01/06/2026
The story of Grace's birth
Shared with us by Elsa
With our first child, my birth experience was not the greatest. Once I arrived at the birthing unit, fear took over. I lost confidence and struggled to work with my body through labour.
After four years, I knew I wanted something different. I deeply desired a natural home birth experience. My journey was also deeply personal because my mother passed away while giving birth to me.
For so long, fear surrounded birth in my heart, and this time I wanted to break that cycle of fear and step into birth with trust, strength, and peace.
Throughout my pregnancy, I intentionally prepared myself mentally and emotionally for a home birth. I shared my plans with my midwife, leaned on supportive friends who had experienced natural births, listened to podcasts about physiological birth, and filled my mind with positive encouragement and education.
From around 34 weeks, I had Braxton Hicks contractions on and off, so by the end of pregnancy I was very used to the sensations. At 40 weeks and 3 days, I was at home relaxing after a family brunch/lunch when I started feeling lower back pain. I honestly didn’t think much of it. The back pain began picking up quickly, so I told my husband I needed a bath. I got in the bath, and he suggested I call the midwife, but I kept saying, “No, I’m fine.” The contractions would slow down a little, then build again. I got out, walked around, then went back into the bath. Soon after, I said I needed a shower.
My husband started timing the contractions. When he realised they were coming every 2 minutes, he said, “We need to call the midwife.”
I still insisted I was okay, but thankfully he called her anyway.Once she arrived, everything moved so quickly. She checked me and said, “Oh, you’re already 7cm!”
Before I even had time to process it, my body was ready to push.
Just 28 minutes later, in the comfort of our own home and surrounded by peace, our precious baby girl was born in our bathtub.
It was the most healing, empowering, and beautiful experience of my life. A full-circle moment of strength, faith, and redemption.
I am forever grateful to God, to my supportive husband, and to my incredible midwife for helping me bring our daughter safely into the world.
The lesson of the story is believe in yourself and what your body can do when you change your mindset and train it to positive thinking. Our body is capable to give birth naturally.
📸 Photo credit Kirsten Smart Photography
