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We had such a beautiful day, the sun was shining, it was warm. I got excited about the peonies flowering for the first time this season, that felt like a sign. We spent the day as a family and Arlo and I spent the afternoon down in the native garden splashing and laughing, we got a few beautiful photos as I didn’t have any photos of you in my belly! I remember thinking of this is our last day as a family of three I would be really grateful that it was today. I didn’t expect y

In this story, Elly shares about the home birth of her first child. You chose the day of love, Valentine’s Day to enter the world. Also the one day of calm in between a heat wave and a cyclone. We asked you to come before the storm hit, even though it was going to be far from home and you did. I woke up the morning of the 13th with a few niggles, they were inconsistent but I knew you were preparing to arrive. I spent the day cooking and resting while your dad got his hand dir

So I am a 22 year old first time mum to a baby boy. My husband and I planned for a homebirth right from the beginning of pregnancy and wanted it no other way. We did all the right things with having an experienced homebirth midwife and taking supplements and practicing breathing and intentional pressure holds. On the 21st of July (38 weeks pregnant) I woke up at 2:55am with mild pressure and tightenings. I wasn’t sure if i was in labour but I could not stop having bowel mov

Our Home Birth Story Coming from India, where home birth is rarely encouraged, choosing to birth at home felt courageous — but it was deeply on my heart. I dreamed of a peaceful, natural birth surrounded by my husband, my midwife, and God’s presence. There were moments when fear and pressure pushed me toward a hospital birth, but my midwife brought so much calm and confidence back into my journey. With her support, I surrendered the rest to God and trusted His timing. Labor

I spent all of Sunday contracting after the contractions started up along with some pinkish discharge and spotting in the early hours of the morning. I used a hot water bottle all day. In the afternoon they spaced out to 10 minutes apart and I dozed between them. We had McDonald’s for tea, stopping for contractions every few bites. I called my midwife late evening getting discouraged, she came over for a chat. She suggested a bath and napping in bed between contractions. She

I was really excited to have a home birth but for my first, it didn't pan out so for my second, I was determined! I had to change midwives as my first one decided she didn't feel safe doing a homebirth which was a huge disappointment but in the end, a huge blessing as my new midwife was incredible. The day before, I was ready for baby to come out so we went for a hike carrying my 2 year old. That night I was cramping and uncomfortable but nothing happening. The next morning,

Jihan's home birth story I landed in NZ in Feb 2023. Got pregnant a month later. My due date was around Christmas, I tried to reach out to a few midwives who said they were on a break during that time. Being a nurse, I knew what birthing was, and the last thing I wanted was to be in a hospital setting for such a natural event. In my culture where I come from, birth and death are better to be at home surrounded by loved ones, not with monitors and noise, just peace and love. I

Shared with us by Elsa With our first child, my birth experience was not the greatest. Once I arrived at the birthing unit, fear took over. I lost confidence and struggled to work with my body through labour. After four years, I knew I wanted something different. I deeply desired a natural home birth experience. My journey was also deeply personal because my mother passed away while giving birth to me. For so long, fear surrounded birth in my heart, and this time I wanted to

A home birth story written by Sarah When I fell pregnant with my first baby, I was straight away leaning towards a Homebirth. I chose...

This is a story from one of our Home Birth Canterbury committee members, Bonnie. She writes about the birth of her 3rd baby, Luke,...

A birth story shared by Renata A mum right here in Christchurch! I didn't always know I would have a home birth. All I knew for sure was...