Four Births, Four Vocal Variations

Here is a brief summary of how I felt about my voice during my four labours at home.

I firmly believe that had I known the benefits of using my voice for focus, relaxation, openness, and pain relief, I would have made a conscious choice to use it from my first labor. I would have also embraced any sounds I made, instead of feeling shame.

We live and learn! Now, drawing from my experiences, I enjoy encouraging pregnant women confidently use their voice before giving birth, so they can experience the full benefits—connection, pain relief, empowerment, energy, relaxation, endurance, and the release of birth hormones—without letting "voice shame" interfere, so they can draw on this tool when they need it during labour.

Labour 1:

Where: home

Length: 26 hours.

People present: husband, Mum, friend, midwife

Pain relief tools: hot water bottle, birth pool

I was quiet as a mouse and very VERY self conscious about making any sounds. I didn’t want people watching or listening to me. I noticed a lot of shame around making any sounds. My Mum whispered in my ear near the end, “It’s OK to make sounds you know …”. I let go more after that. Sometimes we all we need is permission and a gentle reminder. When pushing I screamed a lot due to fear. After the birth I was more shocked about all the screaming … I couldn’t believe I had made so much noise. Shame overwhelmed me even though no one was judging me. I judged myself. I was also shocked at how primal the whole experience was.

Labour 2:

Where: home

Length: 16 hours.

People present: husband, Mum, friend, midwife, 2-year-old daughter

Pain relief tools: hot water bottle, birth pool, music, shower, voice

I once again felt uncomfortable about making sounds for most of the labour. I listened to background music most of the time, but it wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as when I went into the shower near the end and started vocalising. Soon after, my waters broke, and my second daughter was born. I remember feeling embarrassed about how loud I was in the shower, wondering what everyone thought … but I also secretly enjoyed it!

Labour 3:

Where: home

Length: 9 hours.

People present: husband, Mum, friend, midwife, 4- and 6-year-old daughters

Pain relief tools: hot water bottle, birth pool, crystal singing bowl, voice

Once again, I found myself in labour in front of my family and midwife feeling rather self-conscious about being half naked and making strange sounds. This time though, during a contraction, my Mum started to play the crystal singing bowl that happened to be sitting in the corner of my bedroom. I immediately felt safe enough to vocalise louder … I made Ahh and Ooo and Eee sounds … I also harmonised with the bowl! I felt like I was being cocooned by the sound which gave me permission to really let go. For the first time I noticed how the use of my voice as well as the resonant sound of that bowl helped me stay focused, strong, as well as relatively pain-free! I needed the bowl during every contraction after that. This was the birth of “SoundBirth”. I knew I needed to share this tool with the world!

Labour 4:

Where: home

Length: 44 hours.

People present: husband, Mum, midwife, back-up midwife, 10, 7 and 3 year old daughters.

Pain relief tools: hot water bottle, crystal singing bowl, voice

This time I felt confident about using my voice with my bowl. I was the “SoundBirth lady” after all! Everyone in my family seemed to have a go at playing the bowl in time with my contractions. I was in labour inside and outside sometimes in the Bedfordale bush backyard. Restless as a cat. But a lot more confident about using my voice. It wasn’t an issue anymore. I had been a Mother for 10 years already and could handle anything now it seemed. The problem this time was that I was exhausted after 40 hours of labour. The resonant, intense sound of the bowl bought out the biggest sounds I have ever made which tapped right into my own inner strength, giving me the energy I needed to birth my last baby into the world.

I would love to know your voice story! Here is a survey I created so I can find out more about how YOU felt about your voice before, during and after the birth.

This information will help me help other mums too. So, thank you!!