Calm, controlled and empowering — even with a breech baby

My name is Olga Sestakova, I am 33 years old, married for 2 years. I am from Slovakia, living in the UK for 7 years. I’m from a big family where my mum and dad have been married for 51 years and have 12 children (I’m number 11) and 26 grandchildren. My husband Lubko is also from a complete family and his parents have been married for 36 years with 3 boys and 3 grandchildren. We value family and believe children are a gift. Living and working hard in the UK allowed us to build a nice life, buy our house, and enjoy our marriage with holidays, travel, and cars. So we decided to have a baby.

At the beginning, my only concern was whether to have my labour in the UK or Slovakia for better health care. I found out I was pregnant in January 2014, planning for a September baby. I started researching pregnancy and labour in the UK, but most stories were negative. I decided to prepare myself as best I could and find something positive. Coming from a family with 6 sisters, I couldn’t believe labour was supposed to be so difficult.

I visited my midwife, attended hospital appointments, NHS antenatal classes, and read books and online resources. Then I discovered positive labour experiences with Birth Right Hypnobirthing. It felt like a light in the darkness. Initially, my husband thought it was just about “taking money off me” and didn’t want to attend, but after one session, he changed his mind. Everything Nancy taught us made sense, and we were both delighted.

At 34 weeks, my midwife told me I had several conditions affecting my labour and birth plan: Gestational Diabetes, Rh-, and a breech baby with extended legs. She suggested ECV at 36 weeks, induction at 38 weeks, or a C-section. I didn’t want any of these. At 35 weeks, another scan confirmed the breech position. Because of my hypnobirthing sessions, I wasn’t worried, believing “my baby knows best when it is ready to come” and “our baby is clever.”

We celebrated our 2nd anniversary with a relaxing weekend in Cardiff. On Tuesday, 26th August, my water broke at 8 am at work. I calmly went home, packed for the hospital, showered, and called my midwife. At the hospital, staff were surprised at how calm and happy I was. I danced around, breathing through each contraction, and when the doctor said a C-section was needed, I remained confident and used hypnobirthing techniques.

I laboured naturally, using my breathing techniques, and pushed when my body guided me. The doctor performed an episiotomy for the baby’s safety. My baby girl was born at 13:21, just 69 minutes after my water broke, weighing 2200g. The labour was smooth, calm, and empowering. Post-birth, I had no painkillers, healed quickly, and enjoyed my new role as a mum. My husband was incredibly supportive throughout. I wholeheartedly recommend Birth Right Hypnobirthing as proof that even a vaginal breech birth can be calm, controlled, and positive. We look forward to having more children in the future.