Not only did I birth Zali that day, but I birthed the mother in me, and oh my goodness, I am so in awe and proud of her!

When I met Anabel and Onur, they spoke of the internal conflict they were having: feeling full trust in a woman's body to birth and really wanting a homebirth, however the expense of that option felt big. And so they wanted to find balance between the trust they felt in Anabel's body and the anxiety that was there related to how birthing in the medical system was going to support that.

Needless to say, when I opened this e-mail, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Anabel and Onur, I could not be happier for you. I'm so thrilled you had such an incredible experience. Thank-you for sharing your story and showing how preparation and trusting your intuition is everything ✨️

Hi Marty,

It’s Anabel and Onur from your Tuesday night classes over December.

We hope you have been keeping well and enjoying the start of the year with your beautiful family!

We are excited to let you know we welcomed our little girl Zali into the world on the 4th of Feb (her due date) at 9pm eeek. I thought I’d share with you our story and appreciation for all the skills, education and wisdom you have taught us.

On Monday the 2nd at 2am, my waters broke while getting back into bed after going to the bathroom and we popped up to the hospital to get checked out, which all went well. We were sent home to wait for labour to begin naturally. I spent the next day or 2 going for long walks, movement, lots of cuddles and kisses and soaking up some beach time. On Tuesday night we started trying some acupressure points and homeopathic medicine to stimulate labor.

Within an hour contractions started. We went to bed for rest. I slept and woke for contractions and then went back to sleep. I popped my tens on and kept riding the waves.

I was at home in a lovely bubble until about 1am when contractions were getting stronger but I had noticed some bright red blood when I went to the toilet and less movement (may have just been distracted from the sensations I was experiencing) so I called the hospital and they said to come in, just to see how we were going. We got there at about 2ish and had some monitoring done. W,hile that was happening the contractions were getting stronger and closer together. They struggled getting a reading on bub, so we all decided it would be best for me to stay, as I was now in active labor.

Some of this part is a bit of a blur for me as a Dr came in telling me I needed to be induced, the baby is now posterior and maybe I’ll need a c-section, all while Onur was getting something to eat. I knew I was progressing beautifully and this was unnecessary, but I got a little thrown off and started coming out of my bubble, but the midwives were just beautiful. They helped me set the space, get my oil, music on and reminded me to come back to the Calmbirth breath and supported me with some Spinning Babies techniques.

Time felt so long, yet so fast but I was definitely deep in the birthing world! At some point they were struggling to get a read for Zali and suggested we use the shower instead of the tens machine to see if they could get a better reading and I was all for that! Omg the smiles and laughter as the water hit my back...it was magic! Still struggling to get a reading on her heart we decided to do monitoring using a clip. This was my first exam and oh my - worse than any contraction (maybe because I had to lie on my back but I was at 8cm). When putting the clip in my waters fully broke (we realised it must’ve been a hindwater leak on Monday). I returned to the shower, and came back to my breath which kept me so centered and inward. I had a GBS test when my waters broke which came back positive when I had the clip put in. We decided to decline antibiotics, but because of that decision I had what seemed like an endless amount of people come in to change my mind. I understood it was policy and trusted my decision, but every interruption took me out of my bubble/breath which I found really difficult. This happend right up until I started pushing.

From having the clip put in I was really starting to struggle to stay focused mentally.. I wanted someone to tell me what to do and that she was here. All I wanted to do was push and for it to be over. One of the midwives kept reminding me to stay wlth my breath, trust my body and I will know when it’s time. She was such a beautiful presence. At one point I just asked her to stay with me because everytime I was with her I relaxed. What an Angel!

Despite thinking I would want a lot of touch, cuddles, kisses etc. I needed to be in the zone pretty much on my own. Anything else kept distracting me towards the end. For the almost 3 hours I was in the shower Onur was my rock - holding the shower head, soft loving encouragement and his strong unwavering presence.

They were struggling finding a reading of her heartbeat again so asked do to another exam which I protested because I hated the last one, but agreed to do it and I was 10cm!! Omg the relief, smiles and happy tears I felt in that moment…I was so happy! We lifted the head of the bed up, I faced the head of the bed on my knees. Onur and I were face to face. With 3- 4 pushes her head was out and one more out baby was born! Onur said I smiled the whole time, which I can’t remember, but I remember feeling so excited and overflowing with love. The midwives passed her through my legs and we found out we had a baby girl!! We cuddled, cried and soaked up the most amazing moment of our lives. Within 20 mins I delivered my placenta physiologically and I cut the cord after it was delivered. I had two grazes on either side of my outer labia and needed 2 stitches. Zali was perfectly healthy. She was 2.8kgs and after a blood test didn’t need any antibiotics.

She was born at 9pm on the dot… I was so thankful to have had the same midwives the whole way through. They were just beautiful and held me when I needed it. We started breastfeeding that night and have been doing so ever since.

I am sure I am missing some details but it was the most incredible and beautiful experience that blew my mind and cracked my heart open. I am so thankful to have had the birth that I did and I feel like so much of me staying centred came down to my breath and tapping into those comforts I established while pregnant.

Not only did I birth Zali that day, but I birthed the mother in me, and oh my goodness, I am so in awe and proud of her!

Thank you so much again Marty… I am eternally grateful for meeting you and the wisdom you shared with us. Onur and I were saying how coming to your classes was the best investment we made before having a baby. I will definitely be recommending it to all my pregnant friends.