When I found out I was pregnant, I knew this time, I really wanted a home birth. We were so lucky to be introduced to our independent midwives, Sophie and Natasha, by lovely local doula, Betty.

Sophie and Natasha are absolutely amazing – they were with us every step of the way. I felt safe, informed and cared for over the last weeks of my pregnancy – nothing was too big or too small (or too silly) to ask them. In no time, we felt like we’d made two firm friends!

My active labour was quite quick – it was just two hours from the time I took a mirror bump selfie and sent it to my sisters (earphones in and happily dancing in my bedroom to my Spotify playlist on repeat), to the time Magnus Rex was born in the birth pool at 8:16pm and I caught him instinctively. I put it down to me feeling completely safe and supported at home. I had Tim by my side, hypnobirthing and breathing techniques under my belt, fairy lights on and the ultimate space and trust from those around me to just listen to my body and go with it. Iris, my firstborn, was upstairs sleeping. Sophie and Natasha checked my baby when needed – but gave me space to trust my body and follow my instincts every step of the way. No prompting to push. No time restrictions. No intervention.

After Magnus was born, my blood pressure dropped suddenly – and the girls sprung into action quickly – after such continuity of care, they knew me and my normal – and so they knew when something wasn’t quite right. I felt very lucky to have them.

All the questions, new parent worries, feeding support and hormone crashes in my postnatal sessions – they put my mind at rest. Coming to visit me at home always felt easy and relaxed. After our last session, I already missed their happy faces, their unofficial Lucy & Yak uniforms, and our giggles over a cup of tea!

Thank you Natasha and Sophie for helping me to have the positive, powerful birth I had dreamt of. For holding space for me and Tim – to enable Magnus to be born safely (in his bedroom) at home. We’ll be forever grateful.