Dalen speaks about the different feelings she had between her first birth and second with feeling disconnected in her first birth to Oaklee but very grounded and present for Asher’s birth. This is an episode where there is definitely quite a difference between first birth and second birth experiences.

In this chat we cover:

-Being a younger mum

-Intense long labour (convinced it would be fast) for first birth

-Got to birth centre 1cm dilated

-Felt disconnected

-Difficult time and difficult recovery determined for this not to happen again

-Education and communication with partner Josh as to how he could be even better support in 2nd birth

-Using TENS machine, being in water, soft loose body

-Very present for 2nd birth at home in the water

Dalen is owner of @labourandlovenz  https://labourandlove.co.nz/ where you can find a conscious practitioner directory, birth pool hire, natural products for birth and postpartum.

This episode is sponsored by www.tenshire.co.nz, Natal Care Naturally has offered all listeners a 5% discount on their TENS machine hire. Use code: POSITIVEBIRTH

A tens machine helps you to cope with the sensations of labour by using pulsing vibrations that reduces the intensity of the feelings by your brain. It also helps to stimulate endorphins the feel good hormones and naturally occurring body’s own morphine. All of this means that you’re more likely to feel more comfortable during your labour and of course a TENS machine works beautifully in conjunction with your hypnobirthing breathing and relaxation exercises too.

You’ll get 6 weeks of hire and for those of you using hypnobirthing skills, you can practise these with the tens machine before you go into labour to feel how well they work together.

If you’d like to gain some valuable hypnobirthing tools head to www.positivebirths.co.nz for course options and a Free Relaxation track.

For more chats and info on a positive birth journey follow @positive_births_nz