It’s a coincidence how I came to learn about HypnoBirthing. After doing some research, I was keen to know more about it. That’s how I got in touch with Wai Han for more information and finally I attended the class.

I would say the whole pregnancy I felt much more comfortable after attended the first class of HypnoBirthing. It somehow empowered me with the knowledge that I do not need to be fearful of childbirth.

I was unable to get my appointment for checkup in Putrajaya Hospital (where I decided to birth) because I have a healthy pregnancy. Putrajaya Hospital only accepts those high-risk pregnancies for checkup. So I did not manage to get any doctor to endorse my birth plan.

I birthed my baby Joyce with an unexpected experience. My birthing process started when my membrane released while I was on my way to Pasar Malam. Even though it was my first birthing, I was able to stay calm and relax after I know the membrane released. It was the benefit that I gained after attended the HypnoBirthing class. I know that I am safe and I do not need to rush to hospital with the situation I have.

Because all my checkup details were with University Hospital, when I was admitted to Putrajaya, they needed all the basic information which I cannot provide. So they actually did another blood test for me when I was admitted. Now I learnt that if I were to do checkup and give birth in different hospitals, I have to make sure that I have a copy of my checkup information with me 1 month before my expected birthing date.

The labour room in Putrajaya Hospital is very cosy and you have your own privacy. My husband was able to accompany me to the labour room, and during the waiting time, I presented my birth plan to the midwife there. Since they never heard about birth plan and HypnoBirthing, they have informed their doctor, senior doctor to come and talk to us for the items like no vaccination for baby, delay cord clamping, etc, because they practice active management of labour. Thank God that both myself and my husband do support the natural birth and drug free birthing, so, we insisted that we want all those items that we can make decision like no vaccination. But there are some items which they did not agree, like the injection given after birth to purge out the placenta. So, I believe it's a challenge if I were alone to handle this group of people which is pro active management of labour.

Since my membrane released and my cervix have not open any cm yet, I was told that if by 24 hours, my cervix did not open naturally, they are going to induce me. In my heart, I did not want that. So I programmed myself that my cervix will open naturally. And I was admitted on that night. I was still relaxed by then. Until I started to experience the surge every 5 minute in the morning, I started to panic as the real surge was very different from my imagination. That was how I started my birthing journey with 5 minutes surge and my cervix was only 1 cm dilated. And I took about 12 hours to have my baby Joyce birthed from then. It was not an easy experience, I have no energy because I have no appetite to eat for that 12 hours.

How I managed to pass these 12 hours, I would say, because I have a strong desire to give the best to my baby and I wanted to have a natural birth. I did not know what was ahead of me in every minute of these 12 hours, but what was in my mind was to pass each minute with the belief that it is God creation for mom to be able to give birth naturally. I listened to the relaxation CD. I prayed to God. I regretted that I didn’t really change the position or walked much because my membrane had released when I admitted to hospital and I felt very uncomfortable when the water was leaking whenever I stand.

I also used the breathing techniques that I learned to pass each minute with the surge. I was surprised that I can handled it, even with great discomfort. I believe with the strong desire to have a drug free birthing experience then one sure can handle and overcome any challenge and discomfort.

Now that I think back, I did not regret that I insisted on the natural birthing because I really believe that every drug that you put into the body will have side effect. Natural birth allows me to heal faster and I was really alert even after I gave birth to my baby Joyce. I can still remember all the little details and experiences of the birthing process.

I hope that my birth story can give a positive encouragement to all the mothers-to-be to believe that no matter how your birthing experience is, since everybody is different, it's possible to have natural birth and drug free birthing even though your birthing experience is a challenging one. You just got to believe that it’s possible. I have made it happened. What I got to enjoy now is, my baby Joyce is such a lovable baby who is calm and easy to take care.

-- Daphne (Oct 08)

Baby Joyce