Bethany's Birth Story, as told by her Mum, Sacha

Bethany was overdue by one week & although my second child, the anticipation was building. I rang our midwife on Saturday morning to ask if babies arrived in the day time, as my first daughter's labour started at 3am. I had no idea at this time that it was our midwife's birthday. She reassured me that babies come when they are ready & if we would like to join in her birthday celebrations then we were most welcome even if there was an extra person to gate crash. Several hours later at the normal time of 1pm my contractions started. They were manageable, not unlike menstrual cramps, but very different from my first birth experience. I was booked into the Natural Birth Centre to labour, birth & rest afterwards.

Driving to the centre I discussed with my husband the choice I had made not to be in a hospital environment. My first birth was supported in hospital by our midwife & was a natural birth. I was a little nervous, but I needed to remind myself that I had prepared myself for a birth free from unnecessary intervention. I was having a natural birth, well supported, homeopathic if necessary, in beautiful, tranquil surroundings, with the greatest of care for all of us. I needed to be focused on these very important things. We were taught in the birth classes to understand the capabilities of the female body, there is pain, however we are equipped to go through this experience & the body counters the pain in so many amazing ways, to be rewarded by the greatest gift; a baby!

Bethany was born just after 5pm. Both my labours were fast & intense however at all times I had been surrounded by love, care & support & this enabled me to focus on my strength to birth my children. There were no unnecessary distractions, I was in control. It was also the greatest experience for my husband, who helped me throughout the labour as my main support person. The highlight for him was after cutting the cord the baby was placed on the breast, I was holding on to my new baby, cradled by my husband & wrapped in our own doona. We were allowed as much time as needed to bond until the time was right for us to let go for the usual checks. We didn't even know the gender of our baby for some time as it was more important to us to share in our new relationship & love. .....Afterwards we all enjoyed birthday cake & a little champagne.

Thank-you to our midwives for the wonderful experience. I value highly the education program that you are offering, along with the chance to meet & share with other pregnant women & their families & support people. I highly recommend the education program to all & the birth centre as a beautiful place to labour, birth & stay.