Our unplanned homebirth and how Calmbirth assisted.

Myself (Gemma) and Wife Sarah attended Karen McClay’s Calmbirth classes after receiving a voucher from my lovely colleagues. We were recommended by a friend that attended founder Peter Jackson’s class 21 years ago! In absolute honesty I believe Karen and her classes truly gave myself and Sarah especially, the empowerment in choice for medical decisions, birth planning, exploring and honing female intuition and the tools to prepare for labour and birth.

The week prior to the birth of our baby, Sarah was experiencing gestational hypertension at 39 weeks. With our Calmbirth knowledge in front of mind, Sarah and I were able to confidentially make choices that suited Sarah and baby in an informed and safe manner.

The hospital wanted to induce Sarah, however we felt confident in the visualised spontaneous birth that we wanted. We followed medical advice that still allowed us to do that, without the induction that was suggested. The day before our beautiful baby’s birth on October 26th, 2025 Sarah was experiencing back pain, nothing that she couldn’t manage and still was able to complete her regular 3km walk. This was unbeknown to us the start of our labour journey…

In the very early hours of October 27th Sarah’s back pain was a lot worse and she was restless. Days prior her mucus plug was slowly showing. Little did we know at the time, this was her labour pain and not regular pregnancy aches she was used too. Sarah went to the bathroom and felt her waters break at 2.42am. We very much felt nervous and excited that it was all about to begin and in time we would meet our baby. Following our Calmbirth took kit, and was sure for a long night, Sarah wanted a hot shower, mood candles to relax and to focus on her breathing. This didn’t last all that long, maybe 5 minutes in the shower before Sarah very quickly had strong labour pains. She was on all fours in the shower and unable to move to any other location. It was clear physiological signs baby was coming. Sarah said she felt strong instinctual urge to push and she was right, baby was crowning!

I quickly phoned 000, and within minutes of speaking to the operator giving our details, Sarah confidently and instinctually pulled our new baby boy Levi into the world at 3.11am. Paramedics were able to arrive within 15 minutes and intensive care 30 minutes after that. There was some complications with Sarah having postpartum haemorrhage and Levi needing extra medical support.

Thanks to the Calmbirth classes, our birth experience may have been a bit chaotic and not our original plan A, but they sure did prepare us to deliver our baby boy with a calm sure mind, following the strong maternal instincts that exuded. Sarah and Levi are happy and thriving. –  Gemma