For those of you who may not know, I’ve just welcomed my beautiful baby girl, Sunnie Marg Robinson, into the world. From unexpected challenges to moments of pure joy, this experience has reshaped my perspective on life and business. So, I’m taking a quick break from my maternity leave to share with you my birth story and the incredible mindset lessons it taught me.

Our journey began months before Sunnie arrived. At around 25 to 30 weeks, we discovered she was breech. Though I tried everything from inversions and acupuncture to chiropractics and moxibustion to flip her, Sunnie was steadfast in her position. This initial phase tested my mindset significantly, especially my preparation for a C-section, scheduled for the 11th of July—interestingly at 11:11 AM. Yet, just four days before the planned C-section, Sunnie miraculously flipped!

While I had mentally prepared for a c-section, I was overjoyed that I could return to my original plan of a vaginal birth. This experience reminded me of the immense power of mindset flexibility, where embracing uncertainty and adapting to changes became paramount.

The next two weeks were an excruciating yet exhilarating waiting game for natural labour to kick in. My heart was set on avoiding induction, so every waking moment was spent walking, eating dates, and doing stretches, all while hoping to trigger spontaneous labour. Just one day before my scheduled induction, labour finally began with a stretch and sweep, igniting contractions almost immediately.

Affirmations and breathing techniques were my lifelines. I was deeply rooted in calmness, thanks to hypnobirthing preparations. As contractions intensified, my partner Chay’s whispered affirmations anchored me: "You're so powerful," "Your body was made to do this," and "You've got this." These affirmations were soothing and reinforced my belief in my capabilities. They also reflected the mindset strategies I have long applied in business.



Arriving at the hospital at 2 AM, I was prepared for the next phase. Asking for an epidural became a saga of its own, extending over two grueling hours due to an emergency C-section elsewhere. This unexpected delay pushed my mindset to its limits. I found myself physically and mentally shaken, but Chay's unwavering support helped me re-anchor into my strength.

The key lesson here is knowing you can go further than you think possible. In business and life, we set boundaries for ourselves, but often, we are capable of much more when pushed to our edges.

During the final stages of labour involving pushing and crowning, I realised the importance of support. Surrounded by an amazing medical team and listening to our birthing playlist, I felt an overwhelming sense of empowerment. Even when a final push required additional assistance with a vacuum because of Sunnie’s large head size, I didn’t feel defeated. Instead, I felt an immense gratitude for the support that ensured a safe delivery.

As I looked into Sunnie’s eyes for the first time, I felt an immense wave of gratitude and growth. Each step of labour taught me lessons about strength, patience, and the importance of mental preparedness. I hope that my experiences resonate with you and provide some insights into the incredible power of the human mind during life’s most challenging moments.

LINKS

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