I booked in with Natasha around six weeks before my baby was due. I knew I wanted a home birth this time, and with no guarantee that the NHS would be able to offer one, I sought out more personalised support. My first birth had been a successful vaginal delivery, but I was meant to go to a midwife-led unit and ended up on the labour ward because the unit was closed. I also experienced a significant tear afterwards, so for my second birth I hoped that being at home would reduce the likelihood of that happening again.

Practical reasons also played a part: we have a toddler, we’re new to Folkestone, and we have no family support nearby. A home birth felt like the most sensible and comfortable option for all of us. My partner, Andy, wasn’t keen at first - he worried (understandably) about the distance to hospital if we needed to transfer. From our very first appointment, Natasha reassured him. Her calm explanations, confidence, and clear safety considerations made him feel much more at ease.

Before the birth I had three appointments with Natasha, and each one made us feel more supported and prepared. When labour began - three days early - the day itself was quite hectic: getting our toddler to school, cancelling workmen and deliveries, and trying to sort the pool. When Natasha and the second midwife, Frances, arrived, they immediately took charge of everything practical, including the pool issues, allowing Andy to focus solely on supporting me and setting up a calm, soothing birth environment.

Throughout the labour, Natasha and Frances struck the perfect balance between being hands-off and being reassuringly present. They encouraged me to get into the pool at the right time and offered grounding reassurance when I reached the transition stage and doubted my ability to keep going -something so common in labour but still overwhelming in the moment. Their words and presence helped me move through it with confidence.

When our baby was born, I was able to lift him out of the water myself. I stayed in the pool until it was time to get out, and then both midwives helped me upstairs and into my pyjamas before settling me on the sofa with my new baby. They encouraged me to eat, made me a cup of tea, checked me over thoroughly, cleaned up the space, and only left when they were completely satisfied that everything was safe and in order.

As second-time parents, settling into life with a newborn felt natural. After my first birth, I remember feeling quite shell-shocked and needing more time to recover both physically and emotionally. This time was so different - I slipped straight into that newborn bubble. Natasha also encouraged me to rest for a full week and not rush to get out and about before my body was ready. That advice made such a difference to my recovery.

Andy, who had been unsure about the idea of a home birth at first, was genuinely surprised at how safe, calm, and straightforward the whole experience was. He would absolutely choose a home birth again after seeing how well supported and cared for we both felt.

Giving birth this time was such a positive experience that it has completely changed how I view birth. It doesn’t have to be scary. With the right support and the right environment, you can truly thrive. If we ever did go for a third baby we’d choose a home birth again in a heartbeat, so long as it was safe to do so.

If anyone is considering using Juno, I can wholeheartedly recommend them. You receive personalised care from compassionate, experienced midwives who create a safe, calm environment in the comfort of your own home. As a nurse myself, compassionate and safe clinical care is incredibly important to me - and Natasha delivered exactly that.

Thank you Juno midwives for providing the birth experience I had hoped for!!