Your Positive Birth Stories
Michelle's Home Birth Story
After a lovely birth in the MLU at 42 weeks at the Rosie with my first baby, with my second birth I had chosen to have a home birth. At 40+3 weeks pregnant, I woke at around 7 with some slight tightenings. My husband, Chris, was at work in London and my mum was on standby locally to look after my 2 year old. I spoke to my mum on the phone to say I think things were starting but I would call back when I was sure. Within 10 minutes I knew this was the real deal, as with my first birth, my contractions were coming every 3 minutes straight away, just less intense to start.
My first birth was 5 hours from early contractions to welcoming baby so I thought things could be happening fairly quickly. I called Chris to make the 2 hour journey home, my mum arrived to look after my toddler and I phoned the hospital to let them know that things had started. I spent the next few hours cleaning the house, rocking through contractions and getting my toddler ready for a day without me - Chris arrived home to me scrubbing the stairs!
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Kelly's Story
In my pregnancy with my second daughter I found Sarah at The Balanced Space & pregnancy yoga. I learnt an incredible amount from Sarah & these classes & was determined to use my improved knowledge in my second labour. I had gestational diabetes which resulted in me being induced 2 weeks early. I was quite nervous due to hearing lots of negative stories about induction but I can honestly say I had the most wonderful & empowering birth. Though the induction process was long for me (my little girl was just too snug!) I had, had two pessaries, my waters broken & then put onto the drip.. I was then concerned I had no option but to have a c section but the midwife’s reassured me & with drip on max eventually my contractions started and once they started my actual labour was quick. Sarah had taught us some brilliant breathing techniques that I used throughout & felt these really helped. I was able to stay active during my labour, I spent most of my labour on the ball & only moved to the bed to give birth. After a nasty tear the first time round I was encouraged to give birth on my side which was successful for me & I didn’t tear this time! My little girl was born an hour & a half after my first contraction.
Kelly Daniels
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My Own Birth Story
Not All Births Are Slow — My Fast and Empowering Birth Story
As someone who had spent months preparing for labour with pregnancy yoga and mindfulness, I had imagined that when the time came, I’d have plenty of warning and space to ease into the experience. But birth has its own timing, and my baby boy had other plans.
I’d been feeling a little unwell and noticed a worrying lack of movement from my baby, who was usually very active. Trusting my instincts, I went to see my GP, who referred me straight to the hospital to be checked for pre-eclampsia. What I didn’t know then was that I was already in the early stages of labour.
Still assuming I had hours ahead of me, I tried to settle in and even attempted to get into the bath — but I suddenly felt the unmistakable urge to push. The midwife quickly checked me and discovered I was already 9 centimetres dilated. Everything was happening so fast.
I hadn’t had any pain relief up until that point, but the midwife reassured me that things wouldn’t get more intense, and I found huge comfort in that. With some gas and air and the breathing techniques I had learned in my pregnancy yoga classes, I dropped into a calm and focused space. Just an hour and a half later, I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy.
Although I needed a small episiotomy because the cord was around his neck, the midwife was calm, supportive, and incredibly reassuring throughout. My little one was a tiny 5lb 10oz — but he was full-term and perfectly healthy.
My birth wasn’t what I expected. It was fast, intense, and powerful. But it reminded me that not all labours are long or textbook — and that our bodies are deeply wise. I’m so grateful for the support I had, the breathing tools I could call on, and the quiet inner strength that guided me through it all.
Sarah Mccallum
Listen in on The Balanced Birth Podcast Show as I chat more about my birth experience
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