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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 :
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Hypno-birthing proves a welcome experience for father
WHEN Sanna Alagba became pregnant, her husband Ringo was thrilled, but he was also scared.
“All I had heard about giving birth was negative,” he says. “Everyone I spoke to talked of woes. They talked of epidurals and inductions, or said the midwife was terrible. Sanna did some research on the internet. She heard about Tracy Donegan, a doula — birth companion — who gives hypno-birthing preparation classes. Tracy lives close to us and we decided to sign on.
“The classes were unbelievable. Tracy explained the normal things a dad can do to help his wife. She explained how I could aid Sanna in her breathing and she went through the difficulties she might undergo.
“Sanna started having contractions at home in Balbriggan on September 10. We rang Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital but they said ‘Don’t come in yet’. That was because the pains were coming every 20 minutes.
“Sanna was sitting on the floor with cushions. She was relaxing, gradually breathing down, because Tracy told us if she became agitated, the natural oxytocin the body produces would not be as effective.
“I helped Sanna by massaging her back, by rubbing her head and by helping her to keep breathing. I kept her focused. I found it all extremely tough. I felt for Sanna so badly. She was so brave, but I felt that the pains were never going to end.
“We rang the hospital three times but each time they said ‘Don’t come in yet’. We hung on until midday on the 11th. We arrived at about 12.30 and a young midwife examined Sanna. While we were talking to her, Sanna’s waters broke. She examined Sanna and she could not believe it. Sanna was 10cm dilated — that’s fully dilated. She said she had never seen anyone to be so dilated but still standing.”
“The baby arrived at 2.50. I could not believe my eyes. It was like ‘Oh, my God, I am a father’. It is an experience you just have to be there for. I would recommend to every father that he be there.
“I was so proud of Sanna. The midwife said she was an inspiration. She had no medication and no form of intervention.
“We paid €900 to have Tracy as a doula. She was there with us at the hospital. VIVAS Health covers the service, but we were with BUPA which didn’t. I think it should be made available for all women.
“I don’t think I would have been able to deal with Sanna’s labour without Tracy’s support. She helped so much.
“Having my daughter has changed my life and it has brought me luck. After her birth, I went home for clean clothes and I found a letter. It was a contract saying I had been made a manager for Eircom. You can imagine how thrilled I am. I am over the moon.”
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