Gaby’s focus became quite definite and inward. They moved to the bathroom, and as so commonly happens when you sit on the toilet, her contractions now started coming more intensely and closer together. We could really hear the deepening…

When I wrote Arthur’s birth notice for the newspaper, I described his birth as being a ‘joyous’ occasion. And it was! This isn’t a load of hippie hogwash either. The birth of my son was the most joyful, beautiful, and incredible experience of my life…

We had prepared ourselves for a breach homebirth with lots of information. It is amazing the reactions we got when telling people that we were birthing a breach at home – most people assumed that we would be off to hospital for a caesarean…

I have no idea how fast the contractions were coming, but there was not enough of a gap to count too high. The phone rang at 7.30, about the same time the pressure moved from my front to my back, and I knew from Corban’s birth that things…

Somehow, we must have known that our second baby’s birth was close because on the 12th of March, the E.D.D (estimated date of delivery) I washed out all the baby clothes. They fluttered in the warm Southland breeze while Eric assembled the birth pool…

It all started for me some three and a half years ago at an antenatal class – a bunch of expectant first time parents sitting there with a group of strangers wondering, “What the hell am I doing here?” Midwives! Bring on the doctors…

I had a huge contraction and felt something pop, I honestly thought that Aria’s head had exploded! As stupid as that sounds now, it was what I thought had happened! I had my waters broken with Sean and Jessica, so I had no idea what it felt like…

A few contractions later and as the urge to push became overwhelming, they burst with a rush. I guess I spent about the next 40 minutes pushing – it did not feel painful, just hard work and I could feel my baby’s head moving down slowly each time…

Thomas was kicking busily, probably his first real chance after all the activities of the day! I fell asleep easily but awoke at 2 am to some niggly pains. By 2.30 I couldn’t sleep and thought, ‘hmmm, I had better get up and do some assignment…

It is funny how a part of your brain tries to ‘psyche you out’ and the other part is pushing you through giving you the rational thoughts. I do remember our lovely midwife taking my hands, and telling me how strong I am, and that I can do this, I sure can…

Daniel was in the pool with me and as the next contraction came I said “Oh no, I’m going to do a poo” Then I said “No I’m not, it’s the baby’s head” as the head popped out. I was very surprised and relieved all at once. I had not consciously pushed…

A strong, determined woman she was – connected to the earth and many generations of labouring women who have gone before. A woman who trusted the unfailing support of her husband, midwife, and sister. A woman who, using the techniques learned…