Thank YOU Karen I hope you know how much of an influence you’ve had on my mindset and thoughts around birth. I was so excited to share our birth story. I feel so strongly about the work Calmbirth is doing in this space.
I have a birth story to share with you for our 2nd Calmbirth baby on the 04/04/24. Our first birth had a few cascades of events and I was determined to have a natural physiological birth this time around. I read the Ina May Gaskin book too. Words won’t cut it but I had a complete natural birth, right from the beginning to end. It’s a story I’d love to share to give other Mumma’s hope the 2nd time round.
For my 2nd birth I was preparing to have a drug free birth and wanted to labour at home for as long as I could. I was lucky to get into the MGP group practice again and have the same midwife, which I was so grateful for! At 41 weeks, I had my first stretch and sweep which I had asked for as I felt close. Everything looked perfect—good fluid levels, baby well-positioned—but I kept my expectations in check, remembering our first born arrived at 42 weeks. Soon after, I felt cramping while walking with Danny, our daughter, and my parents. I was hopeful that this was the beginning of labour. I breathed through the contractions that continued into the night, using my Calm Birth techniques to stay grounded.
By 1:30am, things intensified. The TENS machine was a game-changer, allowing me to rest between surges. When Dan’s mum arrived to look after our daughter around 5am, my contractions suddenly slowed—reminding me of Ina May Gaskin’s wisdom about how birth responds to the space and people in it. Dan and I spent the most beautiful day together: walking behind our house in the reserve, cuddling, and resting on the couch. The contractions returned, irregular, but stronger. Back home, I bounced on the Swiss ball, had a shower with Danny and napped through early labour. We started to watch The Notebook. I kept calm and grounded using my breath and low vocal sounds.
By afternoon, I was fully in the zone and had retreated to our bedroom. I told Dan to stay close. He held me, breathed with me, helped me feel safe. I laboured in various positions, and by evening, things got intense.
My mum arrived to care for our daughter and ended up staying for the whole labour. I was vocal and direct—“BOOST!”, “TOO MUCH!”, “DAN, I NEED YOU!” Suddenly, I felt pressure in my bum and the urge to go to the toilet. The thought of transition crossed my mind, but I felt too in control to believe that’s where I was. Mum agreed—it didn’t seem like transition yet. I moved to the toilet and discovered my membranes were bulging. I looked at Danny and calmly said, “The baby is coming.”
We called my midwife and quickly planned for a last-minute dash to the hospital. She arrived just in time and reassured me, “If your waters break in the car, just pull over—we’ll have this sweet baby on the side of the road.” I climbed into the car backwards, gripping the headrest, and off we went to the hospital, I entered “reverse cowboy” in a wheelchair straight into the bath—but labour slowed again. Trusting my instincts, I moved to the toilet and with a pinch, broke my own waters. There was meconium which changed my whole vision of a water birth.
I moved to the mat and spent a short time on the birth stool before settling into a deep squat, leaning onto the bed with my forearms. Danny wrapped his arms around me, grounding me—my constant anchor. I could feel our baby’s head so close. In that moment, I knew instinctively it was time to birth her. I wasn’t sure where I’d find the strength to push her out, but I knew I had to. One of the midwifes suggested I move shift into a lunge, which I did, roaring through every surge. There were quiet concerns in the room about a possible shoulder dystocia or a large baby. After 45 intense minutes of pushing with everything I had at 9:54 p.m., Olivia was born—with her cord tightly wrapped around her neck three times. My midwife responded calmly and swiftly, unwrapping the cord and immediately passing her to me.
Olivia needed a little oxygen, but she was quickly in my arms—pink, perfect, and latching straight away. I then returned to the toilet to birth the placenta, and after more skin-to-skin time, I jumped in the shower to freshen up, ready to take our baby girl home. Just five hours later, we were in bed, at home. I was in awe of my body—for bringing our daughter into the world naturally, without any drugs. I’ve never felt so exhausted… and so empowered.
Calmbirth gave me the tools and confidence to stay grounded, connected, and present allowing me to experience the unmedicated, natural birth I had envisioned.
Olivia's open mind to accepting unexpected changes… by Karen McClay On the 11th of June, we welcomed our little boy into the world. Unfortunately he didn't want to come on his own at 41+4 so we needed to be induced despite all of our natural methods of trying.
Getting To Know Calmbirth Educator Lee Swift by Lee Swift I love stories. Reading them, watching them, listening to them. I even love singing and dancing them. I especially love birth stories. I’m excited to have the opportunity, through Calmbirth, to help you start your own birth story. Investing in a Calmbirth course will provide you with the knowledge, confidence,…
Ida’s Calmbirth story - told by her dad. by Cherie Chugg "This story is extra special, it’s not every day I receive a birth story from a dad. Thank you, Mark, for sharing. I think this is only the second dad’s story I’ve ever had come in."
