Lucy’s Home Birth

Someone once described my eldest’s birth as “unremarkable”. They meant it was straightforward, textbook, uncomplicated. But to me, it was the most remarkable thing I’d ever achieved.

What I’ve come to realise is that birth doesn’t have to be dramatic, medicalised or frightening to be extraordinary. There is something incredibly powerful about being able to birth your baby in an environment where you feel safe, supported and able to trust your body.

And for us, that meant a home birth for our second baby.

‘Twas the night before D-day (my due date), and I was convinced I’d be waiting another week for baby to arrive, just as I had with my first. But at 7pm, after a takeaway curry, I was reading my eldest his bedtime stories when, seemingly out of nowhere, contractions started coming every 10–15 minutes.

By 11pm, they were every 3–4 minutes. By midnight, every two minutes, and I was curled over the back of the sofa, completely focused on my breathing.

The midwives and Amy arrived and set up in the kitchen. Jon, my husband, had blown up the birth pool, lit the candles and put on my playlist. Amy filled the pool while Jon applied counter-pressure to my lower back which Amy had shown us – absolute heaven!

I can’t remember exactly when I got into the pool, only that it wasn’t long after midnight.

Things seemed to plateau slightly, so Amy suggested a change of position. And, lo and behold, the moment I lifted a leg, my waters broke! I could feel baby moving down, and suddenly I became a little more vocal.

Then, within just a few pushes, baby’s head was born, and the rest of his body followed with the next contraction.

And just like that, Laurie was here.

No examinations. No interventions. No pain relief. Just my body, my baby, my breathing and the people I trusted around me.

When it comes to labour and birth, I’m a firm believer in the phrase “the body achieves what the mind believes”. Hypnobirthing helped me approach birth seeking calm rather than anticipating fear. It gave me tools to focus on my breathing, stay present and work with my body rather than against it.

I truly believe this was the best way for Laurie to be born, and I went into labour feeling that my body was not only capable but designed for this purpose and immensely powerful. 

You can’t fake calm. For me, it came from feeling prepared, safe and supported, rather than being consumed by fear of the unknown.

Of course, I know how fortunate we were. Not everyone has access to a home birth, the right support, or the circumstances that allow birth to unfold as they hope. And no two births are the same. This isn’t about saying there’s one right way to give birth, or that a birth with interventions is any less remarkable. It’s about recognising that birth doesn’t have to be approached with fear, and that women deserve to feel informed, empowered and supported in whatever birth they have.

We’re so glad we worked with Amy. Having a hypnobirthing and home birth ally was invaluable. She offered reassurance, practical help, gentle suggestions and tools when we needed them. Just as importantly, she was a familiar, consistent presence in our home. Our midwives were lovely and completely capable, but they were still people we didn’t know. Having someone beside us who knew us, understood our hopes and helped us feel grounded made such a difference.

Because birth doesn’t have to be something we fear. With the right preparation, support and environment, it can be something we approach with confidence, trust and even excitement.

And that, to me, is pretty remarkable.