We have the pleasure in sharing a Hypnobirthing story from the wonderful Gemma Breger, one half of the fabulous duo that are This Is Mothership.
I am pleased to say that Gemma is not only a fashion and celebrity stylist, she is also a Hypnobirthing advocate after her own personal and amazing experience, so please read on to see what she has to say…
Hello Gemma, if I can begin by asking, why did you decide to take a Hypnobirthing course?
When I was younger I had meningitis and had to have a lumber puncture in my spine. It gave me a fear of anyone touching my spine so the thought of having an epidural makes me panic. The fear of the epidural was bigger than my fear of giving birth. I looked into other ways of giving birth and liked the idea of hypnobirthing as I thought it would get me in the right frame of mind to give birth without an epidural.
What type of Hypnobirthing course did you do, did you simply listen to CD’s, read a book or did someone teach you a full antenatal Hypnobirthing course?
I did a months course at UCH, which is where I gave birth.
www.ThisIsMothership.com is a fashion and beauty destination for busy mums, run by a celebrity stylist and beauty director.
Did you have any doubts or preconceptions about Hypnobirthing before you began?
I hadn’t ever heard of it but thought it sounded a bit too hippie for me.
Did your partner take the course with you and how did they feel about it?
Yes he came to each class with me. He knew that I was so scared of the epidural so was open to trying anything.
How had your pregnancy been before you took the course and how was it afterwards, did the course make a difference? I think you mentioned that you hated pregnancy!
I had a rough pregnancy (constant nausea, nose bleeds, fainted, cracked rib, sprained ankle) and I did the course when I was 32 weeks which was when I started to feel better, so it didn’t really help with the symptoms as it was too late.
Did you have any unique challenges or fears about birth?
Only my fear of the epidural.
Gemma, how were you feeling about your birth before you took a Hypnobirthing course? Excited, apprehensive, absolutely terrified?
I was looking forward to it, but wasn’t sure if it would be for me.
I’ve seen from your IG post that it changed your life. I love this, it’s music to my ears. Can you please tell me, how did it have such a huge impact upon you?
It genuinely changed my life. It taught me how to stay calm in every situation that I would normally freak out in. I believe that calm is a super power and I’m so glad I can apply it to so many situations now.
Did you put in a lot of practice or did you simply put into practice the techniques you had learnt on the day?
I would fall asleep to the CD each night. I didn’t really believe that falling asleep listening to it would make a difference but it must have! I also did my homework and read the class notes each week. For me it was mainly about the breathing and practiscing that over and over.
And… how was your birth?
My birth was long. 19 hours in total, contractions 3 minutes apart from the get go and for the entire 19 hours so I didn’t get a rest. I didn’t dilate until they broke my waters after 12 hours, as I was still 2cm. My husband was totally traumatised by watching me in labour and being in so much pain (he was ill prepared, he’d downloaded movies and thought he was going to rest!). And although I do remember it being hard, I was in a zone most of the time and when I look back on it I can barely remember it.
Have you used any of the tools or techniques you learned in Hypnobirthing since having your baby, either in your work life or being a mummy?
Totally! Anytime I feel myself becoming anxious about anything I remind myself to breath in the correct way, which I would have never done before. I used to have a major phobia of needles/injections and since Hypnobirthing I can have injections no problem. I even enjoyed a dentist visit recently as I just breathed throughout it, whereas before I would have kept cancelling the appointment!
And finally, what would you say, to a couple who were considering Hypnobirthing, but were maybe unsure about signing up for a course.
My friends are sick of me harping on about how great it is but I can’t stress enough how much it’s changed my life and me as a person. I learnt techniques that I will use forever, and it made my 19 hour labour a much less traumatic experience.
Gemma, thank you so much for sharing your experience and story with Brighter Birthing. And can we also say huge huge congratulations, since you have now announced that both you are expecting your second child and we wish you well for the remainder of your pregnancy and your birth.
You can read more about Gemma & Samantha too at www.thisismothership.com or follow them on facebook or instagram.