“After that moment, I handed Gus our toddler and went to the bathroom. I had lost my mucus plug. When I placed my hand on my pelvis, I felt the baby’s head. “Love, we’re not going to make it to the hospital,” I told him.
He called the midwife again, this time also dialling for an ambulance. Both were now on their way to our house.
I moved to our bedroom. More movement. More breath. More sound. I tried to get into the same birthing position I had used for my first child, but this time, my body wanted something different. I stood up, leaning against the bed. One surge —the head emerged. Another—and the baby slipped out.
It happened so fast.”Flavia, Peaceful Birthing Mother
It was a normal day—a quiet, peaceful Friday—and I felt light, I had energy. I was 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant. That morning, at 9 am, I met with Simone, our Hypnobirthing Practitioner, for a refresher session. I cannot recommend her enough! We talked about everything: my hopes, my fears, my growing anticipation. She gently reminded me of the Hypnobirthing techniques that had once felt so natural—breathing, visualization, vocalization.
That night, after putting my toddler to bed, I curled up in bed with the Hypnobirthing manual, hoping for a relaxing read. As I drifted off to sleep, I suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom—and at the same time, a warm gush of fluid. I walked to the bathroom and told my husband, who immediately called our midwife. She reassured us that it was likely just normal discharge at the end of pregnancy and advised me to rest. But deep down, I knew. I was going to meet my baby that night.
“I felt a pang of worry—36 weeks meant my baby would be considered premature. But something told me to let go, to trust. The surge started gently. I stayed in bed and began the breathing techniques Simone had reminded me of. I used visualization, vocalisation, and mindfulness to stay present. I felt uncomfortable lying down, so I moved to the sofa, put on Surge of the Sea in my headphones (also Simone’s suggestion), and took light, intermittent naps. “
My toddler, who normally sleeps soundly through the night, woke up and called for me. My husband went in and comforted her. Meanwhile, my surges were becoming stronger, but I couldn’t track them well enough to know how far along I was. My goal had been to stay home for as long as possible, just as I had with my first birth—but this time, I didn’t have my TENS machine to help track surges. My husband was multitasking, trying to finish packing the hospital bags and complete our bedroom renovation all at once.
Then my toddler called again—no tears, just calling. My husband went in again to soothe her.
“As the surges built in intensity, I began moving instinctively—swaying and dancing on all fours, in the bedroom, the living room, even the bathroom. My body was releasing and clearing itself. I was having diarrhea. It felt like everything was aligning. ”
Then, a third call from my toddler—this time, with tears. I told my husband I needed to be the one to go to her. He asked me to wait, since I was clearly in labor, but this time he couldn’t soothe her. So I went into her room and gently explained: “Mommy’s going to have the baby now. Our baby is coming. Mommy is okay. You can rest.”
“Gus brought me my birthing ball. I sat on it, placed my toddler facing me, her little head resting on my chest. I held her, breathed deeply, and calmed her until she drifted back to sleep. It was a beautiful, powerful moment—me, holding my first child while my body prepared to birth my second. I felt calm, centred, and completely in control.”
Throughout this process, my husband kept asking how he could help. I could see him juggling a million things, but I was in my own world, entirely focused inward. He respected my space, though I could tell he was feeling overwhelmed. At one point, in our toddler’s room, he asked me again, “What do you want me to do?” I looked into his eyes and saw the fear, but I had no answer. I simply said, “I don’t know.” He placed his hand on my head and prayed, looking up at the sky.
“After that moment, I handed him our toddler and went to the bathroom. I had lost my mucus plug. When I placed my hand on my pelvis, I felt the baby’s head. “Love, we’re not going to make it to the hospital,” I told him.
He called the midwife again, this time also dialling for an ambulance. Both were now on their way to our house.
I moved to our bedroom. More movement. More breath. More sound. I tried to get into the same birthing position I had used for my first child, but this time, my body wanted something different. I stood up, leaning against the bed. One surge —the head emerged. Another—and the baby slipped out.
It happened so fast.
“Love, the baby! Love, the baby!” I cried out. Fortunately, I was wearing a nappy, and the baby landed safely. My husband caught her just in time. She was crying, healthy, and perfect. Born at 2:20 a.m. on March 22nd.”
My husband stood in shock, holding our newborn, while I pleaded, “Give me the baby, give me the baby.” I needed to hold her, to do skin-to-skin as soon as possible. She was premature, and I had gestational diabetes—I knew how important it was.
“When he finally placed her in my arms and I sat on our bed with her nestled against my chest, an immense peace washed over me. A peace I had never known before. We were so overwhelmed with emotion that we forgot to check the baby’s gender. We just wanted her to be okay.”
Minutes later, the paramedics arrived. They were calm, respectful, and compassionate. They maintained the peaceful atmosphere, checked us both, and confirmed we were well. Then they checked the gender—a beautiful girl.
Our midwife arrived about ten minutes later and completed the care. My husband, Gus, cut the umbilical cord, and I accepted syntocinon to help deliver the placenta. I felt some pressure from my Midwife about this, but I didn’t have the energy to argue.
“After a warm shower, baby Mia and I were taken to the hospital by ambulance. And my toddler? Fast asleep, like an angel. My husband waited for a friend to arrive to stay with her, then joined us at the hospital.”
Love,
Flavia, Gus, Julia & Mia x
Baby Mia arrived swiftly and safely into the world at home into the loving arms of her incredible mother.
Welcome earthside baby Mia!
Mia was born on 22nd March 2025