Fanny, after a difficult first birth: “Understanding so the fear goes away”
“My first birth had left me with a painful memory.
When I got pregnant again, after a miscarriage, anxiety took over completely.
I knew I had to prepare differently, so I could live this birth calmly. Here's our story, up to Lucie's arrival.”
My story
A first birth that left its mark
My first birth was induced because of intrauterine growth restriction. There were some big scares, a lot of pain, and it lasted a very long time. My son was then followed for several weeks in neonatal care.
All of it right at the start of the pandemic: a hospital under strain, staff on high alert, restrictions getting stricter and stricter. I didn't come away from that first birth with a good memory.
A second pregnancy marked by anxiety
When I got pregnant again, after a miscarriage, I was very anxious. I was afraid of the pain, afraid of having another miscarriage, afraid the problems would happen again.
I knew I had to deal with my worries: both so the baby would arrive in good conditions, and so I could stay stable and calm myself throughout the pregnancy.
Preparing differently: understanding so the fear goes away
For the second time (I hadn't done it for my first pregnancy), I turned to Émilie for private prenatal classes. It changed everything.
I finally understood what happens physiologically during a birth. I understood that not all births are traumatic, and that the beliefs my brain had built after the first time didn't mean it would happen again. It was also a real space to talk, ask my questions and reassure myself.
Medically, everything was well monitored: my pregnancy care was at Verdun Hospital, and the birth was planned at LaSalle Hospital.
Letting go: breathing, positions, meditation
In the end, that pregnancy went very, very well. It was the middle of summer and I managed to de-stress. With the doulas' help, I conditioned myself to let go completely and enjoy my pregnancy, instead of being anxious about it.
I really understood how important breathing and positions are for easing the pain on the big day. And what worked particularly well for me was guided meditation: entering a kind of detached, peaceful state.
My partner Victor was also very well informed thanks to the classes. He knew how to help me, support me and make me laugh. We moved forward together, prepared.
My first birth had been very difficult and I went into my second pregnancy with a lot of anxiety. The private prenatal classes with Émilie changed everything: I finally understood what happens in the body, I realized that no two births are alike, and I learned to let go (the breathing and the guided meditation helped me enormously). My partner also knew exactly how to support me, I recommend it 100%.
Thank you so much, Fanny, for this testimonial full of courage. Congratulations on Lucie's birth, and what a joy it was to support you toward such a beautiful experience!
The big day: Lucie's arrival
Lucie was born a few days past her due date, at LaSalle Hospital. It all happened very naturally, everything came gently. I was completely relaxed, thanks to the prenatal classes, but also because I had understood how to work with my body.
Victor was by my side, active, able to help me. And at the end of that moment, there was Lucie, in very good health.
I'm convinced it made all the difference in Lucie's birth; today she's a very alert little girl. After that second experience, I was finally reconciled with my motherhood.
Reconciled with the experience of childbirth.
Where the prenatal classes helped me most was in understanding what's happening, so I wouldn't be afraid anymore, and in letting go, so I could let nature do some of the work, because it is natural. The information they give is scientifically grounded, and the doulas are very gentle: they really communicate very well.
Fanny
Verdun · mom of two
Fanny carries two children and a whole journey: a first birth that marked her, a miscarriage, then a second pregnancy inhabited at first by fear. Rather than endure that anxiety, she chose to look it in the eye, understand, prepare, let go. Lucie's birth, gentle and calm, reconciled her with motherhood. Her story is the story of every mom who refuses to let a difficult first experience write what comes next.
We thank Fanny for the generosity and courage of her testimonial, and welcome again to Oscar and Lucie !
Émilie, Ysé Naissance Photo credit, Fanny: Sophie CampionThe services Fanny and her partner used
Private in-home prenatal classes
Complete preparation in your home, at your own pace, to understand how the birth will unfold, ease your worries and fully involve the co-parent.
ExplorePerinatal preparation & managing anxiety
Breathing, positions, guided meditation and letting go: gentle support so you can go through your pregnancy and your birth with confidence, especially after a difficult first experience.
ExploreGood to know: all of these services qualify for an insurance receipt under the naturopathy category. Several group plans cover childbirth preparation and support in that category, so it's worth checking with your insurer.