wanted it to be a good birth and that's what I was going to have. Keeping an Inner Smile really helped me. A cesarean is a shock to the system but by keeping positive and preparing for it I was able to enjoy the birth of my baby."
Michelle, Hornsby
"Although the birth did not go to plan, I still found the PowerBirth teachings very useful. Bub was coming down hand first which resulted in a c section, so I went from an all natural birth to a caesarean. I don't think I would have handled the process as clamly as I did without PowerBirth! Thank you for your teachings and can't wait to start Postnatal yoga.
Carissa 2008
HOME BIRTH
"I felt elated and fantastic afterwards. I stood up throughout the labour and used every bit of help gravity would provide up to the baby's head was born. I used my own resources as I knew I had no pain relief available, breathing, relaxing deeply and talking myself through it"
Nicole, 1st unplanned homebirth, 2000
"I have just enjoyed my second most amazing birth because of your work. My homebirth went better than I could have ever dreamed of and I have two precious healthy children to show for it. See you around for my 3rd!.... I got straight into the pool, knelt down and felt between my legs. I could feel the softest hair I had ever felt waving gently in the pool water. I felt an urge to push but kept my hand flat across his head, not ready yet. I got another urge to push, I birthed his head slowly this time feeling the ring of fire. With the next quick urge I pushed out his shoulders slowly without tear and pulled him up onto my chest and sat in the pool... amazing! 90 minutes later I birthed the placenta, lifted it up to the surface full, complete and beautiful!"
Kate, 2nd birth, 1st homebirth, 2010
"Such a wonderful, satisfying and empowering experience! My 1st birth although completely natural, lasted in excess of 20 hours with a lot of intervention. Fortunately this one happened at home! 10.00am I was having a leisurely shower, the water felt great and very relaxing. 10.30am as I was about to get out of the shower I had a show. 11.30am at the end of my most intense contraction my waters broke (naturally this time). While my husband was on the phone with the hospital I had a mild urge to push and with the next contraction I could feel the baby's head crowing. Two contractions later my husband delivered our beautiful daughter! Thanks for helping me with the skill and knowledge to make it possible. Your teaching gave me the confidence in myself and my ability to perform the natural act of birthing my baby, and helped me to remain calm during my unplanned homebirth. I would highly recommend PowerBirth, especially to women who desire a natural and pain free labour."
Kathy, 2nd birth, 1st homebirth (unplanned), 2008
"My waters broke with a forceful gush, and from then I could feel the baby's head, something I hadn't wanted to do with my other medically managed births... Before long I could feel the ring of fire, and I consciously slowed down a bit so that I wouldn't tear. His head slowly emerged. I could feel an ear, and a shoulder under my perineum, I decided not too wait for another contraction, and I pushed his body out with one more push. I pulled him up out the water which had rinsed him clean. After a few minutes the placenta came out intact and we cut the cord. We were far too excited to sleep, I was completely blissful!"
Jen, 3rd birth, 1st homebirth, 2008
"Although the contractions were now very intense I was able to breathe and focus through them without much effort. I went forward onto my knees, I rested my head onto the side of the bath to relax and take energy, and squatted for the contractions. Within a few contractions the baby's head had started to crown and I could feel him there. I was calm and ready, it took 3 contractions to pass his head, and with the next contraction he was born and brought up to the surface. The placenta was born 25 minutes later with me standing. I am very proud of myself! I thank my midwives for their support and care during my pregnancy and their encouragement and kind words during my labour. Thanks to Corinne for her support, assistance and teachings, which I could not have had a second child at all, let alone a homebirth without them!"
Linda, 2nd birth, 1st homebirth, 2007
NATURAL BIRTHS
"They laughed when I told them about having a natural birth! I am proud to say that the entire labour was completely natural. I used techniques which worked best for me in the classes. I was completely relaxed throughout."
Melissa, Westmead Private
"I had everything the 1st time, induced, drugs, forceps, long labour. I had no idea and let everyone else take control. This childbirth was short and natural a perfect 8.9 pounds baby. I was so proud of myself to have done well, I felt elated afterwards, so much better than the first, very empowering"
Karen Westmead Private
"The contractions were just starting to become quite strong when I felt the urge to push. I put my hand down to feel my skin open around the top of Eric's head. I held my muscles so he would stay just there... I pushed gently with the contractions and eased the skin with my fingers. It was so empowering to be in control of it myself. The baby's head arrived in 3 pushes and then there was that most wonderful last push when I felt his shoulders slide out. He landed with a plop into my hands on the mat and I sat down in the mess and lifted him into my arms! Corinne, thank you for your insight. it gave me the opportunity to have the two most wonderful birth experiences.
Michelle, 3nd birth, Blacktown Birth Centre, 2008
"This childbirth was so rewarding. I felt really high, most empowering. I felt like I'd just run a marathon and I came first, I felt so high. This time I wanted to make it different, to prove to myself I could do it differently. I enjoyed the feeling of my baby coming out. I believe what helped me this time was my mind to be able to deeply connect, trust myself and move with the flow."
Sally, Westmead Public
"I found that I didn't need pain relief, not even gas!! The midwife was amazed at how calm I had stayed throughout the childbirth. A 4-hour labour and a 8.2 pounds baby!"
Allison, Westmead Private
"The birth process was a complete turn around to that of my first son, in which I used every form of pain killers, laboured for 22 hours and had a forceps delivery. I was truly amazed at what happened this time around. We arrived at the hospital still smiling, I was 7 cm dilated, within 2 hours my 8 pounds baby was born, all naturally!"
Faith, Westmead
"My 1st and 2nd childbirth were long and intense. I required an epidural for both. This labour was so quick, afterwards I felt like I did not give birth. I used the Coming in Touch technique, which worked best in class and was able to relax. I experienced less pain and needed less support. This was the best labour. We wanted 3 children but now I'm thinking of the 4th one!"
Milica, SAN
"The state of mind I'd feel during your classes was somehow emulated during childbirth. A kind of cosmic calm! I used the Counting technique, deep breathing and visualisation throughout. Our 8.11 pounds baby was born on the floor. The midwife said she'd never seen anyone smile so much during childbirth. From beginning to end I felt exhilarated and I can not remember feeling so much alive"
Helen, Westmead Private
"7cm dilated, I was tired and feeling that I could not go on. My thoughts were to have the gas but instead I went into the shower and that is where I stayed and had little Ryan. I believe that the techniques I learnt are what got me through and allowed me to stay at home as long as I did. In the end my labour was drug free and the most amazing experience."
Allison, Westmead Private
"I was so drugged out with my 1st labour that it ended with a spinal block, forceps and episiotomy!. I loved my 2nd labour, this time I experienced labour the way it was intended, no drugs, no screaming. I actually asked when it was over if that was it!
Raelene, Westmead Private
"I was very keen on a natural birth. I did PowerBirth classes for 6 months which were a huge help mentally. Neither of us expected a quick arrival as this was our 1st baby. I was in my own world concentrating. No sooner did I get to the hospital than I gave birth. There was never pain. It was a strange intense feeling instead. I had no idea the baby was arriving so fast. I am delighted to have had such a calm natural labour. It was a very positive experience."
Penny, Westmead Public
"During my pregnancy, I came across some negative attitudes and at times felt that my positive outlook and the want for a natural drug free birth was being mocked. Well I showed them! It was a wonderful labour I can boast about. We are all happy and healthy and looking forwards to doing it again. I would think about my uterus opening and my baby in there working as hard as I was to make its way down the birth canal. Knowing my body was doing the most amazing and natural thing was exciting and calming. I finally had the urge to push, the burning set in this was the only time I actually said to Nathan "it hurts", and looking back now it wasn't as uncomfortable as much as the tattoo I've had done!"
Danielle, Westmead Private
"With my 1st one I was induced, had gel, ARM, oxytocin, epidural and episiotomy. It took me over one week to recover! This labour started on its own. I could relax myself a lot more. I never thought of pain relief and I recovered extremely fast. I used Focus and Count Down using Coming in Touch techniques which worked well for me."
Rennae, Westmead Private
"Everyone told me I'll just get on my back, scream and be in pain for 36 hours! I prove them wrong. I used techniques from the PowerBirth program and felt in awe by the whole experience. A complete natural birth, I amazingly felt on a high as if I did not go through labour"
Germaine, Westmead Private
>
"This time I laboured naturally and felt on a high afterwards. I was very relaxed throughout my labour, I recovered extremely rapidly and my baby was very alert."
Michelle, Hills Private
"I was determined this birth will be good because the 1st one was such a nightmare, long and lots of interventions! It was a very intense and short labour. I could have lost the plot but I was able to manage by using my skills, Breath Focus , Inner Smile and positive self talk"
Anne. Westmead Public
"It was absolutely mind blowing, I loved the experience!. My first thought after giving birth was "couldn't wait to do it again" I tell everyone I had a really positive experience. I recovered very well. The Child pose & pillow support really helped me to stay home and relax. I had used this in my last week of pregnancy to rest, relax and create comfort"
Lisa, SAN
"44 years old, 4th labour and the 1st natural one! Contractions were very intense, labour extremely short (3 hrs) I would talk to myself when I felt weak, as well as using Breath Focus, and deeply relaxing, it was very helpful and strengthening"
Annie, Birth Centre B/town
"This was an amazing experience. Taking my mind away and the deep breathing practice helped me achieve a natural childbirth. Your voice would come to me reminding me to relax more in the gaps, and that's just what I did!"
Alice, Hornsby
"I did not think I would be able to have a natural birth because of my medical condition. I had been told I wouldn't. It happened quite quickly. The thought of you Corinne telling my birth story to the class was also motivational. I was visualising you telling the girls my positive birth story. I am glad it is! Deep controlled breathing and positive talk really helped me."
Carly, Westmead Private
"I am glad I was able to keep a positive mind throughout, which helped me without the use of pain relief drugs. I was very relaxed, not bothered by my contractions. I had developed a positive mind weeks prior to my labour and felt very peaceful with myself"
Nicole, Hills Private
"I breathed through my contractions and used gas in transition. I actually felt my baby drop just before pushing. I couldn't believe how short and easy it was, most amazing."
Natalie, Hills Private
"This was an euphoric experience. I actually enjoyed it, I felt no hurt. I used gazing and would consciously bring my breathing back to a slow deep rhythm when aware that it had become shallow and fast. I enjoyed pushing. I pulled my baby out with my own hands, a most exhilarated and blissful moment"
Amanda, Hills Private
"I used different techniques to support myself and enjoyed a drug free childbirth. I felt very strong afterwards and my baby was really alert"
Paula, Hills Private
"I felt her with my hands, I gathered the energy and the will to push her out. It was most amazing and I felt wonderful as the body came out. Although it was long and intense I enjoyed a natural childbirth. I supported myself with Breath Focus throughout my labour."
Lisa, Hills Private
"I had a drug free labour. It was easier than I thought it would be. I felt great, energetic and empowered afterwards. I could actually still keep my breathing through the peak of my contractions. Visualization and the ability to relax were most helpful. I would visualise surfing a wave with each contraction and resting on the sandy beach."
Marnie, Hills Private
"I was so pleased I could birth my baby. I feel very proud of myself and feel empowered by the experience. I proved that my mother and sister's experience of childbirth did not need to be mine"
Fiona, Westmead Private
"I enjoyed a short and natural childbirth using different techniques and talking myself through it. Two things helped me : my mind and my husband !"
Jodie, Westmead Private
"I had a positive and natural childbirth. Used Breath Focus, visualization and other techniques. My husband was a great support throughout the labour making sure my mind was kept positive"
Celine, Birth Centre B/town
"It was fantastic and I felt great after birth. This time I felt more in control, stronger and recovered very fast feeling satisfied"
Brenda, Westmead Private
"I felt in control and in charge of what was happening, used different strategies at different times which were very effective to help me remain centered and relaxed . I feel strong and positive about my childbirth experience and proud of myself"
Catherine, Westmead Private
"It was a very short labour. I used Breath Focus and kept upright. It was great. An amazing experience!"
Helen, Westmead Private
I was feeling extremely relaxed and peaceful. What contributed most to my easy labour were the breathing , the raspberry leaves and keeping a positive mind"
Michelle, Westmead Private
"It happened quickly and naturally. I used Breath Focus and visualization. I felt very good after birth and my husband was amazed at how well I had managed the labour and how deep my breath was!"
Elizabeth, Westmead Private
"I was becoming tense and beginning to lose it. I moved into the showers and was thinking about having an epidural when Corinne's voice came to me. I could hear her voice telling me to focus on my breath and relax. I began doing just that, felt myself relaxing, the pain becoming less intense."
Courtney, Westmead Private
"I am happy with my childbirth experience. Coping with all that happened strengthened me. I had to confront things I did not expect to happen. My mind was clear, I did everything I could to support myself. I feel stronger within myself now"
Helen, Westmead Private
"When I was told I was only 4cm dilated and had another 6 hours to go I began to focus more, relax and using my breath. Within 1 hour I was ready to push. I felt bright and happy after the birth of my baby".
Tamara, Westmead Private
"I managed my labour naturally using my breath, talking to myself and relaxing. It was an amazing experience. I was so elated and proud of myself"
Alison, Westmead Private
"It was awesome. I felt fantastic. Natural all the way. My husband was so , so proud of me. He was such a great support. I could do it all over again!"
Teresa, Hills Private
"I really wanted a natural birth. I felt victorious when they told me I was 9 cm dilated. Contractions were on top of another, I kept seeing Corinne's face telling me to relax. My labour was 8 hours but really felt like 2. I am very proud of myself"
Kerry, Westmead Hospital
"I thought I could not do it. I was really nervous about childbirth because I have panic attacks. PowerBirth made my body strong and I felt confident, The deep breathing and the focus really worked for me in labour. I am amazed I could do it, so much energy coming from nowhere!"
Tina, Hills Private
"I am very proud of myself. Someone had told me it was like period pain! Well, I used to take pain killers for period pain but now I breathe through it. I don't think I would have been able to have a drug-free labour without the breathing."
Anne, Westmead Private
"I'm ready for a 2nd one! I loved it. I could not call it painful, uncomfortable yes. Certainly not what everyone made out. And pushing was not painful at all. I was sitting on the bed watching TV, breathing through my contractions."
Michelle, Westmead Private
"I felt invigorated afterwards, very proud of myself. My husband was a great help, keeping me focus by leading me through visualisation. I was very calm and relaxed through my contractions. The midwifes were amazed to see me so calm."
Angela, Westmead Private
"I did not look at the clock, I did not talk and I wanted complete silence in the room as I breathed through each contraction. I wanted to be in control of my senses and body, so I did not have any drugs and had a completely natural birth"
Alyce, Hills Private
"I had a fantastic natural labour, I stayed calm throughout and used the power of my breath. All in 3 hours I gave birth to a healthy big 8.11 pounds baby.
Claudine, Westmead Private
"The experience for me and Brad was incredible. During my long labour I experienced no pain and time was not an issue. I remained totally calm, breathing, moving my hips.
Jessica, Westmead Private
"I was amazed, it was so easy this time!. I did very little. Stayed upright, used Breath Focus, rocked my pelvis toward the end and used the gas. I felt very strong afterwards. My husband was a great help keeping me foccus on my breath"
Mary, Westmead Private
"I am surprised with myself, I don't know how I did it. A normal and natural childbirth! I did not even take the gas this time. I was doing well, I did not need it. I was amazed at how much came back to me from the classes"
Paula, Westmead Private
Top of page
|
copyright 2000 PowerBirth |
