The birth of my first child was overall a positive, if not exactly enjoyable experience. The labour for my second child was very fast and I felt completely out of control throughout and hated it. So I really wanted to do everything I could to try and achieve two things with my third labour - firstly, cope better with the pain so I could remain in control, and secondly, try different positions so I could feel I had tried everything to push the baby out myself (for various reasons my first two children were helped out with episitomies).
Enter Anna - a few good talk sessions to get over my anger at it all, some great books with ideas that I took on board and helped change my attitude from anger to a challenge I could embrace, my husband armed and knowing the plan, my obstetrician fully in tune with what we had been discussing and a birth plan that brought the great mid-wife on board too and I can honestly say that I can look back at my third labour (which was as fast as the second) with pride and yes, almost joy as I was in control the whole time (those contractions definitely seemed to last half as long, were definitely less intense and I didn’t even need gas – although Anna’s heat pack was magic) and yippeee - I pushed my son out myself!!
So thank you so much Anna - you truly helped facilitate a special, treasured birth (and even helped capture it with the most amazing photos)!!
Sandie Suchet
