Growing up in South Africa, I never really gave much thought to birth. I'd most likely follow doctors orders as to whether I would have a scheduled cesarean, or vaginal birth with the option of an epidural.

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It wasn't until I moved to New Zealand in 2014, where I first heard about Hypnobirthing from a friend of a friend, that I realised there might be a more involved way to approach this whole birth and pregnancy journey.

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When I fell pregnant with my son in 2017, I immediately started researching Hypnobirthing, and booked in for a class with the actual woman who had first told me about Hypnobirthing.

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My pregnancy was a fascinating journey into finding out everything I wanted to know (and everything that I didn't know that I needed to know!) about Birth. 

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The Hypnobirthing classes and resources

became the central point of reference in my journey. 

I learned the power of relaxation, visualisation and hypnosis, and the need to "de-hypnotise" myself from all the (often scary) thoughts and beliefs that I held about birth.

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I learned just exactly how my body was designed to birth my baby gently and effectively, just like every other mammal, and in the same way all women who have come before me have birthed.

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I also learned, that there is no such thing as a "Hypnobirth"; that Hypnobirthing was an approach to birth where parents are empowered to be central decision makers armed with the knowledge and preparation for their Birth Day,

rather than a way in which I would 'Hypno' birth. 

The techniques learned in Hypnobirthing could be as easily used for a cesarean,

as they could be used at a homebirth.
I would be able to confidently navigate the way in which my birth played out,

in a calm and confident manner no matter the birth outcome.

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I went into labour prepared, excited and confident that I could handle whatever birth my baby chose for himself, with the wonderful support of my husband and midwife.

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I gave birth to my 4.25kg baby boy, almost 24 hours exactly after my waters released, at a birthing centre in Auckland, without the need for pain relief or medical assistance.

 

It was the most intense experience of my life.

The most rewarding experience.

The most wonderful experience. 

And I can honestly say that signing up for that Hypnobirthing course was one of the best decisions I made regarding my baby's Birth Day. 

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And I wish the same for every parent on their Baby's Birth Day -

for it to be the most special and treasured day of their lives.