We went on our mini babymoon, & it was honestly so wonderful and I felt sooo relaxed and happy and full of love I think it must have been all the oxytocin that made him want to arrive early 🤣 the morning we went home I had some clear mucus and the tiniest bit of blood (I think it might have been the mucus plug coming away?) Then I had clear liquid trickling out into my underwear most of the day on and off but I didn't think it was my waters breaking as I had no pain or contractions or anything and it wasn't big gushes of water! We got home and put the Christmas tree up and I think I texted my midwife to see if I should call the hospital about it but she didn't reply so I left it as I felt fine. The next day I thought I'd better call the hospital as was still trickling the clear liquid, the girl on the phone said to come along to get checked and I asked if we should pack the hospital bag just in case and she said it wouldn't hurt to put it in the boot so we packed that but not any of our last minute bits as I didn't think we'd actually be having him! They did a test to see if my waters had broken and they had!! So they were like basically you aren't leaving the hospital without your baby 🤣 I was so excited but obviously a bit shocked as I didn't expect him to come so early. They said because it had been 24 hours since the waters had gone, if I didn't have an induction there'd be risk of infection. I wanted to avoid induction so badly but due to the risk I obviously said it was OK and asked if I could still have a water birth but they said no ,so they gave me the pessary then the oxytocin drip, I had awful back pain contractions so had some pain relief for that then when they gave me the oxytocin drip I had the epidural (using a peanut ball!) But the epidural was honestly amazing 🤣 I genuinely really enjoyed pushing him out and that was actually my favourite part of the whole experience! I feel like I was so determined whilst pushing and I did really well, it didn't take that long!

we did the delayed cord clamping but they had to inject me to get the placenta out. I used the comb when I had the bad back contractions which really helped, we had lovely lighting and music on too. The two midwives who were there when I birthed him were AMAZING! They read through my birth plan and were so encouraging and supportive saying I was bossing it and calling me a goddess 🥹 I used breathing too which helped! So lots of your skills helped us 🥰❤️ I was a bit sad not to get my water birth and not to experience the contractions etc naturally as I'd planned to be at home and have a nice bath etc but very grateful we got through it and that I actually enjoyed pushing him out as I think that was the part I was most afraid of but it felt so empowering!

She was born 41+4wks on the day I was due to have the sweep. The birth was amazing and crazy at the same time. She was almost born in the car, no time to get to Dorchester and so my husband had to make a turn and get us to Poole. Woke up at 4:12 with strong contractions 5mins apart from each other (initially thought they were practice ones again as I had been getting similar ones for the past 3wks), waters partially broke at 4:32, left home @ 5:18 and she was born at 5:48… around 10mins after I arrived at the hospital. Unfortunately/fortunately things happened so fast that there was no time for a water birth (what I wanted) and instead I gave birth on the floor on all 4s. Also no time for any painkillers… only paracetamol that I had whilst at home.  Placenta “came out” on its own straight after my daughter was out.

I just want to thank you for your support and for sharing your knowledge during the workshop and empowering me/my husband to make the right decisions, and to remind me that my body was made for this moment, was ready for it, + for me to listen to my body, etc. The breathing techniques, etc, were really helpful throughout the whole process, especially during the 3wks of prodromal labour.  I also had a reflexology session and a massage (day before I gave birth) with the professionals recommended by you.

I know things didn’t go as planned in terms of having a water birth with fairy lights on, etc (didn’t even use the comb you gave us for “pain relief”), but I felt way more confident and better prepared this time, and loved (yes I know) the experience overall and amazed at how things flowed naturally. Postpartum/recovery period are also much better this time. Thank you!