From a 28-Week Birth to a Positive Birth: How Hypnobirthing Helped This Mama Trust Herself Again
When you’ve experienced your first baby arriving at just 28 weeks, it’s understandable that preparing for another birth may bring up a whole mix of emotions.
Excitement.
Nerves.
Questions.
And perhaps a little voice wondering:
“What if this birth feels like the last one?”
This mama was preparing to welcome her second baby, and although she had hopes for how birth might unfold, she also knew that birth could be unpredictable.
What she didn’t know was just how powerful, calm and positive her next birth experience could feel.
And honestly?
Her birth story is exactly why I believe birth preparation is about so much more than learning a few breathing techniques.
It’s about helping you feel ready for the experience whatever that experience looks like.
It started with uncertainty
A few hours before giving birth, she went into hospital because her baby’s movements had reduced. She was also experiencing discomfort in her back and legs, tightness around her bump and cramps.
Thankfully, everything was okay and she was sent home.
But later that night, she woke at around 3:30am feeling anxious about her baby again.
This time, she was also experiencing pains.
So she started timing them.
They were lasting around a minute and coming every 5–6 minutes.
She had a feeling this could be the beginning of labour, so she contacted triage for guidance.
They confirmed that labour was starting.
And from there, she began putting her preparation into practice.
She chose calm, movement and preparation
While her husband made his way home from work and her parents arranged to look after her three year old, she got herself ready.
She showered.
Washed her hair.
Styled it so she felt good.
She stayed upright.
She used her birth ball.
She ate breakfast to keep her energy up.
And she kept reminding herself:
“Stay calm. Keep the oxytocin going. It will all work out.”
Now, was she nervous? Of course.
She was labouring at home alone while her contractions became stronger and closer together. But she had tools to fall back on.
She understood the importance of staying relaxed.
She knew that movement and upright positions could help her work with her body.
And instead of feeling completely helpless, she had something practical to focus on.
Her preparation gave her a plan without making her feel trapped by one.
“I genuinely thought I was going to give birth in the car!”
By the time her husband and mum arrived, contractions were coming every 2–3 minutes. They made their way to hospital, but traffic was awful.
Her husband was practically in and out of cars trying to get them there, and she genuinely thought she might end up giving birth in the car.
She could feel the pressure building.
She was experiencing urges to push.
And yet, she continued using the tools she had practised.
When they finally arrived at the birth centre at 8:30am, she was already in active labour.
She agreed to an examination, knowing she was likely to be well into labour.
The midwife confirmed she was 5cm dilated.
And that gave her a huge boost of hope and positivity.
She knew she was getting closer to meeting her baby.
Creating a space where she could birth
The birth pool was prepared.
Her worship music was playing.
The lights were dimmed.
Fairy lights were on.
Her husband and mum supported her with pressure on her back.
She used gas and air and a birth comb to help her through the intensity of the contractions.
And she focused on her breathing.
She reminded herself:
“My body was made to do this.”
Even when the sensations felt intense, she stayed connected to what her body was doing.
She didn’t need to fight every wave.
She focused on breathing through it, working with it and allowing her body to take the lead.
She finally got into the birth pool at 9:08am.
Her waters broke at 9:22am.
And by 9:37am…
Her baby boy was here. 🥹🩵
“I was in absolute awe of myself”
Afterwards, she described being completely overwhelmed by what she had achieved.
Not just because her baby had arrived safely.
But because of the strength, determination and power she had found within herself.
She said:
“I was in absolute awe of myself. I couldn’t believe I did all of that.”
She had fully let her body take the lead.
She had focused on each wave and sensation.
She had used her breathing and hypnobirthing techniques.
And she had stayed connected to the experience rather than feeling consumed by fear.
But one of the most powerful parts of her story was the confidence she felt when her midwife asked what she wanted.
She knew her options.
She understood what she wanted to ask for.
And she felt prepared for different possibilities because she hadn’t only prepared for one perfect birth.
She had prepared for birth.
This is what birth preparation is really about
This mama’s story is beautiful but it isn’t powerful because everything happened exactly as planned.
It’s powerful because she felt prepared enough to meet the experience as it unfolded.
She had the tools to support herself.
She understood what was happening.
She knew how to stay grounded.
She had a birth partner who was involved and supportive.
And she trusted herself.
That is what I want for every woman I work with.
Not the pressure to have a perfect birth.
Not the belief that you’ve failed if you need pain relief or if things change.
Not the expectation that you should simply “trust your body” without being taught how.
I want you to understand your body, your options and your choices.
I want you to know how to use breathing and relaxation techniques when things feel intense.
I want you to feel confident asking questions and advocating for yourself.
And I want you to feel prepared for all birth pathways including spontaneous labour, induction, epidural, assisted birth or caesarean.
Because you don’t need to predict your birth.
You need to prepare for it.
Ready to feel more confident about birth?
My Calm AF Birth Course was created for the pregnant woman who wants to feel informed, supported and ready for whatever birth throws at her.
Inside, you’ll learn:
How to break the fear → tension → pain cycle
Breathing and relaxation techniques
How to work with your body during labour
What is happening physically and emotionally during birth
How to prepare your birth partner
How to understand your options and advocate for yourself
How to prepare for different birth pathways
Practical tools you can practise before labour begins
You’ll get instant access today, so you can begin preparing in your own time, at your own pace.
And if you want deeper support, coaching and accountability, you can also join the waiting list for The Fearless Birth Method which is my guided 12-week birth preparation experience. The doors open every three months.
Because birth doesn’t have to be perfect to be positive.
And you don’t have to walk into it feeling clueless, frightened or powerless.
You deserve to feel ready.
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