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Serene Birthright
Testimonials
"I liked finding out about what your rights are. Also how much your birth plan can be personalised." Ben
"During the course Vic was understanding and supportive." Kirsty
"I had no idea there were so many options around giving birth." Sian
"The tools, techniques and Victoria's ability to tailor her explanation to our needs was extremely helpful." Joanne
"Thank you Vic for teaching me to breastfeed Amelia. Without you we wouldn't have made it. I'm so proud that I exclusively breastfed her until she was six months and managed to donate 5 litres of milk." Francesca
Before beginning the bump classes I was sceptical about hypnobirthing to say the least. My friend had a very positive birth experience, which she credited hypnobirthing for, so I thought I would give the bump classes a go as an introduction to hypnobirthing (and as a cheaper option).
Through taking the bump class I realised that there were many ways to bond with my unborn baby that I had not considered. It also changed my outlook on my pregnancy. I had many worries but the classes enabled me to deal with these and change the way I thought about this very exciting time.
After such a positive experience at the bump classes I had no hesitation in booking onto the birth course as I knew that it would prepare me brilliantly for my labour.
The birthing classes fully met my expectations. Victoria gave us a vast amount of practical advice that I knew would help to give me the right birth on the day. She explained the science of labour clearly so we understood exactly what would happen. Practical techniques such as breathing and soothing strokes gave us the tools to use whilst I was in labour.
On the day I gave birth, I felt the first surges early in the morning at around 5am. After a while the surges grew stronger and became closer together, I was able to breathe through them and even managed to clean the bathroom in between them! I felt calm and relaxed and in no pain at all. My partner made the decision at 11am that we should go to the hospital as the surges were getting closer together and lasting for increased periods of time. I didn’t think I was anywhere near being far enough dilated to be admitted and was convinced I was going to be sent home. When I was examined I was 7cm dilated and my daughter was born an hour later. The birth itself was very quick and was such a positive experience, at no point did I feel the need to ask for pain relief.
From doing the baby classes me and my partner felt far more confident about what to do when we were left to care for our newborn baby alone.
Victoria was a fantastic teacher. She put both me and my partner at ease from the beginning. Victoria answered all of our questions, however silly we thought that they were. I can highly recommend Victoria and would encourage anyone expecting a baby to book onto one of her courses. The courses are excellent value for money and provide you with skills that will last you a lifetime. I cannot recommend Victoria’s fantastic classes enough.
Anna Chingford
Having used hypnobirthing for my first baby, I knew I wanted to use it again for my second. With a very low pain threshold I thought I was doomed for my birth. However, using the techniques in the course I wasn’t nervous anymore about the birth and felt more informed of the physical process as well as having tools to help me and my partner enjoy the moment we welcomed our baby into the world.
During the course Victoria was understanding and supportive, not just about the course material but in all aspects of birth and being a mum, sharing her own experience gave us the confidence in our journey through the Wise Hippo teaching, providing the information in a relaxed environment giving us every opportunity to ask questions and share.
I went into my second birth wanting a water birth as found this great the first time, however as I was so relaxed there wasn’t time to fill the pool and we had our daughter 15 minutes after I was first examined.
My birth was pretty incredible and super fast! My baby weighed 8lbs 8oz. I felt such pure happiness after her birth that I didn’t sleep that first night.
Victoria goes above and beyond for her clients. Victoria answered all of my questions about breastfeeding in a patient and supportive way giving me the strength and confidence in those first couple of weeks.
Kirsty Woodford
I had a pretty long labour, surges started on the Sunday night and I had him on the Friday morning. He was back to back so things were progressing very slowly! The hypnobirthing breathing got me through though!
I just managed to have him at home, the midwives were recommending I go to hospital to be induced to speed things up, we waited a while for the ambulance, by the time I got in it I was ready to push, so we went back in to the house. Having him at home was lovely. We are totally in love with him.
Kate Walthamstow
Baby weighed 7lb 14 and everything went really well.
They started induction on Friday afternoon with the Pitocin on the cervix. Baby and I were monitored every so often. I spent the afternoon listening to the mp3s and just staying relaxed. I was monitored at 9.30 pm and the midwife asked if I could feel anything - I was having surges and hadn't even realised. This carried on through the night and in the morning the monitor was showing regular surges still.
I was very calm and relaxed and still couldn't really feel anything apart from a slight cramp feeling. My waters were broken at around 10.30ish Saturday morning and by 1pm I started to have more intense surges so was moved to the Labour ward.
After being monitored again the doctor advised for me to have the hormone drip. I debated about the drip as they automatically offer the epidural with it which worried me slightly. I refused the epidural for the time being but agreed to the drip. Quite quickly the surges were intensified but I did my best to breathe through them and just completely zoned out.
I don't remember speaking to my husband or the midwife after that. I remember my husband being by my side and reminding me to breathe and use 54321. Unfortunately due to the frequency of the surges which happened quite quickly I was just in one position but felt like I couldn't move as I was so in the zone.
By 6.30 pm my body started to naturally push at the end of the surges. The midwife didn't think I was ready but upon examining me she said I was fully dilated and could get ready to push. My husband did his best to keep me humming but I think the drip made a huge difference to my body.
The brilliant news is I did it all with just my breathing and tens machine and at 7.35 pm baby was born. His heartbeat stayed steady throughout the whole of the Labour and he came out so calm without a scream to be heard from him or me.
He was put straight on my chest and stayed there for over an hour. The midwife couldn't believe I didn't have any GAS or air with the induction as she was prepared to organise the epidural at some point and although it definitely wasn't "pain free" I did it and am so pleased it all went so well which I put down to the fantastic programme keeping me clam.
Thank you for your brilliant instruction
Lindsey Chingford