Pregnancy Journey Stories
Every pregnancy journey is different for different people, it is with great pleasure that with the help of previous clients, I can present some memorable moments in their pregnancy, it could be the birth, antenatal or postnatal experience that we found amazing, terrifying or just emotive and thought provoking. I would like to thank all the family’s that have let me be part of their journey and provide some amazing stories for you to read.
HBAC journey
Early January 2024 I had the most amazing home birth! All thanks to Steph for making it happen and believing in me and my body!
Here’s a little back story, August 2021 I had my daughter at a hospital via emergency c-section I had no idea why it was a emergency until days later and always felt I did not need the c section. I knew as soon as I fell pregnant with my son I wanted a VBAC so off I went to a Hypnobirthing class specifically for VBAC. The lady I saw said hiring a private midwife and having a home birth is your best chance as hospitals will put up a fight to give you another c-section, I knew I always wanted a home birth but didn’t think that was possible because of my previous c-section so as soon as I found out I could I emailed so many midwives as I was already late to the party😂 I luckily found Steph who was available, and I’m so happy she was we clicked straight away I felt so comfortable with her.
Everything I wanted in my birth and during pregnancy she agreed with I felt I had full control over my body and my birth which I didn’t feel in my first pregnancy and birth! So here’s my home birth story of my beautiful son. 3rd January 2024 I started feeling inconsistent contractions around 8am, I ignored it and kept on with my day then around 4:30pm they started to get stronger but still inconsistent, I ended up calling Steph at 8pm and telling her I am having contractions but they aren’t that bad right now she heard my noisy daughter in the background and asked when she’s going to bed? I said now and she said put her to bed and you’ll see things ramp up! And when I tell you things ramped up they definitely did. I got my sister to call Steph and my other sister at around 11pm. I can’t remember the exact time Steph got to my house but it felt like she was there in 5 seconds and as soon as she got to mine she knelt down to my level and she rubbed my back and said your going to do amazing and it’s time to have a baby which I thought was just so nice to have that moment with her. She then asked if I wanted to do a check to see how many centimetres I was I said yes that was at 12:15 and I was 7cm, I then went into the shower while my bath filled up and continued to labour in there with my sisters and Steph by my side. The pool was finally full and I hopped in and continued to labour some more as Steph and my sisters spoke so softly and calmly telling me I’m doing amazing, Steph checking the heart beat every now and then. I had never felt so safe and so supported in all my life. The 4th of January 2024 at 1:57am my beautiful baby boy was born and I was able to catch him myself, it was the most magical experience I’ve ever had it was the most perfect birth I remember just crying and saying I did it I did it!
After a couple of minutes I finally got out of the bath Steph and her back up midwife Rachael wiped me down and took me to my room. There was no rush to do anything they let me lay there with my baby to soak everything up until I was ready to deliver my placenta she then checked over my son and made sure I was okay and headed home. Then for 6 weeks Steph came over checked on me everyday for a week and then once a week for 5 weeks it was so personal and great to have that one on one care any questions I had she always answered and always told me to call or text her anytime!
Steph is not only a midwife she is a beautiful person inside and out, and if I ever have another baby she will defiantly be the first person I call again to do another home birth she is defiantly one of a kind I can’t thank and recommend Steph enough!
Photos by Sarah Kate Photography
Freddie William, 31st Aug 2024
After finding out the gender of our first baby, Erika, we decided that for our second baby, we wanted their gender kept a surprise until birth.
After already having a home birth for our daughter, I knew that’s what I wanted to have again, along with the amazing continuity of care from a private midwife. Steph looked after me and baby from 7 weeks pregnant right up until 7 weeks postpartum. How lucky we are to have received such amazing care, and having someone available for questions, help, reassurance and expertise throughout that journey.
During Freddies pregnancy, I experienced the same morning sickness as I did with Erika, which was from 7 weeks pregnant up until around 21 weeks. During this time, I was convinced we were having another girl, as my symptoms were so similar. Other than the sickness, my pregnancy was great, I was able to carry on life as normal as a busy self employed mum, with an energetic toddler, and a zoo of pets and horses to care for!
At 38 weeks pregnant, Freddie had decided to turn transverse and because of this, I opted to have an ECV in hospital in hopes that I would be part of the 50% success rate of baby turning back head down. Thankfully, I was. When the Drs turned him, and he immediately moved as we hoped, I changed my mind from thinking we were having a girl, to now having a boy. Knowing my daughter’s personality, I knew if my baby was so compliant for the Drs, that it was a boy (just my own opinion!) Steph stayed with me throughout the whole hospital visit, which I was so relieved to have had.
My pregnancy went really fast up until 40 weeks. After 40 weeks, time felt so slow waiting for labour to start. Then 41 weeks came around, and each night I would go to bed wondering if tonight would be the night. Then morning would come around, and it was another day. Friends and family would ask if/when I was getting induced or having intervention, as I was approaching 42 weeks. My response was, if I am healthy and baby is healthy, they will come when they’re ready and choose their own birthday. I had frequent appointments with Steph to make sure all was well with us both, it was just a waiting game. A mental battle more than anything.
Friday August 30th, I fed my horses in the afternoon like I always do, and once they had been sorted, I started to feel a few niggles.
I went home, cooked dinner, got Erika ready for bed, and tried to ignore any pains along the way. My husband Aaron was still at work, but I didnt feel the need to call him home just yet. I contacted Steph and my birth photographer Zoe, to let them know I think things were starting to happen finally, at 41+5 days pregnant.
Once I put Erika to bed, things started to gradually ramp up. Aaron was on his way home, and we got the birth pool set up in our bathroom ready. I wanted to conserve as much energy as I could, so tried to rest in between contractions when possible. I used my spiky birth balls in the palm of my hands to squeeze, they fitted much easier than combs.
Between 6pm-10pm I was able to still talk, move about, and ignore contractions as much as possible. 10pm Zoe the photographer came over. Between 10pm-1am I was resting in bed, able to shut my eyes for a few minutes but not sleep. After 1am I was too uncomfortable to shut my eyes. I laboured on the bed, and in and out of the pool until I felt it was time to ring Steph to come over. Aaron rung her at 5am and she came straight over. Once Steph was here, I got back into the pool which is where I stayed until Freddie was born.
Erika woke up around 6am, she came through to see me in the pool, and the midwifes and Zoe showed her how she could pour water on my back to feel helpful and included. Erika went between being with me and watching a movie so she had the choice of what she wanted to do.
At 8:16am, after 14 hours of total labour, I caught Freddie in my arms in the birth pool and pulled him up. I waited until both Aaron and Erika were there to check his gender, a boy!
Contractions continued, and the placenta followed quite quickly behind him. Our rainbow baby was here.
I then got out the pool and hopped in bed. Aaron cut his cord, Steph checked him over and he was weighed. 4.33kg, 54cm long and a 37cm head. We tucked ourselves in bed, Zoe fed me tea and biscuits whilst I fed Freddie.
I felt very grateful to have had another home birth, and bring a healthy baby into the world. My recovery was excellent, which Im so glad for especially second time round when rest is harder, while having to keep up with a toddler.
The midwifes I have had for both of my births definitely leave a lasting impression, which I love. Thank you Steph for being an amazing midwife for our family.
