Birth Stories

There is wisdom to be gained from every birth story, and every birth story deserves to be shared and heard.

The minute we fall pregnant, we become a magnet for birth story sharing.

People spot a bump and they want to tell you absolutely everything they’ve experienced in pregnancy & birth.

The birth stories you’re hearing are likely to be a real mix of utterly empowering and joyful, potentially quite complicated or difficult, and quite possibly a real combination of all the above. There is wisdom to be gained from every birth story, and every birth story deserves to be shared and heard.

Here you will find a whole range of birth stories from the Birth-ed Community, from home births to caesareans, inductions to water births. All providing you with insight, wisdom and inspiration that you can take on to influence your own decisions, plans and choices for birth. If you’re looking for a story that applies to your personal circumstances, enter some keywords into the search bar above! If you just want to dive deep and learn more, then get reading, there’s LOADS!

Featured
Water Birth for Second Time Mum (GBS+, Meconium, Previous PPH)
Water Birth for Second Time Mum (GBS+, Meconium, Previous PPH)

Following consultant led care, GBS+, meconium and a previous PPH, this second time mum went on to have the waterbirth of her dreams

“Big Baby’, Straightforward Second Birth after Forceps
“Big Baby’, Straightforward Second Birth after Forceps

“Big” Second baby ‘back to back’, straightforward birth with no tears, following forceps in her first birth

First Baby water birth, (Age 41, 42 weeks pregnant)
First Baby water birth, (Age 41, 42 weeks pregnant)

First Time Mum aged 41 years, 42 weeks pregnancy. Home birth in pool.

Second Baby Birth Centre Birth
Second Baby Birth Centre Birth

Second baby born in the water in a birth centre

3rd Baby born unexpectedly at 35 weeks using hypnobirthing techniques
3rd Baby born unexpectedly at 35 weeks using hypnobirthing techniques

A positive birth experience using the birth-ed tools, when labour started unexpectedly at 35 weeks

Hospital VBAC following previous Placental Abruption
Hospital VBAC following previous Placental Abruption

Hospital VBAC following premature birth & placental abruption

Third Baby Water birth Story
Third Baby Water birth Story

Third Baby Hypnobirthing Waterbirth

Empowered Hospital Water Birth of Second Baby
Empowered Hospital Water Birth of Second Baby

Second baby waterbirth in hospital following a difficult first birth experience

Homebirth Story with 'brow presentation' baby
Homebirth Story with 'brow presentation' baby

Racehl describes her birth as an “Overwhelmingly positive experience with a ‘bit in the middle’”

Unplanned Homebirth (BBA) using hypnobirthing
Unplanned Homebirth (BBA) using hypnobirthing

Using hypnobirthing techniques for a positive (unexpected) homebirth.

Vaginal Breech Birth of First Baby
Vaginal Breech Birth of First Baby

With support from the ‘optibreech’ team, this mum found support (and got!) the vaginal breech birth that she wanted.

Supported VBAC after premature birth & NICU stay
Supported VBAC after premature birth & NICU stay

Choosing no monitoring or cannula and a birth centre environment (and how she got support for that!)

First time mum, quick birth in hospital
First time mum, quick birth in hospital

First baby born in hospital after a quick and straightforward birth.

Hospital Water Birth for second baby (after premature ICP birth first time).
Hospital Water Birth for second baby (after premature ICP birth first time).

Second baby hospital water birth, following premature birth and ICP pregnancy first time.

First Time Mum ICP (Obstetric Cholestasis), Premature Birth and NICU stay
First Time Mum ICP (Obstetric Cholestasis), Premature Birth and NICU stay

Elisa for shares her candid experience of developing Obstetric Cholestasis in pregnancy, going into premature labour at 35 weeks & spending some time in NICU with her baby.

Home Waterbirth First Time Mum
Home Waterbirth First Time Mum

First time mum gives birth at home in the pool at 41+6

First Baby Home Water Birth
First Baby Home Water Birth

First Baby born at home in the water

Straightforward birth after declining induction for 'a big baby' (First time mum)
Straightforward birth after declining induction for 'a big baby' (First time mum)

After induction recommendations for a suspected ‘big baby’, first time mum Rachel chose to wait for labour and had a straightforward spontaneous birth in hospital.

Second HBAC Waterbirth for Third Baby
Second HBAC Waterbirth for Third Baby

A third time mum shares her second VBAC experience of her baby born at home in the water.

Second Time Mum Homebirth (BBA)
Second Time Mum Homebirth (BBA)

Second time mum plans a home birth despite induction conversations, a very long first labour and cardiology concerns. Here she shares her experience of a QUICK, straightforward and positive homebirth (BBA).

First Time Mum Birth Centre Birth after declining induction
First Time Mum Birth Centre Birth after declining induction

First time mum declines immediate induction after her waters break and has a waterbirth on a midwife led birth centre

Homebirth for a First Time Mum
Homebirth for a First Time Mum

Laura shares her experience of giving birth to her first baby in the water at home

HBAC Second Baby Waterbirth Story
HBAC Second Baby Waterbirth Story

Second time mum has a VBAC at home in her bath tub

Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum's Home Waterbirth
Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum's Home Waterbirth

Rose (@rosielondoner) and her husband attended a birth-ed course in preparation for the birth of their daughter Lily Valentine, one of the most beautiful home water birth stories I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

Positive Birth Story: Labour Ward Water Birth
Positive Birth Story: Labour Ward Water Birth

“I felt like a superwoman throughout and afterwards!”. Positive water birth on a labour ward for this mum’s second baby.

Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing Induction for Dates
Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing Induction for Dates

Induction at 41+6 weeks. This couple prepared for their birth with the birth-ed online hypnobirthing course. They didn’t start ‘til 40 weeks and it still made the world of difference!

Positive Birth Story: Declining Induction for IUGR
Positive Birth Story: Declining Induction for IUGR

After planning a home birth, things changed for this couple when they discovered their baby wasn’t growing properly in the womb. But they still got a wonderful birth experience on the labour ward!

Featured
Positive Birth Story: First Baby Home Water Birth #birthedonlockdown
Positive Birth Story: First Baby Home Water Birth #birthedonlockdown

Positive Birth Story of 1st baby born at home in the water on lockdown!

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Natural Birth with Epidural
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Natural Birth with Epidural

Positive Birth Story of 2nd baby, labour induced after waters breaking at 37 weeks which led to a natural birth with an epidural.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown First baby on the labour ward
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown First baby on the labour ward

First baby born on the labour ward, a positive instrumental birth.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Induction for 1st Baby
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Induction for 1st Baby

A positive induction birth story for this first time mummy.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown 2nd Baby Birth Centre
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown 2nd Baby Birth Centre

After practicing hypnobirthing with birth-ed, this mummy went on to have a an amazing birth on the birth centre for her 2nd baby.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown An Unexpected Early Arrival
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown An Unexpected Early Arrival

When labour started unexpected early, this mum felt super prepared and positive about her experience, even though it happened so quickly that she was on her own!

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Positive instrumental birth
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Positive instrumental birth

Instrumental birth might not be top of your birth preferences, but when truly needed you can still have such a positive birth experience. “I have never felt such joy and euphoria in that moment, it was perfect.”

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Homebirth of First Baby
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Homebirth of First Baby

A last minute switch to home birth due to COVID-19 led to a truly wonderful birth experience for this first time mummy.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown VBAC
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown VBAC

A positive VBAC birth story, during Lockdown. The tools from the hypnobirthing course helped me focus on ‘control what I can, let go of what I can’t’.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Birth Centre 2nd Baby
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Birth Centre 2nd Baby

A positive natural birth story of a 2nd baby born on a birth centre during Lockdown. ‘He was born at 6.30am and we were home by lunchtime’.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Induction for 2nd Baby
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown Induction for 2nd Baby

After facing the decision of whether or not to have a c-section with her 2nd baby (following a severe tear 1st time), Natalie ended up having a really positive induction birth for unstable lie.

Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown
Positive Birth Story: #birthedonlockdown

Positive Unplanned Caesarean Birth of a second baby for High BP/Pre Eclampsia, who made the news as the FIRST baby born on Lockdown in the UK!

Featured
Water Birth for Second Time Mum (GBS+, Meconium, Previous PPH)
Water Birth for Second Time Mum (GBS+, Meconium, Previous PPH)

Following consultant led care, GBS+, meconium and a previous PPH, this second time mum went on to have the waterbirth of her dreams

“Big Baby’, Straightforward Second Birth after Forceps
“Big Baby’, Straightforward Second Birth after Forceps

“Big” Second baby ‘back to back’, straightforward birth with no tears, following forceps in her first birth

First Baby water birth, (Age 41, 42 weeks pregnant)
First Baby water birth, (Age 41, 42 weeks pregnant)

First Time Mum aged 41 years, 42 weeks pregnancy. Home birth in pool.

Second Baby Birth Centre Birth
Second Baby Birth Centre Birth

Second baby born in the water in a birth centre

3rd Baby born unexpectedly at 35 weeks using hypnobirthing techniques
3rd Baby born unexpectedly at 35 weeks using hypnobirthing techniques

A positive birth experience using the birth-ed tools, when labour started unexpectedly at 35 weeks

Hospital VBAC following previous Placental Abruption
Hospital VBAC following previous Placental Abruption

Hospital VBAC following premature birth & placental abruption

Third Baby Water birth Story
Third Baby Water birth Story

Third Baby Hypnobirthing Waterbirth

Empowered Hospital Water Birth of Second Baby
Empowered Hospital Water Birth of Second Baby

Second baby waterbirth in hospital following a difficult first birth experience

Homebirth Story with 'brow presentation' baby
Homebirth Story with 'brow presentation' baby

Racehl describes her birth as an “Overwhelmingly positive experience with a ‘bit in the middle’”

Unplanned Homebirth (BBA) using hypnobirthing
Unplanned Homebirth (BBA) using hypnobirthing

Using hypnobirthing techniques for a positive (unexpected) homebirth.

Vaginal Breech Birth of First Baby
Vaginal Breech Birth of First Baby

With support from the ‘optibreech’ team, this mum found support (and got!) the vaginal breech birth that she wanted.

Supported VBAC after premature birth & NICU stay
Supported VBAC after premature birth & NICU stay

Choosing no monitoring or cannula and a birth centre environment (and how she got support for that!)

First time mum, quick birth in hospital
First time mum, quick birth in hospital

First baby born in hospital after a quick and straightforward birth.

Hospital Water Birth for second baby (after premature ICP birth first time).
Hospital Water Birth for second baby (after premature ICP birth first time).

Second baby hospital water birth, following premature birth and ICP pregnancy first time.

First Time Mum ICP (Obstetric Cholestasis), Premature Birth and NICU stay
First Time Mum ICP (Obstetric Cholestasis), Premature Birth and NICU stay

Elisa for shares her candid experience of developing Obstetric Cholestasis in pregnancy, going into premature labour at 35 weeks & spending some time in NICU with her baby.

Home Waterbirth First Time Mum
Home Waterbirth First Time Mum

First time mum gives birth at home in the pool at 41+6

First Baby Home Water Birth
First Baby Home Water Birth

First Baby born at home in the water

Straightforward birth after declining induction for 'a big baby' (First time mum)
Straightforward birth after declining induction for 'a big baby' (First time mum)

After induction recommendations for a suspected ‘big baby’, first time mum Rachel chose to wait for labour and had a straightforward spontaneous birth in hospital.

Second HBAC Waterbirth for Third Baby
Second HBAC Waterbirth for Third Baby

A third time mum shares her second VBAC experience of her baby born at home in the water.

Second Time Mum Homebirth (BBA)
Second Time Mum Homebirth (BBA)

Second time mum plans a home birth despite induction conversations, a very long first labour and cardiology concerns. Here she shares her experience of a QUICK, straightforward and positive homebirth (BBA).

First Time Mum Birth Centre Birth after declining induction
First Time Mum Birth Centre Birth after declining induction

First time mum declines immediate induction after her waters break and has a waterbirth on a midwife led birth centre

Homebirth for a First Time Mum
Homebirth for a First Time Mum

Laura shares her experience of giving birth to her first baby in the water at home

HBAC Second Baby Waterbirth Story
HBAC Second Baby Waterbirth Story

Second time mum has a VBAC at home in her bath tub

Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum's Home Waterbirth
Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum's Home Waterbirth

Rose (@rosielondoner) and her husband attended a birth-ed course in preparation for the birth of their daughter Lily Valentine, one of the most beautiful home water birth stories I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

Positive Birth Story: Labour Ward Water Birth
Positive Birth Story: Labour Ward Water Birth

“I felt like a superwoman throughout and afterwards!”. Positive water birth on a labour ward for this mum’s second baby.

Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing Induction for Dates
Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing Induction for Dates

Induction at 41+6 weeks. This couple prepared for their birth with the birth-ed online hypnobirthing course. They didn’t start ‘til 40 weeks and it still made the world of difference!

Positive Birth Story: Declining Induction for IUGR
Positive Birth Story: Declining Induction for IUGR

After planning a home birth, things changed for this couple when they discovered their baby wasn’t growing properly in the womb. But they still got a wonderful birth experience on the labour ward!

Featured
Positive Birth Story: Induction for Gestational Diabetes
Positive Birth Story: Induction for Gestational Diabetes

A positive birth story following induction for Gestational Diabetes on a Labour Ward for a first time mum.

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth turned Hospital Birth
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth turned Hospital Birth

Having planned a prepared for a home birth, but finding her waters breaking at 36+1, it seemed this baby had other plans! A lovely positive hospital birth story for a first time mum.

Positive Birth Story: Quick Second Birth (in the corridor!)
Positive Birth Story: Quick Second Birth (in the corridor!)

Second time mum has her ‘perfect birth’ (in the hospital corridor!) yes really!

Positive Birth Story: Natural Hospital Birth for a First Time Mum
Positive Birth Story: Natural Hospital Birth for a First Time Mum

A natural birth on a hospital labour ward for a first time mother

Positive Birth Story- Planned caesarean for second baby
Positive Birth Story- Planned caesarean for second baby

A positive, gentle c-section birth of a second baby.

Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum on a Labour Ward in Ireland
Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum on a Labour Ward in Ireland

After moving to Ireland in pregnancy and facing a more medicalised birth, this first time mum used the Positively Birthing hypnobirthing techniques for a really positive experience.

Positive Birth Story: second baby born on a Midwife Led Unit
Positive Birth Story: second baby born on a Midwife Led Unit

After an induction with her first baby, this second time mum had a positive quick birth on the birth Centre using hypnobirthing tools.

 

Positive Birth Story: a First Time Mum's induction following transverse lie
Positive Birth Story: a First Time Mum's induction following transverse lie

Following a 5 day hospital stay for transverse lie, this went on to be a quick positive induction birth.

Positive Birth Story: A first time mum's waterbirth on a Birth Centre
Positive Birth Story: A first time mum's waterbirth on a Birth Centre

This mum shares some great tips for managing her surges in her story too!

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth for a first time mum
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth for a first time mum

A first time mum’s waterbirth at home.

Positive Birth Story: Induction after Waters had broken
Positive Birth Story: Induction after Waters had broken

Taking control of your choices can make your induction so much more positive.

Positive Birth Story: Home birth following a difficult first experience
Positive Birth Story: Home birth following a difficult first experience

A second baby born at home, following a difficult forceps first birth in hospital.

Positive Birth Story: First time homebirth
Positive Birth Story: First time homebirth

Following a week of stop/start surges, baby was born at home for this first time mum.

Positive Birth Story: Almost in Burger King!
Positive Birth Story: Almost in Burger King!

A first time mum’s birth story that’s the perfect example of following your instinct and not worrying about the ‘numbers’ when it comes to vaginal examinations!

Positive Birth Story: Birth Centre Birth of First Baby
Positive Birth Story: Birth Centre Birth of First Baby

A first time mum’s experience on a birth centre at 41 weeks.

Positive Birth Story: A quick second induction
Positive Birth Story: A quick second induction

A positive induction after a period of reduced movements.

Positive Birth Story: Induction for a first time mum
Positive Birth Story: Induction for a first time mum

An induction for IUGR (or a slow in baby’s growth)- just goes to show that even in the face of difficult decision making, birth can still be amazing!

Positive Birth Story: A Home Birthed Baby and a post-birth Hospital Transfet
Positive Birth Story: A Home Birthed Baby and a post-birth Hospital Transfet

If you’re wondering what things might ‘look like’ if you have to transfer to hospital during a home birth, read this one!

Positive Birth Story: When Home Birth Plans Change
Positive Birth Story: When Home Birth Plans Change

After discovering meconium in baby’s waters, hypnobirthing helps this mum remain calm and have a positive experience

Positive Birth Story: Vaginal Breech of First Baby
Positive Birth Story: Vaginal Breech of First Baby

An utterly incredibly vaginal breech birth story from a first time mum.

Positive Birth Stories: A Calm Ventouse Birth
Positive Birth Stories: A Calm Ventouse Birth

Yep, a positive birth doesnt mean you’ve got to be at home in the bath infront of the Christmas Tree!

Positive Birth Story: A Positive Hypnobirthing C-Section
Positive Birth Story: A Positive Hypnobirthing C-Section

I absolutely love this story, because it really shows exactly what hypnobirthing is FOR.. not necessarily that vaginal water birth in your living room, but a birth that YOU are in control of, unafraid of and looking forward to.

Positive Birth Story: Going Overdue
Positive Birth Story: Going Overdue

Positive Birth Story from an 'overdue' mum who gave birth after 42 weeks. (TWICE!)

Positive Birth Story: A Wonderful Hypnobirthing Induction
Positive Birth Story: A Wonderful Hypnobirthing Induction

Induction at 38+6 for a first time mum.

Featured
Positive Birth Story: Natural homebirth with transfer for first time mum
Positive Birth Story: Natural homebirth with transfer for first time mum

After running out of gas and air at home (!!) this mummy went on to have a natural birth of her first baby 10 minutes after reaching the hospital.

Positive Birth Story: Induction Birth after Complications
Positive Birth Story: Induction Birth after Complications

After some bleeding in pregnancy and suspected placental abruption, this couple used their Positively Birthing tools and techniques to have a positive birth experience in what could have been a difficult situation.

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a First Baby who nearly beat the Midwife!
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a First Baby who nearly beat the Midwife!

A birth story using water for labour but Baby was born in dry land!

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of First Baby
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of First Baby

After Waters breaking and contractions not starting initially, this baby ended up being born at home after all!

Positive Birth Story: Super Fast Home Birth of Fourth Baby
Positive Birth Story: Super Fast Home Birth of Fourth Baby

A third home birth for this mum of four, and a super speedy one too!

Positive Birth Story: Third baby’s home birth
Positive Birth Story: Third baby’s home birth

A home birth story where mum’s waters broke without contractions starting for several hours

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a second baby
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a second baby

A planned home birth of a second baby following a difficult first birth experience

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a first time mum and a hospital transfer
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a first time mum and a hospital transfer

Some of the ‘what if’ questions many women have about home births are answered in this positive home birth story.

Positive Birth Story: En Caul Waterbirth
Positive Birth Story: En Caul Waterbirth

Second time mum gives birth to her baby in her bag of waters! A birth centre Waterbirth.

Positive Birth Story: A Spanish Home Birth
Positive Birth Story: A Spanish Home Birth

A home birth story from a first time mum living in Spain. 

Positive Birth Story: a SECOND time home-hypno-waterbirth!
Positive Birth Story: a SECOND time home-hypno-waterbirth!

A second home birth for this super mummy!

Positive Birth Story: a Home-Water-Hypnobirth!
Positive Birth Story: a Home-Water-Hypnobirth!

An amazing home birth story from a first time mum 

Positive Birth Story: an Unmedicated Waterbirth of First Baby
Positive Birth Story: an Unmedicated Waterbirth of First Baby

A first time mum shares her story of giving birth in the water. Includes video.

Positive Birth Story: Second time mum’s homebirth
Positive Birth Story: Second time mum’s homebirth

A second time mum shares her home birth story.

Positive Birth Story: A Christmas Home Birth
Positive Birth Story: A Christmas Home Birth

One to read at Christmas Time! (It’s not what you think!)

Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing VBAC of third baby
Positive Birth Story: Hypnobirthing VBAC of third baby

A hypnobirthing VBAC story of a third time mum.

Positive Birth Story: an instrumental hypnobirth
Positive Birth Story: an instrumental hypnobirth

Even if things don’t go ‘to plan’, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a positive experience!

Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a First Baby born en Caul
Positive Birth Story: Home Birth of a First Baby born en Caul

A first time home birth 

Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum’s Home Water Birth
Positive Birth Story: First Time Mum’s Home Water Birth

First baby born at home. Even navigating baby being back to back and coming out like superman!

Positive Birth Story: a positive ventouse birth of a back to back baby
Positive Birth Story: a positive ventouse birth of a back to back baby

A quick first birth story of a back to back baby. Even if you need some extra support to birth your baby it can still be amazing!

Positive Birth Story: a natural second birth
Positive Birth Story: a natural second birth

A positive second natural birth on the labour ward. 

Positive Birth Story: Second baby waterbirth
Positive Birth Story: Second baby waterbirth

A positive second birth in the water using hypnobirthing, following a difficult first experience.

Positive Birth Story: A First time mum's induction story
Positive Birth Story: A First time mum's induction story

A first time mum with Gestational Diabetes shares her positive birth story

Positive Birth Story: Second time mum's water birth
Positive Birth Story: Second time mum's water birth

A second time mum’s positive water birth story

Positive Birth Story: IVF pregnancy story
Positive Birth Story: IVF pregnancy story

Does IVF pregnancy mean induction?

Positive Birth Story: VBAC of baby number 2
Positive Birth Story: VBAC of baby number 2

Hypnobirthing for a VBAC birth.

Positive Birth Story: An Informed and Calm Induction
Positive Birth Story: An Informed and Calm Induction

An induction doesnt mean it can’t still be amazing!

Positive Birth Stories
Positive Birth Stories

Positive Birth Stories from clients and friends of Positively Birthing.

Positive Birth Story: A First Time Mum's Waterbirth
Positive Birth Story: A First Time Mum's Waterbirth

A first time mum tells her experience of a natural hospital water birth.