When Birth Plans Change: A Spiritual Journey to a Beautiful Birth
Working with families during their pregnancies is always an honour, and I’m truly grateful to have had the chance to work with Katie and Chris.
During the second half of Katie’s pregnancy, unexpected health issue arose which led to the recommendation of a caesarean. Though initially very disappointed to change her plans and visions for birth, Katie managed to reframe her thoughts and build on her already positive mindset. She continued to embrace Hypnobirthing and moved her focus to what would be most important to her for herself and her baby in a caesarean birth.
It’s amazing to read their birth story now and hear that their daughter’s birth is such an incredible memory for them.
As a spiritual person, who is constantly burning candles and cleansing myself with sage, I knew as soon as I was pregnant that I wanted to somehow incorporate my spiritual practices into my birth. However, I had no idea how that would work because I was petrified of giving birth and although I had seen some women declare the most beautiful and powerful births, I had also heard enough scary stories to outweigh those positive ones.
But I knew I wanted to explore this more, hence booking a hypnobirthing course & after a few sessions with Megan, I felt like I knew so much more about birth and my options, I felt the most empowered I had ever felt, and I just knew that the beautiful birth I was manifesting was going to be mine. Megan showed me that I had been conditioned to be fearful of birth and we worked together to remove that fear & she taught me how to connect with my body, how to work with my hormones, and how I could be supported at each different stage of birth.
However, at around 5 or 6 months pregnant, I had some complications in my pregnancy and a week-long stay in hospital, and due to the complications, the idea of a c- section was introduced. I was told that ultimately it was my choice, but I felt that the dream of having a vaginal birth surrounded by my candles and mediative music was now gone as I no longer felt reassured this was the safest option for me and my baby. I felt pretty devastated to change my plans and agree to a c section… It was only when speaking to Megan again that I was able to re-frame my fears and and use everything she had taught me just with some adjustments… I could still have such a beautiful birth experience for me and my baby, it just needed some shifts. Megan gave me lots of ideas of things I could do to make the experience what I wanted, and I ended up having the most magical day.
Initially I was given the date of Friday the 13th September for the c-section… I then spent the entire week re-framing the Friday the 13th into a positive date but the date came along and it was cursed from the beginning for me. I arrived at the hospital only to get sent home because there was an emergency and they could no longer fit me in that day and told me I could return on the 16th. I felt distraught. I was so excited to meet my baby girl and had done so much preparation for that date. I had no idea how I was going to wait an extra 3 days & also that took me up to 40 weeks which worried me in case spontaneous labour started. However after some cuddles from my partner and talking it through, I managed to re-focus my energy, re-frame my thoughts and enjoy the weekend- I spent it looking for signs that it was meant to be the 16th my baby was born… and we then realised that it was the birthday of my partners close friend who had sadly passed away … this to me was confirmation that we were being guided and looked after by him. We also saw a shooting star in the evening, which reassured me even more.
The 16th soon came along and I wanted to start the day in the best headspace possible so I took myself outside and did some grounding and dancing in the garden, and the car journey to hospital was full of upbeat songs (Amen to the spice girls) that kept my spirit and oxytocin high. We arrived at the hospital to be told that it was definitely happening that day, which was a huge relief and our time waiting to go down to surgery was then full of setting up the table with my healing stones, rose oil, affirmation cards, laughter and cuddles with my partner & catching up on the latest TOWIE as a distraction.
We then were called down to surgery and met by the anaesthetist. This part was the most nerve-wracking as he sat me on the edge of the table and inserted the spinal block. I kept telling them I could still feel everything and they reassured me they would not proceed until I felt comfortable. Once they got started with the surgery, I kept my focus on my breath and imagining my little girl’s face and then there she was… born to the song that I had been singing to her throughout her pregnancy… It couldn’t have been more perfect.
I got to watch my baby being birthed through my belly (the surgeons pulled the curtain down when she was still half in me so I could watch) and although she had to be quickly taken away for a minute to get her breathing regulated, this gave me and my partner a moment to embrace and cry together. I soon had her placed on my chest for skin to skin, and not long after, she started to breastfeed. In that moment, I knew what true love was.
So yes, I may not have had the dream vaginal birth that I initially envisioned… but I had the peace and trust that this was now the safest option for me and my baby, and I had so many tools to help me stay calm, in control and help create my dream c section birth.. all ready for the 4th trimester… the snuggles, the skin on skin and the love bubble with my baby (whilst then being waited on hand and foot).. A huge thanks to hypnobirthing!
