Week 29: Hypnobirthing - does it work?

Well as I've not gone through the labour process, it's probably a bit premature for me to answer this question, but what I can tell you from the hypnobirthing sessions I've had is that I feel so much more relaxed, informed and excited about giving birth - which is a change from how I felt just 2 weeks ago.

Now, I'm not a hippy, dippy type person - I believe in conventional medicine as much as alternative solutions, but I do believe in the power of the mind. Perhaps it's because I've always had an overactive imagination and have got myself into actual physical states from negative thinking that I realise the power of positive thought? Perhaps I'm just clutching at straws as I'm dreading labour so much? Whatever the reason, hypnobirthing has really helped prepare me for the long journey ahead!

Not only has it helped me relax about the birth, but also becoming a mummy. I'm sure it's normal to be nervous about bringing a small person into this world but hypnobirthing has really helped me believe I will be a good mum - and a slim one! Yes, the sessions and CD also claim to help you shed your baby weight.

The actual sessions are also very relaxing. There's no watches invovled and it's like going for a very relaxing sleep as you listen to your therapist talk you through your pregnancy, labour and becoming a mum. In fact, I really looked forward to my sessions and was really disappointed when they ended!

I went to see a wonderful therapist called Paola who runs Inner Power Hypnobirthing. She has such a calm way about her, and such a wonderful voice to listen to, that I found it so easy to go under. Not only has she helped me with the hypnotheraphy side of things, but she is a fountain of knowledge as well. In fact, I've learnt more from her than my midwives. Did you know for example that grated carrot is great for sore breasts when breastfeeding? Also makes for a handy snack if you're caught out and about and get hungry I suppose...

She also recommened two Bach Flower Remedies that have transformed me! White Chestnut helps my mind stop racing, allowing me to go back to sleep after getting up the umpteenth time in the night, while Olive is helping boost my ever-decreasing energy levels. Who knew something so small could make such a small difference?

So, I'd recommend if you're stressing about being pregnant, the labour or being a mum, you book into some hypnobirthing sessions now. It's not the cheapest thing you'll shell out on during pregnancy, but I'd pay anything to be as relaxed as I am now - it really is one of the best things I've invested in. Right, I'm off to play my CD now, imagine myself on that beach in the Maldives and relax... at this rate, baby will be a total chilled out dude!

Top Tip: Exercising While Pregnant

As a bit of a fitness buff prior to getting pregnant, I've not let up on the whole fitness thing. Granted, I have slowed down somewhat during these last months, but I think it's so important to keep fit and strong throughout your pregnancy - after all, labour looks as difficult as running a marathon and you wouldn't do that without any preparation, would you?

I still swim and go to the gym, although I do sometimes get funny looks while I'm lifting weights or on the cross-trainer. Yes! I'm pregnant, but it's OK, we're allowed to exercise within reason.

However, the bigger I'm getting, the more tired I'm getting so I'm supplementing my less-frequent gym trips now with fitness DVDs. I haven't actually used fitness DVDs since they were, well, videos! So it was with some trepidation and memories of dodgy callanetics videos from the '80s that I made a couple of purchases from Amazon.

After much research I settled on two. The first one I chose was Pregnancy Health Yoga. I used to do yoga regularly and have missed that flexibility (especially when bending over with a bump is twice as hard). I've also heard all the tales that yoga does help through labour so popped this one into my basket. Having now done it a few times, I can say it's really good, although I think it will help if you've already done some yoga moves. I do find the new age music and lovey-dovey comments to send golden lights of love to your baby slightly nauseous but the DVD has been a godsend at dealing with my ever increasing fatigue and SPD pain.


Second on the list is Complete Pregnancy Fitness. This one really jumped out at me as a lot of reveiwers said it really made them sweat - and I still want to do that! However, sometimes it can be scary knowing exactly what you can and cannot do in the gym, so I thought this would be a good compromise. And it is! It's funny (she tells you to pause when you need that inevitable wee break!), easy to follow, makes good use of household items such as chairs for squats and does really make you sweat! I really felt like I'd had a good workout after following this.

The plus point with both of these videos is that they are presented by pregnant women so you can't use that excuse that you can't do it because of your bump.

They also include workouts to do with your partner, but I've yet to encourage my dear hubby to take part in it yet - will report back if I ever persuade him...

Week 28: Gosh, I'm pregnant!

Being a fairly typical Cancerian, I'm somewhat averse to change. I realise change is important to enable us to move on with our lives, however, I'm just dreadful at it. I'm so bad that it's taken me this long to accept that Eastenders is on 4 times a week now...

And it's taken me 7 months to accept that I'm actually going to have a baby! This may sound strange but I've been kind of ignoring the situation for the last 28 weeks. This wasn't because I didn't want to be pregnant, but because it's such a life-changing event, I couldn't even get my head around it.

I am the girl who can never make up her mind where she wants to go out... or what she wants to wear in the morning... or what she wants to eat at lunch. So you can see how confounding it was for me to find out I was carrying a small human being.

The first 3 months are secretive anyway - nobody knows so I just didn't feel very pregnant. Plus, I spent most of my energy trying not to throw up my breakfast/lunch/dinner.

The next 3 months have been a strange nowhere land. Obviously I started to look more pregnant, and people knew, but it just seemed so far away. There was also part of me that pretended I wasn't pregnant and kept on working those long hours, going out with friends, going to the gym, getting up early, going to be late... I suppose I just wanted to be me - not some pregnant woman. I've seen friends of mine defined by their pregnancy or their children and I've always been determined not to let that happen to me.

So I'm not sure what's happened between week 27 and week 28 but suddenly I've realised I've pregnant and what's more, am embracing it! I'm enjoying taking my foot off the work pedal, loving being pampered by my hubby and relishing in the fact that if I want to spend a day watching TV, I can!

I'm also getting my head around the fact that there is going to be a new addition to our family - and instead of worrying about how I'm going to juggle everything, I'm just looking forward to meeting our son. Eek! That makes it feel even more real now... bring it on!

Week 27: Labour Worries

Why did I do it? I knew from the trailers that it would scare the bejesus out of me, but for some strange reason, last night I tuned into the new documentary series, One Born Every Minute.

Cue one very restless night. Don't get me wrong, I know that childbirth isn't easy but I didn't really need to see it in such glorious technicolour. Actually, the colour was fine, it was the sounds that sent chills through my spine. Banshee shrills, grunts, whining - it's all so well, undignified.

I have a high pain threshold but I think there's something about the undignity of it all that's upsetting me the most. I'm very shy and the thought of having to be so gutteral in front of strangers, makes me feel slightly nauseous.

So, even though I'd really quite like the baby to stay where he is, I've decided to tackle this by booking a hypno birthing course. Yes, I could have spent that money on stuff for the baby but I figure if this course will rid me of the fear, it will be worth every penny.

I know after nublet is born, I'll probably forget the pain, and think it was all worth it, but it's the anticipation that's killing me now so if anyone has any great tips on how to deal with labour fear, I'd love to hear them!

Week 25 and 26: The Limitations of Pregnancy

As a child of the '70s, I'm one of the generation that have been told we can do - and have - everything. Well , this last few weeks have taught me this is quite the opposite!

It seems that working all the hours around the clock, trying to keep see friends and  being pregnant do NOT mix. Take London Fashion Week for example. I spent one day at 4 shows and the activities of the day - running between the office and Somerset House, queuing up, standing up at the fashion show (unfortunately I'm not fashion royalty so don't get given a seat!) - absolutely exhausted me. I was in bed by 9pm.

The thing I'm learing is that I have to listen to my body and learn when to slow down, so our babymoon came at a great time. If you don't know what a babymoon is, where have you been? They're the in thing - basically, it's the last break you'll ever take without a small child nipping at your ankles! So for this reason, the hubby and I decided to spend a few days down at Babbington House. Ridiculously expensive, yes, but absolutely brilliant.

It was the first time in months that I relaxed and let go of things. I slept in the afternoon, took long baths (you can watch the TV while you bathe at Babbington), had spa treatments, went for country walks, and ate nice food.

I'd just like to point out there was one other thing I learnt I couldn't do while pregnant, and that's climb stiles. I actually got physically stuck on the top of one - cue much hilarity from the hubby! I'm also getting breathless really easily, which isn't much fun - especially when you've just walked up a flight of stairs. Now I know how unfit people feel!!!

I hadn't realised how stressed I had been and I got so angry at myself. I've been pushing myself to prove to my peers (and to me) that pregnancy hasn't changed a thing... but it has! Yes, I'm capable of doing my job, but the commute and long hours do exhaust me and I need to step back. The one thing I DON'T want is my baby to be a stress junkie like it's mother so my 26 week resolution (they're the latest thing don't you know?!) is to calm down and take it slow. It's not a crime after all!