A Birth Story
My birth story begins even before the actual birth. To say I’ve been blessed with the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had through pregnancy and motherhood is an understatement.
I knew I wanted a natural birth, even before I was pregnant. I wanted things to be as holistic as possible.
Before baby number one, I started researching my options. I chose to see a recommended gynecologist who had a midwife working with him. However, at 29 weeks, she informed me that I would probably need a c-section. I can’t even remember the reason why, but I do remember researching it at the time and realizing that nobody could predict what kind of birth you would have at that early stage.
I needed to find an alternative, someone who would truly support a natural journey. I had always loved yoga, and, as luck would have it, I found an incredible pregnancy yoga teacher who also happened to be a doula. Theoni was a lifesaver. The moms I met at yoga not only became lifelong friends, but our weekly gatherings, our shared conversations about life as mothers, and our joint journey of raising kids created the most nurturing community I could have ever asked for.
I looked into antenatal courses, but Theoni mentioned something called Conscious Birthing. She told me she was running a course at Genesis Clinic – a place where natural birthing was supported by gynaecologists, midwives, and staff who truly believed in the magic of the birthing process.
Conscious Birthing was incredible. I learned about the history of natural birth through the ages, how our bodies are designed for it, and relaxation and breathing techniques that were completely different from the sensationalized portrayals you see on TV.
I also sought out a new gynaecologist at Genesis, along with a midwife who aligned with my journey, and had Theoni to support me as both a friend and a doula through my births.
Birth Day:
Because I knew what to expect, I immediately realized when my waters broke. We had been renovating our bedroom (go figure – nesting!), so we were sleeping in the spare bedroom that night. I turned in bed, felt a click in my pelvic bone, and suddenly had the urge to go to the loo. Water just kept gushing. This was around 2 am. I woke my husband and told him I was pretty sure my waters had broken. He asked what to do, and I said, “I guess we go back to sleep until contractions start.” Early the next morning, I had my show. I phoned the midwife, and she sent me for a stress test at Genesis since contractions still hadn’t started. I remembered Theoni had mentioned acupuncture, so I messaged her, found an acupuncturist, and by 3 pm, I was having contractions three minutes apart in the acupuncturist’s office.
We rushed to Genesis around 4 pm, and my beautiful baby girl was born at 6 pm. My midwife didn’t think I’d progress that quickly and was at another birth, so a Genesis midwife assisted me in a beautiful water birth. It was magical. The staff were incredible, and my little angel entered this world in the most natural, beautiful way I could imagine.
Fast forward two years, and the second birth was even quicker. My contractions started around 2 am, and by 5 am, we headed to Genesis. My waters broke in the reception, and little Evah was born at 6 am, with Theoni by my side this time. Again, the midwife didn’t have time to get there, so a Genesis midwife assisted me with the birth. I had the opportunity to birth in the water on all fours, and I even caught the baby. I remember the incredible midwife saying, “You know what to do, relax, and let your body do its thing.”
The two births were completely different, but one thing they had in common was that they were beautiful, supported, relaxed, and not clinical, medical, or scary at all.
Genesis creates an environment akin to a boutique hotel where you are the only guest.
I will forever be grateful to the amazing staff there, as well as to Theoni for supporting me on my journey before, during, and after my births. Magic truly happens when you have an incredible community behind you.
