I learnt so much from books, and from both my ‘yoga midwife’ and my own midwife. I remember talking to her one day about luck. She told me, “It’s not about luck, it’s about good health, good information and lots of trust”. I have never forgotten that…

I found out I was pregnant with Dylan while we were living in the UK on a working holiday – we were very excited as we’d planned to start trying and hopefully be pregnant by the time we returned home – we just didn’t expect it to happen straight away…

Over the next few hours, the contractions started coming back to back. I completely relied on having a hot water bottle on my back or being in the shower to ease the tension. We were so exhausted we slept for a minute between each contraction…

The three of us tucked up in bed and enjoyed our first day together as a new family. I wish I could tell all expectant mothers that birth does not have to be a scary and painful experience. It can be one of the most empowering and positive experiences…

I feel this is the difference in a home birth midwife, who sees normal, natural birth every day and believes fully in a women’s/birthing person’s ability to birth their baby unaided vs someone who is trained in medical emergencies…

Pushing was good. Hard, but nearly always progressive. A contraction would build, I would feel the urge to push and bear down, making deep strong noises until I needed a break and air. I would let up, but the power and intensity of the contraction…

The tide swirls around my ankles. I look out at the vast expanse of blue and feel nervous, excited, scared, and overwhelmed all at once. The current pushes and pulls the sea in all directions. My body sways to and fro, forcing me to anchor my feet firmly…

After letting all the important people know, I relaxed and enjoyed feeling my body preparing for your arrival. I lit our candles from my mama blessing, put on my birth beads and admired my birth blessing bunting- I smiled and thought…

If I do manage to pass on one thing with this birth story it has to be a firm and confident recommendation for everyone planning the birth of their child, that you consider giving Calmbirth a go. As the name would suggest, you will learn…

I was exhausted physically and mentally from labouring all day and night. I knew my state of mind would influence my labour hugely, but I just could not shake the grumpiness hanging over me. I had been waiting to have this baby for what seemed like…

My older sister had had a beautiful home birth with her first child and this example combined with my distrust of the medical establishment meant that I didn’t even consider hospital as a viable place to give birth to a baby. I interviewed several midwives…

We were at my parents for dinner and I didn’t want to miss out on the roast. I managed to eat between contractions which were getting stronger. I told Ben he would have to finish his dessert in the car because the baby was on its way…