Thanks so much to Alice for sharing her pregnancy and birth story with us. Alice had a little boy, Sam, about 20 months ago and is now pregnant with number 2 (due in October).

1) How did you prepare yourself for the birth during pregnancy?
I attended an NCT course with my husband, read books and listened to a Hypnotherapy CD as soon as my labour started.

2 ) What aspects of the preparation did you find most helpful?
I found the Hypnotherapy CD to be particularly helpful and positive during labour – it calmed me down and focussed my mind on the birth. I felt very relaxed and I think the pain of my contractions was greatly reduced.

3) What parts of your pregnancy and birth experience did you enjoy the most?
I enjoyed the second trimester, as any nausea experienced in the first trimester had passed and I felt full of energy. It was also a relief and exciting to be able to tell family, friends and colleagues that I was pregnant – I don’t like keeping secrets! Lots of people commented on how well I looked at this time.
I also found the birth not nearly as traumatic as I had imagined. It was a very positive experience for me. The staff and midwives that I met at hospital were very friendly and accomplished and made me feel at ease.

4) Which parts of your pregnancy/ birth experience did you struggle with or find least helpful?
I found the hardest part the few weeks after the birth, as it was such a new experience and I was extremely tired. You can prepare yourself for labour and birth but nothing can really get you ready for being a parent.

5) What advice would you give to mums to be?
Think positively. Don’t be put off by other people’s traumatic birth stories. The body is amazingly capable and birth is a natural process. I definitely believe that a positive mental attitude and a relaxed mind and body help greatly in labour and birth.

6) Is there anything that you would do differently next time?
Get to hospital earlier – we were living at my husband’s parents’ house while work was being done on our flat. We left things very late following telephone advice from the receptionist/nurse at the hospital. We didn’t factor in time for the morning rush hour.

7) Did you feel comfortable in your birth environment and were you able to adapt it to your needs?
Yes, I felt very comfortable in the birth centre. The room was large and well equipped with beanbags and a pool. There was a pull-out bed for my husband to spend the night. The midwives were kind, friendly and helpful.