Janine Swindale – Blacketts Retreat

Nadia and Ryan’s Hypnobirthing Story

“Due to work commitments, my husband and I booked some private sessions. Janine was so warm and personable from the beginning. She put us both at ease immediately and my husband felt very included which was exactly what we wanted. Every time I had talked about labour with husbands and partners they always say they felt like a ‘spare part’ so I wanted to make sure that my husband was an important part of the birthing process.

The sessions were informative yet relaxed. When we had questions, Janine would answer them in detail and show pictures or use props to help us understand. After the sessions we were given practical activities to do at home. It was an excellent bonding experience for my husband and I. After each session, our confidence grew and we had a lot of ‘tools’ in our tool box. I knew what kind of birth I wanted (natural water birth) but I was also realistic enough to realise that if there were changes or complications, I was well prepared to deal with them.

And so, to our birthing story…I was due on 31st Jan but on Tuesday 21st Jan my waters broke. It was 3pm. I waited until my husband came home and we went to get checked out at the hospital a few hours later. The midwife examined me and said I was 2cm dilated but I was in no pain whatsoever. I was as happy, calm and in a really positive frame of mind. My husband gave me light touch massage in the hospital room. At about 8.30pm the doctor came in and said that I had to return the following night to be induced but in the meantime go for long walks etc to try and start the labour naturally. She gave me some information about being induced to read over. After reading the first paragraph about IV drips and medication etc. I stopped reading and decided that I was going to have the baby that night! My husband said that after I had made that decision, I was so focused and determined. I started to go over the calming methods Janine had taught me.

So we got back in the house at about 9pm and I started to get lower back pain but no abdominal pain. My husband calmly started reading the birthing script to me and massaging my back, however I was still pacing so it was difficult for him to do it. However, he knew just to say a few of the trigger words to me and place his hands on my shoulders to calm me. At about 9.25pm, he ran the bath, turned the lights off and lit a candle.

Ryan had a surges app on his iPhone which meant he could record my surges without any disruption. He said my strong surges started at 9.37pm. They were lasting for 40secs-1. Min and were about1 min apart. He called the hospital and the midwife asked to speak to me. I as able to talk to her but then breathed through a surge while I was on the phone. Ryan had explained we were Hypnobirthing but she said that because it was my first baby, I would be like that for at least another few hours before he should bring me in to hospital. She said she could hear my breathing but I didn’t sound in distress. Ryan put the phone down and I told him I could feel the baby’s head. As he was on the phone to the paramedics, our little boy came out into the water and gently came to the surface, where I lifted him out and he started feeding immediately. Everything happened within 50 minutes and it was the most amazing experience of our lives! It was perfect! Our son is now 3 months old and is very happy, relaxed and placid, which I’m sure is of a result of his birth.

I highly recommend Hypnobirthing for all women and in particular, those who have fears about labour or have had previous traumatic births. We thoroughly enjoyed the course, found it a positive bonding experience and with Janine’s help, we managed to have our perfect birth! Thanks Janine!” – Nadia

Hypnobirthing at Blacketts Retreat

“I’m so glad we found Janine. With both extensive midwifery and hypnobirthing experience, her advice was practical, calming and more than encouraging. I am now looking forward to the birth of our first child instead of fearing it. I can’t thank her enough for the ‘tools’ she’s equipped us with to positively breath through our birth.

If you’re looking for ways to help you birth naturally then look no further.” – Karen, Whitley Bay

Suzanne and Johns Birth Story 2nd baby

“I wanted to share with you our birth story I am so proud of our little prince Joseph and I really feel he had the birth is hoped for.

As you know I was terrified!!! After last time ventouse/epidural fiasco! We really worked hard reading the book, listening to the cd and putting into practice the relaxation techniques.

Contractions started at 12 midnight on 1st of June, the day after my due date and I went back to sleep as they were mild. Anyway 4am I woke up contracting every 7 mins but moderate so went downstairs watched some rubbish on tv and had some toast. 8am they were 5 mins apart so sat in clary sage bath for 2 hours using relaxation and breathing techniques.

Kept moving and breathing and when I got out the bath and gravity took over by 1pm they were 2 mins 30secs apart, I phoned the hospital who suggested I went in. They then spoke to hubby and told him to get there ASAP!

Arrived at the Hospital at 1.30pm and stayed standing up even being monitored and with a clip on baby’s head. Anyway waters popped themselves (messy) about 2pm. Laboured using hypnobirthing and gas and air, stood up just before 3pm and gravity took over. Pushed my gorgeous little boy out 20 mins later.

John really came into his own as my birthing partner and was so much help to me. He was able to give me focus and talking me through contractions, telling me to stay relaxed and breathe was so helpful. It was really effective for me to squeeze his hand at the point the contraction was the most painful and for him to count down from 10 at that point so I knew the end of the pain was in sight!

I couldn’t believe I could talk and make clear headed decisions between contractions and I felt empowered to say to the midwives “wait I will answer you after this contraction” and put my focus into dealing with that first.

I pushed the baby out rather than breathing him out but it felt right and I was doing what my body wanted.

What an amazing uplifting experience. My husband said I “knocked it out the park”. I am so proud of our team work and giving my little boy a fab birthing experience.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!xxx” – Suzanne