Testimonials
Ann, my sincere thanks to you for the couple of hours you spent with me last year. You managed to give me a lot more peace and acceptance of C… birth and the coming VBAC than the various other professionals I had spoken to combined. I guess a good cry is always helpful and I recall I did a lot of that at your place that day!! I also bought the JuJu Sundin book you recommended and thought it was very helpful.
thanks once again.
Regards
Gabrielle
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Dear Ann,
Thank you for running such informative and enjoyable classes. Reading books is very helpful, but to hear direct from someone with such a vast experience helped to put it all into context. The Hospital is lucky to have you. We are looking forward to welcoming our new baby around…….. and enjoying the many pleasures that parenthood brings.
Mark and R……
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Dear Ann,
We would like to Thank you for helping bring our baby girl into the world.
The childbirth information you provided us was priceless. We have a wonderful birth story, snd feel it is due to having all the information to make decisions.
B… came into the world on her due date, after 11hours of labour and only a little suck of gas. She was 7lbs 8.5 ozs. 52 cm. in length and healthy.
Thank you,
Tealia and L…
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Dear Ann,
It’s now 4 weeks since E… birth, and every day I get to know our little girl that much better, and she is teaching me a lot. My love for her grows day by day as well, as, I become confident and her personality continues to emerge.
Thank you for the Positive, practical and encouraging role you played in preparing me for E… birth. I also appreciated your visit while we were in Hospital. The opportunity to tell you about my labour,” helped to close the circle”.
Yours sincerely,
Wendy
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Dear Ann,
We cannot say thank you enough for your wonderful help, advice and expertise. We had such a positive experience bringing little R… into this world (our little Aussie mate!!!) and much of that “positive” was due to You! Your classes prepared us so well- as much as any new parent can really be ready!!
Your words of encouragement were what helped me the most. In the days before I went into labour, I thought about what you had told me. I focused on those words and taught myself to relax, to allow my body to do what it will do best!!!!!!!
It was so amazing and beautiful for both S… and I.
My prenatal massage was so relaxing, Ann thank you so much.
It is so obvious that you do this work because it is where your heart is. We are glad we were able to meet you and have this great experience.
Love Angie, S….. and R…
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Hi Ann
Don\'t know if you remember me - I did the hypnobirthing course with you about 2 1/2 years ago, before having my son J…. We are about 3 weeks away from having our second child, and I have been listening to my tapes, using affirmations and practicing my deep relaxation techniques as much as mothering a toddler will allow! We\'re planning a homebirth this time, so I\'m very excited, and am feeling pretty confident that I\'ll be even more able to attain a self-hypnotic state in my own environment.
Anyway, I\'ve been thinking about what it\'s going to be like with a second little baby and my big boy, and figure it\'s going to be busy and stressful!! I had recurrent mastitis and many a blocked duct with J…, (5 bouts of mastitis in the first 6 months, no idea how many blocked ducts), and am keen to avoid that situation again as much as possible. J… is still breastfeeding, so I\'ll most likely be tandem feeding - I\'m hoping this will help relieve engorgement & blocked ducts early on. I\'m also much, much better informed than I was with J… (I\'m now a qualified ABA breastfeeding counselor). But I still have concerns about how I\'ll manage things, particularly emotionally. After all that preamble, my main question is - do you know of using hypnosis techniques for managing blocked ducts/mastitis? Just the relaxation would be important, but I was wondering about specifically using visualisation or other methods to move a blockage or help fight an infection? Any in formation or ideas you have would be fantastic - and I\'d love to chat/meet up with you again some time!
Hope all is well in your busy world - have met quite a few mums that have used your services over the last couple of years and have all been very happy!
Cheers,
Irene
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Dear Ann,
Just a note to say thank you for your wit, humor, support and caring nature, both during and after my pregnancy. You have a real knack for putting me at ease and making me laugh. Hope to see you next Pregnancy.
Warmest regards,
Billie
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Hi Ann
I just wanted to let you know that we welcomed J…. into our family on Saturday, 9 June. J…. surprised us all by arriving 5 days early, weighing 3.525kgs and measuring 52cms. If you are interested in having a peek at some photos -
I also wanted to thank you for helping us to prepare for his birth. Do you remember asking me how long I wanted the labour to be? I answered 6 hours from start to finish. The contractions started coming regularly at 10:30am and I kept telling M…. that I wasn't ready to go to the hospital because the pain wasn't excruciating - by the time we arrived at the hospital at 1pm - I was already 7cm dilated. J… was born at 4:39pm - six hours and nine minutes for the whole thing! He truly popped out with no trouble at all - I had some gas but nothing else. A tiny bit of 2nd degree tearing but I was up and about in no time.
I wanted to say thanks again for helping us understand what to expect. In the end, it was a piece of cake!
Suse,
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Dear Ann
A quick note to let you know our baby girl, E…, was born on the 4 May weighing a healthy 4.63kgs.
I also wanted to say thank you once again. E… sleeps with her hand in a fist rested against the side of her face – was like this in her 20 week ultrasound and this is the way she insisted on being born! Needless to say, the information I learnt from attending your birth classes was a great help during labour, in working with my body to deliver our ‘petite’, happy, healthy baby.
Your overseas holiday must be fast approaching. I hope you and your husband have a wonderful adventure.
Best wishes, and thanks again
Rebekah
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HI Ann
Sorry! Here are just some of the (hundreds) of pics we've taken so far. She's getting so big already, it's amazing to see her hold her head up and look around a bit, and not yet two weeks.
We're so incredibly proud and we do believe your course helped us, you were so positive and it was great to hear someone who didn't focus on the "pain".
Kind regards,
Michelle
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Hi Ann
I'm more than happy for you to use anything I've said for your website. With regards the course, the only thing that really shocked us was how much other people called the midwives at the hospital to help them, rather than trying first to work out what their newborn needed, which is certainly not a bad reflection on your course! H…. is just now saying he didn't realise how long and boring the first phase can be for the support person once in the hospital (we were in the delivery suite for probably 12 hours all up and they ended up breaking my waters because I stayed at 4cm for hours and hours). I suppose it was boring for me too actually, because at that stage it wasn't even really terribly uncomfortable, just irritating. Oh I know, I didn't realise so many women vomited during labour, I couldn't keep a thing down, not even liquids, and by the end I was a bit shattered because I hadn't eaten for 22 hours or so. I hadn't really connected your comment about not eating spaghetti to nausea during labour, perhaps my fault!
Hope this helps you out somewhat.
Kind regards
Michelle
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Hi Ann,
I Just wanted to say a big thank you for your time in answering our questions over the weekend. S…. and I walked away from the course feeling a lot more confident of the whole parental/birthing thing!
I am sure I will have more questions and will email you if you don't mind.
I hope to see you in the labour ward in the not too distant future!
Take care
regards
Kellie
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Hi Ann
Little note to let you know that S…. entered the world on Tuesday 22 July at 11.38am weighing 7lb 5oz and 52cms long.
You\'ll be very proud as I went a la natural with only a few heavy mouth fulls of gas. Real labour started at around 8.15am (they gave me the drug that speeds up contractions as my contractions till then were only like period pain - my waters broke at 12.45am). Mind you I asked the midwife to check how far I was during the labour as contractions were fast becoming unbearable cause I thought I\'m struggling and oh my gosh I need some pain relief if she was to tell me I\'m only 3cms or something crazy like that (yes this was my transition period) - and to all our surprise (and me relief) I was fully dilated +2.
I'm breastfeeding and apart from very painful cracked nipples (which are now on the mend - a little time in the sun has helped big time) I think all is going pretty well. S… and I have connected well in the feeding.
S… has entered the lives of P…. and myself forever and we are truly besotted and so much in love with our gorgeous girl.
Thank you for your guidance during my pregnancy - those two sessions with you certainly helped P…. and myself.
Trust you had a great overseas trip and bought home with you many happy memories and a few tales to tell.
kindest regards
Judy
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HI Ann
Just a quick note to tell you that I had what I feel was a very successful VBAC! I only just went into labour in time to avoid a caesar but my beautiful boy is here , only a very small first degree tear and I am feeling fantastic! I am a bit tired at the moment so will write again in a few days with some more detail.
Thank you so much for your time - your booklet went into the delivery suite with me and I found it a great reference as I went along. I felt very confident and well prepared for my experience after our time with you.
Warm regards and much appreciation
Jodi
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Hi Ann, hope your well.
Apologies for the lateness of this email – life has been a little hectic (let’s not kid ourselves, its going to get worse).
I just wanted to send you a big, huge THANK YOU for including us on the new parents course D… and I attended on the 13th and 14th of October. We went into it like scared little rabbits, trapped in headlights, but walked away feeling a lot more confident and aware of what to expect. The information on labour, pain relief (both natural and medicated) and breastfeeding (a big eye-opener for me especially) was really invaluable. And the video wasn’t so bad after all!
D…. and I also enjoyed the fact that it was presented in a casual atmosphere. Makes a difference when you are in a room full of strangers. It’s a pity we didn’t book into the Wesley – it would have been great to share the whole experience with you, but I assured the Mater Private is good also. Dr A….. sung your praises too when I saw him last week (the baby is breech at this stage, but we are working on that!!!) So there you go, you have a well established fan base in all of us!!!
If you would like me to fill in the questionnaire and send it to you, let me know. Otherwise, thanks again, and I’m sure we’ll be back (me especially after the baby is born).
Take care
Lisa
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Hi Ann
I am so grateful for doing the course with you Ann - I had a total drug free birth and things you said kept going through my mind during the drunk stages of labour :-)
We had him at Nambour hospital and no one came to show me how to feed - I feel we are doing just fine from our little crash course with you.
Anyhow, best let you get back to your holiday - just had to tell you - Chat to you soon
Take care
Camille
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Dear Ann,
I had a session with you a couple of months ago to prepare for my second birth and wanted to let you know how it went. D… was born last Sunday 14th October weighing 8lb 4oz and very healthy. The whole labour and birth experience was extremely positive. I was only 1cm dilated after about 3 hours of 5 min contractions but my cervix was fully effaced. The obstetrician (not mine as it was a weekend) broke my waters without asking me or informing me until afterwards. I wasn't too happy about it but it actually helped a lot and the pain didn't escalate too quickly as it had in my first labour after my waters broke. I spent the next few hours in the shower using the big ball and my little stress balls. My husband did a fantastic job counting me through every single contraction. I knew that when he got to 30 then the pain would start to subside and it made it much easier to cope. I had a shot of pethidine when I was about 5cm which helped me relax between contractions. Two hours later I was ready to push and D…. came out in about 20 minutes or so. The worst part was definitely transition but I knew it wouldn't last long. It was amazing to see D… coming out as I didn't get to experience that with my first birth (forceps flat on my back). The labour lasted about 6 hours so about half the previous one.
I'd like to thank you for your encouragement and advice. I was definitely mentally well prepared for the labour and birth. I used a lot of the skills in the Birth Skills book which really helped as well. I've had a very speedy physical recovery and am now trying to settle into life with a toddler and a baby - so far the toddler is much harder work!
Thanks again,
Antonia
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Hi Ann,
Just letting you know that M….. and I had a little girl on Monday-A….., weighed 6 pounds 7 oz.
My waters broke at 9pm, although no pain, got to the hospital at 10pm, still no pain, and she was born at 10:26pm. Didn't hurt until I got onto the hospital bed and then it was all over in 20 min! Not bad for my first baby. You said that all your plans get changed as I was convinced I was going to have an epidural. lol. No pain relief at all as it was all over too quick! It hurt more when they put local in for the stitch! You said to to picture what type of birth that you wanted so for the last few weeks I kept picturing a quick birth and look what happened!
Thankyou very much - your classes put both M… and I at ease.
Victoria
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Hi Ann
Introducing our baby girl, C…….. Born on 7th October 2008 (yep, she arrived on her due date) at 6:26am. A healthy 3270 grams and 54cm long. We both would like to thank you for the fantastic prenatal classes and the abundance of relevant information you provided. Now, the labour details.
To be honest I think I had a great labour in comparison to the stories I had heard. I felt well-informed, thanks to your classes and the midwives at Mater Mothers. On 6th October (39wks, 6 days) I went to the movies to watch Mamma Mia with my sister, had my final appointment at Mater and spent the afternoon swimming. I was very relaxed and spent the day talking to my baby telling her we were ready for her if she's ready to come meet us. In the evening I had a feeling something was going to happen soon, but I wasn't sure.
At 12:20am on 7th October 2008 I went to the bathroom to find a bit of mucus and blood. I was excited because I knew it was happening and went back to bed, thinking it's only the beginning and I might not deliver until that night or even the next day. About 20 minutes later I went to the bathroom and felt a small gush of fluid. I woke up Junior to tell him and called the hospital to let them know. We lay in bed chatting about our plans for that day and then I felt my first contraction. It was minor and short and they came every 20 minutes or so. We were guessing I would probably give birth about 4pm in the afternoon, given what we heard about the first birth. Soon after, the contractions got stronger, longer and closer. It was so fast.
J……. was wonderful, he ran me a warm bath to sit in and rubbed my back. I laboured at home until about 4:45am, when the contractions got so strong and close together that we decided to call the hospital and let them know we were coming in. Junior had timed them at about 5 minutes apart, but I think he wasn't doing it correctly because they were much closer at that stage. We arrived at the hospital at 5:00am after my long walk up to the entrance stopping several times for contractions. They took me to be assessed and asked me to do a urine sample. I couldn't and felt another gush of fluid. My sister told the midwife I felt like pushing so she said she would do an internal check. She said I might feel a bit of pressure, but she was surprised to find I was 9cm dilated. I couldn't believe it when she said I was 9cm...I was almost there and it was so quick and unexpected. When I got to the birthing suite, the midwife was wonderful. She guided me and it was a very peaceful labour - not one scream. The worst part was the trembling legs and trying not to push when all I wanted to do was push! C……. arrived at 6:26am, was placed on my chest and it was the most amazing feeling. And the part I'm most proud of is that I did not have any drugs. I guess there was no time. But I did not feel at any stage, even when I was labouring at home that I wanted them. I put that down to the my positive frame of mind and I thank you for that....for encouraging us to think positively about the experience and take it as it comes. Don't get me wrong, it was painful....pain I had never felt before in my life, but it was manageable and I felt like a strong woman! In comparison to what we expected – at least 12 hours in labour - 6 hours is pretty good for the first time....ha ha.
I guess preparation over the weeks before giving birth - going for daily walks, leaning forward on the birth ball, talking to the baby - helped enormously. All the resources you provided really prepared me for the birth.
I've attached a few pics of our baby. She a great baby and eats and sleeps very well. I'm breastfeeding on demand and she's now about 5.8kg. It's life changing having a baby at home and my life revolves around her schedule (or lack thereof) but I'm taking it as it comes, listening to advice and using what I think would help, ditching the rest. And relying on a lot of instinct. A mother's instinct is amazing, it just appears out of nowhere - I didn't know I had it in me.
Thank again Ann.
Kathryn
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Hello Ann,
You might remember me, we did our classes with you in October before leaving for Germany.
A quick hello from Berlin and to let you know that we have a beautiful, healthy baby daughter!!! Please see below the announcement and some photos attached together with a link to a website with some more photos....
Unexpectedly, she arrived three weeks early (on the 28 December 2007). My waters broke at about 11.30pm at night, soon later I started to get contractions. After trying to get some rest (according to the advise of my midwife here), we arrive at the hospital at 8am... just to notice that my contractions started to cease. With the help of the drip, things were re-activated. Jana Sophia was then born at 5.40pm, naturally and without epidural or any other pain killers (gas doesn't exist here anyway), just as I had hoped for. Only downside, I had a bit of a bad tear at the end (which should have been prevented; and it took the head doctor 1.5 hours to stitch me up!)... I am healing and things are already better. Just hoping that it will all heal 100%.
Jana is a beautiful baby and quite easy to handle. She is breastfeeding very well and has already gained over the 3kg mark. We have finally bought a bed for her.... since she caught us by surprise, two weeks after moving into our permanent apartment here in Berlin. I had planned to have 3 weeks left to get all the baby things bought and organised.... and to read all the relevant books and put my feet up after the busy time moving countries and moving apartment.... but she decided otherwise. In the end, it turned out all fine and we are over the moon.
Greetings from Berlin!
Christina.
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Hi Anne,
Just a quick note to let you know that we had a boy!!! We havent named him yet.... but our lovely darling was born on the 22nd April at 5.45pm. I would like to thank you for the great information learnt at your pre-natal class. It was extremely informative and I would have to say that the main lesson I took away from your class, was that it only hurts as much as you think it will hurt. This line stuck in my head and gave me the courage to face the pain. I had an all natural birth with no help of any drugs whatsoever!!
Bub's been great. I have been breastfeeding as well as feeding him some formula. I dont think I am producing enough milk because he never seems to be full! I really wanted to breastfeed only but it didnt seem to work for me.
Anyway, thanks for your great help and all the best!!
Regards,
Nhi
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Hi Anne
I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how grateful I am to have had you present at the birth of my son, Joseph. It was wonderful to have someone there who I already new (I attended you prenatal class late 2005) and who had similar mind-over-matter beliefs as myself. As Joseph was in a hurry to arrive after breaking my water, it was a very intimate experience with just my husband, myself and too caring midwives there to assist me. I hope you will be around when I have my next baby and I think we'll call the OB after it's too late :). Once again, thank you.
Kerri
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Hi Anne,
Here are some photos of post birth and first 24 hours. I am going to write down his birth story, like I did with Eve, so I don't forget it. Will be sure to email it to you. It was great! Thanks again for all of your wisdom - pediatrician and midwives were asking 'what is this Hypnobirthing, you are the 3rd one this week I've had' so I did lots of educating about it. You might get busier on the Hypnobirthing side of things. Hope you are well.
Lots of love,
Emmah
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Hi Ann,
My name is Danielle and I came to see you on the 3rd of January for a one on one refresher course. I just wanted to let you know that Amelia Rose Evans came into the world at 1:40am on Tuesday 9th January, 6 pounds 7 oz.
I spoke to you about how I was thinking of being induced due to family commitments but you gave me a list of natural induction techniques to try. Well I tried the hour long nipple massage ( I was at the movies with my eldest daughter on the Monday morning so I thought I would try it there while watching the kids movie "Flushed Away") and that night I went into labour around 11pm. No drugs or tears etc..... so it went very well. I couldn't of been more pleased with the result.
She is such a quiet, placid baby. Breastfeeds every 2-3 hrs during the day and almost 4 hourly at night and goes straight back to sleep. I was very nervous about breastfeeding but I love it. Totally different to my first born.
Thank you again for all you advice. It really did help.
Cheers
Danielle
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Hi Ann,
Thanks for your kind wishes. We survived our first weekend at home – had a few restless nights as Jessica seems to be getting a bit of an upset tummy after her late night feeds. But all in all we are doing ok. I am getting more comfortable with breastfeeding - we had a bit of a painful start during the first few days I was in hospital – but she seems to be easing off a little now that the milk has come in.
In terms of your course and how we went with the labour – I think a lot of the things in your course really helped. I got myself a fit-ball about two months before we were due and programmed this into my exercise regime (thinking that if I was comfortable on the ball now, that I would be able to use it during labour). I walked nearly every day and did aqua aerobics twice a week up until the week before when I started to feel a bit funny. I incorporated time on the ball after my walks and some perennial massage most days as well. I found the massage a little uncomfortable with my tummy in the way but I persevered.
I also relaxed, relaxed, relaxed! I joined the local library and read lots of books, painted pictures for bub’s room and cooked some meals to freeze ready for when we came home. I think being so relaxed over the couple of months leading up to her birth has meant that Jessica is quite a placid, relaxed baby as well.
I think though that the biggest thing from your course that helped me was the ‘positive thinking’. R… and I both talked to bub about ‘going down’. I also kept telling myself that I was going to have about a four hour labour (as opposed to R… who kept trying to tell me to be prepared for a 15 hour labour!! – I wasn’t going to have that so I just kept visualising the four hour labour). It ended up happening that my waters broke about 4.15 in the afternoon, we got to hospital at a bit before 6.00. I didn’t have regular painful contractions yet, so the nurses put us in our room and seemed to think I may not have the baby til the next day – they gave us dinner and were going to give me some sleeping tablets – however little Jessica had other plans. By about 7.30 I was having what felt like continuous contractions one after another. We were moved into the birthing suite about 8.45 p.m. and with my first internal discovered that I was 6 cm dilated already. We asked about pain relief and the midwife said that being the first baby I should dilate about 1 cm every hour, so we could probably hold off for another hour, then see how we go. After that I basically remember going to the toilet, trying the fit ball for about two minutes, then feeling the need to push. I was put on the table for another internal and discovered that I was completely dilated and ready to have this bub. No time for pain relief which scared the living day lights out of me. But by 10.45 p.m. we had little Jessica in our arms. Minor tear and a couple of stitches, a lot of painful bruising but all in all a healthy, safe delivery for mum and bub! R… did a great job as a birthing partner and I think he remembered some of the things from the video (especially the things not to do as a birthing partner!).
So thank you for all your help. We are very proud parents of a beautiful little girl and are both enjoying our special time as a family.
Bec
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HI Ann
H… and I are now the proud parents of a little girl, E…. She was born naturally (and drug free - with some 'discomfort'!) on 31st August. She turned out to be quite a big girl too, 4.26kgs and 57cm.
We're terribly proud parents and totally smitten, she has us both wrapped around her little finger already.
I hope both the other couples from our class also had happy, healthy babies and are doing well.
Kind regards
Michelle
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Hi Ann,
I have been meaning to update you.....
M…. arrived on the 14th of September, 10 days early, exactly like his big brother D…....
Labour began at 3pm, was well established by 3.30pm, P… arrived home from work at 4.30pm, which meant we were driving along Sandgate Rd to the RBWH during peak hour... Not good!!!! I had a least 12 contractions in the car. We arrived in the Birth Centre at 5.40pm and baby was born at 6.05pm... I did not get my holistic water-birth as there was only 2 inches of water in the spa by the time baby was crowning.
M…. gave everybody a bit of a fright by deciding to come out undiagnosed Frank Breech. His position was not discovered as there was no time for an internal, and three different midwifes had thought he was head down in the weeks leading up to his birth. At 31 weeks I was told he was breech and was having acupuncture to try to turn him, but I had thought we had been successful. He was tiny - only 5pound 9ounces (D… was 6p 13oz) so he still came out relatively easily. It was amazing, nobody panicked even when the middie yelled to hit the Emergency Buzzer. About six staff came running into the room within seconds and I wasn't sure what the problem was. We had only heard his heartbeat minutes before and there was no meconium.. A doctor helped his legs and arms out and I remember looking around (I was on my knees and elbows over a beanbag) and it looked like an octopus hanging out of me, with only the head still inside. One almighty push and out came his head... He had a little trouble with his breathing and was put on the cart, but I think it was more precautionary than anything...... He went to special care for half a night, but I kept hounding the staff until they let me bring him back to my room.. We discharged 18 hours later...
He is perfect in every way. Breastfeeding is going better this time. I did use a Doula for this birth and she also helped me at home postnatally and was a great help when my milk came in. My Mum wasn't able to be with me this time, so I really needed the extra help.
If I have another (which is highly unlikely) I will finally take your advise and have a home birth. I really don't think I would make it to a hospital next time.
D… is doing well at being a big brother. He has his own 'teddy' baby and we breastfeed together on the couch - its very cute. He turned 3 last week.
Thanks again Ann, as you were the person who really opened my mind up to 'natural' child birth. I was very afraid of it when I was pregnant with D…., but you set me in the right direction. Now I have had two natural and drug free births including a breech, which just goes to show it can be done.
I hope you and your family are all well. Take Care.
Love
Kim
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Dear Ann,
What an amazing life changing experience. When we came to do the course with you, you asked me what I hoped to get out of the course, I said "piece of mind", you said " I wouldn't get it. I'm glad to say you were wrong.
Rachs' membranes ruptured at 5:00pm, they were a brownie green colour, we knew what this meant. We phoned the hospital and were told to immediately come in. When we arrived they explained the situation. Our baby had pooed, things were relatively serious. They immediately decided to induce as the contractions were barely noticeable and they wanted baby out of the mess. There were machines and really big words being thrown around by everyone. Doctors, midwives talk of C sections and forceps, it was so much to take in.
Babies heart rate dropped so they inserted a monitor into the babies head, they later took a blood sample from babies head. Rach was scared. Rach went from 3cm dilated to fully dilated in about 3 hours with NO pain medication (what an amazing women), she was flying through it. At 10:21pm on Saturday 1st September our baby girl was born. Taylah Kaye, 6 pound 6 ounces. Rach had told you she was having a one hour labor, she was pretty close.
Ann, it is the most gut wrenching and horrible feeling to know your baby was not going exactly like you had hoped, that something was not quite right. To know that needles and monitors were going into our babies head was heart breaking and scary. Your course prepared us, informed us and quite simply got us through this. We knew what to ask and when to ask it, we knew to ask what else we could do, what options we had, and we made the decisions that were best for our baby, but that we were comfortable with. Thanks to you we knew we were still in charge of this. It doesn't matter how much you know, what you have read or how many babies you have had, when things are not going quite right all of that goes out the window. It comes down to your belief in the decisions that you make for your baby. You need to do what you feel is right because you need to be as comfortable and as relaxed as you can be. You taught us that.
Having now been through all of this, I can honestly say that it was because of you that we stayed calm and focused, and it was because we stayed calm and focused that we were able to get through the scariest moment of our life. It was you telling us that we were in charge of this, it was you telling us to ask questions, it was you telling us to ask what else we could do, that got us through this. It was quite simply the piece of mind that you gave us. I knew plenty about what to expect, I read books, studied the Internet, but nowhere was I told that we were in charge, that these were our decisions to make. You taught us that.
I thank you Ann, you are an amazing teacher and a truly genuine and wonderful person.
Kyle
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Dear Ann,
You may certainly use as much or as little of my letter on your web page as
you wish. And I will most definitely organize a family photo for you. In
regards to adding anything to my letter, and again you may use as much or as
little as you wish,
To the Dads, you are there for your partner, this is all about her and I can
guarantee that when its all over you will never have been more proud of
another person in your life. However with that being said, don't forget
about yourself, I have now been awake for 42 hours and I am exhausted. You
are no use to mum or bub in this state. When you get the chance REST.
To both Parents, Our birth was not the most ideal of circumstances, but we
got there. We trusted in each other and talked to each other. Through the
contractions, the pain and the pure exhaustion we never stopped discussing
what we wanted. We never stopped being in charge. It was my wife who told
the doctors it was time to push, it was my wife who told the doctors she was
fully dialated. This is a woman who has never had a baby in her life and yet
she knew she was ready before the trained professionals. Our room was filled
with hospital staff, 4 mid wives, 2 doctors, a peadeatrician, and although
this was comforting it was also a huge concern. We had one person telling us
our baby was happy and then another telling us she was distressed, who do
you believe, who do you trust ?. We chose to trust each other, to trust
Rachelles body and to trust what our baby was telling us. We refused at
first to have monitors put into our babies head pre delivery, we refused
pain medication even though gas was literally being shoved into rach's mouth
by the mid wife. I can honestly say after being through this, after
attending Anns classes, everything Ann tells you is valuable, anything you
don't know you must ask, but ultimately at the end of the day, listen to the
most valuable piece of advice that Ann could ever give you, You are in
charge, its your body, your baby and at the end of the day when the hospital
staff go home for the night it's you who needs to be able to live with every
decision that you make. Ask questions, demand answers and if you are not
satisfied then ask them again.
Thank you Ann,
Kyle.
.....
Dear Ann,
My name is Sarah and my husband and I attended one of your VBAC courses with you earlier in the year.
I wanted to let you know that I gave birth to a beautiful little girl by VBAC on 17th December 2008 at the Mater Private Hospital! Her name is A…. and she weighed 8 pounds, 7ounces.
Quite fortunately, at the Birthtalk meetings I had been attending, I met a wonderful doula by the name of Cheryl Sherif (www.idealbirth.com.au) and found her to be a great strength and support during my 17 hour labour. She was wonderfully professional and fully supportive of everything I wanted in my birth plan (including constant foetal monitoring and the unexpected decision to have an epidural after 13 hours of labour). My husband and I were absolutely thrilled with the support she provided and would recommend her to anyone. Both Dr. and the midwives at the Mater all commented on how much they enjoyed working with Cheryl as well.
Thank you again for the information you provided to us during your course. I felt extremely prepared for my labour and birth and nothing that happened was an unexpected surprise. I believe all the preparation I did was essential in achieving such a positive birth experience.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah
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