I went with no expectations or plan for birth, as then I wouldn’t be worried if anything changed. This worked for me as I did not know how I would cope with labour or birth. The only birth prep that I really did was my weekly pregnancy yoga classes with Colleen at Harmony Hypnobirthing, and using an Aniball from 36 weeks. (The Aniball is a pelvic floor trainer that can reduce the risk of tearing or episiotomy and speeds up your postpartum pelvic floor recovery.) I believe the Aniball made giving birth a lot easier than I thought it would – I am a massive fan and would advise any mum who wants a vaginal birth to give it a go!

I also found that attending pregnancy yoga really helped me keep supple and active. When I couldn’t attend I noticed a difference with stiffness and my flexibility.

I was horse riding up until two weeks before birth of my daughter Darcie who made an appearance on the 9/7/23. I had a sweep on the Wednesday (two days before my due date) as I was hot and fed up by then. I started getting twinges early Saturday morning at 4am, then again 5.30am and at 7am. I proceeded to go to the yard and muck out My horse 🙈 Back home I had a hot bath and then put on the tens machine. This really worked for me, as the contractions got stronger I upped the frequency and finally went into hospital at 9pm.

After a few hours I felt I could not take the pain any more and asked to be examined. I was told I was only 2cm! I was about to despair so I had pethidine for some relief. For me the pethidine worked and allowed me to sleep in-between the contractions, even if for only 30 seconds. A few hours later I asked to be examined again but was only 4cm dilated. At this point I started on the gas and air. 

After a few more hours the contractions started to feel different, my body was just taking over. I asked to have more pethidine, but another vaginal examination proved I was now 10cm dilated. A quick dash to put the birthing pool on and the tens machine off, I then jumped in (literally, the sides of these things are soo high). Twenty minutes later my beautiful Darcie was born. She was scooped up and laid on me for cuddles, I then opted for the injection to get the placenta out quicker. A whole 9lb 11 and no rips tears or grazes. At no point in my pregnancy was it suggested that she might be a bigger than average baby. I still stand to this day the Aniball helped me with a smoother birth and actually for me the contractions were the more painful part. Also I could not fault the midwifes at Darenth Valley, they were absolutely amazing.