Kirsty’s Positive Induction Story
In the second episode of the Positive Induction Podcast I invited Kirsty along to talk about her second birth. Kirsty’s birth story was one of the first stories in our story library here, and it’s still one of the most read.
You can read Kirsty’s story here: https://positiveinduction.com/kirstys-story/
And find out about our online hypnobirthing for induction course here: https://positiveinduction.com/course
Transcript
(Note this may contain errors as it’s automatically created)
In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsty who shares her positive induction story with us. Kirsty’s story is one of the most popular and the positive induction story library. So it was lovely to chat to her more about the story here and to compare her first and second birth experiences, which both are set in Scotland. So it’s comfy HSA can and enjoy You’re listening to the positive induction podcast,
a podcast for those who have chosen to have an induction of labor or for those interested and how they can make induction a more positive experience. I’m your host, Jeff Gordon, clinical hypnotherapist hypnobirthing teacher, and positive induction coach. As always, I want to remain to you. Positive breath means different things to different people and maybe feeling in control, being respected and formed.
It does not mean perfect. My aim here is to bring you tips, inspiration and real life experiences. So let’s get started. Welcome to Kirsty HD, who is agreed, or I can leave you to come and share the first breast story on the positive induction podcast. Thank you so much, Christy. I really appreciate it. Person. I actually met each other in real life back in those days before COVID I don’t know what year it was now in class,
the way hypnobirthing teacher training. That’s correct, but it was 2016. That’s what? Six years ago. My goodness. That’s terrifying. One of the inspirations for you actually doing your Hypnoparenting teaching was as a result of your birth experience, isn’t it? Yes, that’s right. Yeah. We met when it was doing the hypnobirthing training and I was about six months pregnant at the time with my second baby.
And I decided to do the training. I was a trained type of therapist, but it wouldn’t work because I hadn’t a therapist at that point. And I’d had my first baby a year before. It was a bit year and a half between the two of them. And I felt that that were for me. I thought I went into it knowing stuff,
and I watched a lot of one born every minute. That was my, that was kind of like your education. And I went to my antenatal classes and I was, I was a pediatric nurse many years ago as well. So I kind of came from an environment I knew, but, but hospitals and medical model and all of that, I thought,
I thought it was prepared for it for doors bars. And then when I went to Libra, I realized very quickly that I wasn’t, I didn’t feel prepared or in control of the situation at all. So it left me feeling quite traumatized by it. It was it wasn’t, it didn’t go the way of what is it to go. I imagined in my head,
but it was, yeah, it, it left me feeling. I didn’t want to have those same feelings again, my next birth. So, so what was it that he wanted more of a new next breath? What was it you wanting to be different? Yeah, I wanted more control and I don’t want to be frightened. I, I felt really,
really frightened. I just felt like everything was happening around me and I didn’t know how to control anything that was going on and it was found that really frightening. So, yeah. So I think having that experience, and now there was a mom and, and I felt like, okay, I know the kind of physical side of it. So let’s see if I can get on top of the other bits of it that I didn’t feel in control over.
And your first breath, wasn’t an induction. Was it? No, it wasn’t nor she a second one second one was yes. The first time. Yeah, I was due to go for an induction, I think the next day, but I went to labor naturally the night before, so, and she was late. Like the rest of the family were whole holy,
but yeah. So what, after I did my hair, it really opened my eyes because I was very much somebody who was like, I wouldn’t, my baby was born in hospital. I couldn’t imagine what to do home births and things like that. And after I did the June course and I started learning about it, I was like, actually I really want to have this person at home.
I think that would make a big difference to me. You know, it’d be really nice. I would be in much more control in that environment and spoken to the midwife team and we’ve done a home visit and that was fine, but I’d been getting my scans and they were saying that the baby was borderline for growth. So it was something they were seeing.
Absolutely. But it was just kind of on that board or light and I, yeah. Yeah. And I kind of felt that that was just the, kind of the size of babies I have. Cause my daughter was a bit smaller as well. I think I had said, oh, because she was a little bit small. We’ll keep an eye on this pregnancy as well.
And they noticed that he was slightly borderline with that. So it was getting extra scans, NEB. And then we got to think sort of coming up to 36 weeks and they’d done another scan. And they said, we don’t feel that home birth is going to work out for you because we actually think that an as right before, now this time I sat and had a conversation with the orchestration team and my midwife and we spoke about it.
And obviously I was feeling disappointed that I couldn’t have this home birth that I really want eight, but it was, I did feel because I think that was a thing that, you know, I kinda learned about asking questions and being able to feel like I could ask questions about it, which before I would have just accepted everything that was said to me,
without question that we’d had questions and not thought to kind of voice those. So, so yeah, so it was, it was a conversation and we looked over, you know, the pros and cons of it and the strongly advice that, that was the right way to go. So they said, you know, go home and think about it as well as I did.
And I had to think about it. Right, right. Okay. Then we’ll, we’ll do this, if this is the right way to go with us. So I had to flip from my next plan, home birth and the birth and pool and all of that. I had a couple of days, I think it may have had to do or something to prepare for it.
So I had to quite lots of Okay. Like that flip. Cause I know for some people it feels about like lot that loss. Yeah. That’s quite normal to feel that loss, when you have this like home breath in your mind that you’re looking like, you know, maybe you’ve actually prepared the room and got things out. How does that feel for you?
Yeah, there was, there was a bit of that sadness that, that wasn’t going to happen, but I accepted that as well. And it was like, well, what can I do to still make this kind of birth? That those elements that I can still take to the room with me that was just kind of like changing that preparation, but also had to consider that had another child as well.
So it was where she was going to be. So I had quite a lot of planning to do that had to do more space of time because it wasn’t expected to do. I didn’t think I was going to have As well, like to make normally like 37, 38 weeks when we start making sure we’ve got everything last minute. Yeah. Like I said, cause my family,
we don’t tend to do things very quickly. So that was kind of like if I was shocked, I should have to be prepared to hear. So yeah. So it was just a case of me getting the things organized that I could, but you know, and I want you to have things like the little battery candles and things like that. Yeah.
So, so yeah, so I went into it on the day of the induction feeling quite in control of it and yeah, it was, it was going to be okay. So yeah. And the actual procedure itself, it, it was quite slow. And I think because my body wasn’t there being ready yet that take quite a lot of intervention, but again,
I just remember feeling so much more in control of the situation overall. I could have a conversation, which I couldn’t do the first time. I couldn’t speak to my midwife. It was just nothing culminating. You know, I just, I wasn’t there best time, you know, even though things were progressing, there was called intervention and I could feel everything.
I just felt like I could have a much more calm conversation with no, because he knows where I could rest. So What were your first steps? Did you have A personally yes. A debts and remember, No, I was trying to think back is honest to God. I can’t remember exactly what had went, but yeah, I know I did,
but everything was just pretty slow, pretty slow. So then there were sort of given me the drop and that was, you know, up in the, the door Searchie as well to try and get things moving along. So it did take quite a fight. I was in, I went straight up in the morning and I think it wasn’t until the next morning that he was born.
So it was, it was quite a long period of time as well. But seeing that, you know, I was up and about in the early stages, I was able to walk a boat. I was thinking about those things to try and help things along. And I just, I felt like there were little bits and pieces that I could do,
I guess they’re trying to help things along. Just, I think that whole point was just having that bit of knowledge and that knowledge made me feel so much more empowered with all music was quite a big part of it as well. I didn’t actually plan a playlist, but we had on, I always remember we had on like a nineties T radio station and it just tipped me to this really nice place.
That’s like a really nice memory I have of it sitting on the Bosu ball with a midwife and her husband and having a bit of a laugh at some of the tunes that were coming on the radio station. And it just felt good. You know, it brought back nice memories to me, it was a nice effect on me. So that was really nice Oxytocin and pick your filter.
You’re Dead. Yeah. Yeah. It was really feel good. It’s interesting. Because often when people think of labor playlist, they think of like hypnobirthing tracks or like wave wave music wheel with some way with noises in the park and things like that. Or like classical music, calming music, having something about be are a bit kind of fun that teach about to your younger crew days.
It’s quite a nice idea actually. Yeah, definitely. It was, it was good because it just, yeah. Cause I, I would tell that story when I was teaching it with brushing as well afterwards, you know, two people were saying like, it’s whatever works for you, isn’t it. It’s whatever makes you feel good. And I could be really nice relaxing music you see,
or just something that just brings back good memories. Good. Feel, feel good for me. So yeah, it was, that’s a really good as an it’s a strong memory I have of it and it makes me smile when I think about it. It’s also like the connection with me. So yeah, so that was one of my things that are used as well.
Now I don’t have my head in Britain tracks lessons and things as well, when then I find them quite helpful. But you know, when you’re different, a period of time, it’s kind of keep yourself busy and even doing things like remembering to eat or we button stuff like that, you know, that, that made a difference. Giving us everybody energy.
And Yeah. So you are moving around the bed when you’re moving around for most of the labor where you change the different positions and on, are we on the bed? I, I was, I was moving around. Like I was able to put out the caffeine and stuff to start with is in the very early stages. And then once things started progressing,
I was in the room. And then when I was on the machine at the end stuff, then it’s up to the cannula. Obviously I had to stay close to the bed, but I don’t stay on the bed. I would be on the bouncy ball or, you know, just moving around a little bit and just to try and get comfortable. So that,
that did help a lot as well. Just being able to change possession and thank you. Yeah, let’s do it in here. And then where did you give birth? Yeah, so things were progressing and, or things had been quite slow to progress and then they started moving quite quickly. But the, again, like what happened with the Patty’s birth,
his heart rate started to dip a week and they said, we think we should maybe get you along when you might actually need to have we’re going to get you along really quickly. So, but that scene, that conversation I had that time, that was something I felt really calm about. And I remember speaking to her and are asking for my consent and writing it down,
you know, like saying in it and just feeling really in control of a first time rent when I had to go that conversation was completely different. I did not feel in control of that at all. And in fact it was just quite a traumatic experience for me, the situation that I was in the second time, despite it still being this emergent situation,
I felt so much calmer. I felt completely different about it. And what did they help To, to feel that way? Again? I think it was just the knowledge that I had. I just, I just felt calm. Yeah. I felt more confident. Yeah. And I just felt much calmer about it. And I think because I had stayed calm,
lead up to that point because yeah, it was obviously worried about it. It was, you know, nervous about it and I felt I’m staying calm here because we’re going to get through this, you know what, my team here they’re here for me. And they were really kind and, and, and just totally conversed with me, but the whole situation,
it just made all the difference in the world to me. So, so yeah. So, isn’t it, like you said to me earlier that even distill that liquor, that support, like knowing someone, is there caring for you listening to you? Like it’s on your team, right. Is it’s, it’s Huge. It should never be underestimated how important that is,
you know, it can make the difference between that being a positive experience and not really kind of, so it’s yeah, like you see, you’re, you’re a team in that moment and you want to feel like they’re with you and helping you get through the stage. So interestingly for me, you know, I, I, I don’t know if this is still correct or my perspective on it,
but I actually think, cause I think, I think if I remember correctly, I was about three or four centimeters dilate when they had that conversation with me, we’re going to take your long. By the time they got me along to the theater room, I was filling dilate and I didn’t need this as needed. And I was able to push it there.
They give me the F doodle and then I was able to roughly myself, which was great, but I think, but, and that intense Mormon, cause I remember that being really, really intense. So I think it just happened really quite quickly went from three to 10, You know, as I had the writing teacher, that that can be the case often we,
yeah. Without any knowledge of that, we have this idea that, you know, it’s taken me this long to get here. It’s going to take me like that game to get to like double this. And it’s not always the case. It’s so much more like he don’t intricate than that in terms of our hormones and how we feel and what’s going on and baby move in and all the other things.
It’s nice to hear that like what actually you can progress quite quickly as well. Like things can change. How is sketching the epidural? Then I remember the team around me, you know, and everybody’s talking to me and saying exactly what they’re going to do. And, and again, it was just, there’s a lot more calmness. So it was just talk to people and then yeah,
just going through, it was the first time it was, it was kind of panic mode that ozone And how we feel. It makes a big difference. Like, you know, like even if you have two experiences very similar and which she doesn’t necessarily, but if you had to have experiences very similar, like if you feel that panic and stress, you have a completely different response and experienced.
And if you can like feel some level of calm, some level of apprehension is normal, but it’s that mix of calm as well. That’s important. Yeah. Definitely. After you had that and then you realized you were fully dilated wait, was that like cheer internal, like hooray then. So did you give birth in theater then? Yes, I don’t.
Yeah. And that was a lovely moment. I didn’t, we didn’t know if we’re having a boy or a girl I did to prepare any, actually it all depends on flesh. Trust your own as well. It doesn’t, it had her Does areas and different, different rules and Things. So we, we found out then, so we didn’t know because I was in Falkirk and they would tell you,
so I remember that moment of, oh boy, it was lovely. So yeah, it was just, it was a, it was a nice really lovely moment. And yes. So it was a positive induction experience, your second and yeah. What, what was it about it that made it positive? Like what, when, when I hear people say pause the breath,
I think we have different, we all have different ideas and what makes it positive? Depends on the person, but there are generally some common themes. Right? What was positive about your breath? What was positive was that? I, I just, yeah, it’s that, it’s that control. It was that sense of having more control over it and it didn’t go exactly how I wanted it to go.
It wasn’t the perfect or ideal birth my head, but yeah. How they felt about it. It was really how I felt about it made all the difference and yeah, I just went into it with a different head and acceptance as well that I knew that things could change. Those things can progress, definitely how we want, but it’s still about how we can still have a sense of control even when they do change.
Nice. And in terms of breath partner, did you have a breath partner? Yeah. Yeah, he was great. He’s he was really supportive the whole time. So that was lovely. Having him there with me and being a part of that Westmead Houston. The final question I want to ask for you is what would you share with someone listening who is having an induction in the next week?
Yeah, just, I guess I would just suggest, try and bring as much of you into it as you can, you know, bring what you can with you and others, that there are certain restrictions on us, which makes that a bit more difficult with set. There’s always something that you can bring. And even if it’s, don’t, eh,
the music that you want to bring in or photographs or, you know, something to make the room feel a bit more personal smells. And I always think of it in CNCS as well, bringing our senses into it. I think that’s really useful. So I think if you can bring stuff that has comfort and helps you feel in a good place that helps and just,
I guess, straining yourself with stories again, like I see as my story is not perfect. So it’s hopefully helpful examples of people that even if things change is that you can still have a positive experience and looking into that and just you feel in that sense of control. Yeah. Brilliant. Thanks so much. And thanks for sharing with us today. Very,
very welcome. Thanks for chatting to me. It’s nice talking to me. It’s nice to reflect, like, especially with waiting on what went well. Yes. Remind ourselves. Definitely. Thanks again to Kirsty for sharing with us today. I wanted to highlight some of the main points that really stood out for me. First. I really appreciated the importance of asking questions is so important and taking back some level of control of your experience,
having the confidence to ask makes a big difference. Remember, it’s your birth experience? You should be able to ask anything related to your care, your options, your baby, et cetera. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. I also think the change of location is something that comes up often with my clients, having planned a home birth, and then having to transfer those plans into a hospital setting,
having the attitude, Kirsty hat of how can we take some of what we had planned for here into the induction environment is a really good way to help you feel more empowered in this scenario. And also recognizing that is completely normal. It’s understandable to feel a level of sadness or loss that having that breath that you’d hoped to have initially faley hypnobirthing, tills and techniques are amazing for induction and I will never stop talking about that.
It’s so important to be as prepared as possible. If you’ve already done some hypnobirthing, fantastic. You can edit those tools and techniques to whatever kind of breath you have. If you haven’t done any hypnobirthing yet you can take the hypnobirth thing for induction course. Now, actually in Sierra, she could have completed the course. You can find it@positiveinduction.com Farber slash course.
Thanks for listening. Head over to the show notes for this episode@positiveinduction.com forward slash episode two, where you’ll find the link to crest is full birth story as some additional resources. Thanks again for being here with us today and do get in touch. If you have any questions, you can email me jade@positiveinduction.com. I hope you have a lovely week.
