What Does Labour Feel Like?

Does this sound like you...?

"My tolerance for pain is really low, I have no idea how I'm going to manage to get through labour!"

Or maybe you've thought something like this..?

"I'm just going to have to take all the drugs they offer because I know I don't cope well with pain!"

I completely understand, I too feel like the ultimate wuss when it comes to even a hint of discomfort or pain. And yet the birth of my son was entirely drug free! Seems like a bit of a contradiction, right?

Here's the thing, contractions are going to feel different to each person; so no one can accurately explain what they will feel like for you. But the fear of the unknown is a real doozy when it comes to labour and birth (especially if it's your first time!) so I'm going to have a right good go at describing how it could possibly feel!

Early Labour:

When your labour is just getting started the general consensus is that the sensations you feel aren't anything wild and are totally manageable! You could get a feeling similar to mild period cramps, a dull ache across your lower abdomen or back, or sometimes people describe a tightening or pinching feeling (a bit like getting a cramp from running). Sometimes people feel an aching/swollen feeling around their vulva and inside their vagina too.

People in early labour tend to feel able to carry on with their average day to day activities with no worries! Early labour is a great time to relax and conserve your energy. Do things that aren't too taxing but bring you lots of joy. Stoll to the local café with friends anyone? Or a snuggle on the sofa with your favourite feel good film?

Established Labour:

Okay so over time, those early labour sensations gradually build bit by bit. The period cramp or tightening abdomen feeling will probably be more intense now.

If you remember just one thing from this blog post, please let it be this...

Contractions come in waves! They start mild, build up to a peak and then ease away. And your average contraction in the height of established labour only lasts one minute. You can do anything for a minute, right?! Even better, the intensity of the contraction is only at the peak of the wave... so really only 20 seconds!

After each contraction has ebbed away you will have time to rest before the next comes along. There will normally be a couple of minutes before the next contraction starts to build, and in this space you'll probably feel totally normal!

You might also feel a pressure or pushing in your nether regions with each contraction. It's your baby pressing down on your cervix and can feel a bit like when you need a big poo!

Crowning:

You're so close now Mama - your baby is almost here!

Crowning is when your baby's head is right at the edge of your vagina and is about to be born. This moment is also quite commonly known as 'The Ring of Fire". Which sounds scary and not nearly as fun as the drinking game... I know. But the best thing you can focus on here is that your baby will be in your arms in just the next few moments.

So why is it called 'The Ring of Fire"?! Because it can feel just like that. A burning or stinging sensation which will only last momentarily as your vagina opens to the widest it will need to be. But it's what vaginas are designed to do!

And honestly... most people are happy to know they're at this point because it's like (staying on the theme of drinking games here) the last song of the night when you're OUT OUT and you know you'll be picking up that sweet greasy fast food, collapsing into a cab and heading home to conk out in bed in just a few minutes! Yes, the balls of your feet are burning like hell in your heels but you can easily manage and even enjoy that one last dance because you know it will all be over sooner rather than later!

So what do you think? Now that you have an idea of how labour might feel, will you consider planning your pain relief options? We chat lots about pain relief (drugs and other options) on a Mamakind Hypnobirthing course so please do get in touch if you'd like more info.

What's So Great About Mamakind?

It's my birthday! So I figured that there's no better day than today to write a blog post all about myself! Did that sound a bit narcissistic? Not really piqued your interest?! Fair enough! More specifically, let's talk about the qualities I have which could mean I'm the best hypnobirthing teacher for you!

Don't worry, I'm not about to list off a ton of preferable personality traits with nothing to back myself up! Let's have a look at some testimonials I've had from Mamas I've worked with before now.

"Elena was able to provide facts and scientific evidence and everything she said made sense" - Stace

I make sure to explain the 'why'. I don't think there's any use in me teaching you a bunch of practical tips and techniques if I've not explained why you're going to want to use them! Without knowing how something is going to make a difference to you, you'll be less invested in putting what you've learnt into action. So everything I teach you is rooted in science and logic - nothing woo woo about it!

"Thank you so much for all the hypnobirthing support, it was a god send and I was able to use different techniques throughout and gained the most wonderful experience for all three of us!!" - Jess

I'm here to support your family. A Mamakind Hypnobirthing course doesn't just benefit the person birthing the baby! A calm birth for you means a calm birth for your little one. And labour and birth can absolutely be a team effort if your birth partner knows exactly how best to support you, so a really important part of my course teaches birth partners how to do just that! Don't get me wrong, I've had Mamas do my hypnobirthing course without their birth partner and have incredible results too; but having your birth partner on board can really make the world of difference.

My support doesn't end as soon as we finish our last session either. You'll be able to get in touch with any questions you have right up until the birth itself. Even if you feel like you're having a bit of a wobble and you just need someone to listen, I'm here for that! And it's lovely to keep in touch after baby is here too. Something you should know about me is that I love a good, juicy birth story! Give me all the details!

So what do you think? Could I be the right hypnobirthing teacher for you? Get in touch if you're not sure - I promise I'm friendly!

Say Hi

3 Reasons I Loved My Waterbirth & How You Can Have One Too

Hi Mamas!

I guess you could say that I've experienced two waterbirths. The first being my own birthday (are we counting that?) and the second I can remember a hell of a lot better... the birth of my son. For his birth I had a pool set up at home, by the Christmas tree in the living room. And I absolutely loved it.

Here's my top three reasons why:

1. I find water so relaxing!

If you're anything like me, having a bit of a stressful day has you dreaming of the tranquil bubble bath you're going to melt into that evening. If you really are like me it'll be scolding hot like the pits of hell unless you're pregnant, in which case a tepid 37 degrees will have to do (but that's besides the point). If I can't sleep at night then I'm opening up the 'Calm' app on my phone and letting gentle crashing wave sounds lull me into rest. What I'm trying to get at here is that naturally for me, a waterbirth was the best option when it came to wanting a calm and relaxed birth experience, because I find water relaxing. I guess that's one reason you were expecting to hear!

2. The pool made me feel safe.

For our bodies to be able to work at their best when it comes to birth we need to feel safe and the pool (quite unexpectedly for me) felt like a bit of a safety barrier between me and the other people in the room. A birthing nest if you will!

Prior to actually going into labour I had planned to have my partner, Alex, in the pool with me. There he was, trunks at the ready, but I didn't want anyone invading my safe space for anything more than holding my hand over the edge of the pool or checking how baby was getting on.

If you want to know more about the science of needing to feel safe for a smooth labour, I have just the blog post for you - you're welcome!

Clickedy Click

3. Being in water lessens your chances of tearing!

Soaking in warm water makes your skin more supple so it makes sense that it will give you a helping hand as the skin of your vagina unfolds and stretches to make room for baby to make their entrance into the world!

My son's waterbirth resulted in one very small tear which didn't need any stitches at all. This was a huge relief for me because I'm a massive wimp when it comes to needles. I kid you not, I was more worried about any possible injections or stitches rather than the birth itself!

So are you considering a waterbirth?

If you're hoping to have a waterbirth at a hospital or birth centre you'll want to ask how many of the delivery rooms have a birth pool and how often they're all in use. If there are no birth pools available when you do go into labour, hopefully you'll have access to a bath or shower instead. It's definitely worth asking your local maternity units about their facilities when you're making your decision on where you'd like to give birth.

Guaranteed access to a birth pool was a pretty big factor in my choice to have a home birth, so that might be something you'd like to consider too. University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL) Home Birth Team were amazing support to us when we were organising our waterbirth at home. They will be able to offer advise about renting a pool as well as any extra bits and bobs you'll need*! They will insure the temperature of the water is perfect throughout the birth and the lovely midwives will often help with clearing up after the birth!

*These are some of the extras you might not have thought about:

- Waterproof ground sheets or shower curtains to protect the floors/sofas

- Lots of old towels

- A sieve (yep, it might be needed to fish some poop out of the water!)

- A handheld mirror so it's easier for the midwives to see what's going on

- Tap adapters so you can hook the hose up to fill the pool

- A water thermometer

I hope this has been lots of help if you're thinking you might like a waterbirth! And if you've got any questions for me please feel free to get in touch!