29/08/2026
Born into his Daddy's Safe Hands.
Mac Aaron was born at home into his daddy's hands at 42w3d, on 25 January 2026 at 03:14am, weighing 4.5kg.
Our home birth had been beautifully calm with a manageable rhythm of waves and surges. My wonderful doula, Pamela ,of Bump-to-Bundle stayed by my side while my husband, Lance, snuck off to catch a little sleep beside our precious daughter, Adélie (2 weeks shy of 3 years and also a home birth baby).
Eventually, after some tea, a chat, and a couple of hours of walking and squatting and a glorious massage, I asked Pam to wake Lance up.
The moment he walked into the room, everything changed. Labour intensified almost instantly. He has always been my greatest source of comfort, safety, and oxytocin - my body clearly agreed.
Pam recognised how quickly things were unfolding and helped me onto the bed, hoping to slow things down long enough for Nomz to arrive. Our midwife, Sister Nomvelo Phungula (aka Nomz), was on her way, but inclement weather and an injury she sustained as she was leaving slowed her journey.
Pam had Nomz on speakerphone, both of them encouraging me not to push, although Pam gently reminded me to ultimately listen to my body.
Well, my body had other plans.
The overwhelming and instinctive urge took over, and there was no stopping the fetal ejection reflex.
Pam quickly checked that Lance was willing to catch our baby. If he wasn't, she would have had to call an ambulance, as certified WOMBS doulas aren't allowed to catch babies. Without hesitation, Lance stepped in. Nomz and Pam teamed up to help talk Lance through the process.
With calm hands and an even calmer heart, he untangled the umbilical cord before anyone even prompted him. He helped resolve a slightly stuck shoulder and gently caught our baby, placing him straight onto my chest.
We still didn't know whether we had welcomed a son or a daughter earth side. When I lifted our baby to have a look, we were met with the sweetest surprise...
..."It's a boy!"
Our beautiful, big Mac Aaron.
A few days earlier, I attended a La Leche League South Africa meeting with Pam, who is also a LLL Leader. Since I was already two weeks overdue, she mentioned there could be clashes with other expectant moms who were now due to give birth. I laughed and said I wasn't worried because Lance comes from good farming stock and had delivered plenty of calves and lambs.
None of us realised he'd be putting those farming skills to use just a few days later.
Mac also arrived just a few hours after his daddy's 40th birthday, making him the most extraordinary belated birthday gift imaginable.
Lance can officially add "Midwife" to his CV, but the truth is that watching him meet that moment with such courage, gentleness, and instinct made me feel so safe and fall in love with him all over again.
Our son entered this world surrounded by calm, trust, and so much love.
Born at home. Born into his daddy's hands. What a beautiful beginning.
