The Birth story of my daughter (2nd birth)

My first birth had ended with intervention — a path I hadn’t planned for, but one that brought me my beautiful baby boy. Still, going into my second pregnancy, I knew I wanted something different. This time, I prepared with hypnobirthing — not to control the birth, but to meet it with calm, trust, and presence.

When the surges began, they were strong and close together, like my body was speaking in full sentences already. We headed to the hospital, expecting progress. I gave permission for a vaginal examination, and they told me I was "only" 1 centimetre dilated. Just one.

They checked my blood pressure — said it was high — and asked me to stay in for observation. It was during COVID, so my husband had to leave. That was one of the hardest parts. Alone, the surges softened and then stopped. My body, maybe sensing the change in environment or the absence of my partner, quieted.

I stayed overnight, monitored closely. My mind flickered between worry and trust, but I kept coming back to my breath. By morning, a new midwife checked my blood pressure again and realized the cuff they’d been using was the wrong size all along. My readings had been inaccurate — in fact, I was completely fine.

I asked to go home.

The moment I stepped into the car, my surges returned — as if my body had just been waiting for the right space, the right energy. At home, I went straight into the bath. I put on my hypnobirthing tracks, breathed deep, and let each surge pass through me. I wasn’t afraid. I was in it.

As the day melted into evening, I knew. I just knew it was time.

We gave our son dinner, kissed him goodnight, and told him we’d see him soon. There was something sacred in that moment — one chapter gently closing as another prepared to open.

In the car on the way to the hospital, my surges grew more intense. My husband helped me stay calm and connected, guiding my breathing, counting with me, anchoring me through each wave.

Once we arrived, we waited to be checked in, but I felt a pressure I couldn’t ignore. I thought I needed the toilet, so I went. But it wasn’t that. My baby girl was on her way, fast and certain.

They quickly moved me to a side room. Instinctively, I climbed onto the examination table and went onto all fours and began bearing down. There was no fear- just pure instinct and presence.

Within eight minutes, she was here. My daughter, in my arms.

There’s nothing like that moment - when the world shrinks to just you and this tiny new life. After everything- the misread blood pressure, the night falling- she arrived exactly as she was meant to: fast, beautiful and natural.