I approached Anna after an entire pregnancy worth of denial that I was actually going to give birth!! I was working myself to the bone in a new job, completely distracted from the journey that lay ahead. Upon reflection this was probably due to an extremely traumatic 1st birth that ended in an emergency caesarean and some serious complications along the way. Hiding away had felt like a safe way to manage my anxieties. It wasn’t until I finished up with work and found the headspace to contact Anna that I started to realise I was actually still really unsure, confused and scared re. the path that lay ahead. 

Our contact started as a means to explore hypnobirthing for caesarean birth as Anna had been highly recommended by a fellow c section friend. Shortly into our session it was evident to both of us that I was still on the fence about a planned c section being the “right” path for me. Anna was so helpful allowing me to explore and identify my anxieties and then helping me realise that the decision was still ultimately with me and it wasn’t too late to change my mind! 

She was flexible with her approach and we kept our discussions general and open so as to allow any pivots in my planned birth option, whether it be VBAC or planned cesarean. I spent the following few days after our session in conversations with my midwife about various birthing options. By this point I was only 2 weeks from due date and 1 week from my planned section but I kept reminding myself (with Anna’s voice in my head) that the choice was still mine!

I ended up going ahead with my planned caesarean and had a largely positive experience, especially in comparison with my first birth where I had felt extremely out of control through the entire process. Navigating the birthing experience is never easy but Anna made me feel that much more comfortable with my birth and the choices I made.