Maya's Birth Story - a hypnobirth at home in water...

In November '09 I gave birth to my daughter Maya at home, at 41+6 weeks.

I had quite a long pre-labour. After two nights and a morning of very irregular contractions which were easy to cope with using hypnobirthing techniques, I got in the bath around midday.

Andrew called our midwife friend Evony, and when she arrived I requested an exam (the only one I had in labour) and was surprised to find out I was already 6cm dilated!

 Andrew had begun filling the birthing pool (hooray!) and I got in after around 2pm, which was bliss. After ordering him around for a bit, e.g. "light the candles, put the music on... no, not that music" I found my contractions to be intensifying and needed to increasingly focus inwards, getting into my 'birthing zone'.

 I experienced a gradually growing and irresistable urge to push a few hours later (though time seemed irrelevant) and was reassured to be able to reach down and feel the top of her head quite easily.

In what seemed like no time my body was actively, automatically and amazingly pushing her out whilst I tried my best to relax and breathe through... Despite this, it felt really good to open my mouth and make primal noises!

Maya was born at 7.15pm - Andrew leant over the side of the pool to catch her. We have some amazing photos of these moments taken by independent midwife Mandy Bellenger.

Maya's placenta arrived nearly two hours later, but all was well and there weren't any concerns. She weighed 6lb 10oz and began feeding well straight away... We tied off her umbilical cord with dental floss!

For me, being somewhere I felt safe, unrushed and supported by familiar midwives was priceless. My hypnobirthing practice enabled me to remain focused... I wouldn't say my birth was pain free but I had a very strong, unwavering belief that I could do it... The idea of having pain relief (even TENS or gas and air) never once entered my head.